A few years ago I sat thinking about how much I loved God. It was as if the Holy Spirit immediately said
"Will you love him no matter what?"
I began thinking of my daughter, Amara and husband, Bayo. Could I put my hands on my heart and say that if, God forbid I lost them, I would still say that God is good? Even if I could somehow mutter "God is good", would I truly mean it from the depth of my heart?
Would I still serve God?
Would I want to lead the congregation into worship?
Would I want to run my cell?
Would I see the point of anything in life?
It is immensely challenging to serve God when we are facing great trials, when we are dealing with emotional pain and trauma. It is at this point we are more likely to push God away. We may become angry, confused and even feel betrayed that such a thing could happen to us.
I remember listening to the powerful testimony of Muyiwa (Riversongz) and feeling challenged. He was preparing to go on stage and received a phone call - his mother had been killed in a tragic car accident. He said he knew there was not a thing he could have done - she was gone. He decided to continue with his concert and the Lord comforted him through his worship. In the midst of a great trial he still honoured God.
God is God and He is good regardless of what we face as individuals. He is never changing. He expects us to give Him reverence and acknowledge His goodness, even when we are broken and hurting.
We live in a world full of sin. We battle with our flesh on a daily basis. There will be suffering - it clearly says so in the bible;
2 Timothy 3:12
"Yes, and all those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution".
Paul knew what it was like to have and not to have. He had come to the place of 'counting it all joy' despite his circumstances.
Philippians 4:12
"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need".
Job suffered greatly yet He did not turn his back on God. He lost his children, his livestock and eventually his wife. Job had every reason to turn his back on the things of God but He never once cursed Him, as his wife foolishly suggested.
Romans 8:35
"Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?"
The glory of heaven will make everything we receive here on earth worth every moment of struggle. We are here on earth to fulfil the purpose that God has given us. We simply cannot comprehend what is to come. It is too powerful for the human mind.
Romans 8:18
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us".
We need to see God as our source, our provider and our comforter.
In times of trouble, we can seek Him for refuge.
In times of doubt we can approach Him for reassurance,
In times of weakness we run to Him for strength,
In times of despair we can find reassurance in His words.
We can sit at His feet when uncertainty and feelings of hopelessness surround us.
It is so important for us as Christians to be completely consumed with the knowledge of His truth, the knowledge of who He is.
He must come before everyone and everything.
