What To Do When Troubles Come

by Dr. J.C. House
08/12/2023

Suggested Reading: Isaiah 37:14-21, 36

Isaiah 37:3 - “And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.”

Trouble can show up at any time in any Christian’s life. Job 5:7 - “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” You may be passing through such a time of trouble now. It may be a misunderstanding, an accident, or the result of our own sin.

Psalm 32 reminds us how David’s sin brought great trouble into his life. It seems that one trouble brings another and soon they are overwhelming. Sooner or later trouble shows up in every life, so how should it be handled?

BE SURE TO IDENTIFY THE TROUBLE
(vs. 14) Hezekiah read the letter from Sennacherib, a great enemy. He wanted to be sure he knew exactly what was going on and not run around in circles.

BE SURE AND TAKE THE MATTER TO THE LORD IMMEDIATELY
(vs. 14) Hezekiah spread it before the Lord. If we take our troubles to the Lord when they first show up, we no longer need to share them with others.

WE MUST ASK GOD TO HELP US
(vs. 17-20) There is a plain prayer to the Lord, and it is finalized in three words in verse 20, “Lord, save us.” The latter part gives Hezekiah’s motive. Isaiah 37:20 - “Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.” Hezekiah wanted God to get the glory from it all.

THEN GOD INTERVENES ON OUR BEHALF
1. HE GIVES ASSURANCE
Isaiah 37:21 - “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:”
Psalm 50:15 - “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Isaiah 41:10 - “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

2. HE TAKES CHARGE AND DEALS WITH THE PROBLEM
Isaiah 37:33-35 - “Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.”

3. THE TIMING IS UP TO GOD
Isaiah 37:36 - “Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.” Notice the word then at the start of v-36; this indicates the passing of time.

WHEN TROUBLES COME, FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF HEZEKIAH AND SPREAD THEM OUT BEFORE GOD.
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