This is the second week in a four-part series on adversity. Read Part 1.
A common mistake is that God is on one side of the question — and we on the other side persuading or cajoling Him to help us. The fact really is that God, like any good parent, is on the side of His children. Get this clear. God is always on the side of His children. He really is our Father. Our enemies are His enemies.
Speaking of the affliction of God’s people, it is said, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9). God enters into all our sorrow and suffering, into all that troubles us. He may let us suffer for our own good, but He can make us joyful in our tribulations. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience” (Romans 5:3).
I remember that in some of the most severe sufferings through which I ever passed, my soul was so full of the glory of God that I was lifted up above the sufferings. God did not take them away at the time — but He did make me able to bear them. Out of bearing them came rich blessings to my soul. When the hand of God is upon us — it is always upon us for good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). He never hinders us; He always helps us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Remember, whatever your trouble may be, God is on your side always and all the time.
One thing that sometimes stands in the way of people is the feeling that they have brought their troubles upon themselves. Certainly, we bring many troubles on ourselves; but do parents refuse to help their children out of trouble, just because they have brought it upon themselves? Sometimes trouble comes upon them as the result of something done ignorantly, with no thought of trouble resulting. Merciful parents help their children just the same, and so does God help us even if we have caused our own troubles. He is still our merciful Father. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). He may let us suffer a little while to learn to be more careful the next time, but He will help us just the same.
One of the most needed things in our tribulations is patience. We should endure with meekness and at the same time hold fast our confidence in God. We read of one of old who endured because he saw One who was invisible. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). That invisible One will be visible — when we look with the eye of faith, and we shall see Him as our deliverer. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most prolific and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and more than 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.
