Recently, I met with two pastor friends one morning at the church. I noticed one of them gazing at the wall and looking puzzled. The other one looked on as well, and I noticed he seemed a bit confused. On further examination, I finally realized what the issue was. The church had recently installed a wall-mounted television set. This was to be used for Sunday School presentations or other teachings. The set (mount) stuck out several inches from the base. Just overhead, flush with the wall, was a very nice projector screen. Since the television had been mounted, the screen could not be lowered or used effectively. We all then looked at each other and jokingly said: “This is a problem.”
We face many problems in life. Some are big, some small. However, handled correctly and with proper perspective, we can make it through.
Born-again believers, Christians, have problems just like the world has, if not sometimes more of them. This life can get us down sometimes. The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, informs us that God knows we as human beings struggle with problems. The wonderful news is that there is a solution. In the Psalms it reads, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 (NKJV). 1 Peter says, “….casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV). Thank God for the truth that He will sustain us.
God will strengthen us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. No matter the troubles, He has promised to work it out for our good. Paul says in Romans 8:28 (NKJV) ”And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Often we may doubt Him; however, He is working in us so that all glory will go to Him. Through the power of Christ, He will allow no trial to be so great that we cannot bear it. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV), it says, “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.”
We have a Heavenly Father who loves His children. I am so thankful that I had a Christian earthly father. He always looked out for us. Jesus cares for His children. Matthew 7:11 (NKJV) says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
We must pray and tell our Heavenly Father that we get the message from John 16:33 (NKJV), in which the disciple whom Jesus loved writes, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
I’m so thankful for the Word of God. We can “be of good cheer” because of His promises.
Jeremy Dykes – CBC Ex. Board
