Looking for God in the Rubble of Life - by Pastor Allan

Some days you just want to run away from it all! Give up. Quit.

There are two things that we can all agree on concerning adversity: we all have to deal with it and none of us likes it!

There is a book in the Bible that is dedicated to sadness: Lamentations. It is a poetic book that mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple in the 6th century BC. The expectations, hopes and dreams of God’s people had been dashed to pieces. Everything was lost!

The poet writes: Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out "… Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!" The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss (Lamentations 3:17-20 - NLT).

Psalm 46 gives us a road map through these times of adversity. The Psalmist declares:

• God is available at all times, including in the middle of adversity.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1 - NKJV)

• Our security comes from our faith, not our circumstances.

Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling (Psalm 46:2-3 – NKJV).

• God’s timing is worth the wait so don’t give up.

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn (Psalm 46:4-5 – NKJV).

• Our hope is in God’s power, not the powers of this earth.

The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire (Psalm 46:6-9 – NKJV).

• Wait and see what God will do. His purpose is greater than your pain!

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge (Psalm 46:10-11 – NKJV).

Many of us are walking through adversity. And the temptation is to bail out. To give up. But God’s word for you today is: wait and see what God will do. Don’t give up before God’s breakthrough. Remember: God’s purpose for your life is greater than the pain that you are experiencing!