GOD HAS NOT FORSAKEN YOU ~ Precious Victor Akah

We often think that the presence of God is synonymous with the absence of troubles. So we quickly become sad or depressed once affliction or trouble comes knocking because we think God has abandoned us or forsaken us for one reason or the other. But this is not what the Scripture teaches.

As a matter of fact, the Scripture teaches that "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19).

In other words, God can be with you as a righteous man or woman and trouble still comes. Remember, Jesus was in the boat with the disciples when the heavy storm came (Matthew 8:23-27).

In Acts 7:9-10, this was written concerning Joseph: "But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles". God was with Joseph, yet troubles visited him.

God being with you does not mean troubles and afflictions won't come. Remember "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19). 

What God promises is that He'll deliver us from all afflictions; He'll rescue you from every trouble that comes just as He rescued Joseph and the apostles of old. So don't mistake the presence of trouble to mean the absence of God. God is still with you if you're still with Him and He'll surely deliver you. Have faith in Him.

Imagine this: the apostles were preaching the Gospel (which is a very good thing) and God the Holy Spirit was with them - performing miracles, signs and wonders through them - yet we read that this happened to them while they were doing these wonderful things: "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.... Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.... Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail...

They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah." Acts 5:12-42

Despite the fact that the apostles were arrested, imprisoned and flogged while they were preaching the message of Jesus, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah, they even didn't take offense and become angry with God; rather, they rejoiced because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus. The apostles reacted in this manner because they knew that the presence of trouble is not always the absence of God. 

They could have murmured, complained or began entertaining the thought that God had abandoned them or forsaken them, like some modern-day Christians would react if found in such situation, but they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was still with them, this was why they rejoiced.

Know this and have peace and rejoice in the midst of life's troubles, afflictions or challenges: the presence of trouble is not always the absence of God. God can be with you and you still experience challenges. So when trouble comes, don't immediately accuse God of forsaking or abandoning you - which is what the devil will try to instigate you to do so you can stop serving God and become his prey. Don't do that.

The presence of trouble also does not mean you have committed a grevious sin and God has turned His face against you because of that, no, it is not always the case. When you have carefully examined yourself and you're certain that you have not committed any sin that could give the devil a foothold in your life, keep rejoicing, praising and serving God, knowing He'll surely deliver you from that present trouble or challenge.

Jesus Himself told us in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Trouble is in this world, but Jesus promises us His peace in the midst of trouble, and deliverance and victory in the end.

Be strengthened by the words of Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

And be encouraged by the words of Hebrews 13:5 "...For God has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

God bless you.

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