‘When You’re Between A Rock And A Hard Place’
An Encouraging Word from Pastor Herb
Psalm 118:5-6 – 5I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. 6The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Introduction:
What do you do when you find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place? When I talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place, I’m talking about being in a place where you have no options. You can’t go left, and you can’t go right. You can’t move forward and you can’t move backwards.
That was the situation Job faced in the Old Testament. Perhaps that’s why James 5:11 encourages us to remember Job. His faith endured through his suffering. And while he was going through his crisis, he held on to his integrity, and he continued to honor God. As a result, God brought him out into a broad place; God brought him out into a better place. In fact, the Bible tells us that when it was all over, Job had twice as much as he had before his crisis.
David enjoyed seasons with good breaks and open doors. But what he says enlarged his life was when he was hard pressed on every side. In other words, there was a time in David’s life when he found himself between a rock and a hard place. His family didn’t believe in him. King Saul was trying to kill him; chasing him through the desert for years.
David went through many situations that were unfair, including his own son trying to take the kingdom from him. But here’s the key: David used those tough times to fuel his faith. He didn’t get bitter. He didn’t give up.
You really don’t know who you are until you’re put under pressure. Pressure will either bring out the best in you, or it will bring out the worst in you. That’s why you need to know what to do when you find yourself between a rock and a hard place.
So, how should you respond when you find yourself between a rock and a hard place?
I. Consider God’s Purpose:
God never allows anything or anyone to come into your life without a plan and a purpose. If God allowed you to be where you are today, it’s because He wanted you to be there. If you’re going through a difficult time right now, it’s because God has a plan and a purpose for it. You may not understand it. You may not like it. But God is behind the scenes working out His plan for your life. Ask yourself what is God trying to teach me or show me in this situation?
II. Call On God’s Promises:
The Psalmist says: “I called on the Lord in distress.” He called on God when he found himself between a rock and a hard place. And you can do the same thing. The Bible is filled with God’s promises. For example: God promises to never leave you nor forsake you. God promises to provide all of your needs. And God promises that the battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s. But the Bible also says you have not because you ask not. Call on God! Tell Him about your troubles. He’ll hear your faintest cry, and He’ll answer by and by. When you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, call on God’s promises!
III. Count On God’s Plan:
The Psalmist concludes verse 5 by saying: “The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.” In other words, when he found himself between a rock and a hard place, he called on the Lord and God brought him out. But God not only brought him out, but He also brought him out into a broad place. He brought him out into a better place. He did it for Job. He did it for David. He did it for the Psalmist. And He’ll do it for you too! Keep honoring God where you are. Keep honoring God with what you have. And keep honoring God no matter what you find yourself going through, and He will bring you out into a broad place, He’ll bring you out into a better place!
