Joy in Trials?

 

Last night we had a long visit with a couple who work at al local mission for homeless people. They were discouraged as they told us the attitude of most who come to the shelter for food and a bed. Very few are thankful, not even those who get a regular cash gift from the government. They only want more of everything and order their caregivers around as if they were slaves rather than people who are concerned for their well-being.

Today’s devotional is how the author went to a friend hoping she could get help and advice. However, the friend had only one answer, no matter how difficult the problem was and how graphic the author’s explanation. The friend kept saying, “Yes, I know; but there is God.”

This came to mind last night even before reading it today. The conversation was all about the problems of working with unreasonable and unthoughtful people until we began talking about the power of God. Yes, we agreed that our world is in a mess and many have rejected God’s mercy and grace, just curse Him and everyone else. However, God is God.

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— let Israel now say— if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:1–8)

Without Him, all would be like those unthankful people, always wanting more, never content or thankful, wasting what they do have, and treat others without any kindness at all. Apart from the grace of God, we are sinners who fall short and are in bad need of His Spirit to change our attitudes.

As we talked of God’s mercy and the grace of Jesus toward sinful people, we could see hope coming to the faces of our friends, It reminded me of these words:

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3–4)

When I look online for images about God being enough, many of them add the words, “…when God is all that you have” and I think how tragic to be humbled to the point of having nothing before realizing that God is sufficient. It is even more tragic when people without much wallow in their misery rather than seeking Him and realizing that He is indeed enough.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, our friends at the mission say that none of the staff could survive the day without the time given by their employer to pray and rest during their shift. Their task is difficult and the work they do is ridiculed rather than appreciated. In many ways, they are suffering like You suffered. Grant them joy in it, that impossible to understand joy and peace that only You can give to those who struggle to obey You when in great stress as they serve very needy people. No one is sufficient for these things, but God, You are ENOUGH!.