By Sheila Barnett
During His ministry on earth, Jesus often used analogies to illustrate His teachings. In Matthew 24:8, Jesus described certain tragic events as “birth pains”. Earlier in this passage of Scripture (Mathew 24:3-8 NIV), the disciples asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?” (v.3) Jesus explains that false prophets will appear, wars and rumors of wars will occur, and famines and earthquakes will strike various places on the earth. (v. 4-7) Jesus then goes on to say, “All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (v. 8) He makes it clear that “such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (v. 6)
I have been reminded of these verses frequently over the past 2 weeks. Almost everyone in my circle of friends and family has contacted me with some type of unwelcome news that is affecting each one. From a brother that needs open heart surgery, to a daughter that might be facing cancer, to a cat that is now on hospice, to a dog newly diagnosed with cancer, to a close friend who had a massive stroke, to a neighbor battling cancer for the second time, to a baby born prematurely, and so on. Although I know that everyone faces rough situations now and then, I do not remember so many difficult times being experienced by so many of my friends and family all at the same time. Of course, these trials are not the events that Jesus described as “the beginning of birth pains”. However, these difficult circumstances, happening very close together to several people, prompted me to conclude that “birthing pains” are not limited to global tragedies. God allows personal tragedies to occur to believers and unbelievers alike. Although we do not always understand God’s plan, we do know that He uses life-changing events to draw people closer to Himself.
This is illustrated in many places in the Bible. For example, David’s life story includes time spent hiding in caves, fleeing from a murderous enemy. (I Samuel 22:1, 1 Samuel 24) In Psalm 13, David articulates his feelings of abandonment, hopelessness, and loneliness. He doubts God’s goodness, God’s plan, even God’s presence.
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide Your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me? (Psalm 13:1, 2, NIV)
In his desperation, David cries out to God for help.
“Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him’,
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.” (Psalm 13:3-4, NIV)
David’s attitude changes as he remembers that God is always with him, and David’s spirit sings praises to the Lord.
“But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for He has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:5-6, NIV)
As I pray for these loved ones who are facing unwanted “enemies”, I ask that each one will experience David’s confidence, expressed in Psalm 16:8 (NLT). “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.” With this in mind, we don’t need to fear when “birthing pains” occur.
Dear Lord, During the darkest moments of our lives, help us remember that You are always with us.