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As the storm clouds of this life gather into dark and ominous-looking monsters, especially as we see the signs of the coming Tribulation rapidly unfold, it is crucial that we, the ready remnant,[1] remember just who it is we serve. In fact, it is at these times ‘when it seems like all hope is gone’ that we need to remember the greatness of God – the most.
Truly, our hope must be in God, as He is endless and without change. Therefore, we can trust Him, no matter what. Yes, our enemies will continue to come against us in this life, and they will do everything they can to diminish our message. But they cannot change God. This is why God sits in heaven laughing at and mocking them (Ps 2:4). He knows the end of each and every one of our enemies. Assuredly, we can and should put all of our trust in Him. Thankfully, God has provided us with scriptural evidence that we can have this kind of trust in Him. Consider King David.
Great Examples
King David is one of the great examples God provided us, as he is the type of person that we may emulate in regard to our trust in God, especially when we find ourselves in situations that make it seem like all hope is gone. David shows us the way; in Psalm after Psalm, he spells out his woes, petitions the Lord to help, and concludes by declaring immense trust in the Lord while glorifying Him as the Lord Most High. Here is one example:
Psalm 13
“[Woes] {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? [Petition for help] Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. [David announces trust in the Lord as he extols Him] But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” [2] [author’s comments]
If one did not know who was speaking these words, it would be easy to imagine they could come from any remnant believer in these, the last of days. For assuredly, it seems like our enemies are being exalted over us as we continue to petition the Lord for help in our time of trouble. Indeed, our enemies are rejoicing as they seemingly are moving us from our position of preeminence, as they succeed in diminishing our message of truth, which once filled the land. [3]
Now, the wicked rule in every aspect of life. Through great deception, they have captivated the hearts and minds of the masses by giving them just what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear.[4] By the way, this is indicative of both church and state, as we witness the abandonment of the truth in both arenas. [5]
This should cause us to fret and worry. However, the ready remnant must react differently. We must be like David and call out to our God for assistance. We must petition the Lord to come to our aid. Since we know He is coming soon at the rapture, this call for aid is more than just a call to come for us; it is a petition made for the sake of our faith. Therefore, we must engage in effectual, fervent, and faith-filled prayer that causes our faith to rise. For our faith must be rooted and grounded in the fact that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). We must come to realize that God is greater than anything and that He is more than enough. Essentially, we must come to trust in God rather than in ourselves or our earthly standing.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (emphasis mine)
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” (emphasis mine)
These passages grow more important every day, especially as those dark clouds continue to mount and gather. This is because trusting in the Lord more than self is paramount for the ready remnant and, at the same time, very difficult for those who have always had much, a condition that could apply to many from prosperous nations. Jesus made sure we understand how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 19:23). The good news is that He also provided the understanding necessary to thrive in the midst of this great abundance; he told us the key is being ‘poor in spirit’ (Matt 5:3), which means we must not trust in ourselves or our earthly possessions, but in God.
The Poor in Spirit
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The poor in spirit are those who realize just how big God is and just how small man is.[6] David was a man after God’s own heart for this very reason (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). He always magnified the Lord, no matter how bleak his circumstances were. Likewise, David extolled the Lord even when he became rich by earthly standards. For David, like the other psalmists, knew from whence His help was always to come (Ps 121:1). However, we must not forget that David was considered by God to be a man after His own heart because he would fulfill all of the Lord’s will (Acts 13:22b). This indicates that David was ‘poor in Spirit’; he always saw God’s ways as higher than his ways (Is 55:9).
Therefore, if we follow the example of David, we will do well. One could argue that being poor in spirit is the same thing as being ready as a member of the remnant. For to be a ready remnant, we must always have our eyes on the Lord as the only hope of our salvation. For the ready remnant, leaning to our own understanding and trusting in our own means is unthinkable, as it leads to unpreparedness. This is because doing so causes our gaze to become focused on what we are doing instead of what the Lord is doing and what He would have us do.
