Do not fear! God is very nearer you than you imagine. Has not our Lord told you from His Word that He would be with you when you pass through water or walk through fire? Only for a little time, you have to pass through this furnace of afflictions. Let the tempest come and go. You may be facing one affliction after another.

As you are aware, all things work together for your good only. Whether it is loss or grief, or whether what happened in your life was expected of or otherwise, it is for your good only. God's ways are not yours and His thoughts are not yours as His are higher than yours. Surely, the Lord is teaching you longsuffering in the midst of your afflictions.

The Lord is trying His people through fire as silver is tried. We must rejoice in our afflictions as our Lord expects us. God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, you need not fear though the earth is removed and though the mountains are cast into the midst of the sea.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad His people in His city. GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF HER; SHE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: GOD SHALL HELP HER. (Ps.46:1-6).

The people of Israel had to spend nearly 40 years, instead of 2 weeks to cross the wilderness for getting into the Promised Land, because of their unfaith and murmuring against the Lord who performed miracles, one after another, before their very noses. Had they rejoiced instead of murmuring and showing their unfaith, they could have crossed the wilderness in a matter of two weeks. In a similar manner, you are also required to cross this wilderness before entering the Promised Land. This Promised Land is not a life after death or a life in heaven. It is available to us on this very earth.

The Israeli people were not seeking the Lord very earnestly but were seeking only His blessings and His protection in times of trouble. But, let us seek only our Lord and not His blessings alone. When we seek our Lord with all our mind and soul, we can have His abiding presence with us always and if the presence of God is with us, we will surely get His blessings too.

Let us not bother about our enemies or the Devil. The Word of God clearly says, "Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will show you today for the Egyptians (the enemies of God's people) whom you have seen today you shall see no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace" (Ex.14:13 - 15).

You should praise the Lord in every thing or in every situation and pour out your heart before Him as He is very nigh to those of broken hearts and with contrite spirits. All your tears are before Him. Our God is a father of fatherless and sets the solitary people in families under His care (Ps.68:5-6).

by Job Anbalagan