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All over the Bible is mention of the day of trouble. Depending on the version or translation, you might also see a reference to the day of affliction, distress, doom, or evil. No matter the words used, the day in question is one most would prefer to avoid. Unfortunately, that day will come for everyone. It can be a moment or a period of great devastation for a person or a group. Nevertheless, one thing is certain. Although it will be a bad day for many, the children of God will be rescued and experience His grace and great help.
The Lord sent several prophets to the Israelites of old to beg them to turn from their sinful ways. Alas, the Northern Kingdom of Israel continued to serve false gods for 390 years while the Southern Kingdom also committed spiritual adultery for 90 years. The result was that the Assyrians carted off the people of the Northern kingdom into captivity, while the Southern nation later fell to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
That day is well documented in the Bible, and it was full of devastation. Many were killed, and the great Temple was destroyed. Judah's king watched his sons be murdered, then his eyes were plucked out, and he was bound in brass before being marched all the way to Babylon.
While this was a terrible day, some were spared the worst of it. Prophet Jeremiah, for instance, was released by Nebuchadnezzar's war commander, who told him he could go to Babylon, where he would be cared for, or he could go wherever he liked. On a day of distress and destruction, God's servant experienced grace and freedom. This was in line with a promise the Lord gave him at the start of his ministry. Jeremiah 1:19 - They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Just as the Lord kept His promise to the prophet, He will keep His promise to those who belong to Him. We are told in Psalm 50:14-15 - Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, /and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Clearly, a believer who offers thanks and praises to the Lord can 'dial' His rescue-service line and expect deliverance. Similarly, we are told in Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. His people who practice unwavering trust, and not doubt, can expect miraculous protection on the day of trouble.
God wants us to know that His grace is sufficient and He is more than able to help us in times of trouble. The key is to start walking in submission to Him now. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. He wants us to replace our troubles with Him. Matthew 11:30 - For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” If you have not given your life to Jesus, then it is time to understand what that means and take hold of the grace it provides. If you chose Jesus but have not yielded every part of your life to Him, then now is the time. If you don't know how, ask God to help you. He desires to.
This is the first step toward becoming a person who truly belongs to the Lord. He takes responsibility for His children, so it is imperative to do the things that qualify us to be His own. When we live this way, we can be assured that our Helper and Rescuer will save us from disaster. It is akin to purchasing insurance for a 'rainy' day, except that with God, there is no question that the insurance company will honor the claim. The courts of heaven will always back up those whose names are written in the scrolls. On the day of trouble, God will move (Malachi 3:17-18).
Some might wonder if God would save them from a difficulty of their own making. They may believe their sin has gone too far and they won't be worthy of rescue. However, Psalm 107 teaches that God will even rescue those who have created their own problems. All they need to do is cry out to Him. After all, He sent Jesus to die for each of us long before we knew we would need to be restored unto the Lord. He wasn't waiting for our perfection then, and He isn't waiting for it now. If you are in any form of trouble and need relief, call on God for rescue. It isn't too late, and my life is living proof of this.
And remember that now is the time to start walking in the fear of the Lord. Live a life that reflects the change that grace brings by choosing righteousness each day. Study the Bible and do what it says. Express God's love to yourself and others. Practice compassion and patience with people. 'Kill' your flesh, fight sinful desires, and cooperate with God's Spirit. Flee from sin and allow the Lord to have His way with you. Fast and pray. Not just for yourself and your loved ones, but also for other people.
These things seem like a long checklist, but the Holy Spirit is tasked with helping us grow in the Lord, so we increasingly do what pleases Him. As this happens, none of these godly lifestyle choices will feel like a burden because they will become second nature. The key is to make intentional choices now because the day of trouble is coming. Some of us have been through several such moments and can testify that having God's merciful hand upon us made the difference. These are the people who endured the fire walk with Jesus by their side and came out without signs of burns or smoke. They didn't look like what they'd been through.
Ask yourself, do you want to be well-positioned to weather the storms of life when they come? Or do you prefer to be caught unaware? That storm is the day of trouble, and God wants you to navigate it in victory. The only way to accomplish that is with His help. Let Him be your anchor. The choice is yours, and if you opt to do things God's way, you will be spared. His angels will lift you on that day so you do not strike a stone (Psalm 91:12). This is the insurance we all need for the day of trouble.
As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:
