+DEV+ Through It All

Date: July 19, 2009 10:07 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Through It All

Through It All

“You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance” (Psalm 66:11-12).
Scripture Focus: Psalm 66:1-12

I met an agent in a coffee shop and listened for over an hour to his story of heartache, evil, suffering, and destruction. He had been involved in an investigation of several terrorist acts and his spirit was deeply grieved. He’d had enough “fire and water.” Where was God in all of this?

Trials refine our character, but they are tough to go through. Now and then we can skirt tough issues; more often we take a trip through them, but God is with us. The psalmist leads us into praise relating to God’s glory, faithfulness and protection (Psalm 66). The apostle Paul told of his own experience in finding that God’s grace is sufficient, more than adequate to deal with any kind of trouble (2 Corinthians 12:9). David said, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

The pain of grief, disappointment, loss, or failure wears us down. But God is there with us through it all. In that coffee shop, we prayed, assured that God was present.

Insight: Its God’s promise of His presence, His strength in weakness, and His friendship when we’re lonely that offers the daily hope we need.