Trouble

More Than We Can Bear? 

Does God put on us more than we can bear? Yes, He does! Maybe you are thinking about 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." This promise refers specifically to temptation. It is critically important to rightly divide the Word of truth these days. In his book titled, The Place of Help, Oswald Chambers explains, "There are disasters to be faced by the one who is in real fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. God has never promised to keep us immune from trouble. He says, 'I will be with him in trouble,' [Psalm 91:15] which is a very different thing." Here are three outstanding Old Testament examples who were overwhelmed by the trouble they faced. Moses said, "I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!" (Numbers 11:14-15). Elijah said, "It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (1 Kings 19:4). Job said, "Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11). Dr. John Phillips points out in Exploring Psalms, a pattern of trouble, trust, and triumph in the five triads of the Psalms of Ascent recorded in Psalm 120-134. It is interesting to note this pattern in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

Paul dispels a myth many believe when he writes, "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life" (2 Corinthians 1:8).

Remember

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "Memory is a fit handmaid for faith." Sacred memory encourages believers to trust and obey God's Word. Notice the movements in Psalm 103. 

Inwardly, David addresses his heart's purpose. Psalm 103:1-5 reads, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." This reveals the heart of "a man after [God's] own heart" (Acts 13:22).

Outwardly, David addresses his Hebrew people. Psalm 103:6-18 reads, "The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them." How great are the Lord's mercies!

Upwardly, David addresses his heavenly partners. Psalm 103:19-22 reads, "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion." Angels are heavenly partners, an angel told John, "I am your fellow servant" (Revelation 19:10, 22:9). Someone explains, "Because the Lord's dominion includes both heaven and earth, it is appropriate that all His created beings and objects praise Him."

As you reflect on the Lord's purpose, plan, and power, remember it is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5a).

Refocus

On the Gospel of Christ

I remember as a young boys brigade leader walking with our captain in National Park along the coastal trail.  There wasn't a trail at north Garie Head, just tea trees.  Lots of 2 metre high tea trees.  All you can see is tea trees.  And the back of the boy in front pushing through tea trees. You can't see the sea.  You can't even see the sky.  Just tea trees.  I saw a fire trail. I was the last guy so no one noticed I took the clearer way.  And I saw vistas.  The it lead to a beautiful water hole in a jungle like setting.  Beautiful nymphs discovering skinny dipping sitting on rocks and diving into the crystal clear water.  

Vistas.  You need to see the vistas of the grace of God to you and His people in the gospel. 

Grace

Mercy

Pardon for any 

Sonship adoption

Unfailing love

Never ending grace 

On the Glory of God

This is the purpose of all things to bring glory to God. Even in your pain 

Rest 

Paul shares the reason for the trouble when he writes, "Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead" (2 Corinthians 1:9). 

 Paul mentions deliverance in three tenses when he writes, "who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many" (2 Corinthians 1:10-11). 

In the words of Louisa M. R. Stead: 

"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!"

Dear believer, remember, the only thing standing between trouble and triumph is trust 

Rest in the Lord

Wait on the Lord

Dr. Alan Redpath (1907-1989) exhorts, "Listen to me. Never, never, NEVER trust your own judgment in anything. When common sense says that a course is right, lift up your head to God, for the path of faith and the path of blessing may be in a direction completely opposite to that which you call common sense. When voices tell you that action is urgent, that something must be done immediately, refer everything to the tribunal of heaven. Then, if you are still in doubt, dare to stand still. If called on to act and you have not time to pray, don't act. If you are called on to move in a certain direction and cannot wait until you have peace with God about it, don't move. Be strong enough and brave enough to dare to stand and wait on God, for none of them that wait on Him shall ever be ashamed. That is the only way to outmatch the devil."

Alan Redpath, Victorious Christian Living: Studies in the Book of Joshua

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink
Though pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of poverty or woe:

2. It will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chast'ning rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain
Can lean upon its God:

3. A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without,
That, when in danger, knows no fear;
In darkness feels no doubt.

4. A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life's last spark is fled,
And with a pure and heav'nly ray
Lights up a dying bed.

5. Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then, whate'er may come,
I taste e'en now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

Rejoice in the Lord