Jesus gave a very encouraging promise in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The word tribulation is #2347 from #2346 in the Strong’s concordance Greek Dictionary and it means: pressure, afflicted, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble; to crowd, and suffer. Haven’t we all experienced the reality of these words at various times in our personal lives? And sometimes like a tidal wave they have come crashing in upon us with no warning and left us in a state of discouragement, loneliness, fear, worry, despair and even depression.
The Apostle Paul acknowledged that he and others in the early church faced the reality of persecution and tribulation but they did not let it overcome them. He said in II Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” The faith they had in the promises of God, kept them confident and strong in the face of all kinds of trouble! Even in the midst of trials and tribulation when circumstances do not make sense, we too can stand strong in the face of life’s storms, just as the early church learned to do. We can have Faith and accept God’s promise to work all things out for our ultimate eternal good just as Romans 8:28 promises.
God’s word is very clear in Psalm 34:17-19 that our Heavenly Father promised to deliver us from our troubles if we will trust Him by Faith. “The righteous cry and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” There is always Hope Brethren no matter what troubles and obstacles you face in life. If you have Faith and truly Believe, all difficulties can be overcome and even the most difficult obstacle can be removed. The Bible is clear when it says Nothing is Impossible with God! There is no impossible circumstance that God cannot change through the Power of Fervent believing Prayer!! Psalm 34:22, promises, “The Lord redeems the soul of His servants: and NONE of them that Trust in Him shall be desolate.” When we draw close to the Shadow of the Almighty and confide in Him, and put our Hope in Him, place our complete Trust in Him and make Him our refuge in times of trouble He will comfort and protect us.
The Father in Heaven desires that we experience a life of victory and overcoming. He wants us to be filled with Hope, Optimism, Peace, Joy, Love, Forgiveness, and Victory over sin! Even amidst all the trials, temptations, and tragedies of life, He promises us in Psalm 16:11 that, “In His presence we will find fullness of Joy.” God desires that you take some special time each day to dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High as Psalm 91 says! He desires to have a daily personal ongoing walking and talking relationship with you. He wants you to experience the Power of His Presence in your life as you Pray and Trust Him for Wisdom, Faith, Courage, and Strength deep within your soul!
The scriptures are living and powerful and the words you read meditate on and pray over will bring Comfort, Faith, and Healing to your heart and mind. The Bible is filled with inspired words of Hope, Peace, Love, Joy, Forgiveness, and Victory over sin. Proverbs 4:22 says, “They are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh.” God’s word is more to be desired than gold and we are encouraged in Colossians 3:16 to let it dwell richly in our hearts. Study, meditate on and apply the message of Joshua 1:8-9 to your life this week and God will richly bless you for your efforts! “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”