In The Midst Of Trouble

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Nov 1988

Moses was often in these circumstances as he guided an ungrateful, complaining Israel nation through the desert. David knew them in his traumatic experiences with an apparently psychotic king Saul. Paul suffered them at the hands of Jews and fellow Christians. And we today, are not exempt from similar circumstances.

For our encouragement, Moses found a hiding-place in the Lord (Ps. 90:1). David blessed the Lord for daily bearing his burdens (Ps. 68:19). Paul rejoiced that "out of them all the Lord delivered me" (2 Tim. 3:11).

None will deny that we live in difficult days, crisis days, similar to those Paul outlined in 2 Tim. 3, "days hard to bear", which is a literal translation of "grievous times". This enables us to understand the Lord's vivid words to His disciples: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Mat. 10:16). In similar vein Paul writes later: "That ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" (Phil. 2:15). Without the Lord's help it is not difficult to see that we can be destroyed by the wolves of circumstances; or severely contaminated, crippled or scarred, in a ruthless, anti-Christian environment.

Three devout, intelligent young men accepted the extreme penalty of a death sentence for conscience sake. They faced a crisis in their spiritual

lives, but they refused to compromise. The ultimatum they received was this:

Worship the god of Babylon or die in the flames of the furnace! They chose the punishment; but imagine the shock of Babylon's world ruler after the sentence had been implemented. "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fife, and they have no hurt" cried Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3:25). The three young men not only quenched the power of fire through their faith (Heb. 11:34), but they were joined in the furnace by Jehovah Shammah, whose Name means "the Lord is there". They "deprived fife of its power", says Weymouth in translating "they quenched the power of fire". His presence made the trial bearable.

Consider Peter by contrast. He wandered into the circle of the Lord's enemies, a place to be avoided because he found himself in the midst of trouble. While his Lord was a prisoner in the high priest's house, Peter "joined" the enemy who had kindled a fife in the centre of the court. "Peter sat m the midst of them", says Luke (22:55). He may have warmed himself at their fire, but he must have felt the inner chills and shivers as he thrice denied the Master. It was the Lord's look and the crowing cock that caused Peter to flee from the scene.

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you that he might sift you as wheat: but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not," said the Lord (Luke 22:31,32). His prayer was that Peter's faith might not cease, or come to an end, according to one meaning of "fail not". It was answered. Peter was tested, he had a temporary lapse, but after bitter tears of repentance he knew restoration. The loving look of the all-knowing Master would remain with him as a reminder of "without Me ye can do nothing". Proof of his restoration came during the waiting period between the ascension and Pentecost, when Peter "stood up in the midst of the brethren about one hundred and twenty" (Acts 1:15). He announced the demise of Judas, quoting the prediction of Psalm 69, and outlined the procedure for choosing his successor. Later Peter stood up again, this time to preach his memorable message at Pentecost when more than 3,000 souls were saved. When our footsteps are dogged by mistakes and their consequences, let us take courage from the fact that Peter's faith failed not, and that in the midst of his trouble the Lord was there. From his experience Peter was able to write for our edification: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the

fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you" (1 Peter 4:12).

Although the Lord makes the claim through Isaiah (51:15) and Jeremiah (31:35) that He stirreth up the sea, the disciples may not have thought of this when they were buffeted, tossed, distressed in the midst of the seas (Mat. 14:24). It was not an accident of nature. The Master of the ocean, and earth, and skies, was in the mount praying at the time of the storm, after an arduous day caring for the multitude. The disciples were fearful as they toiled alone, as they thought, trying to keep the boat upright. Did they cry out, as we do at times: "Lord, where are you? We need you". His omnipresence is a fact at all times, but their assurance only seemed to come when He appeared walking upon the waves, and saying to them, "Be of good cheer; It is I; be not afraid" (Mark 6:50). And what of His omniscience?

Being all-knowing He would choose the opportune moment to leave His mountain prayer location to come to them and allay their fears. This He did. When His own are in the midst of trouble the Lord wants them to know He is there. When He entered the boat the wind ceased its raging. The realization that He is all-knowing and all-present should assist us, too, in our helplessness in the midst 6f trouble. He knows; He is there. To rest on this brings great comfort. "Faith sees Him always near".

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Nov 1988
General