The Rev. Glenn Vaughn

Recently my son-in-law lost his life in a very tragic auto accident.

Needless to say our family was devastated.

We are still numbed by his passing.

As a pastor for many years, I’ve been involved with families in many tragic situations, but still I was not prepared for this terrible blow and no one can ever be.

The only way we have been able to deal with this tragic loss is our trust in God.

I can honestly say God has been with us giving us strength.

I have to admit even knowing God was there I still went to prayer wanting to know, why this had happened.

I was a Christian, a pastor for many years, my children and their families are Christians and workers in the church, why has this happened?

I guess I had come to feel like Moses, the author of Psalms 91.

Up to verse 15 it seems that not one ounce of problems could come on the godly writer of this psalm.

He lives a rather charmed life. Angels are given charge over him.

No plague can come near his dwelling.

No evil will be fall him. Even the lions and dragons he tramples under his feet.

Then in Verse 15 we read “I will be with him in trouble.”

Yes trouble has a permitted place in our lives.

Job says in chapter 14:1, “man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.”

Though trouble has a permitted place it also has a ministry.

It is in trouble that the Lord proves His presence with us.

He says in Isaiah 43:2, “When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

It was when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were forced into the flaming furnace that they made their greatest discovery of God’s divine presence.

It is in the fourth watch of the night and the storm is raging, when Jesus comes to us saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I be not afraid.”

No there is no way to avoid trouble but we have the promise of God’s divine presence, “I will be with him in trouble.”