TRUST IN GOD NO MATTER HOW BAD THE SITUATION!

26^th APRIL 2020

“ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:39

At some points in life, we become so disillusioned and very confused, and we wondered if we would ever overcome a problem. I am sure not everyone reading this devotional right now, especially the young adults, may have experienced the scenario I am trying to paint to us. However, a great number of older persons who have gone through profoundly serious negative experiences in life will confirm to us that suffering is real and can sometimes be overwhelming, without immediate solutions. Not even prayers would seem to work during those dark moments. I do know that God is always present in every bad situation, even though He allows some things to happen to us at His will. Nevertheless, God is always present with us in every bad situation to give us a helping hand. But, often times, we are blind to His presence due to the agonizing pains and the darkness of the hour.

Presently, throughout the world, humanity is traumatized by COVID – 19, a disease caused by CORONAVIRUS. It has become a serious pandemic ravaging the entire world. No cure has been found yet for the disease which has left almost one million persons infected, and not less than 100,000 people, including priests and pastors, dead across the world. It is indeed a sad moment for everyone as about 95% of humanity is currently quarantined. Nations are either locked down or locked out. Worst still is the fact that all congregate settings, including the church has been band from meetings. So many families, including Christian families have lost their breadwinners. My heart goes out to everyone, especially those who have lost their loved ones in these pandemics.

There is no doubt that the pandemics have left most families also seriously deprived, and in need of food and other basic necessities. This is the time to come to the aid of others and to offer a helping hand to those in need. Notwithstanding how bad this situation might seem; we can, and we shall walk through with absolute trust in God during this period. To trust in God is to embrace and submit to God’s providence, even in the midst of misery and when we are just unable to think out any solution. Providence would always echo to us the sentiment of one of our favorite hymns, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. I am sure some, if not all of us remember this hymn very well:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassion, they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

As you can see from today’s rider verse, Jesus suffered a great misery, pain, and trauma, though at an individual level. He wished the cup could pass away from Him, but nevertheless, He submitted to the will of God almighty. The interesting aspect of Jesus experience is the fact that His destiny warranted Him to suffer thus. He had no choice but to drink the cup and to face the cross. In the end, Jesus came out strong for everyone! So, it is with everyone today. Whatever bad experience we are confronted with, we will always come out strong by His grace.

The will of God overrides and sustain all things. His will shall surely deliver us all from these pandemics. Therefore, today’s word is telling us to submit to God during these periods of pains and disappointment and to believe in His power to turn the table in our favour. No matter how broken and terrible you have been through, arising from COVID – 19 or from other reasons; whether due to loss of opportunities, loss of a loved one, financial wreck, and high debts profile, protracted ill-health with no cure in sight etc., have faith in God! Believe in a God who can make the impossible possible. Get in rhythm with Him and step where he says, “Step,” and stop when he says, “Stop.” Let God hold your hands; He is your stronghold, and the light with which you see during the dark hours. Engross in prayers and supplications regularly.

Our crisis situation is like the Jesus’ experience; it requires us to have faith in God to give us the crown after the cross. We have to be patient, expectant in faith and hopeful through endurance. The world may have lost so much, be confident that we shall come out stronger and better in the end! AMEN. Remember, when Jesus died on Friday, it looked like the Devil had won the battle. But He rose with power on the third day. Three days passed from the Crucifixion to the Resurrection, therefore, if you can just hold out until tomorrow—if you can just keep faith through the night—everything will be all right. After the dark night, comes a golden dawn!

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I declare you are my shepherd and I shall not want. Lord, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil for you are with me. Therefore, I declare that your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Psalm 23.