Providence in the Midst of Peril

Working Backwards

Many accountants or 5th graders doing long division have gotten to the end of a spreadsheet or a problem work backwards to see where the mistake was. Often times when we find ourselves having to work backward in life. We get to a place in life that seems catastrophic and when it becomes too much to bear we need God to help us out.

This is why it’s imperative that if we take nothing else away from this text we understand and know “Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him”. In the midst of these turbulent and uncertain times will you trust the Father, will you allow your soul to be anchored in him?

In a nutshell, you want to be blessed? Trust in God. If things seem bleak, lets reflect and see where we can work backwards to get back to trusting in God. Life had become extremely convenient, many of us are working from home, some people are even being laid off. Times are truly uncertain and the best thing we can do in uncertain times is trust in the Lord.

The State of Why

It’s quite honest to say as a people we are in a state of why. Why are people acting like this, why are people so restless. That word rage in this test literally means to be so restless, to be in a tumult or an intense form of commotion. A state of confusion and simply put that is what we are witnessing right now. Commotion, uncertainty and a lack of faith. So much so we see people respond with reckless and irrational behavior.

What we have to understand is we can be bold and patient. Boldness does not have to be recklessness.

Even in the people of God respond with boldness. “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord”. This was in response to the name of Jesus being forbidden.

They remember what David said “why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ”.

This is not the time to be prideful, I know the same people calling on God right now mocked him last month but let God do his work!

God Hears

Understand that God knows the heart of all men, He knows who is pure in heart and he knows who is standing in hypocrisy.

To throw off God’s will is to invite bondage and destruction. Understand whatever God is doing in our lives we cannot stop, when we try to stop it we dig a deeper hole for ourselves.

Understand that no matter the state of this nation God is still to be served. As powerful as any pandemic is, God is that much more powerful.

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

when catastrophe hits people question God, they question the nature of God but just know that the will of God will withstand anything in its way.

In a time of uncertainty let us model the words

God Laughs

“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision”

God laughs at the those who conspire to derail his will. Even his will in our life. It’s almost like sport to him. It’s like going into a game he knows he’s going to win.

It’s almost like when I’m playing my son in a game, I know he won’t win but just to let him feel good about his foolishness I toy with him a little bit.

God holds them in derision or he leaves them in their mockery! Understand God is not mocked, uncertain times is no license to act a fool!

The same rules apply, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

We don’t have to fret over evil doers, God always gets the last laugh. Sometimes He has to take extreme measures to ensure that people are humbled accordingly. We just have to continue to understand that we have to remain humble under the mighty hand of God.

“Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure”

God Speaks

Understand joy cometh in the morning! We have to be patient that God is going to deal with our enemy in his time.

When we put God first He acts on our behalf.

Verse 6-8 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You.”

On My holy hill of Zion.”

When God speaks for you no one can dismiss it! It’s tough because the noise of the nations and the enemy is loud. Nonetheless we have to listen for the assuring voice of God. Rebels will submit, enemies will be wiped out we just have to trust in God! Block out the noise! Listen for God’s voice. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Your faith is strengthened when you listen to the Lord.

Blessed are all those who put their trust in him:

No matter what the world throws at you, trust in God. Serve God with fear because he has made a decree on our behalf. Understand this shows the duality of God, we can put our faith in him or rebel against him but understand his power works both ways.

What fear and pride interpret as bondage for the Christian is security and bliss. Understand that we buy all the toilet paper, trail mix and frozen meat we want there is refuge in no other but God. This is not the time to mock God its a time to trust in God.

In a nutshell, you want to be blessed? Trust in God. If things seem bleak, lets reflect and see where we can work backwards to get back to trusting in God. Life had become extremely convenient, many of us are working from home, some people are even being laid off. Times are truly uncertain and the best thing we can do in uncertain times is trust in the Lord.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.