Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-23
I do not suppose that you will find any individual, organisation or nation on earth which has no problems. Problems exist everywhere and no person or group of persons is exempt. Troubles and trials come in many forms. Yahweh allows them to come; but He also provides a way of escape. Let me list some of life's problems and point to a remedy which has never failed since mankind was first placed on this earth.
The first step towards solving a problem is recognising what it is, identifying the problem, or better still pin-pointing its cause. That is the first step in solving a problem. You have a problem, you know that 'something is not right.' But until such time as you know what that something is, you are unlikely to hit upon a solution. Identification is the first step. Many people never get past this first step.
The second step is to know where to get help. Read how King Jehoshaphat faced an enormous problem in 2 Chronicles chapter 20.
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2 Chronicles 20:12 |
"... For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us.
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Yahweh's help is always available. But before help is forthcoming it must be called for. It is a recorded fact that Yahweh expects those in need of help to 'lift up their voices and call for help,' because He doesn't even force His help upon you. You must ask for it. It costs nothing!
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Matthew 7:7 |
"Ask, and it shall be given unto you ..." |
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v11 |
"... how much more will your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him." |
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2 Samuel 22:7-20 |
"In my distress I called upon the Lord, to my God I called. From His Temple He heard my voice and my cry came to His ears. Then ... deliverance came" |
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Psalm 107:6 |
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress." |
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v13 |
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress." |
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v19 |
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress." |
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Psalm 50:15 |
"And call upon me in the Day of Trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." |
The most serious problem in life is sin. Its results are guilt, sorrow, sickness and death. Indeed we can say with a measure of certainty that most - if not all - life's problems stem from sin in some form or the other. I am happy to report that Yahweh has the solution to the problem of sin. And that solution is freely available to the sinner. Once the problem of sin is addressed and the solution accepted, all other problems begin to line up for attention. If, however, the problem of sin is shelved or ignored, then no matter how smooth life may appear to be, sooner or later there will be unrest in the soul and sorrow in the heart. So let us list the solutions to problems in order of importance.
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Matthew 6:31-33 |
"Therefore do not be anxious saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' ... But seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." |
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Acts 2:21 |
"Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord (Yahshua) shall be saved." |
Notice that there are no special qualifications required for salvation, other than repentance and a calling for help. Whosoever means 'anyone'. Yes, anyone who calls - shall be saved. This is without a doubt one of the great promises in the Bible. If you look at the passage closely you will see that it is specific to this generation who live in the last days. (verse 17)
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Judges 15:18 |
"And he (Samson) was sore athirst, and called on the Lord and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now I die for thirst ... But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk his spirit came again." |
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Matthew 6:33 |
"... And all these things (food and clothes etc) shall be added unto you." |
It is important to examine and analyse this subject of salvation. Here are a few questions that you may find useful.
There are times when Yahweh appears to ignore a request for help; a request which, to us, appears perfectly legitimate. Think of Job. No doubt Job prayed day and night seemingly to no avail. But unbeknown to him there was a great spiritual drama being enacted behind the scenes. It could be the same with you. Yahweh may allow you to suffer trial and tribulation for a perfectly good reason. He allowed Paul to be held in prison for a long, long time. But the New Testament would be very different if Paul had been released immediately. His imprisonment brought light and truth to millions of believers.
In an effort to solve their problems many people compound them. They try to get out of debt by gambling. Or they try to balance their sorrows by eating or drinking too much. Many turn to drugs or sex and give loose rein to appetite. These remedies are not only useless - but fatal. They never work.
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Proverbs 23:21 |
"For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness (laziness) will clothe a man with rags." |
The first solution to life's problems is to put your faith in Yahweh and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. All other solutions follow that first step.
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Psalm 55:16 |
"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me." |
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Matthew 6:31-34 |
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. |
Yes, the answer to life's problems is to trust in God. Put your faith in Him. Accept His offer of mercy and salvation which He provides through His son Jesus (Yahshua): and then make a firm decision to keep Yahweh's commandments. Read your Bible every day and pray every day. You will be amazed to see that your problems will gradually fade away. I know, I've tried it and it works!
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