When there is a life-altering decision to be made, or an event so full of unknowns that it feels like we’re walking through a jungle being stalked by wild animals, we need to know that someone understands. When there is an ocean of fear and sorrow that feels like quicksand, we need to know that there is someone else who has experienced trials as well. Jesus is the one. He himself was “…despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain,” (Isaiah 53:3 NIV). Let’s look at more reasons we can trust Him.

First, we learn in Psalm 139 that God is omniscient meaning that He knows everything. Verses 1-4 says that He knows when we sit or rise, what we are thinking, where we are going and even what we are going to say next. He knows what we are experiencing!

Second, we learn from Psalm 139 that God is omnipresent, meaning that He is everywhere all the time! From Verses 7-12 we learn that He is in the heavens, in the depths of any valley, in the dark or in the light, in the spot where we are as well as if we travel to the far side of the sea. The last part of that verse became very real for me before we traveled as missionaries to Germany. I was troubled by the future one night and was not able to sleep. Because of an earlier challenge to memorize Psalm 139, I was repeating it in an attempt to clear my mind. As I said verses 9-10 (NIV), “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast,” I sat bolt upright up in bed and my mind replayed one phrase again!! I’m settling on the far side of the sea and here He promises that He will guide me and hold me fast! I snuggled back under the covers and slept peacefully with the promise of His presence close to my heart.

Third, from this same Psalm, we also learn that God is omnipotent meaning that he is all powerful. Verses 13-18 tell us that He saw us before we existed and actually knit us together in the womb. Our bodies are miraculous works of art mixed with pure and perfect science. Of course, we can’t forget that God not only created us but also all that is! God’s trustworthy power is beyond anything we can imagine.

Finally, a term we may not have heard as often as the ones above, tells us that God is omnibenevolent meaning that He is always supremely good! There are several verses that confirm that truth. “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever, (Psalm 106:1 NIV). “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. He knows those who take refuge in Him,” (Nahum 1:7 NIV). “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness,” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV).

How should we respond to these truths? We should find peace from these promises and humbly seek Him in the midst of our struggles. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” (Psalm 139: 23-24 NIV).

Finally, in our challenging times, let us respond in thankfulness, resting in who He is and what He has shown himself to be. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever,” (I Chronicles 16:34 NIV).

Helen’s first book, “Ordinary Life, Extraordinary God” which contains about 1/3 of the devotionals written for The Minot Daily News over many years is available online or by contacting her at jesusisthereason01@gmail.com.