I’ve been in quite a few situations that have seemed hopeless, and I’m sure you have too. But God calls us to lean on Him in these troubled times. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” When the odds seem insurmountable, he is always there to guide us through the hard times.
The Story of Gideon
In Judges 6 – 8, the Bible tells of the story of Gideon. In this passage, the Israelites had been worshipping the false god Baal for quite some time. So, God gave them over to the Midianites for seven years, and the Midianites steal their cattle, leaving the Israelites with nothing to eat. Judges 6:4 says, “They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys.” The Israelites prayed to God. They begged to be set free from the Midianites. To fulfill this request, God chose Gideon.
When the time came to fight the Midianites, God reduced Gideon’s army several times. God did this so that when they won, they would not boast and instead know that it was God who won the battle. “Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords.” (Judges 7:21-22). An army of 300 defeated a massive army of over 100,000 soldiers. If God is capable of this, then imagine how much he can do for you!
Psalm 9:18 says, “But the needy will not be ignored forever: the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.”
The Story of Jospeh
One of the most popular figures in the Old Testament is a man named Joseph. He was a miracle child, and was chosen by God for great things. But life did not go the way he expected. In Genesis 37, he was sold into slavery by his brothers. The slavers take him to Egypt. There, he worked for a powerful man named Potiphar. In time, Potiphar’s wife came to lust after Joseph and demanded he sleep with her. He adamantly refused every time. But when Potiphar’s wife had had enough of the rejection she accused him of attempting to rape him.
Joseph was thrown into prison. “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love” (Genesis 39:21). He gave Joseph favour with the warden and Joseph became in charge of the other prisoners. “The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” (Genesis 39:23). While in prison, Joseph intepreted dreams for Pharoah’s cup-bearer and baker. After successfully interpreting the dreams, Joseph was appointed second-in-command to the Pharaoh. After so many years of waiing, Joseph finally received the power God had promised him in his youth. (Genesis 41:37-44).
Sometimes we need a breakthrough and we feel like God has abandoned us in our time in our need. More than any other time you should just continue to praise him and worship him even when you don’t feel like it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” (The Passion Translation). Of course, you’re allowed to explain to him why you may be upset or angry. God wants to know everything you feel. But remember that the enemy wants you to be angry and resentful against God. But God has a divine plan for you, and you must remember that anything is possible in Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)
