I’m sure that each of us can recall such a time in our lives. Often these situations or circumstances are adverse and trouble our souls. We have asked, why this, or why me? At times there may even be thoughts of despair for no one seems to understand what is happening. How comforting it is to know that for the believer in Christ, we have a God who understands, for in eternity past, He already knew when and what we were going to experience. By faith as we learn and apply His Truth, we can come to understand that all of God’s doings in life are for ones spiritual good, for the purpose of strengthening faith and effectiveness in His service. Paul in writing to the Romans stated --
... “it is God who causes all things to work together of good, to those that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”(Rom 8:28)
In the Hebrew Scriptures we read of Ezra’s father as he spoke of the need for understanding in time of great adversity. He wrote --
… “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.”(Ps 119:27)
His circumstances could not have been worse, for he was on the death march to Babylon. Yet, a faith rooted and grounded in God’s Word carried him through that horrible time. He could not see how it would all end, but he could trust moment by moment in the only God who could sustain him, and perhaps, if God so chose, to delver him in, out of, or through the adversity. Early in the twentieth century, the hymn writer, Oswald J, Smith penned the words to God Understands after hearing of the death of his sister’s husband. They were missionaries in Peru and were scheduled to come back to the States on furlough. Just a few weeks before their ship sailed, her husband was instantly killed in an automobile accident. Smith wrote these words of comfort to his grieving sister:
And whispers, “I am with thee,” then falter not, nor fear.
God understands your heartache, He knows the bitter pain;
O trust Him in the darkness, you cannot trust in vain.
God understands your weakness, He knows the tempter’s pow’r;
And He will walk beside you, however dark the hour.
God understands your longing, your deepest grief He shares;
The let Him bear your burden, He understands and cares.
We may not have an answer for all the adversities that we face, but we can with confidence go before our Heavenly Father and lay our burdens before Him. In Peter’s first epistle we read --
… “casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”(I Peter 5:7)
When we do that, we find rest for our souls and hear that small still voice that says --
… “Be still, and know that I am God.”(Ps 46:10)