The Watchman's Diary

Every day, we experience a range of emotions, many of them before lunch. Laughter can easily turn to mourning, mourning to joy, worry to optimism, and excitement to fear. There is very little that we can control in life, no matter how hard we try. We often fail at controlling our own actions; how much more the actions of others and the chain reactions they can cause?

Our thoughts betray us when we think we have all the answers. So do our eyes when we believe we see clearly. Depending solely on our senses is not sufficient to overcome the troubles in this life. This is especially true for those who do not acknowledge or remain mindful that we are at war against spiritual forces—unseen demonic forces of Satan. The enemy we see and hear may only be one part of that which comes against us. For just as God works through us to bring light and peace, the enemy tries to do the same to bring darkness and chaos.

Does this mean we should lose hope? Certainly not, for “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). God promised to “never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), and “God is not man, that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19). Some may read this and roll their eyes, but the apostle Peter warned that “scoffers will come in the last days,” “saying, where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). Do not join that club.

In the same way, we may look at what is happening in our own lives and around the world, and think, “Where is God that He would allow such suffering? Where are His promises to help us in our time of need? Didn’t He also say He would ‘preserve you from all evil?’” (Psalm 121:7).

How can we, who cannot cause a strand of hair to grow, question the One who created the whole body? How can we, who do not know what will happen in the next second, question God, who knows the end from the beginning? Instead, let us look to Him continually with hope and joy. His promises are not limited to this life but to all eternity. To “preserve your soul”; to “preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and forevermore” (Psalms 121:7, 8).

In our time of trouble and in times of emotional turmoil, it is best that we lift our eyes and voice to the Lord. We must trust that His promises are true and that He is eager to fulfill them in us. Our help comes from the Lord, even if He uses other people to deliver it. Every answer to our questions comes from Him. Every solution to our problems is from Him. Every moment of every day is directed by Him. Fear, anxiety, and all negative thoughts are ticking time bombs. Cast them away from you before they explode. Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). If you truly seek peace, hope, joy, and rest for your soul, there is only one source. Our help comes from the Lord.