Sabbath Thought – Stand and Trust

There is no argument that we live in a fast-paced world. The time necessary to travel from point A to point B has shortened dramatically in the last half century. Information can be sent around the world with a click of a button. We want our food fast with drive up restaurants, microwavable foods and prepackaged meals. We can communicate near instantly with others through long-distance phone calls, cell phones, text messages, email and Facebook. The average worker today has the tools and technology to do the work of several workers just 20 years ago.

This fast-paced life comes at a price. Modern medicine is coming to the realization that many of our modern illnesses are created or aggravated by the stress of our lifestyles. As corporations squeeze more work out of their employees, taking time off from work has become a luxury. Many safety experts are recognizing that lack of sleep contributes heavily to work and driving related accidents. I can’t help but think this is part of what God was referring to when He told Daniel that Satan will seek to wear out God’s saints in the end-time (Daniel 7:25, KJV).

If God is for us (Romans 8:31), why is there so much suffering among God’s people? We can understand suffering in the world because we see the consequences of decisions to live in opposition to God’s Word – but this is generally not true among His people. Much like ancient Israel before God brought them out of Egypt, we can suffer along with the world around us. We face health challenges, job insecurities, and frustrations over amoral and godless political leaders that increasingly don’t listen to their constituents.

So again, why do we face so much difficulty? I believe the answer is simple, but humanly hard to accept. God seeks a people who will be filled with His Spirit so that they reflect Him in everything they do (Ezekiel 36:27). God cannot fill us with His Spirit while our carnal human nature is there as well (Proverbs 14:12) – this is an unstable, double-minded man (James 1:8). I am convinced that despite the hard times around us, most of us have not come to the place of truly trusting in God for all things. We don’t understand God on His level. This is the lesson of the book of Job, and the examples of so many of the prophets He sent to Israel. God does promise to take care of us, but He does not promise a life without trials – in fact He tell us the opposite will be the case (John 15:20, 1 Peter 4:12). These trials are to refine us and to help us see that no matter what we face in this physical life, the Self-Existent, Eternal God is our God (Zechariah 14:9).

Life is challenging now, and it will only get more challenging as this world reaps the harvest of rebellion to God’s instruction. The question for God’s called out ones now is this: “Is there anything that has any possibility of separating us (Romans 8:35) from God’s love?” If there is, God wants us to see that possibility now so we can learn to trust in Him, and to be able to stand in the time of trouble (Daniel 12:1, Ephesians 6:13).

In working with us as His people, God also has given us His Sabbath (Mark 2:27). While we rest physically from our labors, let us also rest in God so that we will be built on His foundation – and stand and trust in Him.

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

14 December, 2024