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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Life Is Hard; God is our Refuge

I’m not saying life’s situations are not difficult, sometimes extremely difficult, but what I am saying is that there is a God who will bear your burdens if you give them over to Him.

I can’t even tell you exactly how it works. There’s no magical formula, no special prayer, no routine to follow, nor any hoops to jump through. There’s just Jesus – a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus, who loved you enough to take the nails for you on the cross. Jesus, whom death itself could not contain, for He conquered the grave and rose in triumphant and glorious victory when He broke the chains of sin and death by rising from the dead and now lives forevermore.

Yes, life is hard. I know that. Maybe not to the extent that you know it. You may be dealing with broken relationships that have left you scarred for life. You may be struggling with an addiction that’s eating you up from the inside out. You may have bitterness and anger from decades ago that’s robbing you of the enjoyment of life.

Life is hard, it’s true. You may be traumatized from an abusive relationship. You may be wondering where your next meal will come from. Your body may be in such pain that you don’t even want to – or can’t – get out of bed in the morning.

Who ever said life would be easy? You may be feeling like the whole world has turned against you. You may be all alone without a single friend who really knows you. You may be so depressed you’re thinking about ending it all.

Or perhaps all your troubles have been your own doing. You may be drowning in guilt over something you’ve done to someone. You may be reeling in regret over some terrible things you’ve said to somebody. You may be cut off from those you love because of your own attitude and actions.

Life is hard. Adam and Eve sure messed things up for everybody when they fell for Satan’s lie. And we sure haven’t done much better since.

Is there any hope? Is there any way out? Can anybody help me? Is there anyone who really cares about me?

The answers are yes, yes, yes and yes! You may have some big problems, but God is a pretty big God. You may have some mountain-sized troubles, but God is a mountain-moving God!

Here’s what He says to you today, and listen closely: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your cares on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Do you doubt the love God has for you? Look to the cross and see! Do you wonder whether or not He is able to deal with your situation? Look at the stone that’s rolled away from the tomb! Do you question whether or not life is worth living? Look to His Word and know that Jesus has said, “In me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)!

Friend, if you will come humbly before the Lord, casting all your cares upon Him, then somehow, someway He will prove His care for you and at the right time in the right way He will exalt you. In Him there is forgiveness of sins, cleansing and restoration. In Him there is a living and abiding hope. In Him there is peace that passes all understanding. In Him there is joy unspeakable. In Him there is life – new life – abundant and eternal!

I pray that you will come humbly to Jesus right now, repenting of your sin and receiving Him as your Savior and Lord. And I pray that you’ll rejoice in the Lord always and give thanks in all things. Not all your troubles will automatically go away, but you will have an anchor for your soul that will hold, steadfast and immovable, no matter how hard the storms may blow. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Pr. 18:10).


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