Delivered!

Delivered!

Psalm 34:19 AMPC

[19] Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

The world seems to hold the view that faith in Christ keeps you away from trouble. I have not been able to find a verse of the Bible that supports this position. What God promises is actually a life filled with challenges. When the Christian experience is likened to 'the good fight of faith', or we are advised to 'take on the whole armour of God', or when Paul counsels Timothy on what to do in order to 'war a good warfare', you get the clear impression that God does not leave us in doubt as to what we are in for. Thinking that I will be kept from trials and tough times is to tamper with the foundations on which the Christian faith is built. That is one definition of false teaching.

What is the truth, then? What God's word says clearly is that in this world, we would have tribulations. It does sound terrible when you consider this alone, but when you add the other bit of the verse, it guarantees you God's presence in all the tribulations the world will throw at you. Consequently, we have two absolute guarantees: the inevitable tough times that will come, and the undeniable presence of God that stays with us every step of the way. We may not have a choice about the time the first one comes to us, but we have the power over the scope and reach of the second. We cannot control tough times, but if God is with us, He makes it worth it. 

God will not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Even though He is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient, He will not manifest His power where He has not been given free rein. This is where total surrender matters. How can I ask God to step into a situation that I have not handed over to Him, and I am still very much in control of? How does God take control of a situation over which I do not have any regard for His power and authority? This is where my walk of faith becomes personal; it is not about other people, but about my own walk. It is not about what people say or do, but what the faithful God has promised. 

In the same chapter from where the verse above is taken, we read about this God. He is the One who encamps round about them who fear him. He delivers them from their troubles. How He does this is within His prerogative. He does not need to answer to me, but He will surely work things out for my good. Whoever makes up his mind to trust in God is the one who is truly blessed. No matter what comes my way, whether good or 'evil' in my opinion, God ensures everything works together for my good. In God's hands, I am truly safe, no matter what comes or where I end up. This earthly phase will not last forever, but the life given to God will surely reign with Him in eternity. Let that be an encouragement to hold on to the end. God's time of favour is here.