Job describes the rewards of obedience: ‘If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity’ (Job 36:11 NKJV). John adds, ‘Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight’ (1 John 3:22 NKJV).

But Paul describes the cost of obedience: ‘We think you ought to know…about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us’ (2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT).

Notice the words ‘He did rescue us…He will rescue us again…He will continue to rescue us’. God didn’t lift Paul out of his trouble, He walked with him in it and brought him through it. We might have been asking God to help us understand the situation we’re in, but He hasn’t yet. God doesn’t promise us an explanation, but He promises us an exit strategy. ‘No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it’ (1 Corinthians 10:13 MSG). So today, focus on this thought: no matter what, obey God.

What Now?

If you find yourself asking God, ‘Why am I in this mess? Why am I the one having this problem?’ try reframing your question to, ‘Okay, I’m in this mess. How do we get out of it?’ (‘We’, because God walks with us in times of trouble.)