From the Pastor's Desk

Trouble has a way of finding all of us. The Bible says it rains on the just and the unjust. Although we would love to believe that Christians are exempt from trouble, that is not the case.

Trouble is an equal-opportunity annoyance that eventually shows up on everyone’s doorstep. While we cannot prevent trouble from making an appearance, we can learn how to handle it when it comes our way. Proverbs 22:3 (NLT) says, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.” With God’s help, we can learn how to wisely prepare for times of trouble so that its overall effects leave our lives better instead of bitter.

In Isaiah 36 and 37 we find an interesting story about Sennacherib who was expanding the Assyrian Empire and attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah and was determined to capture Jerusalem as well. We find King Hezekiah deeply distressed by Sennacherib’s actions. He was even more troubled upon receiving Sennacherib’s taunting and blasphemous letter.

Are you allowing God to handle the trouble for you or are you trying to handle it yourself? When trouble comes your way, do what Hezekiah did:

(1) Go to the house of the Lord – get into His glorious presence.

(2) Seek the Lord immediately – make Him your first response, not your last resort.

(3) Place the entire problem before the Lord and leave it there.

(4) Pray earnestly about the situation – praising God for His goodness in the past and inviting Him to go to work on your behalf in the present.

-Pastors Tim & Katrina