In your deepest and darkest hour, do you ask the questions, “How much do I trust God? Can He be trusted? Is He directing how things work and where things are going? Is there any hope in this?” These are good and important questions. What are the answers?
Paul faced many difficulties on his missions trips. He said, “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one (that’s 195 whippings, if you do the math.) Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:24-28).” He was imprisoned and falsely accused and put on trial many times. That’s a lot of hardship and despair. Where could he turn? Where would you turn?
And yet he could also say, “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience (Acts 23:1).” He knew his purpose and mission and had total trust in God. God promised him, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome (Acts 23:11).” God did not leave Paul nor forsake him; His grace was enough for Paul, and His strength was made perfect in Paul’s weakness (12 Cor 12:9). God was working out His good plan and purpose, even in the difficulties. You may not understand what God is doing in your life right now, but He is doing something, and it is for your good and His glory. You can trust Him. God is working things out over the long haul, in the marathon, not a sprint. He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,, who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). A firm faith is the solution to all your problems in this world.
In your deepest and darkest hour, do you ask the questions, “How much do I trust God? Can He be trusted? Is He directing how things work and where things are going? Is there any hope in this?” Yes, you can trust God. Yes, He is directing all things. Yes, there is hope.