DOUBLE FOR YOUR TROUBLE (early release of Shepherd to Sheep)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

DOUBLE FOR YOUR TROUBLE

(Zec 9:12) Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you.

Trouble. It’s something we are all familiar with. We don’t ask for him but he shows up anyway. We opt for the smoothest life possible but then this unwelcome visitor appears on our doorstep with his luggage. He smiles with that menacing grin and puts his foot in the door. We try to push him away but he angles himself in such a way that he finds himself inside our life. He unpacks his bags like he’s going to stay awhile. He fixes himself a big meal and sits down and puts his feet up on the table. How do we get trouble out of our life? What good could come from his visit?

Job said it well: (Job 5:7) Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward. Difficulties and problems are just a part of life. We have to tell ourselves that we live in a fallen world. Christ did not promise us a problem-free life. That is what I like to term a “Disneyland mentality.” Where did we ever get that concept that knowing the Lord would be pain-free? (John 16:33)

Like Job we have to accept adversity and learn to deal with it. (Job 2:10)…Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?"… We’ve got to remember to turn our troubles over to the Lord and let Him deal with things. (1 Pet 5:7) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. We must claim the promise that we’re growing stronger and that He won’t give us more than we can handle (Rom 5:3-5; 1 Cor 10:13). Then we have to remember to stay in the “NOW” and not borrow trouble from tomorrow. (Mat 6:34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

But may I submit to you something in addition to the above? Something we don’t usually think about as believers in Christ? This is the promise that the Lord will not only help you through trouble but He will also give you DOUBLE FOR YOUR TROUBLE! That means that God will work everything out for good and that your future blessings will far exceed your past troubles! (Job 42:10) And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Psa 71:20-21; Joel 2:25-26)

At this juncture you might begin to barter with this because you might be saying to yourself that your trouble has been self-induced and that God surely can’t bless the mess you have created. Ah, but think again! Because of God’s grace even your mistakes can be turned into T-bone steaks of God’s blessings. (Isa 61:7) Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. Don’t you just love the Lord? Isn’t His grace amazing? Are you ready to receive DOUBLE FOR YOUR TROUBLE?

Louie