Some people say in anticipation of trouble “the sparks will fly,“ perhaps they are unaware that they are quoting the Bible. Job said in Job 5:7 “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward" and in Job 14:1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble”.
It seems that every day the media headlines carry news of trouble of one sort or another, the whole world is affected bringing worry, pain and tears.
On 1st May the BBC carried a story of a man who got into desparate trouble, it said, ‘He had set off from Westport beach in the Kintyre Peninsula at about 11:00 on Sunday 30 April but the tides and winds carried him out to sea. He was eventually found at about 19:30 the following day. Last week, he told BBC Scotland's Jackie Bird how he believed he would not survive a second night in the water and had "made himself at peace". He said "I knew I wasn't going to make another night, so I was watching the sunset, then a helicopter flew over me" Mr Bryce jumped off his board and held it above him and started waving it. After thinking the helicopter had missed him, he said: "But then they turned round and when I saw them turn it was indescribable, I can't describe it at all. These guys were the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. I owe them my life." Before leaving hospital he thanked everyone involved in his treatment "for all the love, care and support shown to me through this particularly traumatic experience". He added: "To each and every one of you, thank-you very much."
This man’s near to death, troublesome experience, had a happy ending, he was SAVED!
This story had a happy ending other don't. For Donald Trump’s Presidential Office, troubles are already appearing with commentators banding about such words as Watergate and Impeachment.
The Prophet Nahum prophesied against Assyria warning them of judgement to come. Jonah had over one hundred years previously had been sent to Nineveh to preach against the wickedness of Assyria and to tell them to repent. Within forty days the city did repent and the judgement did not fall. In Nahum’s day the Assyrian people had reverted to their wicked ways and the judgement of God was to fall upon them. The Prophet said “Who can stand before His indignation? And who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him," Nahum 1 v 6 - 7. This prophesy of judgement was fulfilled.
The principal of God’s goodness and God being a stronghold in the day of trouble holds good today for them that trust in Him.
Psalm 45 speaks prophetically of a coming King. Psalm 47 speaks of a coming Kingdom, but Psalm 46 tells us of the time of Jacob’s trouble. Jeremiah also tells us of the time of Jacob’s trouble which is yet future. Psalm 46 v 1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The Lord Jesus Christ gave details in Matthew ch 24 and 25 of this time of Jacob’s trouble and He called it “The Great Tribulation”. The Tribulation that will affect the whole world will be for a period of seven years. It will be divided in two. The second half of these seven years is called the Great Tribulation. Elsewhere it is defined in scripture as 42 months, 1260 days and a period known as a time, and times and half a time. All three terms describe a three and a half year period. Jesus said in Matt. 24 that the intensity of trouble would be such as the world had never seen before. People generally do not believe the words of Christ or the Bible, to their own peril.
When young Mr. Bryce set off that Sunday morning with his surf board he anticipated a pleasurable day in the sea. This proved to be the most traumatic time of his life, 32 hours of wondering if he was going to die and he sought to make his peace. Death is real for everyone and we need to be prepared for the great eternity, will it be Heaven or Hell?
Just before going back to Heaven Jesus said to His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there ye may be also,” John 14 v 1. Further down the chapter He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
The antidote to fear and being troubled about where one will spend eternity is to believe and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. The moment that you pray to God and ask Him to forgive all your sins and to save your soul the Holy Spirit quickens, or makes alive that soul that was dead to God. The Lord help you, God bless.
Written by a guest blogger
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