Hello Friends, Thanks once again for taking the time to read God’s words. You’ll be greatly blessed as we learn together.
When Hard Times Come
Journey through life on earth is not straightforward, but kind of goes up and down like going through hills and valleys. When going uphill, life is awesome; especially at the peak. But when rolling downhill, life can be a tough experience; especially at the valley. It is how we handle these difficult, downhill and valley experiences that determine our true character and success in life. Going through these difficult times alone is certain to give you some serious shake-up and heart breaks. But if you rely on the counsel and power of God, you’ll succeed and prosper in life, irrespective of whether you are at the peak of a hill, or in the bottom of a valley.
God’s Assurance Of Prosperity
God is a refuge to us in times of trouble. He is a strong fortress and our Rock of strength and salvation. In His own words, “the Lord …is He who gives you power to get wealth.” To illustrate His assurance, let’s take as an example, the economic hardships that have befallen many people during the last one year. God, in His merciful kindnesses, foreknew that troubles of such great magnitude shall befall us, hence, He promised that anyone who trusts in Him shall not be affected by the hardship. Rather, he will prosper in it. Here is how he puts it:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:7). And “…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:2). “For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8-11). “…And whatever he does shall prosper…” (Psalms 1:3).
We can believe in these words; knowing that God’s words never fail to accomplish and prosper in the things for which they were spoken. In these words, God is promising us the following:
1. Anyone who trusts and hopes in God, and who delights and meditates in His words days and nights, is rooted in Him and assured of the abundant and endless supply of life sustaining resources that comes only from Him. He is just like the tree planted in the riverbank, which is rooted in the shores of the river; drawing from the abundant, life sustaining water and nutrient resources of the river. In this respect, the man who is rooted in God, draws from the water of life.
2. The man will not be afraid when economic or other disasters take away his wealth and other possessions, because he is rooted in God who has limitless power and resources to sustain his life, and replace what he has lost. That’s why he is compared to a tree that does not fear heat and drought because it is planted by the riverbank which has limitless source of water to sustain the tree when the heat and drought come and evaporate and eventually drying up and killing the plant.
3. Instead, the man will be industrious and abundantly prosperous even in the midst of economic or other crises. This is because God, in whom he trusts and in whose words he meditates, will give him power to create wealth and other successes. He is just like the tree planted by the riverbank, that grows green leaves with which it is able to extract energy from sunlight and creates plenty food for itself through photosynthesis. It, therefore, bears abundant fruits to feed others even in the midst of drought and extreme heat.
4. Indeed, it is not only in the area of wealth that he will prosper, but he will prosper in all areas of his life, just as the word declares that “whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:3).
What Is Required Of You
What should you do? Fully trust in God and place all your hopes in Him. Do not live according to the ways of ungodly people. Rather, “delight yourself in the words of the Lord, and meditate on these words days and nights, and do as they instruct you.” When you have so patterned your life after God, He will fulfill His promises for you. You will pass through periods of great financial, personal, family and other crises, without losing your cool. You will prosper in business and live in abundance even in the midst of an economic depression. Your job will be protected, and even in the rare event that your income source is lost, you will neither starve, nor beg bread, for God will provide for you and your family. You shall also prosper in other areas of your life; including health, spirituality, family peace, etc. There will be periods of trials in your life because these trials are necessary for your spiritual growth and promotion to greater blessings. But they will pass away after sometimes to make room for greater blessings to be unfolded for you.
Build A Strong Relationship With God
There are countless benefits in aligning yourself with God. If you already have a relationship with Him through Christ Jesus, just keep on trusting in Him, believing His words and praying to Him always, and you’ll prosper in this life as He has promised. In the new age to come, you’ll gain everlasting life, inherit the new earth and reign with Jesus as king and priest forever.
If you don’t already have a personal relationship with God through Christ Jesus, consider beginning that relationship today before it is too late. You have nothing to loose, but everything described above and more to gain. Just say to Jesus, “You are the Lord of heaven and earth. I surrender fully into your hands. Save me from my sins, and help me to live in obedience to you. Afterwards, call or write to us for further guidance.
Remain blessed.