I have been in some hard places in my life, some of my own making, some the result of other’s actions, and some through the ups and downs of life. Some were frightening, some were heartbreaking, and most were depressing. Two things were certain – I felt all alone and I thought my situation was hopeless. I’ve lived through quite a few of those places and I have learned some things I hope will encourage you through your own.
First is the promise that you are not alone in your hard place. The Lord God journeyed with the Israelites for forty years in a wilderness, through the desert and the rocky crags, through blistering hot days and cold nights and He never abandoned His people. But most importantly, He was faithful to them through their rebellion, failures, mistakes, and disobedience. He was with them in battle and in the drudgery of their daily lives. The entire book of Exodus is the story of God’s goodness to His chosen people. And lest you forget, others have walked the same valleys of hardship and heartache and are happy to journey with you through yours.
There is also the assurance that God will faithfully provide for you and me, even in the hard places. I marvel constantly at how God has met my family’s needs through the years. From car repairs to rent, groceries, school supplies, a place to live, a job, and even my education. God knows what we need and He is a good Father who cares about and for His kids.
But this verse from the prophet Micah speaks volumes to me about the hard places. “You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you” (Micah 4:10). I learned that knowing God is the most important thing in my life and you and I will only know Him through experience. I know He is the God who rescues His children because He has rescued me time and time again. Here’s the point: I would not know this facet of His character if I’d never been in “Babylon” – if I’d never been in need of rescue.
I am prone to trouble. But I know that wherever I am, whatever caused the difficulty, however deep the pit, God will rescue me because He has done so before. Beloved, hard places are not the end of your story. They are where God comes to your rescue. They are how you come to know your Redeemer.
Deeper Roots 