“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.” (Psalms 138:7-8).

Senator John McCain, a former prisoner of war and a presidential candidate was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer in July 2017, and he died on 08/25/2018 at the age of 81. He was honored in the last week of August in the USA and was buried the next week. More than all of his bravery and achievements, I am glad that he was a man who was saved by the blood of Lord Jesus Christ. In the end, that is all that mattered when he faced eternity last Saturday. When Rick Warren in an interview with McCain asked this question what you mean being a Christian? He replied, “it means I am saved and forgiven.” Paul Alexander in his book, “Man of the People: The Life of John McCain.” said this about McCain, “He is a very spiritual person but… in his core, he is a military man.” Early days of his life, he was reared in an Episcopal Church but attended a Baptist church later in his life. Of course, the last one year was an unexpected and rough ride of his life.

Beloved, is there any rough ride or trouble anywhere in your life? What was the last time you experienced trouble in your life? Today, yesterday, last week. It may be a sickness or another family member’s sickness or death. Or something else. I experienced troubles and trials quite often in my adult life. David had a good portion of it all through his life- one after another. They included self-caused and others-caused. However, listen to the assurance of the Lord. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.” In other words, the Lord knows our troubles, and He does preserve our lives in the midst of troubles we face every day.

One of the most soothing comforts we experience is from God’s attribute called omniscience. This tells us God knows all. His knowledge is vast and nothing is hidden from his sight. He knows the very number of hairs in my head. He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground. Who cares about a bird if it falls? However, God has such a vast knowledge about all in His universe. He knows your name. He knows what you are faced with today. Bible says in Psalms 139 says, God knows what makes you sit down and what makes you rise up. He knows the thoughts and worries of your heart from afar. He is well acquainted with all our ways. Now think about this- before you speak a word, he knows what you are going to say. Then David says, in Psalm 139 such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, and I cannot attain it. The Lord knows how many days, months and years we would live on this earth. Our birth and death are not accidental to Him. He knew it and planned it all from the eternity past. He wrote all the details about us in His book even before we lived one day on this earth-even before our birth.

Beloved, God knows all about me is the one strong cord I can hang on because He never falls short of His faithfulness and promises in the midst of our troubles. Bible affirms this promise, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1.

Beloved, the victory is already won by our Lord. People face severe chronic debilitating diseases, and the number of people getting such diseases has increased dramatically in these recent years. No matter what, my savior won the victory for me. Bible declares our victory in 1 Corinthians 15:55-58. It says there, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Now stop and re-read this verse again and again. Our victory is in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. One day when we are on the death bed, we may not be able to read or understand it entirely because of our weakness on that day. However, let us read and understand this truth and internalize it so that you will be ready on that day. The reason for death is sin, and that is why all humans die. However, God gave us the victory over sin and the resultant death through the Lord Jesus Christ. Because Lord Jesus defeated sin and death and rose again on the third day victoriously, He won the victory, and then He gives that victory to us. He provides forgiveness of sins and eternal life for those who come and accept Him as their savior and Lord.

Three things in our insight today.
1. The loving Lord preserves our life in the very midst of our troubles. Our life is safe in His hands. Nothing will happen to it. No one can take it away. It is safe and secure in the hands of the Lord Jesus and the Father in heaven.
2. The Lord will accomplish His purpose for my life while I live here on the earth, as we yield ourselves to Him
3. Lord’s steadfast (consistent, on-going, no matter what) love endures (God’s love never, never, never stops. It lasts forever and ever.) Thereby He already gave us the victory over sin and death. How can I fathom all these in my feeble mind? May we worship the Lord for such an amazing love He gave us?

Beloved, got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, thank you for assuring me today that you are with me in the midst of my pain and trouble. Oh Lord, you know all about me, and that comforts me. If you know, that is all I need, Lord. Lord, fulfill your purpose in my life as long as I live here. I worship you for your steadfast, never-ending love. I believe you gave your only begotten Son to die for my sins. I accept your Son, Jesus Christ, as my savior and Lord now. Please save me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”