When we face a horrific situation like we witnessed in Newtown, CT. on Friday or when it hits closer to home in our own life; i.e., our health takes a turn for the worse or our finances take a turn for the worse, we suddenly realize how fragile life can be. We may be living on the “sunny side of the street” today, but if we live long enough adversity will come knocking at our door. When it does (and it will), you’ll discover that things like power, possessions and prestige won’t sustain you. That state championship trophy sitting on the bookcase behind your desk will not sustain you when the bottom drops out, Coach!
If power could do it, Joseph Stalin wouldn’t have been afraid to go to sleep at night or been so paranoid that he appointed a soldier to guard his teabags! If possessions could do it, fear wouldn’t have caused multi-millionaire Howard Hughes to live like a hermit and die alone. If prestige or popularity could do it then John Lennon wouldn’t have been described as a fearful man who slept with the light on and was terrified of germs. Earthly supports can only sustain us so long.
Courage for living comes from a deep, abiding trust in God. His Word says, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” But faith is only as valuable as the object we’ve placed it in, and my faith is in a God Who never fails! Someone asked me the other day, “Where was God while that maniac went on his rampage in that school?!” My response was, “The same place He was when He watched soldiers beat, scourge and then nail His own Son to a cross!” David said in the Psalms, “Through You we push back our enemies; through Your Name we trample our foes.” In Jesus’ own words, He said, “I have given you authority to… overcome the power of the enemy.” St. Paul said, “Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword?… No! In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.”
Rather than running away from God in times of trouble, run to Him. Only God can provide the lasting comfort and support we need to get through the tough times. Nothing of an earthly nature can provide any long-lasting security or hope. The Psalm says, “Why so downcast oh my soul? Put your hope in God.”
