God's Answer for Troubling News

This life is not easy and we all experience troubling news whether it is in our personal lives or in the world around us. Jesus tells us to expect it in John 16:33 where he says "in this world you will have trouble".

And he tells us in Matthew 24:6-7 that "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars...There will be famines and earthquakes in various places."

And we read in 1 Peter 4:12-13 to "not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you...as though something strange were happening to you."

Troubling news and events is a part of this life. However, God has a "BUT" for it!!

When we continue reading in John 16:33, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. BUT take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Regarding the wars and rumors of wars...and the famines and earthquakes, Jesus tells us, "BUT see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen."

And when a fiery ordeal comes upon us, God's Word says, "BUT rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

Our God is greater than any trouble in this life and that is why He has a "but" answer for every situation. We are reminded of His great sovereignty over all things in Isaiah 40:26-31,

[26] Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. [27] Why do you complain(, Jacob)? Why do you say(, Israel), “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? [28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Because our God is our creator and is all-powerful, all-knowing and sovereign over everything, we can insert a "but" into every circumstance. We only need to place our TRUST in Him. In Psalms 112:7 David tells us that those who trust in the Lord will have no fear of bad news.

As long as we place our trust in the Lord, we will have no fear, despair or worry in the face of troubling news just as we read in Jeremiah 17:7-8,

[7] “BUT blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. [8] They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

So let us keep our eyes on the Lord and place our trust in Him. Let us remember that He is the Almighty one. He is the one who has overcome the world, He is the one who overcame sin and death, He is the one who calms the storm, He is the one who is our solid rock. He is the one who has a “BUT” answer for everything.
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