This past week has been difficult. Not only has it been a little busier than usual, due to a public holiday, which, in our line of business sees us scrambling to accomplish 2 days deliveries into 1, but it’s also been difficult because of physical pain.

I hurt my back on Tuesday, and then after suffering for a couple days with pain, I had it adjusted and then that very afternoon, I hurt it worse than the first time. I know, stupid right?

Well, all that to say that God is still good. Even when trials come, God is still good.

We read in the Psalms, over and over, of King David’s trials and his responses to them. I love how David chose to dwell on what he knew, rather than the things he didn’t know.

David focused on what he knew of God and his character.

In Psalm 27 we see him focusing on what he knew.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

King David knew, that no matter how dark his days became, the Lord was his light. The Lord would light his way. He also knew that God was his strength. He didn’t need to fear, though men would rise against him, he was confident in the power of God and his almighty hand.

Psalm 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

When we face difficult times, instead of dwelling on all the things we don’t know, our fears, our uncertainties, we can stand on the truth we DO know.

God is good.  God is faithful.  God is with us.

God is good.

Psalm 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Verse after verse in scripture tells of the goodness of God. If you are a Christian and you are walking in his light, obeying him, submitting yourself to him, you will know of his goodness. You will have experienced God’s amazing goodness to you. God is good. You know it to be true.

God is faithful.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do you really believe that God is faithful? Then focus on that. Dwell on what you DO know. He is a faithful God. He can be relied upon. He is altogether trustworthy. He will never fail you.

God is with us.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Isaiah 8:10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

What a blessed promise we find in the Word of God. God is with us. His very name, Emmanuel, means ‘God with us’. We are reminded countless times of God’s presence. The Bible gives so many examples of times when God made his presence known to his people and miraculously showed his power and that power is still available to us today. God is still with us. He is still Emmanuel.

Can I ask you not to just casually gloss over these scriptures, but to really read them and meditate on them? If you will take time to read over the precious promises in the Bible, dig into the stories of the past that we find in the treasure of God’s Word, you will find that during your times of trial, you will have something to hold on to. You don’t need to be floating in a sea of trouble without a lifeboat. You can hold onto what you know about God and let it keep you afloat.

I have only mentioned 3 precious truths. God is good. God is faithful. God is with us. There are so many more.

The point is, that when everything around you is falling apart you need to focus on what you know rather then what you don’t! There are so many what ifs in this world. There are so many uncertainties and questions and things we just don’t know, but oh the amazing, marvellous, beautiful, abundant truths we can know about God!

And oh, the joy and peace we can experience when we choose to dwell on what we know. If you make a conscious choice to think on the right things, your trials won’t loom so large ahead of you. You’ll be so busy focusing on what you know of God and his mercy and goodness, that you will overflow with praise and thanksgiving to him. Yes, the trial may still be there, and the storm may still be raging, but you will have peace in the midst of it all.

My back pain is still there, and I feel it with every movement, but despite not understanding the why of the suffering, I can be content with the who. The one who chose to let me go through this. I can have peace knowing that God has a plan and a purpose. And I can choose to think on what is true about him.

Just as Daniel was able to sleep peacefully in a dark, smelly den of hungry lions because of his faith in God, we too can rest in safety.

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Daniel was able to rest contentedly because of focusing on what he knew of God. He knew God was good. He knew God was faithful. And he knew God would be with him.

Will you choose today to fill your mind with what you know of God? Let the truths of God’s abundant love seep into your soul and flood your heart with peace and joy. Don’t let what you don’t know fill you with anxiety. Set your heart on the things of God.

Philippians 4:7-8 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.