When Trouble Comes
Trouble in this life is an all-too-common experience. Job 5:7 says, “man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.” I recognize that not all problems as the same. Some are quite minor inconveniences while others are life threatening. Nevertheless, they are real and cannot be avoided.
I recall my first serious challenge as a new believer at the youthful age of nineteen. While serving as a missionary with a Christian radio station on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, I learned an important lesson in spiritual growth. My conversion to Christ was a “Damascus Road” experience. God radically changed the direction of my life, and I became a fully committed follower of Jesus Christ. My first six months with my newfound faith was filled with wonder, power, and remarkable answers to prayer.
One day while relaxing on the porch of the radio station, I thought about my newly found faith. At that time, I did not have a care in the world. This caused me to ask why believers have problems seeing that God was blessing my life so wonderfully. I did not have a single problem. Shouldn’t Christians have the same dynamic spiritual life I had been experiencing?
Lord, why do Christians have problems? As soon as I asked God why, I had a vivid picture in my mind of a train crossing a large trestle. When the train reached the middle of the bridge across a very deep canyon the trestle collapsed. The train fell to the bottom of the gorge. And just then I sensed quiet small voice saying, “You need to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.”
On that day, many troubles came into my life and as a young Christian. I began to learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus in a much deeper way. Temptations were crouching at the door. I had to learn how to avoid it lures and to choose to walk by faith. God began to teach me remarkable lessons about life, choices, discipleship, obedience and so many other things.
While my early experience with spiritual challenges seems minor today, it was an important lesson for me to learn because I was challenged to pray passionately, to read my Bible more carefully, and to obey what I was learning. Troubles can have a positive influence on each of us when managed well.
In this blog, I want to turn to Psalm 86. This is a psalm by David the King of Israel. A remarkably talented leader who seemly had all the gifts. He was shepherd, a soldier, a poet, a king, a musician, a giant slayer, and more. However, he had a severe problem. This life challenge caused him to pen this poetic prayer of how a troubled man dealt with a genuine problem.
Psalm 86 recounts how King David found protection from a band of men who wanted to kill him. The lesson I see in this psalm is “When trouble comes remember God and ask for help.
David states his problem in verses 7 and 14. Verse 7 “In the day of trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.” ESV Verse 14 “O God, insolent men have risen up against me, a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.” ESV
Prayer was his first line of defense. Prayer grows in intensity as the seriousness of troubles grow. David was facing a real danger and he was at the end of his human capacity.
So, the first thing we learn from this psalm about facing troubles is to state clearly what the problem is. It may be wise to note while the prayer has seventeen verses only one verse states the problem. The main body of the prayer focuses to two important points. firstly, David recounts his perspective of God, and secondly, he presents his petitions to God.
David’s understanding of God is a remarkable reminder of God’s attributes. I will list them here, but you may want to study the passage yourself. Here are the qualities David reminds himself about his God.
1. God is good and forgiving, v. 5
2. God is unequaled, v. 8-9
3. God is does gracious things, v. 10
4. God is steadfast in His love, v. 11
5. God is merciful and gracious, v. 15
6. God is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, v. 15
7. God is a helper and comforter, v. 17b
So, when you and I are faced with trouble, let us reflect on our understanding of God. As Psalm 46:1 reads, “God is a present help in times of trouble.”
When trouble comes remember who God is. He is our true source of help.
Next, when trouble comes not only remember who God is but also petition the Lord for help. Prayer is our resource and opportunity to appeal to the one who has the power to keep us safe. David petitions God directly because he knows that God cares for him and will protect his life. God will protect your life and show you a way through your troubles. Let us learn just what David asked God to do.
1. God listen to me, v. 1
2. God preserve my life, v. 2
3. God be gracious to me, v. 3
4. God please gladden my soul, v. 4
5. God give an ear to my prayer, v. 6
6. God teach me your way, v. 11a
7. God unite my heart to hear your name, v. 11b
8. God turn to me and be gracious, v. 16a
9. God show me a sign of your favor, v. 17
David’s psalm is a lesson to us on how to deal with the problems that come into our lives. We have learned to firstly, state the problem clearly; secondly, affirm your perspective on who God is; and thirdly, ask God for help.
Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” ESV
What is your problem today?
What is your perspective of God?
What are your petitions to God?
When trouble comes remember who God is and ask Him for help!
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