Confidence In Times of Trouble
Pastor Leslie Chua
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart;
I have overcome the world.””
Contrary to many popular teachings in contemporary Christianity, Jesus does not promise a trouble-free life. You cannot find any teaching of this genre in the Bible. Instead, many scriptural passages point to the contrary. In one of His last words to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus reminded them that they would face troubles in the world. He said categorically, ”…in the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33).
Our experiences in life bear witness to Jesus’ words. A pain-free life is a myth. For Christians, we can expect to face more troubles because of the devil’s opposition. We are constantly in a state of spiritual warfare.
In recent times, I have been talking a lot about the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ for a few reasons. One reason is it is one of the most significant events in the redemptive plan of God. Another reason is the urgency for Christians to be prepared because the times leading to the rapture will be dark and dystopian.
Already, serious Christians are feeling the strain from the incessant assault on morality in our culture and society. Discerning Christians are grappling with various issues that threaten our freedom of conscience and speech. Add on to all this, as we study the book of Revelation and consider the prophetic implications of the end of this present age, some believers feel depressed and defeated. Others experience anxiety and fear.
Given that, how should we respond?
Let me offer two courses of action for us to manage our emotions and navigate the days ahead.
Face Reality
First, we must face reality instead of running away from it.
We cannot shut our eyes to the reality of what is happening and the developing storms ahead. We cannot afford to be ignorant and we also cannot deny the End-Time biblical prophecies even if we find them to be depressing.
It will be foolish to do that. Ignoring reality does not change reality. It merely obscures us from the truth and reality. Some people unwisely choose this course of action. They avoid finding out more and learning more to insulate themselves from fear and anxiety.
Escapism is not a solution. It reminds me of Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea. In his fascinating conversation with Jesus, the Lord told him that ‘everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ In response, Pilate said, “What is truth?” (John 37-38)
It was not really a question. Pilate was not interested to find out the truth about Jesus and His claim to be a King. During their conversation, Pilate had sensed that there was something unique, mysterious, and divine about Jesus. His wife had also warned him not to do anything bad to Jesus because of a dream.
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By consciously avoiding pursuing the truth, Pilate had to face dire consequences of an eternal nature. He condemned himself to a godless eternity.
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However, Pilate was caught in a catch-22 position. While he did not want to sentence Jesus to death knowing that He was innocent, the pressure from the Jewish religious rulers weighed heavily on him. The situation in Judea had always been tense and incendiary. Any wrong move could quickly result in a bloody conflict. Given that, Pilate wanted to avoid an uprising at all costs as Rome would not be pleased.
So, for political expediency, Pilate decided to sacrifice Jesus. In sacrificing Jesus, he sacrificed truth. He might have washed his hands and declared himself innocent of Jesus’ blood (Matthew 27:24), but it did not absolve him of his guilt.
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What is truth? We cannot afford to ignore and hide from the truth, especially if it concerns our eternal destiny. Take heed of God’s warning through the prophet Hosea – “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
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By consciously avoiding pursuing the truth, Pilate had to face dire consequences of an eternal nature. He condemned himself to a godless eternity.
What is truth? We cannot afford to ignore and hide from the truth, especially if it concerns our eternal destiny. Take heed of God’s warning through the prophet Hosea – “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Many Jews who lived during Jesus’s First Coming rejected Him even though they were eagerly anticipating their Messiah to come. Will many professing believers in the church miss the rapture because they choose to hide their heads in the sand and ignore the truth?
So, what must we do?
Face the realities head-on, and then find ways to mitigate and cope with the feelings of fear and anxiety.
Facing the Times with Confidence
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God did not give us so many details, many of which are disturbing, concerning the End Times to make us afraid or to create anxiety in us, but so that we can face the days with hope and confidence.
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Here is the second course of action to take. Face the dark and dystopian times ahead with confidence.
Know this. God did not give us so many details, many of which are disturbing, concerning the End Times to make us afraid or to create anxiety in us, but so that we can face the days with hope and confidence.
Though the circumstances may seem dire and the future dim, the knowledge of God’s truth and reality should make us strong and better equip us to be a light in the increasingly darkening world.
We have good reasons to face the times ahead with confidence.
We Know God’s Plan
First, we can have confidence because God has revealed His plan to us in His Word. We know His plan. We know what is going to happen, at least in broad strokes.
Every judgment in the End Times is designed and executed by God. Nothing happens by chance or accident. Nothing happens outside of His will. God has absolute control over what will happen, how it will happen, and when it will happen.
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Everything is firmly under His perfect control. So are our lives and well-being. God has a plan for every individual Christian. Whether we live or we die, it will be according to His perfect will for us.
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Consider this verse in Revelation chapter 9 - So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind (Revelation 9:15). Can you see that God controls the specific timing of the release of the four fallen angels and the scale of the death toll?
Everything is firmly under His perfect control. So are our lives and well-being. God has a plan for every individual Christian. Whether we live or we die, it will be according to His perfect will for us.
We Have God’s Promises
Second, we can also have confidence in God because we have His promises.
God is our help and refuge in times of trouble.
Even in the worst of circumstances, we can put our unwavering trust in God. It is only natural to react in fear and anxiety when we face insurmountable crises. However, we can choose to put our hope in God and trust him to help us.
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God is our help and refuge in times of trouble.
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The psalmists – the sons of Korah – expressed their trust in the LORD in this way - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling (Psalm 46:1-3).
Besides, we also know the end game. Though things may appear bleak and the future uncertain presently, God has revealed the final outcome to us. The wars will cease. Satan and the powers of darkness will be defeated. The wicked will perish. Jesus will be victorious.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. (Psalm 46:8-9)
Therefore, let us stand on the promises of God and not let fear and anxiety paralyse us. Be still and know that He is God, and He will keep His promises.
We have God’s Presence
Finally, we can have the confidence to face the dark and dystopian times ahead because we have His presence.
Listen to God’s promise of His presence to Israel – “Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory” (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
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Nothing is more comforting than knowing that God will always be with us. That is His promise to His people.
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God promised the Israelites that He would be with them and fight on their behalf against their enemies. He also promised to grant them victory.
Nothing is more comforting than knowing that God will always be with us. That is His promise to His people.
Another name given to Jesus is Immanuel. Remember the prophetic promise which God gave through the prophet Isaiah – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel means ‘God with us.’ Indeed, Jesus will be with us always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
We can have confidence in times of trouble because we know God’s plan, we have God’s promises, and we have His presence. Thank you. Lord Jesus!