Article written by: Sister Edna B. Ellison
I once had a pastor, Rev Earl Nobles who would often say, “If you don’t trouble trouble, trouble will trouble you”. Truer words have never been spoken. As we go through our lives some type of conflict will often appear. God’s word says, “I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me, in this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.” (John 16:33) His word also says,” Human beings have only a few days to live. Their lives are full of trouble. (Job 14:1).
There are those times that we bring trouble upon ourselves by the choices that we make. There are times that our children, a relative or a close friend may cause trouble. Trouble will at times come from our job or profession and even physical trouble from health issues. When I was in my early twenties, married with two small boys, I worked very hard, most times I worked two jobs. I wanted the “American Dream”. That dream was owning a home with nice furniture and great decor. The fact that I had employment made me feel that I could accomplish this without a problem. We bought the home. I purchased furniture from two different furniture stores. I should say that I went into debt to accomplish all that I set out to do. The trouble started with all of the issues for which I did not account. Those issues were children getting sick and having to be out of work, company layoffs in which I was affected and even issues where utility bills were higher than expected. I was in trouble. I was saved, I was blessed, but I was young and couldn’t wait to have it all. God was so faithful. I would take care of all of the financial responsibilities but there would not be money left for groceries. I did not share this information with anyone.
In my spiritual growth I had not learned Isaiah 41:10 (NIV), “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
We had missionary groups at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, the church that I attended. The group that I was in was called “Naomi”. One of the sisters in that group phoned me out of the blue and said to me, “God has told me to have you meet me at the grocery store below your house.” I responded, “He did!” “Ok”. I met her at the store. She brought my family over one hundred dollars’ worth of groceries. Now that’s not much in today’s world but in 1975 it was a basket full and overflowing with groceries. I praised God and cried all the way home. God was a present help in my time of trouble, the trouble that I brought upon myself.
The desires that I have had in life have shown me 1st John 2:16 ” For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. In my spiritual growth I learned Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
My husband and I were merging onto interstate highway 4 going east. A car behind us was going too fast, as we had to slow down. He ran into us and pushed the back of the car into the front. The front seats where we were both seated went backwards keeping us from hitting the windshield. Now here is the amazing thing. The back seats were straight up. The trunk did not come through. I have always heard that angels are giants. The seats in the back looked as though angels were seated there keeping the seats from buckling. The car was totaled but we did not receive a scratch. God was a present help in our time of trouble. At this time in our lives, we were attempting to buy a new home, but we had a nine-thousand-dollar debt that was holding us up. That car was that debt. After the car was totaled, the insurance took care of the debt. We were blessed as God’s word is so true in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. There are so many other situations that I could share, too many for this article, but I can assure you that’s the reason God is a present help in the time of trouble.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1st Peter 5:8). When Satan can’t get to us, he will try through our children. Ephesians 6:12 says ” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. We carry our children to the organized church. We have them in every activity that the church may offer, but they go through growing pains just as we did. Even though they have heard the word of God, they just didn’t get it. They sometimes make bad choices which cause trouble. Sometimes legal trouble and sometimes emotional trouble. And we have to give them God’s word. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:17-18).
Trouble comes in many forms in today’s world; we are a witness to 2nd Timothy 3:1-5 ” But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” This same chapter tells us not to even deal with such even though some described may be in our own families. When we are confronted with these people and situations which will definitely cause trouble, Philippians 4:6-7 says” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” He tells us not to be anxious about anything, not even the situations that our children go through. He says in Psalm 37:25, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Psalm 34:4-6 says, I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. He believed that God is a present help in the time of trouble!
So, you see if you Believe in God, and you know His word. You know that He IS a very present help in the time of trouble. James 1:2-3 says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. God says to call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15).
You have to know God’s word to Believe God’s word. Whatever trouble may come your way, God has a word just for you. God tells us in 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” and in Romans 8:31, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” When, we yield to temptation that may cause trouble. 1st Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” God provides an escape if we just take it. Believe God is a very present help in the time of trouble. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Believe that God IS a very present help in the time of trouble.
When I was a child growing up in church. One of the scriptures that we had to learn was the 23rd Psalm in the King James Version: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This is even more evidence and why “I Believe that God is a very present help in the time of trouble.
Written by Sister Edna B. Ellison
Grandmothers of Hope Society Ministry