The perilous time
I like our prophetic confession for this year, which says, “In this year 2024, I will put God first in every area of my life.”.
Today, our topic is how to rely on God, especially in this troubled world. How do I rely on God in this perilous time? Particularly with what is happening in the world today. Do you know that there are places where rain has not fallen for a single day?. There are places today where wars are taking place. There are places in this world where tsunamis are ravaging. There was a scene of a beach full of nice tourist resorts, and it just vanished. These are happening today. Today, we have experienced brothers killing one another and fathers killing their children. Talk about the cost of living. You buy a few things with a huge amount of money.
There have been pandemics like COVID when, for two years, the whole world stood still. There were no students graduating because there was no class. Our understanding, our intelligence, and our material stuff cannot save us. What do you do to survive as a believer? Rely on God. We need to learn to rely on God.
The Valley of Decision In trouble time
Let us turn to Matthew 26:38 and see Jesus in times of trouble and adversary. I will read it quickly. Jesus went to pray, and before he went to the cross, he said,’My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow. What did he say? His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death. Hallelujah.
He told his disciples to stay here and keep watch. I’m going a little further. So, he went further. He fell on his face to the ground and prayed, saying, His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death. Brothers and sisters, if you are in a difficult situation right now where things seem not to be moving or you see that things are not right, the only thing to do is rely on God. What did Jesus do? He went and prayed to His father. Listen to his prayer. He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet, not as I will, but according to your will.” Praise the Lord. Because our will could be wrong, and when you hold on to it in this perilous time, you will just collapse.
But Jesus said to God, Let not my will prevail, but your will be done in my life. He went for the second time. He prayed again. “My father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done. Praise the Lord.
So, if you are passing through a challenge or a difficult time, you just have to rely on God because your victory is secured in Him.
Sometimes we reach those points where the problem is too big or the challenge is overwhelming, but we also need to reach a point where we say, Lord, if this is your will, let it be done. Praise the Lord. By doing so, the Lord takes over, and your challenges become His burden. And you will have peace of mind. Praise the Lord.
In the third prayer, remember that He told his disciples to keep watch, but He found them snoring. They were sleeping and tired. He told them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the son of man is to be delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go; here comes my betrayer.” So Jesus knew he was facing the most difficult time of his life. Where he will be separated from his father. Praise the Lord.
Let’s go to Proverb 2, verse 5. “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God, for the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds success in stock for the upright. He is a shield to those whose work is blameless. For he guards the coast of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.” So, in this troubled world, God is saying, If you have your faith in me, trust in me; if you rely and depend on me, I will protect you, defend you, and redeem you from all the evil that is going on around you.
Not too long ago, our defense minister in this country, Mr. Thomas Newton, said, “Get ready, for the time seems to be difficult. It could happen at any time; war could start. The truth is, you and I need to strengthen the relationship we have in Christ. Because He is our only refuge in this day of trouble. He is our only stronghold when things are falling apart.