THE LORD NEVER LEAVES THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN

Problems, trials, tribulation, suffering, disappointments, heartaches, anxieties, loneliness, pain and sorrows are experienced by many people daily. For all of these there is one to blame, the devil. The apostle Peter had this to say about him. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is real! He is out to get everyone! He doesn’t appear in person. He has many agents working for him. Paul pointed this out by saying, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:14). You see he has many disguises just as he used when he approached Eve in the garden of Eden. He came in the form of a serpent (Gen. 3:1-5).

The sad thing that happens over and over is when Christians, who are suffering in some way, leave the Lord. Jesus told us when giving the great commission, “...And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). Jesus will never leave the Christian!  James wrote,  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:7-8). It is when the Christian has problems, that he should become closer to God. There is absolutely no way to win when  the child of God turns his back upon the Father. Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your anxiety upon him; for he cares  for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7). Notice, we are invited to take our problems to the Lord and he will help us solve them.

When a Christian suffers the problems of life he MUST draw closer to God for the strength and comfort that He offers. You see when we turn our backs upon God we sin. Then our sins separates us from God. God’s prophet stated, “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). The devil so real, so powerful, and so evil, cannot make the Christian sin. God has made us a promise. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13). You see we don’t have to yield to the devil’s game of sin. God will not allow His children  to be tempted to the degree that they are overcome. If the temptation becomes too great God will make a way to escape.

In trials it is easy to think that no one cares. Never forget, God cares! Brethren in Christ care, but may not know what to do to help. The key to remaining faithful is to never give up. Problems, trials, sufferings, etc. will come from time to time in our lives. Just remember one doesn’t have to be alone at these times. Our Lord has promised to be there always.      ---Charles E. Burch