“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:8-9
Troubles in life are a guarantee, especially in a fallen world filled with sin and all the fallout of sin. Jesus said “…in the world you have tribulation…” But He also said, “But take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Troubles are not foreign to believers; or anyone, for that matter. But too often though, we, as Christians, tend to attribute them to our own failures, a shortcoming in our personality, our unkind responses to all the little things that add up to frustrating days. Some of those things may be true apart from our enemy whose aim it is to trip us up. The one thing that is NOT true about our troubles though, is that we are on our own with no help available. We have a Savior who is a Giver, a Lover, a Forgiver, a Reconciler, a Redeemer, a Restorer, a Healer, who knows of no flaw in the everlasting Covenant He made through the Blood of His Son. It’s a Covenant that gives us access to all the mercy we’ll ever need. The point is, we not only have a Covenant, but we have a Covenant Keeping God, who has declared His Covenant to be unbreakable, and that He will honor it above even His own Name! (Ps. 89:34; Ps. 138:2)
All of us have fallen short in many ways. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t need the Throne of Grace where we come to obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). God knew our shortcomings when He entered into Covenant with us. He knew every failure, mistake, sin, weakness, and every rotten word and attitude. That’s why He designed the New Covenant the way He did. Its Mediator is the very One who gave His life and endured death hell and the grave for us! (I Tim. 2:5) He has gone through everything we face, and He is also able to help us!
So, if you’re troubled on EVERY SIDE, remember what you have! You have a Covenant promise of Peace to free you from distress; you have answers to free you from despair. You will never be forsaken. And, if you’re cast down, you can NEVER FALL SHORT because there are two participants of this Covenant. Too often, we only see our side, and we forget how powerful our Redeemer is! His redeeming love is backed by the most amazing Covenant ever established anywhere, and it was all done for you! God believes in you because He believes in His Covenant power in you!
With Love,
Pastor Tom