Help in Trouble

Help in Trouble

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1.

They had experienced this in all kinds of situations, whenever they sought refuge with God in their tribulations.

On their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas made many disciples by proclaiming the gospel. They exhorted them to continue in the faith, and they told them, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Even on their first missionary journey they met such great tribulations that it almost cost them their lives. Paul was stoned and dragged outside the city when they assumed he was dead. Acts 14:19. However, Paul was not dead; he continued his race in the glorious kingdom of God, saying, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24.

The false apostles and teachers exalted themselves because of their experiences, but Paul called it folly and walking according to the flesh. Paul gave all the glory to Christ from whom he received all grace and help. He was weak and poor in himself, but he exalted Christ exceedingly. In order to open the disciples’ eyes to the folly of glorifying oneself Paul considered it necessary to boast about some of the physical sufferings and tribulations he had to endure. 2 Cor. 11:23-28.

“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”

What could the false apostles and their admirers say after hearing these things? Paul himself called it folly. “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” Gal. 6:14-15.

Paul was dead to sin and alive to God. Rom. 6:11-12. He lived a new life with many new and good works that were the result of walking in the Holy Spirit.

Everything that is highly esteemed in the eyes of man is an abomination in the eyes of God. Everything that was in this spirit was crucified with Christ, and thus he took God’s kingdom by force. Luke 16:15-16. “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it [the cross].” Col. 2:15. God only recognizes the cross as the proper place for all manner of evil. The new life shall live!

Paul did not lose courage in all these exceedingly great tribulations. Through them he saw an open door into God’s kingdom, and compared to this glory, everything else was as loss and dung. The tribulations were transformed into eternal glory.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:17-18.

Paul exhorts the Thessalonians not to be shaken by their afflictions. “For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” 1 Thess. 3:3. Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We are kept through faith! 1 Pet. 1:5.

In the epistle to the Hebrews we are exhorted to run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:16. The best and most valuable help we can receive is help in temptation to overcome sin.

Jesus knows the right time. He loves us and knows our trials. He wants to help us to partake of everything that serves us for our best.

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:21.

May this also be our experience: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”