Randy Petersen - 99 Bible Promises for Tough Times

For everything that was written in the past
was written to teach us, so that through
endurance and the encouragement
of the Scriptures we might have hope.

R OMANS 15:4

Maybe you know someone who always has a positive outlook. No matter what misfortunes occur, this person is always looking on the bright side. When you go through a time of suffering, this person is always ready with a cheery word.

Maybe you secretly want to strangle that person.

This is not a book of happy denial for difficult situations. Its not about turning pessimism to optimism or finding the silver lining in every mist. Life is tough. And if youve been watching the news lately, you know it may be getting tougher. If were going to get through these problems, we have to get through them. We cant tap-dance around them. Maybe Little Orphan Annie can get away with that as she convinces President Roosevelt that the sunll come up tomorrow, but this aint Broadway. Were knee-deep in real life.

One great thing about the Bible is that it confronts real life. It stands up to real issues. The Old Testament character Job faces every catastrophe you can think of but as he pleads his case with God, he still sings, I know that my Redeemer lives (19:25). The apostle Paul lists all the beatings, arrests, and shipwrecks he has endured, he tells about his unanswered prayer, and he still hears God saying, My power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Gods promises come out of gritty situations, so they can speak to your gritty situations. He doesnt always tell you what you want to hear, but he always seems to change the camera angle. If youre locked on todays problems, hell show you tomorrow. If youre worried about tomorrow, hell show you eternity.

Your tough times may be personal or relational, financial or health-related. Maybe you have suffered a loss or you fear you soon will. Whatever your difficulty is, God promises to meet you there.

The economy is hitting us hard, said one woman to her best friend. No vacation this year. We were going to go to Disney World, but now well just be renting a few cartoons on DVD. Not quite the same thing.

I know what you mean, her friend replied. Our house is now worth less than our mortgage. I think our 401 (k) is now a 201 (k).

Its nice when you can laugh about it, but spiraling economic woes are wreaking havoc in many families. Layoffs, cutbacks, reductions in payits tough all over.

And were not just talking about some numbers in a bankbook. Economic issues affect basic questions of our lives. Can you send your kids to college? Will you have to work another decade before retiring? Can you squeeze a few more years out of your current clunker before getting a new car? Its only natural to worry about these things.

Except Jesus told us not to.

Money was one of Jesuss most frequent subjects. He challenged people to focus on God rather than their pocketbook. How can we worry about money when the Creator of all good things has promised to care for us?

Stock markets go up and down. People get hired and fired. Nest eggs sometimes get stolen by swindlers. Thats why Jesus told us to deposit our treasureand our heartsin heaven. No matter how iffy the economy God is a sure thing. We can always count on his promises.

But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well.

M ATTHEW 6:33

Jesus had just been chiding his listeners for worrying too much. What shall we eat? What shall we wear? And if youre fretting that you wont be able to afford the latest fashions this spring, Jesus has advice for you: look at the lilies of the field. Not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these (Luke 12:27). And if God provides such amazing styles for simple plants, what will he provide for you?

The key, Jesus said, is to put first things first. Dont spend your energy obsessing over your wardrobe or your menu, but focus on how God wants you to live. Let him be your king. And then hell take care of all these other necessities of life.

Delight yourself in the L ORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

P SALM 37:4

On their honeymoon, the groom looked over as his bride enjoyed a spectacular sunset. I love to see you being happy he said.

Thinking that over for a moment, she replied, Thats going to work out pretty well then, isnt it?

She was right. If his main desire was to bring her delight, then whenever she was happy, he would be happy too. Of course it was still just the honeymoon.

The psalmist is saying the same sort of thing about our relationship with God. At face value, you might take this promise as a kind of blank check. Lord, I want a house, a car, a vacation. But when we find delight in the Lord, we want what he wants. We just want to make him happy.

And my God will meet all your needs according
to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

P HILIPPIANS 4:19

The apostle Paul knew all about economic hardship. I know what it is to be in need, he told the Philippians (verse 12), but there were also times of plenty. He had learned to be content whether rich or poor.

In these personal comments at the end of this letter to the church at Philippi, Paul thanked them for some gifts they had sent. Like many of us, he probably wished he could get them a return gift, but he was in prison at the moment. It wasnt easy to run out to Wal-Mart for a little something.

Instead, he asked God to return the favor on his behalf. He knew the Lord had more than enough glorious riches to meet their needs, just as Pauls own needs were being metthanks to their generosity.

The world and its desires pass away, but the man