As the Bible describes the days leading up to the Lord’s return, a word pops up over and over again. That word is “trouble.” The seven years of tribulation are known as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). But that won’t last. Isaiah 65:16 speaks of the millennium, a time after the tribulation when, “the former troubles are forgotten.”
The world is rapidly being prepared for the tribulation period. Christians are destined to be rescued from the world before the actual hurricane hits, but the outer bands are already kicking up quite a storm.
Whatever your view of the end times, you probably agree that the world is in a particularly troubled state right now. And it looks as though it could get much worse very quickly. I feel for today’s politicians, ordinary men and women trying to stave off chaos even as they watch the house around them rattle, creak, and break.
The Bible has much to say about God’s people in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9-10 says, “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Do you know His name? That involves knowing Him and the kind of Person He is — that He is ever faithful and ever true. Have you put your trust in Him? This is a good time to renew that trust, to remember who He is, and that you can always count on Him. Psalm 107:1 says, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 69:30 says, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” In the United States of America, our ancestors bequeathed many gifts to us — not the least of which is a special day set aside to do exactly what the Psalm says, “magnify Him with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 147:7 says, “Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving…” We sing because our hearts are full when we consider God’s goodness and graciousness to us. But even when our hearts don’t feel full, we sing anyway because His goodness and graciousness are real and true regardless of our mood or circumstance.
Maybe like Martha in Luke 10:41, “thou art careful and troubled about many things.” If so, try to be more like her sister Mary. In verse 42, Jesus said, “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Choose the good part, and it will not be taken away from you. Choose thanksgiving. Choose to see the infinite expressions of God’s love for you.
Never forget what Jesus said in John 14:1-3. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
In verse 27 of that chapter, He added this. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
That’s for you — a gift this Thanksgiving from the Lord of the universe.
