"The good man does not escape all troubles - he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one. God even protects him from accidents" (Psalm 34:19,20).
Jerry was a new Christian and for the first time was hearing about the importance of the Spirit-filled life. His was a logical question, put to me following one of my lectures on a large university campus.
"Does the Spirit-filled Christian have problems, testings, temptations like the non-believer and the disobedient Christian?" he asked.
"No," I replied, "the Spirit-filled Christian does not have the same kind of problems that the non-believer and the carnal Christian have, because most of the problems we experience in life are self-imposed. The Spirit-filled person is one who seeks to do the will of God and lives by faith drawing upon the supernatural resources of God the Holy Spirit for every attitude, motive and desire of his life."
There may be many problems, such as loss of loved ones, financial reverses, illness and disappointments. The Spirit- filled Christian does not escape all troubles. But the Lord is always there with him, undergirding, helping, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, imparting to him wisdom - physical, mental and spiritual resources. Even when tragedy, heartache, sorrow and disappointment come, the Spirit-filled person knows that God is still in control.
Therefore, by faith and obedience to the command of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he can say, "In all things I give thanks."
We can know that God helps us in each and every trouble and that He even protects us from accidents.
Today's Action Point
Today I will look for opportunities to remind myself and my friends that our loving God and Father is working in and through every problem we face each day, so that we might mature and become more like our Lord Jesus Christ.
