As if our present circumstances of civil distress, economic upheaval and deadly pandemic aren’t enough, it seems we are also served a daily diet of mental, emotional, and spiritual negativity, not to mention being afflicted with physical ailments as well. Since we know that Jesus told us “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24: 12), we see that the children of God are being increasingly subjected to mean-spirited attacks, unfair treatment, harsh language and bad attitudes. But it gets better. We are also dealing with the added bonus of health issues too. And to top it all off, the effect of these aggressions upon us can be so bad that it makes us feel that we can’t do anything about it. We must have compassion on those bearing these agonies because sometimes it literally makes you want to just break down and cry. We would be some really pitiful people if it wasn’t for the fact that we believe in God and trust that His Son’s sacrifice gives us strength from day to day and has secured our eternal destination. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15: 19)
In the 1st century A.D. Jesus realized that His disciples would undergo these same afflictions and in His sermon on the mount He tenderly told them “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5: 10-12) Later in the sermon He explained how to handle these situations by saying “…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew 5: 44-45) He told them to pray. I say Amen!
I am confident that we all believe our Savior’s words with our whole heart and desire to obey His instructions. But, beloved ones, I know that sometimes we are wounded so deeply or are hurting so badly that we may forget, or be tempted to not even want to follow these divine directions. As you experience these episodes which are part of our human condition, I want to encourage you to always remember that God loves you. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jerermiah 29: 11) These assaults are orchestrated by that murderer, that liar and accuser of the brethren, Satan himself. But even though we know where this demonic onslaught comes from, we still suffer and groan because of the fiery trials we are going through. Jesus experienced this same type of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and did exactly what He tells us to do ..... He prayed “Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.” (Luke 22: 42) The enemy’s objective is to cause so much frustration in our lives that we become bitter, angry, resentful, afraid, depressed, even hopeless. Frustration is defined as “a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs.” In other words, an extreme reaction when things don’t go the way we want them to or we don’t get what we want. This condition is also described as aggravation, annoyance, exasperation, irritation, and vexation.
Ever felt this way? With the stress we are subjected to on a regular basis, I’m sure most of us can probably say “Yes, every day!” But we should not be surprised because the Word of God tells us “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3: 12) and also “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Pet 4: 12-13) I say Amen!
Even so, you may at times feel overwhelmed and even feel like “will it ever end?” If so, then do what David the Psalmist did when he was suffering great persecution and hiding in a cave ….. “I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.” (Psalm 142: 1-3)
That’s right dear ones, during some of his gloomiest days King David prayed. Jesus said “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18: 1) Just like His disciples, Jesus is tenderly telling us that when trouble comes your way, pray. When your path seems dark and dangerous, pray. When you are sick or injured, pray. When you don’t know where your rent or next meal will come from, pray. When you have loved ones in trouble, pray. When the odds against you seem insurmountable, pray! Yes, dear ones, pray and give God the glory for our Savior Jesus Christ who spoke so many wonderful things to encourage and uplift us in times of distress. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33) I say Amen!
Going to the Lord in prayer is a foundational principle of our faith followed throughout the Old and New Testaments. From patriarchs to prophets to apostles it was utilized to effectively mobilize God’s grace and mercy in turbulent times. Even King Hezekiah who did what was right in the sight of the Lord didn’t hesitate to pray. Before his miraculous healing from a death sentence where God amazingly reversed the path of the shadow on a sundial ( 2 Kings 20: 1-11), Hezekiah was confronted with destruction from what was considered to be the invincible army of Sennacherib, King of Assyria. In fact, before the attack, Sennacherib sent high-ranking envoys to deliver a letter to Hezekiah demanding his surrender. These envoys even arrogantly told the people of Jerusalem not to listen to Hezekiah if he told them to trust in the Lord! They haughtily bragged that Assyria has defeated so many other kingdoms and their gods were not able to save them so what makes you think your God will deliver you?
Oh boy, they done messed up now because this was Hezekiah’s response, “And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD…” (2 Kings 19: 14-15). As a result of his prayer this is what God did ….. “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed…” (2 Kings 19: 35-36) I say Amen!
Our God is so ready, willing and able to handle all of your issues dear ones, so don’t let anyone or anything dissuade, deceive, convince or cheat you out of your privilege to pray. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4: 6) Take full advantage of God's constant availability and the wonderful opportunity that He gives us to personally communicate with Him and to gloriously commune with Him on a most intimate level. As the song so beautifully says:
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a Friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there. So when you are feeling down and out, low and oppressed or even exhausted and broken, give those troubles to God. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5: 6-11) “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)
Hold on, keep the faith, trust God, lift your hands toward heaven and say AMEN!
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