“DEALING WITH TROUBLES” – Mar. 1

“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14

I awoke this morning troubled. 

I had one of those very vivid dreams that is hard to shake.  It was a dream that has lingered much too long into my rising.  I had spent most of my time of rest trapped in a courtroom expressing my displeasure at the injustice I have felt toward those who are threatening to sue my company.  I presented evidence, countered arguments, spoke eloquently of ethics, all from a diner booth in the back of the courtroom (it was a dream after all).

I awoke indignant. 

I have written about this issue that has troubled me in the past (BUT I DON’T WANNA BE SLAPPED).  There is nothing that has changed in the status of my troubles.  I have continued to give it to the Lord and rely upon Him.  However, my dreams may be revealing that my troubles are holding onto me more than my “stiff upper lip” reveals.

I opened my Bible this morning with a desperation not felt on most mornings.  I really needed the Lord to help me give all of this to him, once more.  These are the passages that were waiting for me from my Bible reading plan:

“He said, “Do not be afraid for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.”  So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:16-17)

“So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:39b-42)

 “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away…So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long?  Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.  Let your work be shown to your servant, and your glorious power to their children.  Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:10-17)

Every person who walks this earth has had and will have toil and trouble.  Toil and trouble are not fun.  They can be disturbing and distracting.  We have all seen and been afflicted by that which is wrong and evil.

We who are in Christ have no need to despair in the toil or the troubles that we may face.  Our Father is greater than all that faces us.  He who is in us is greater than those who are against us.  God is in control of all things.  There is nothing that is too hard for him.  All that we walk through is for His greater purpose.  The toils and troubles of this world remind us that our satisfaction cannot be found in this world.  Our satisfaction comes from one place – God.  His steadfast love is the source of our satisfaction.  It is because of His unending and unquenchable love that we can rejoice this day and all of our days.  God’s steadfast love is greater than any toil or trouble that we may face.

Therefore, we need to keep our troubles from distracting us.  It is very easy to allow time to slip away as we are preoccupied with legitimate problems.  We only have a limited number of days.  We need God to teach us to number those days.  The Apostles experienced beatings and went straight back to the work of the Lord.  Their troubles did not distract them.  They rejoiced in their troubles because they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  They could rejoice because they knew the steadfast love of the Lord and it was greater than any beating they would receive.  They did not allow their troubles to lose a day for the Lord.

I pray for the Lord to change the hearts of these men that seem so determined to go to court against me.  I pray that it will be clear that the Lord changed their hearts for His glory.

If it is the Lord’s will that we go through this trouble and even lose all, I pray that my family and I will be faithful to our Lord and Savior for His glory.  I know that it will be for a greater purpose.  I pray that we will not be distracted; that we will not lose a day for Christ.  That He will establish the work of our hands.

I praise God for His steadfast love.  It is sweeter than anything that I know.  The favor of the Lord our God is more satisfying than any peace or prosperity that this world may offer.  I will gladly lose all these worldly possession to be counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  May our Lord be glorified.

It is time to get back to work and not lose a day!

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your word.  Thank you for lifting my eyes and reminding me of your steadfast love.  Thank you for showing me that my hope is not in this world.  My security is not in this world.  My reputation is nothing compared to the surpassing worth of your favor and steadfast love.  Thank you for the days that you have given me and the troubles that are in them.  I long to see your work and glorious power in what is transpiring.  You are good and will work all of this for your glory.  I look forward to the day when my eyes are open to see it all.  Lord, I am in your hands.  Mold me for your purposes.  May you establish the work of my hands for your glory.     Amen