WHEN TROUBLE COMES

 

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord….  (Psalm 77:2a)

Trouble is unavoidable.  Every minister will have days of trial and nights of tears.  The world is hostile to our cause, the flesh is stubbornly prone to doubt, and the Devil is prowling around, roaring to stir our fear, ravenously waiting to pounce.  Sadly, there are few friends a pastor can confide in during difficult days.  The worst is that church members may not only fail to help bear our burden—they are the ones who can cause it!

So, what do we do?  Asaph cried out to God—and we must (Ps.77:1-2).  He will listen—although it may not seem so at the time.  The psalmist mentions intense petition that God seemingly ignored—sleepless nights of sorrow and prayers that were more complaints—he felt utterly overwhelmed (v.3).  Words choked out, but the groaning continued from the heart, and God understands that language of lament (v.4).

When trouble not only comes, but when it camps out, we must not give in—we must go on!  Trouble may seem to persist, but we must insist—God is there, He loves us, and is working out His purpose.  Our feelings of dread we have when we are drowning in a rising tide of difficulty are undeniable, but may we then extend our hand and cry out from the waves to the Master of the sea!  That is what Asaph did.

He got a grip on the emotions and focused on the truth (v.6).  He is battered with questions—a broadside of the Devil (v.7-9).  I have heard the same haunting, slanderous voice, mocking me.  What will be our response?

The writer is driven to his knees—and there remembers what God has done and recalls who God is (v.11-15).  He meditates on the activity of God that he has seen.  Troubles had come before and the Lord had gotten them through into triumph.  He is utterly faithful—the Almighty can and will be consistent in coming to our aid.  He has promised.

Reading Psalm 77:16-20, reminds me of a quote I recently read from the late Adrian Rogers, “God is not here to keep you out of trouble; He’s here to get in trouble with you.”  God was in the midst of the storm that came sweeping over Asaph.  As Jesus came walking on the waves to His fearful disciples in the Gospel accounts—and at first they did not recognize Him—so we may not see clearly that God is with us in our trouble and that He comes to us on the path of the storm!

Moses and Aaron led the people of God for forty years.  There were blessings, but burdens as well—times of trouble that were intense.  God was leading His sheep, nonetheless.  You may be sure that in the trouble you face in shepherding God’s flock, that the Good Shepherd has a glorious destination in mind.  The trek through the dark valley ends in the light of glory!  Pray on with fervency, my brother; press on in faithfulness.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.  (George A. Young)