Payback Time

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s I write this Tidbit, I feel a strong urgency to speak about an area of the Christian life with which we all struggle.  It is the feeling of utter frustration with life’s circumstances and an overwhelming sense that God has abandoned us in our most desperate hour.  All around us, life’s circumstances seem to be working against us and instead of one single trial we seem to be faced with a never-ending onslaught of difficult and impossible situations.

We wonder if following God is really worth it.  We wonder if we have made a mistake by taking up the cause of Christ.  Those around us who are not Christians seem to be getting along just fine, seemingly without a care in the world.  On our side of the fence, however, we find it difficult to find a moment’s peace. 

At times like this, our hearts melt within us and we become tired, weak, and dejected.  But I want to encourage you today to keep on believing, to keep on trusting, and to keep on walking with God.  There is no trial too difficult, no test too challenging, and no situation too hopeless that God cannot and will not come to our assistance.  In every situation, in every trial, in every circumstance, he has promised to be with us and his promise is true no matter what the circumstances of life indicate.

God tells us that his ways are not our ways and that means that whatever our circumstance, God is working.  Paul tells us clearly that God is working everything for our good.  The Scriptures never say that everything is good but that everything will work for our good.  I don’t understand all that when trials come and when life throws me one curve after another. I do, however, believe that God’s word is true and that everything that touches me must get his approval first.

A little-known passage of Scripture speaks volumes to us today regarding the challenging times of life.  The prophet Joel had the unenviable job of telling Israel that God was sending judgment upon them.  This judgment would come very swiftly and Joel uses the image of locusts that will attack everything and bring total destruction.  The four words he uses for locusts in Hebrew do not give a clear picture of his exact meaning regarding the locusts but judgment and difficult times are definitely on their way.

However, God does not leave his people without hope.  He gives them a glorious promise in Joel 2:25a, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten"  God’s message in this wonderful promise is clear.  After all the trials, after all the challenges, after God has prepared us to receive his blessings and to worship him and him only, then he will restore us.  His blessings and his grace will more than repay us for all the trials and difficulties we endure during the Christian walk.  God has not forgotten us and he has not forsaken us.  His love, his mercy, his forgiveness, and his grace are realities to those who belong to him through Jesus Christ. 

Wherever you are today and whatever your circumstances I want you to know you are being prayed for and that God is aware of everything you face.  You are his child and his love for you is boundless and immeasurable.  He knows everything about you and he promises that he will restore all ‘the years the locusts” of sin, and shame, and trial, and suffering, and difficulty, have eaten.  May his name be forever praised!!!!