Where should we turn when life is hard? Who has the answers?
When Jesus spoke to his disciples about sharing in his body and blood in the gospel of John (John 6), there was a mass exodus of his followers. They could not understand or accept his teachings. They did not comprehend the mystery of the future death and resurrection of their master. They abruptly stopped being his followers for it was too hard. Their view of life could not let them accept Jesus’s message or mission. However, the subsequent response of the Apostle Peter gives me great comfort as things are beyond my strength and comprehension. For I find life hard at this juncture.
Peter’s response:
John 6:66–69 (ESV): 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Old Testament is full of encouragement to trust in the Lord. When life is distressing, traumatic, and overwhelming, may God answer your call in your time of trouble!
Psalm 20:title–9 (ESV): 20 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. “1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah 4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! 6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. 9 O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call.”
References:
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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