Is your life a mess? If it is, you are not alone. Is it hard to see the way in which you are called to go? If that is so, there are many there with you. Do you find it difficult at times to know what the right decision is to make? Countless people have also experienced the same problem. Questions such as these can be asked, with answers such as these being given, for quite some time. The point is that life comes with many obstacles and hardships. The Christian can get focused on these matters, and as a result, he can become blinded by them, as well. But is there a place or a direction that the Christian can look to regain his sight – or at least to see beyond the fog?
Try to think of a time that you have been driving at night without your headlights on. The darker the night, the harder it is to see. That seems pretty obvious, right? The solution is simple, and everyone knows what it is. Turn on the headlights. As you turn on the headlights, the path in front of you becomes clear. You are able to drive in a place where driving seemed impossible beforehand.
The problem is not that people do not know how to turn on their headlights. The problem is that people do not know how to use the Word of God to light their path. Maybe better yet, people do not believe the Word of God is a light to their path. Sure, they may know the Scriptures, but in the most difficult of times, it can be hard to believe that what the Bible says is so.
The Christian must be reminded of the truth that the Word of God is enough to get the Christian through each and every trial. Proverbs 3:5-8 is that reminder.
Trust in the Lord
Scripture says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5). This is an essential component of what must be done in order to be carried through a trial. Without this basic foundation, no other instruction that the Lord gives will be allowed credence. Trust, faith, belief – this must be the foundational component in the life of every Christian. But not simply trust, faith, and belief; rather, trust, faith, and belief in the Lord, as the Scripture says. There is an object to the Christian’s trust. The Christian sets his eyes on the Lord and takes refuge in the God of his salvation.
Hebrews 10:36-12:2 makes it clear that faith is enduring, as well. Those who find themselves in a difficult situation will not be able to endure without having faith. Sure, they may be able to come out on the other side of their trial, but that is not the same as enduring. Making it through is not the goal. Honoring God in the midst of hardship is the goal. This is true biblical endurance, and Hebrews 10:36-12:2 is, in essence, about that single point. It teaches the Christian that faith is enduring.
Acknowledge the Lord
With the foundation of faith laid in place, the Christian can begin to regain his footing. Scripture says, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:6). This is where the Christian sets his feet upon the rock. When the Christian acknowledges God in all his ways, he is, at the very same time, bringing God’s Word to bear on each and every situation in his life. This is where the light of God’s Word begins to illuminate his path. As the light of God’s Word illuminates the Christian’s path, it will, by the very nature of light, also direct the Christian’s path, as Proverbs 3:6 states. Simply put, God will be directing the path of the Christian through His Word.
God desires to be the leader of the Christian’s life in every area. God does not want a part of the Christian’s life; He wants the whole thing. Every facet, every problem, every victory, every desire – He wants it all to make it all into that which is glorifying to Him and good for the believer. The road gets long, the path becomes arduous, weakness settles in, and fatigue grips the flesh of the believer. He finds himself like the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane who should have been praying. Do you remember what happened? They fell fast asleep. Jesus told them to pray and reminded them of the weakness of their flesh. The spirit was indeed willing, but their flesh had grown weak.
This happens throughout the journey of the Christian. It will never end this side of eternity. But there is a place in which the Christian must seek to remain and of which he must remind himself if he has strayed. The Bible tells us where we need to be. Scripture says, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” (Deut. 33:27). The Shepherd will carry His sheep in His everlasting arms. Find your strength today in the arms of God, not your own.
Depend on the Lord
Scripture says, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:7). Herein lies the problem. God has told the Christian of the way that he must go and how to abide in His arms. However, what often takes place is that the Christian turns from this place of refuge and guidance as he seeks out his own path. The Bible warns us in this verse not to be wise in our own eyes. The Christian must not think that he has it all figured out. He must not think that he does not need anyone else’s advice – he may even find himself in a worse position thinking that he does not need God’s advice. A straying from God’s Word is a true manifestation of being wise in one’s own eyes.
Refreshment from the Lord
But for those that would stay the course: In the midst of great difficulty, these individuals can know that God will carry them through. They can also know that God desires to bring them to the well of God in which they can find their strength renewed and their heart satisfied. Scripture says, “It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones” (Prov. 3:8). Even Jesus had to endure the cross before the joy would come. Jesus looked to the joy that was set before Him, and this helped Jesus to take the cross upon His back.
So too can it help the Christian who finds himself with a cross to bear. As the challenges of life press in and the weight of it all seems crushing, look to the joy that is set before you. God promises it in His Word. Times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord. The Spirit of God will bring new life. The Holy Spirit is like a rushing wind, and there is no telling where and when this wind may hit the Christian’s sail and carry him into a better place. But what is true is that this wind will come.
Practical application
As you look at your present situations, take note of the ways that you have been trying to take matters into your own hands. Are turning a blind eye to the wisdom of God’s Word? Have you forgotten to search the Scriptures for help in your present situation? Either way, turn to the Word of God and find what God says about whatever you are going through.
Trust in the Lord that He knows best and desires your good. Look beyond your cross. Do not get fixated on your problem at hand. This will stifle your growth and only lead to sin. Look beyond the cross like Jesus did. Fix your eyes on Christ; times of refreshing will come, and this will be healing to your bones.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the truth of Your Word. Help me to look beyond my present circumstances and to look to Christ. Carry me, Lord, in Your everlasting arms. In Jesus’ name, Amen.