June 23, 2018

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO GIVE REST IN ADVERSITY

Psalm 94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

ADVERSITY! We all face it. We all have faced it. We all will face it. That is why the verse says “days” of adversity. I feel as if believers are crumbling more under adversity now than ever. I do not believe, however, that Christians are facing more adversity now than we ever have. You hear that a lot. There is adversity, and in different places around the world, Christians are facing great persecution and adversity. Here in America, however, Christians are not being burned at the stake daily. Last time I checked, preachers are not being stoned across America for preaching on a Sunday morning. Let’s be honest, we are not facing persecution as the early church founders faced. But more of us are crumbling. Maybe it is because we have had it too good. Maybe we are a little bit spoiled. Maybe we are just not grounded and rooted as we should be. Maybe we are just not as dedicated. Maybe we are just not as tough. Maybe all of the above.

I am the first to admit that adversity hits me hard sometimes, harder than it should. This verse tells us that God will provide “rest from the days of adversity”. Often, Christians do not feel the rest that God provides, simply because they are not in a close enough relationship with God. They are too busy trying to figure it out on their own, rather than rely upon God’s grace. Sometimes we are too busy complaining about the adversity, instead of thanking God for the rest He has made available. Instead of running to God in adversity, we run from God. We talk about how mean God has been, and how unfair it is that we have to go through such adversity. If we would just, “be still and know that He is God”. Remember:

* Psalm 46:God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

David is a man that faced adversity. Some of it he caused himself, but much of it was inflicted by others. David had found God to be faithful during these times. Look at what David says in this verse:

* II Samuel 4:As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

David had seen adversity come and go. David had seen difficult circumstances come and go. David had seen mentors come and go, friends come and go, and family come and go. But David had seen God come and stay. God will never leave us nor forsake us. I encourage you today if you are in the midst of what we call “adversity”, remember that God has provided rest in the midst of it. I encourage you today:
* Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: