Life provides us daily challenges and difficulties. The unexpected, the hard to understand, the situations where we have no answers, and the challenges that seem to have no end.
How can we believe there is a God when the world we live in is so troubled, sinful, and sad?
Our reading today is Psalm 3 in which we learn of an unimaginable challenge in David’s life. As a leader who had done many good things in the name of the Lord, he was also a man of God who committed what seemed like unforgivable sins. In this chapter, David is attempting to escape from his son, Absalom, who is attempting to overthrow his father and kill him.
Psalm 3
1-2 – David cries out to the Lord in trouble
3-4 – David recognizes God’s grace
5-6 – Dave acknowledges the rest God provides in troubled times
7-8 – David gives thanks
For me, faith boils down to one word…HOPE.
- The Bible exhorts hope that God is with us, all the time, and there is a reason for strife and challenges. (Colossians 1:5)
- I believe that the bad things that happen have a purpose in my life. I will learn from them. I believe bad things can be used for good. (Hebrews 11:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:16)
- I believe that our struggles will not last forever. (Romans 5:1-5)
- I believe that the disappointments and failures in my life do not define me. (Romans 15:13)
- No matter how bad this world gets, our Father has a plan and purpose for everything. (Romans 8:24-25)
- All of things that are awful and unexplainable will someday be explained in Heaven. (Romans 12:2; Hebrews 10:23)
- I believe that we cannot look for happiness and fulfillment in this world, because we will always be let down and disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18-19; Titus 1:2; Titus 2:11)
I encourage you to read the Bible and study scripture regularly. God will provide you hope in troubles, strength in difficulties, and “pull you through” when it feels like you cannot go on.
Formula for Hope
- Cry out to God when you are troubled
- Recognize that God provides hope in the worst situations
- Acknowledge that God will provide you “rest” if you turn to Him
- Give thanks to God for what He has provided you – know that He is with you and ask Him for strength
When writing this, I am aware that those reading this fall into different levels of faith and belief in Christ. 1.) You may be a devout believer, 2.) You may have have believed in the past but are wavering, or 3.) You do not believe in God and Christ at all and think those of us that believe are “brainwashed.”
I would encourage you to open a Bible and read the scripture listed in the Bible Journal posts like this one. Seek information so you can make an informed decision about Christ. Think about scriptures you read each day and try to apply them daily to situations, decisions, and interactions. Find a great church community with leaders that walk you through explanations and study the scriptures. Attend church regularly in person or online. (Cornerstone Chapel or Eastview Christian Church) The more time you spend learning, the more you can use the information to make an informed decision about your faith in Christ and most importantly, allow your faith to impact your daily life.
I have learned that my relationship with God is similar to my relationships here on Earth. The more time I spend learning and listening, the stronger the relationship. I find hope and faith when I seek answers. If I do not spend time reading and studying scripture, then my faith falters and fades.
My prayer is that we do not let our faith be framed by the place we live now. My prayer is that our faith is built based on the HOPE and belief in the place where we want to live, Heaven.
The Bible was written by 40 different authors over 1600 years. It is complex and it is can difficult to understand. Seek guidance and interpretation of how to understand scriptures and you can learn how to utilize the message to impact your life today.
