Over the last few months, several of our church members have shared that some of their respective loved ones have been suffering with cancer and other potentially life threatening illnesses, dealing with post surgery issues, suffering with emotional and mental distress, dealing with job issues. These issues have brought at times, great sorrow, pain and weight upon our members. Part of the burden that is borne out of some of these issues is the sense of “helplessness” to change the situation. Yes, prayers are being offered up to the Lord, seeking His will in these matters – yet, the grief and potential reality of the final outcome has often overshadowed the Lord’s peace during these times of tribulations. And at times, our hearts – our very being – has been brought to mourning and tears; joy sometimes, all but forgotten.
So what is one to do during times like these? First, we must not give up on the Lord. He truly has a divine plan for each situation. We must understand that it is especially during times like these that we need to seek His counsel through prayer, supplication, thanksgiving and trust. Though we may be bearing great pain, sorrow and anxiety, we need to be reminded that the Lord cares deeply for His own. Notice the words of the psalmist in the following Psalms.
Psalms 9:9-10,
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Psalms 32:7,
“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.”
Psalms 37:39,
“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”
Psalms 46:1,
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalms 91:2,
“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
Second, our heart’s desire must be that we seek the Lord’s presence. Too often, in times like these we have a tendency to blame God for things that we have no control over. Subsequently, we at best offer up half-hearted prayers and push Him away – instead of running to His open arms, holding on to His hand – seeking His close presence to undergird us in our most difficult times. In the Book of Hebrews we find the following promise.
Hebrews 4:14-16,
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
The apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:7,
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Consider the following verses.
Psalms 55:22,
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Philippians 4:6,
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
There is an old hymn that we sometimes sing called, “Stand by Me”. The first two verses of this hymn go as follows. “1. When the storms of life are raging, Stand by me; When the storms of life are raging, Stand by me; When the world is tossing me Like a ship upon the sea; Thou who rulest wind and water, Stand by me. 2. In the midst of tribulations, Stand by me; In the midst of tribulations, Stand by me; When the hosts of hell assail, And my strength begins to fail, Thou who never lost a battle, Stand by me.” The words of this old hymn truly capture the essence of our need to praise the Lord for His presence in our “hour of tribulation”.
My prayer is that when these times of peril and distress come upon you – and they will – instead of blaming God and pushing Him away, seek His counsel, seek His peace, and personally ask Him to, “Stand by Me”.
