So, then, trouble is permitted even in the godliest lives; but our Lord pledges His companionship in it. This trouble is transformed. Our extremity becomes His opportunity. All of us have been glued to our TV sets watching the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, leaving thousands upon thousands homeless. We remember the comforting promise, “I will be with him in trouble.” Yet trouble not only has a permitted place; it has a precious ministry; and further, it often gives our Lord His timeliest opportunity to prove His sympathetic and protective presence with us. “When thou passest through the waters,” He says, “I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isa. 43:2) It was when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were flung into the intensified furnace that they suddenly realized a fourth man was with them.
“I will be with him in trouble” is a rainbow in the cloud for the homeless victims of Hurricane Katrina. Was ever a kindlier reassurance given from God in heaven? The churches and the American people are reaching out to these hurting people in love and compassion. We have a mission field here on our own home soil of America. The harvest is ripe but the labors are few.
One of the old time missionaries, James Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) said, “I have but one candle of life to burn and would rather burn it out where people are dying in darkness than a land that is flooded with light.”
My dearest friend Dr. Charles and Barbara Green who pastored Faith Church in New Orleans for over 40 years and is now pastored by their son, all have lost their homes and possessions as well as those in their congregation. Their beautiful three thousand seat auditorium has been completely flooded. Many of my friends in the ministry have lost everything and their churches damaged.
God will bring good out of destruction for He promised to be with us in times of trouble.