When the going gets tough . . .

1 Samuel 29–30; Psalms 46–47; Ezekiel 8; 1 Corinthians 10

 Feeling heavy this morning even after a good night’s sleep, I recognize prayer burdens from the Lord. Two friends with severe strokes, three friends with severe moral issues, a friend flat out with a severe back issue, another whose marriage is in trouble, a relative with severe life changes, never mind the news that announces severe weather changes, never mind the upsetting daily stuff that is going on in the world. Prayer is the only thing I can do about any of it.

The New Testament speaks of the events in the OT like those described in today’s news. Even though David’s battles worked out okay, he faced much stress and tears. Ezekiel was given a clear vision of the idolatry happening among the people of God. The letter to the church in Corinth contains a strong warning against idolatry and says of the OT, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) For all these reasons, I’m paying attention to the warnings, but also glad for the good news shared by the psalmist.

First things first. There is much in the OT to show how awful sin is, both then and now. It also uses various ways to anticipate a Savior who would come and take action to save us from our bondage to sin. The OT might be filled with moral lessons but it clearly identifies not only the human problem of sin but the reality that we need help with it. We cannot defeat our evil by ourselves.

The NT shows that even as the Savior came and forgives sinners, those who are ‘saved’ from its penalty and power still need to be warned concerning it. For that, part of the warning comes from OT examples. God’s people tried, even diligently, but still fell often and hard. They could not do it without the abiding power of the Holy Spirit and neither can we who are His people now.

This means that the OT is not just for those who first read it but for us who live in this world today. We trust the Lord, declaring it to be so, yet when trials come and our trust is tested, we are not always able to live in joy and peace. Fear and doubt rob us from the gifts of God’s comfort, faith and peace. We have received so much and even marvel at how quickly those OT people so quickly abandoned their heritage and comfort, yet we are also apt to do the very same thing ourselves when the going gets tough.

Yet the OT is not all bad news. David did win his battles and along with others wrote songs of praise to encourage God’s people. Today’s reading gives me relief for the burdens I am carrying. Part of it says:

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still; and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:6–11)

APPLY: Be still indeed! Trust Him instead of letting the troublesome issues of this day occupy my mind until my head aches and my body is filled with tension. Sing praises, not to deny the burdens but to realize that only God can deal with any of them. And pray, not telling Him what to do but lifting up all that painful and messy stuff to Him. He hears. He cares. If there will be any change, improvement or resolution, He can do it. If not, He can grant me patient trust that no matter what happens or doesn’t happen, He is wise, good, loves us all and remains in charge.