Facing Problems Bigger Than Ourselves

            All of us go through things we did not think we would. Even some of us have gone through things we did not believe that we could. Where do we turn when we are out of our league? How do you and I cope with the fears beyond our courage to fight? How do we find God’s power when our faith is small? How do we pay our debts when they are greater than our income and even our savings if we have savings? How we conquer our enemies who are too strong for us?  However, here is when we turn to God.

            God is bigger than our fears. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 41:10. Did we hear the prophet? “Fear thou not; for I am with thee…” Fear is too common to every person. According to Genesis, 3:10 fear was the first evidence of the fall of man. Adam said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid  myself.” God was here before fear came on the scene. Genesis 1:1. Also, God will be here when all the fears of the ages have departed. Cf. Revelation 21:8. God gives us a guarantee that He is greater than all of our fears, “for I am with thee.” The phrase “fear not” is used more than sixty times in the Word of God. We need to remember that Moses, Joshua, David, and many others conquered their fears. The resurrection of Christ declares He has overcome our greatest fear.

            God is better than our faith. Jesus said, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20.  Fearful and grieving Martha saw Lazarus rise at Christ’s call. “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:43-44. Meek Moses lifted his rod as God had commanded and God parted the Red Sea. It is not the size of our faith, but it is the strength of our omnipotent God that makes the difference.

            God is richer than our debts. The Holy Spirit wrote, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. The Psalmist said, “For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills.” 50:10. Our heavenly Father has no shortage of funds. There is not a creditor that has anything on his ledger beyond what God can provide. In giving, we tap God’s boundless supply. Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38.

            God is stronger than our enemies are. The Psalmist wrote, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.” 18:3. How did the psalmist plan to find safety from his enemies? He said that he would find safety by calling on the LORD. David calls the LORD by eight names in three verses: strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, God, buckler, horn, and high tower. David looked to the LORD as his defensive and offensive weapon. David uses the word “my” nine times. In addition, David says that he will do three things concerning God. He will love Him. He will trust Him. He will call upon Him. To love Him, trust Him, and call upon Him is to obey Him. As Christian, we have the armour of God to protect us from all of our foes. The Holy Spirit said, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:11-18.

            Since Christ died and rose again, He achieved the ultimate victory. The Gospel is God’s power unto salvation. Romans 1:16. God is big enough to meet all the needs of those who obey Him.   
Bobby D. Gayton