when trouble comes...

God will sometimes take us through it; God will sometimes help us in it; God will sometimes keep us from it*

This echoes Beth Moore's observations in the study of Daniel (scenario A, B or C).**

When you are faced with trouble, how do you respond? Can you say with confidence that "He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, Your rod & Your staff, they comfort me" (Ps. 23:3-4) or as Isaiah writes, "when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour" (Isa. 43:2-3)

In the book, When Your World Falls Apart, David Jeremiah writes:

"Every believer knows that when we walk through the valley of tears, God walks beside us, when we pass through the fire, He draws close to deflect the flames; when we wade through the flood He is nearby to keep our heads up. In the storm or in the earthquake or in the midst of any disaster threatening to engulf us - that's the time we feel the presence of the Lord as we've never felt Him before. Other so-called friends may disappear. their words may falter and their support may vanish. But God is closest in the crises, surrounding us with His presence. He promised us He would do it, and our Lord is always as good as His Word."***

What happens when we go through troubles? It's easy to think that God has forgotten us - that He has discarded us. It's a terrible feeling. But it's not true because "when we navigate troubled waters, God is the master of not only the waves, but also the ship."****

And so I am again comforted... people/friends may desert me but God is walking along side me - I may not see Him and some days I do not feel His presence, but in faith (as feeble as mine may be) I must trust... I must believe... I must cling to the promise of His never-failing presence for God IS with me.

* Jeremiah, David. When Your World Falls Apart (p. 114)
** Moore, Beth. Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy
***Jeremiah, David. p.119
**** Jeremiah, David. p. 120