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In Times of Trouble

By Pastor Vernon Onrubia

Psalms 91:15 says, “He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” What does trouble mean? Trouble is a difficulty or problem, it is a very distressing and discouraging situation, which sometimes even turns into a matter of life and death. Everyone has troubles. But in Christ Jesus, you are more than conquerors. In Psalms 6:6, David says, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” Serving God is a delight in itself, but it is not without troubles too. God is always ahead of you in this matter. So expect a victory even when all you see is defeat.


Psalms 6 is one of David’s lamentations. It is like the book of Job. Bible commentaries on this chapter say that David was experiencing sickness of the body, trouble of mind arising from the sense of sin and the insult of his enemies. In the book of Job, he described his troubles as full of pain, groaning, suffering, his worst nightmare, no rest and full of turmoil. David experienced so many troubles in his life. He was betrayed and even dethroned. But he stood strong because of the presence of God in his life. Paul also experienced a”thorn in the flesh.” But Jesus said His grace is sufficient for him. If great men of the Bible experienced troubles, then there is no exemption. Troubles will always have a purpose. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” He wants to teach you something all the time.

What should you do in times of trouble? In Genesis 50:20, Joseph declares, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” You know the story. Joseph was sold as a slave until he reached Egypt. His journey was not easy but God was moving in His life even when he did not know it. Joseph said all his trials were used by God to save many people. Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Even if the trees bear no fruit, Rejoice in God. No matter what the situation you are facing right now, what is that to you? Follow God, serve Him always and worship the living God.


For some people, trouble becomes an oppressor; but to others, they are an opportunity to learn and to grow. Jesus is the light, and those who live in the light never live in darkness. That is why you should not consider your troubles as dark situations because Jesus is in you. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” No one can separate you from the love of God. So whatever troubles come your way, you are strong. Nothing can separate you from God. You are not operating in your own flesh and ability but on grace and faith alone.


Always remember that Jesus did not promise and easy road ahead. What He promised is that He will never leave you nor forsake you. God will not thank you for accepting Him and allow you too lie down on a bed of roses. In fact, those who want to follow Him must take up their cross to be able to do that.


What attitudes do you need in times of trouble? Humility, submissiveness and obedience. Even if you are in the middle of trouble, your heart should not be rebellious before God. When David sinned, he humbled himself and fasted. God then restored him.


God’s presence. He says He will be with you. It is an assurance of God’s presence. Without His presence, you are nothing. Moses said that if God’s presence will not be with him, they can just stay where they are. Matthew 28: 20 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Psalms 91 says, “I will be with Him in times of trouble.”God’s presence brings forth peace, hope and strength. It makes all the difference. Many victories in the Bible happened all because of the presence of God. The book of Esther was almost removed in the Bible because there was no mention of the name of God in all of its books. But it is there because even if the name of God was not mentioned, the presence of God was there. 1 Samuel 16:13-14 says, “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.” It is a very miserable situation if the presence of God leaves you. Saul was appointed due to public demand. But David was appointed by God Himself. This is a good remind for everybody to be a good host to the presence of God and not to abuse it. The presence of God on you should be like a dove that envelopes you and never flies away.


God’s favor. God is not present in everybody. That is both a favor and a blessing. Those who are willing to experience the presence of God will experience the favor of God. Isaiah 42:8 says, ““I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Because you are living by faith through Christ Jesus, the glory of God rests in you. There are no barriers in worship because Christ tore the curtains down. Psalms 32:7 says, “You are my hiding place; you keep me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance.” It is one thing to know God’s presence and another thing to experience it - that is God’s favor. There are people who know God but do not experience Him. Their lives are not changed because the presence of God is not with them.


God’s miracles. In difficult situations, God will come to answer, rescue and deliver you. That is God’s miracle. When God answers you, miracles take place and impossible things become possible.


God’s approval. God will let people know that you are His child and that is His approval. In Esther 6:11, Mordecai was paraded through the streets because he saved the king’s life. 2 Corinthians 2: 14 says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” You are victorious in Jesus Christ.


Revelation 22:20 says, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus.” That is a declaration of victory. Not a declaration of defeat, not of confusion, not a declaration of fear - buta declaration that in every situation that you are in, you can say, “Come Lord Jesus Come!” Because that is an assurance that God will come and you will enjoy His presence forever and ever

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