There is no doubt that we live in trouble times. Many countries have been going through years of recession and this has affected many businesses with direct impact on the livelihood of families.
As I watched the news yesterday, my attention was drawn to an old couple who had been adversely affected by the man's loss of job as an Engineer in America. He told the story of how they no longer have health insurance; they are now in debt, had their electricity cut and now they were losing their home. My heart went out to them and I wished I had the resource and ability to help them. I realize however that theirs is not an isolated case, they are just one of the millions of families going through tough times in America. Challenges being faced by people vary. It could be financial, as in the case of the couple above; it could be illness, loss of a loved one or depression triggered by an event.
What then can we do in the light of these things? As Christians, we can be strengthened and comforted by one very important truth, 'God is on our side!' When you know that God is on your side, no matter what you may face, you know that you are alone. You are certain that whatever comes, He will be there for you even when you can't see anyone around.
The Prophet Elijah felt the same way. Running away after receiving a death threat from Jezebel, wife of king Ahab (1 Kings 19:2), he spiraled into depression. Twenty-four hours ago, he had been the celebrated prophet through whom God's power had been demonstrated, leading to the revival of the people's faith in God and the summary execution of all Baal's prophets. Now, he was a fugitive, running away from a powerful woman who could issue execution orders on behalf of the king.
I can imagine Elijah sitting alone in the bush and going over the events in his life. His conclusion? He was a failure and the best way out was to die. Do you feel like that sometimes? That you have failed? That nothing works for you?That no one cares about you? That you used to be celebrated, had many friends but now things have changed for you and all your friends, even the ones youhelped, have disappeared? That perhaps death would be a way out of this mess?
In his despair, Elijah fell asleep. God knew he needed the rest. He was physically and spiritually drained. So after resting, God sent an angel to feed him. Having been strengthened physically, Elijah had an encounter with God and was revived spiritually. God made him realize that he was not alone. There werefive thousand others that God had preserved without Elijah’s knowledge. Armed with the knowledge that he had God with him all the time, Elijah did not argue with God when he was told to go back the way he came (1 Kings 19: 15)
I want to encourage you that you are not alone. God is with you every step of the way. You may be asking as you read this, “So if God is with me, why did I lose my job? Why has He not intervened in my circumstances? Why did I lose my loved one” God knows what you are going through and you can be sure that there is a purpose for what you are going through. When Jesus was asked whether a man blind from birth had sinned or was suffering the sin of his parents, Jesus answered them, ”Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him“ (John 9:1-3)
There is something God wants to do in your life! The path to greatness is never easy but it leads to an awesome result. When you have the awesome God with you, there is a firm assurance that everything will work out for your good and ultimately, God will take the glory.
I leave you with the encouraging words from a song written by one of my favourite gospel artists, Andraé Crouch.
God Is On Our Side
We live in troubled times
Seems like the sun won't shine
When will we realize
God is on our side
He hides us in his arms
Protecting us from harm
It's good to realize
God is on our side
Nothing can separate
He gives us strength to take
All that this world may bring
God is on our side
(Journey Of Andraé Crouch @2011)
Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the founder of the Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in Kent, United Kingdom, where he works as an IT Professional. He currently serves as a Worship Leader as well as Home Group Leader in his local church and on occasion, speaks at invited events. He is the founder of the Biblepraise Fellowship Online Ministry and Moderator/Editor of the Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address, steve@biblepraise.org
