Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
This passage of scripture teaches us the sacred truth that God is with us when we are going through trying circumstances, and that this fact should be a source of assurance, keeping our hearts and minds steady when we're faced with perplexities. The life of the Christian is not all blessings and happiness continually, without any trials, for the passage above also tells us that there are times when we will go through trouble. The assurance that the Christian has is that we are not alone when these experiences occur, for God has promised to be with us in the good times as well as the bad. Let's read:
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
The promise is that God will not permit us to be overwhelmed with dire circumstances to the point where we lose courage, but this is accomplished when we put our trust in Him. Daniel was off to a pretty good start in the land of Babylon, for by his steadfast cooperation with God, he was able to procure a change of diet, from the feverish one appointed by King Nebuchadnezzar, and he was also promoted to great honor, because of the correct interpretation of a dream, which could not be remembered by the king. And so, for all intents and purposes, it seemed as if Daniel had a bright future before him, with only glory, honor, and promotions as his lot.
However, in the midst of his prosperity and brilliant accomplishments lurked danger, the likes of which he had never dreamed about, for the other officials who were under his jurisdiction had purposed to bring him down from the high pinnacle of success that God had ordained for him. The accusation against him was prayer, one of the most admirable accusations that can be brought against a person, yet because of doing that which was right, he was eventually thrown to a pack of hungry lions, with the hope that his accusers would forever silence the voice of the prophet. Let's read:
Daniel 6:11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
This was definitely not your average day for one who was faithful in serving the Lord, yet Daniel did not permit these adverse and sudden events to disturb his peace, for as the scriptures teach, God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble, and we know from the sacred record, that God did deliver Him from of the mouth of the lions, so that no hurt was done to him. Let's read:
Daniel 6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
This experience of remarkable deliverance was not written so that we would conclude that just because God has promised to be with us in trouble, that we would be guaranteed deliverance according to our expectations every time, for the Bible tells us that there were others whose troublous experiences took a completely different turn, yet God was with them, as much as He was with Daniel. Let's read:
Hebrews 11:35 "And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
These passages of scripture when taken together contain significant instruction for us living in the 21st century, for we are sometimes faced with desperate situations in which God has sent remarkable deliverance our way, and we have confirmed the fact that God was with us in times of trouble. But there are other instances, where the outcome was not what we had expected, yet like those faithful Christians in Hebrews chapter eleven, the same promise of God's continued presence is confirmed to us. There are sunny days and there nay be rainy days, but in all and through all, the presence of God is assured to every believer in every place, and in every circumstance, and if we hold our heads up high, trusting in the goodness of our Creator and Redeemer, we will one day be permanently delivered from all our troubles, when Christ returns to make all things new.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that should be a source of encouragement to us as, we go through the ups and downs of life, looking forward to a better world. Let's read:
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
May this passage be a source of great encouragement to us as we travel the road that leads to eternal life. God bless!