Jacob
2008-05-05 01:43:05 UTC
Calamities! This is what we hear about from all the media reports, and
it is no wonder that we are tempted to get scared of what can happen
to us. We figure out that if such things are happening constantly our
turn cannot be far away. But this logic is all wrong because we have
not factored God into our picture. He has promised us that even if
calamities are striking all around us, He is going to protect us (Ps.
91:1-7). He is making a distinction between us and the people around
us, because we have made Him our refuge (v.9). Many things may happen
to others, but He will see to it that nothing touches us. We can
believe that.
Jesus said that many calamities are going to take place in the world
in the end times, and that people are going to get scared of what is
likely to happen to them (Lk.21:26). But not we, because we have the
Lord as our refuge. We don't have to fear even when all we can see on
the TV and in the newspapers is one calamity after another. God says
that even if ten thousand may fall at our side we don't have to be
afraid. That's because God has made us His own, and has taken the
responsibility of watching over us without even dozing off a bit (Ps.
121:4)! Jesus said in connection with the end times that not even a
hair on our head will be harmed (Lk.21:18).
How does this actually work, especially when we know Job and other
godly men in our days also who have actually suffered calamities?
Didn't Jesus also say that in this world we would have trouble and
that some of us may even get killed for His name (Jn.16:33;Lk.21:16)?
The fact is that trouble is the exception rather than the rule. As a
rule, God watches over us to protect us from all harm. But once in a
while He allows some trouble to come across our path in order to test
us or to train us (Jas.1:2,3;1Pe.1:6,7). Satan has to get permission
from God to touch us. But God keeps His hand on the control so that
things do not become too hard for us (1Co.10:13). Even when He allows
us at times to suffer hardship, He will make sure that it will finally
produce some good result for us (Ro.8:28). Even if we feel that the
floods are getting to go over us or the fire is becoming too hot, we
can be sure that He is there with us, holding us in His arms and
keeping everything under control (Is.43:12). When we go through tough
times along with Him, He will cause us to become more like Him and
have better fellowship with Him.
But times of special hardship are usually rare for children of God. He
watches over more lovingly and carefully than any earthly father. God
does have some special people like Job who are taken through real
trouble. But that too happens only for a finite period. We can look to
the future with confidence in our Father. He is planning for our well
being and prosperity and not for calamity (Je.29:11). We don't have to
live in fear as if some calamity is just around the corner! That kind
of idea is from the devil, and he is known to be a liar. When God is
with us, why should we fear?
it is no wonder that we are tempted to get scared of what can happen
to us. We figure out that if such things are happening constantly our
turn cannot be far away. But this logic is all wrong because we have
not factored God into our picture. He has promised us that even if
calamities are striking all around us, He is going to protect us (Ps.
91:1-7). He is making a distinction between us and the people around
us, because we have made Him our refuge (v.9). Many things may happen
to others, but He will see to it that nothing touches us. We can
believe that.
Jesus said that many calamities are going to take place in the world
in the end times, and that people are going to get scared of what is
likely to happen to them (Lk.21:26). But not we, because we have the
Lord as our refuge. We don't have to fear even when all we can see on
the TV and in the newspapers is one calamity after another. God says
that even if ten thousand may fall at our side we don't have to be
afraid. That's because God has made us His own, and has taken the
responsibility of watching over us without even dozing off a bit (Ps.
121:4)! Jesus said in connection with the end times that not even a
hair on our head will be harmed (Lk.21:18).
How does this actually work, especially when we know Job and other
godly men in our days also who have actually suffered calamities?
Didn't Jesus also say that in this world we would have trouble and
that some of us may even get killed for His name (Jn.16:33;Lk.21:16)?
The fact is that trouble is the exception rather than the rule. As a
rule, God watches over us to protect us from all harm. But once in a
while He allows some trouble to come across our path in order to test
us or to train us (Jas.1:2,3;1Pe.1:6,7). Satan has to get permission
from God to touch us. But God keeps His hand on the control so that
things do not become too hard for us (1Co.10:13). Even when He allows
us at times to suffer hardship, He will make sure that it will finally
produce some good result for us (Ro.8:28). Even if we feel that the
floods are getting to go over us or the fire is becoming too hot, we
can be sure that He is there with us, holding us in His arms and
keeping everything under control (Is.43:12). When we go through tough
times along with Him, He will cause us to become more like Him and
have better fellowship with Him.
But times of special hardship are usually rare for children of God. He
watches over more lovingly and carefully than any earthly father. God
does have some special people like Job who are taken through real
trouble. But that too happens only for a finite period. We can look to
the future with confidence in our Father. He is planning for our well
being and prosperity and not for calamity (Je.29:11). We don't have to
live in fear as if some calamity is just around the corner! That kind
of idea is from the devil, and he is known to be a liar. When God is
with us, why should we fear?