‘Trouble’

Daily Devotional–Tuesday, August 3, 2021

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (Matthew 16:33, NLT)

Praying that God will keep you from every trouble in life is a prayer that God has a definite answer for, “No.” Jesus’ words in Matthew make it very clear—our lives, this side of the grave, will be filled with trials and sorrows. Becoming a Christian does not provide the believer with a ‘get out of jail free’ card or a perpetual bill of clean health. If you became a Christian because someone told you that life was going to be easy as a Christ-follower, you were lied to. So what is the point? Why not just live life for oneself, rather than in obedience to God? Because even though those who believe in God are not magically removed out of all of life’s difficulties, unlike those who refuse to live life on God’s terms, we can experience a peace and hope that they never can.

We may not be saved ‘from’ trouble, but we can know the peace of God in the midst of trouble. Those of us who know Jesus, know that this life isn’t all there is. Thank goodness! This planet has been infected with a cancer, sin, that has corrupted it; there is no escape, vaccine or safe distance. Belief in Jesus and obedience to God is the only cure. Earth, no matter how enjoyable it can be at times, is just a hospital ward. Our life to come—free from the disease and trouble of sin—is what we are to place our hope in. For those who believe in God, the grave should be greeted with anticipation; it is the door into eternal life. Jesus has promised that those who have accepted Him and lived their lives loving God and loving others have nothing to fear. It is there, in heaven, that we will experience a life of no trouble.
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So, no matter the trouble you are experiencing today, it is just temporary. As believers, we look forward to an amazing life to come. Don’t let the troubles of this life make you forget why you are here…to spread God’s love to others. Make it your aim to share the hope that you have with someone who needs to know of God’s grace, love and forgiveness!
~ Pastor Jane