When Trouble Comes

I’ve never been a big fan of Winnie the Pooh. However, one of the bedtime books I used to read to my children was about a blustery day in the hundred-acre wood. Piglet was anxious about trees falling down and says to Pooh, “What if it happened when we were underneath one?” In a laid back sort of way the bear replies, “Well, suppose it didn’t”.

It’s the glass half-full, half-empty scenario isn’t it? The sort of conversation we have with others, or even with ourselves. Are we worried about all sorts of things that might happen? Or, are we less bothered and prefer to take one day at a time? Here we are so early in the New Year and full of optimism. But we need to face the fact that during the coming months every person present this morning will likely encounter some difficulty along the way that may be spelled out as T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Psalm 121 speaks to us of trouble of one kind or another. I have this psalm on the notice board above my desk to remind me of the dialogue we have in our souls now and again. It’s a pilgrim psalm originally sung by those on their way to Jerusalem. Back then, Holy Land pilgrimages were notoriously difficult; hazardous terrain, all manner of pitfalls including robbers. At night the travellers would group together (safety in numbers) and would post sentries around the campsite. Looking up at the hills, or mountains and even further up into the glory of the star-lit heavens, the Lord’s abode, for here was true help against the greater troubles of life: “My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.” (vs.2). He can deal with more than mere robbers. So with renewed courage they would sleep, arising with confidence the next morning to face any trouble that might present itself. I guess they were – “one day at a time folk” – who knew nothing is beyond God’s reach and control.

It’s so obviously true yet sometimes we need reminding of basic truths. We need reminding, when we face anxious times, just who it is we should first be turning to. Not our spouses, or parents, or children, or friends – but to the Creator God: “O how I need you Lord, you are my only hope, my only prayer.”

Doris Brown was a remarkable woman. Six and a half feet tall, her physical presence was matched by her big personality. She was a missionary, working in China in the late 1940s when the Communists took control. They regarded her as a freak, so set to work on her. Brainwashing began: endless hours of questioning. She became confused, but in the middle of it all she remembered a remarkable promise of Jesus: “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say, or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Mt.10:19-20).

From a purely human perspective, times of trials and sufferings can make us feel hopeless. Doris was in a setting of persecution, so she asked God for help and comfort. To each question from her interrogators she made a statement of faith working through the historic creeds and quoting Scriptures that the Holy Spirit gave her including Psalm 121. Eventually the interrogators gave up. Later, Doris returned to England – with her faith intact.

We’ll never have to go through what some Christians have endured. Think of Terry Waite held hostage all those years and unknown believers across the world being persecuted as I speak. Nevertheless, in our times of serious testing – life’s full of surprises and uncertainties, and we must not be tempted to turn from our faith or just give up. We should turn to God in these times and share the confidence of the psalmist who knows that He cares about our troubles. Look at these verses again:-

• He will not let you stumble or fall (vs.3).

• He personally watches over you! (vs.5).

• He stands beside you when the heat gets too much (vs.5).

• He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life (vs.7).

That’s wonderful reassurance, isn’t it? I think we can all agree this short Psalm is trying to tell us something! It is comforting. However that word can mislead, for the old usage is very different from our modern understanding. This is amusingly illustrated on the Bayeux Tapestry. One scene has the caption: “King William comforteth his soldiers” – but we do not find him with his arms around his men. No. He’s prodding then into battle with his sword. What this image is highlighting is the belief that despite our troubles, we endeavor to serve our King to the maximum, believing that He will give us the strength, so that we will be able to endure whatever it is. When we gain a proper perspective by having the eye of faith, we have serenity. The promised comfort the Lord’s Holy Spirit provides.

I don’t where Bette Midler and Sir Cliff Richard got their theology from when they sang about how God is watching us, from a distance. That’s so wrong. Whether we’re healthy or ill, happy or sad, calm or angry – God stands beside us as we come and go on our journey through life. As well as the Healer, and the Great Physician, He’s also our Shepherd who keeps a close eye on His sheep – especially when we’re “in the mountains of anxiety” facing those life issues: pain, suffering, broken relationships. Those testing times, none more so when we’re confronted with death, say of a loved one, sudden or expected: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Thy rod and staff they comfort me.” (Ps.23:4). How often we forget this truth. It’s not surprising for we feel sometimes that God has got it in for us; that He’s reluctant to help and that we’re not good enough for Him and that we can cope on our own.

If this you today then the troubles that you’re currently in the midst of, whatever it is, whatever they may be, surrender them to Jesus right now. Stop relying on yourself and see your anxiety fade away. Look, not at the hills, but past the hills. Look to the cross, as you endeavor day by day, not necessarily to have a comfortable life – but to have eternal life. After all, Jesus laid it on the line to His followers concerning trust and persistent prayer and Paul, himself no stranger to difficulties and hardship said: “I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little…I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty…For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Lastly, when life seems impossible for you to bear, turn your eyes to God. Look to Him in faith believing that He has the power to comfort you and to strengthen you – for no matter what your feelings may be, God is still with you. Whatever the circumstances of your worrying, He will show you the way out. For the Lord watches over us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

So turn to the Lord again and trust Him now.

Let us pray…

Dear God, we need you. Please give us faith. Amen.