The Lord desires to bless the faithful who rely upon Him. He told us this throughout Scripture. Here is one of those instances, as relayed by Isaiah the prophet, who said this about the poor in spirit:
Isaiah 66:1-2
“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (emphasis mine) [Other translations render this: look on with favor; I will esteem; look to graciously… The idea is that God will look favorably upon the poor in spirit.] [In a word – ‘Blessed,’ which means to this one, God will extend His benefits]
We also see this message in the book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 29:23
“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (emphasis mine)
I don’t know about you, but I would much prefer to have God look favorably on me than laugh at me in scorn. With this in mind, let us assume the lower position and allow God to exalt us in due season (1 Pet 5:6). Put another way, let us humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and allow Him to lift us up (James 4:10). The alternative is unthinkable, as the Lord will humble the Proud (Matt 23:12). Most importantly, as we humble ourselves, let us remember who it is we are submitting our will to.
Let us Remember Just Who God Is
To list every aspect of who God is would be impossible here in this short message. Indeed, His magnificence is beyond measure, and our finite minds are simply incapable of comprehending all of what God is. However, in an attempt to offer the type of mindset we should have about God, I will share with you the lyrics of one of the songs my wife and I wrote in this regard:
That’s Who You Are
“When it seems like – All hope is gone.
That’s when I remember – Just who You are.
You’re the rest for the weary – You’re the comfort of the soul.
You’re the heavy burden bearer – You care for me.
You care for me – That’s who you are
You’re the faith that moves the mountains – You’re the peace that calms the sea.
You’re the one whose love is endless – You care for me.
You care for me – That’s who you are
You’re the way we are to follow – You’re the truth that sets us free
You’re the bread of life that feeds us – You care for me.
You care for me – That’s who you are.”
These lyrics demonstrate the honor and care God gives to those who humble themselves before Him. As we look upon Him, He looks after us. On this, we can always count because God is the one who promises to care for us, and He is not a man that He should lie (Num 23:19).
One additional point should be made here. While God is all in all, and that will never change, our view of Him can change if we are not careful. Think about this:
When a problem or situation that is beyond us arises, how do we react? Do we begin to doubt God’s ability to deal with said problem or situation? If we do, our view of Him has changed. Suddenly, our Great God, who is above everything, is beneath our circumstances. This will not end well because believing that God is incapable of dealing with our circumstances generates doubt, and doubt never moved a single mountain. Often, it is at this point that those who grow to doubt God begin to strive to deal with the problems that eclipse their ability, in their own power. The result is usually a miserable failure, and the saddest part is those who fail to seek God’s guidance and intervention, when failure comes, blame Him for not helping them.
Therefore, the best choice we can make is to be like David and humble ourselves unto God while making our petitions known unto Him. Amazingly, it is through this chosen position of humility that we most fully trust God, who is glorified by our actions. Remember, it is always best when we maintain the belief that God is the Great Big God we know Him to be, and we remain the humble ones who seek His face. From this place, God looks to our care.
With all of this in mind, instead of blaming God for our problems and turning from His counsel, let us be like David and seek the Lord early and often:
Psalm 63:1
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”
1 Chronicles 16:11
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”
Conclusion
Like David, we must trust in the Lord in all of our circumstances, even ‘when it seems like all hope is gone.’ Indeed, it is at these times that we must rely upon God even more. After all, as long as God is God, no situation is truly hopeless. He is the one who never leaves nor forsakes us (Deut 31:6; Heb 13:5). This knowledge allows us to have no fear and to be not dismayed (Deut 31:8), even when we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death:
Psalm 23
“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 mine 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 for ever.”
Website: In His Commission
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[1] For more information, visit, “Ready Remnant.”
[2] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”
[3] For greater understanding, see the article, “Direct Attack on Our Shield of Favor.”
[4] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Return of the Godless.”
[5] For greater understanding, see the article, “America: Once like David – Now like Cain.”
[6] For greater understanding, see the article, “Big God – Little Man.”
The post When it Seems Like All Hope is Gone :: By C. Gray Adams appeared first on Rapture Ready.
