Daily devotion – When troubles come.
When Trouble Comes
“Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” — Job 5:7 (KJV)
I am so looking forward to meeting Job when we make it to glory! I would love to sit with him, hear his story firsthand, and tell him how much his life and faith have blessed us through our own seasons of trouble.
Trouble is something that finds every one of us. Suffering is part of living in a fallen world, where sin has brought sorrow, pain, and death. We only need to watch the news or read the paper to see the tragedies people are facing. No one is exempt, and no one can be inoculated against suffering. Tears are universal, and even the word sympathy reminds us of the importance of suffering alongside others.
Sin and disobedience have brought trouble into our world (Isaiah 48:22). Man may try to build a utopia without God, but it will never succeed. We cannot have the Millennium without the Prince of Peace! The world keeps searching for peace while rejecting the One who alone can bring lasting peace.
And yet, trouble does not come only to those who reject God. The righteous suffer too, and God’s children are certainly not exempt from trials. Sometimes trouble comes through our own foolish decisions. At other times, God allows difficulties to discipline us as His children (Hebrews 12:6), teach us patience and trust (James 1:2–4), smooth out our rough edges, or turn our attention back to Him when our eyes have wandered elsewhere.
But whatever the reason for our trouble, we are never alone in it! Our Heavenly Father knows what we are facing, and He promises never to leave nor forsake His own (Hebrews 13:5). He may not explain every trial, and He does not promise that life will be free from pain, but He does promise His presence and sustaining grace.
Remember, too, that our troubles have an end date. They may last longer than we would choose, and some burdens may follow us throughout our earthly lives, but suffering will not have the final word. One day, our Lord Jesus will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).
So, when those sparks fly upward and trouble comes knocking at your door, don’t allow the trial to drive you away from the Lord. Let it draw you closer to Him. Allow Him to mature your faith, deepen your trust, and make you more like Jesus.
Today’s challenge: Whatever trouble you are facing today, bring it to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him what He wants to teach you through it, and trust Him to carry you through it.
Trouble may be unavoidable, but growing in Christ through trouble is a choice we can make each day.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
In His grace,
Pastor Keith