The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7, New King James Version

Have you ever wondered where God is when you are facing trials and difficulties in your life?

When the Prophet Nahum began his ministry, Judah was facing an impending threat of invasion from the Assyrian Empire. Nahum, whose name means "comfort", was certainly apt—for God was showing unrelenting and overwhelming grace to His people in a dark time of their life.

Notice Nahum did not say "God was good" or "God will be good". Rather he declares "God is good!" Sometimes there is no reason for the season we are in (at least, from our human perspective) but we can hold on to God's faithfulness. Nahum, however, assures us God knows those who trust in Him. The Hebrew Old Testament word for "know" is yada which implies the covenant relationship God has established with His people, and how they can rest on His ability to keep it and save them.

We often think our pain and sense of loss is ultimate reality, but actually God is our ultimate reality and truth. Change your focus. Pray and ask God to transform your thinking. Stop being discouraged by what you are going through but start being encouraged that God is going through with you. The Apostle Paul tells us to view our present suffering in the light of eternity because the imminent glory we have in Christ outweighs all the pain and sorrow we endure today (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Some time ago, a friend sent me a message saying: "Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory." This was such a timely reminder—we need only to trust God and put our hope in Him. 

Remember we are in a better covenant with better promises because we have a Saviour who is able to save us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). “Uttermost” is from the Greek pantelēs which means "complete” or “perfect". This means you can trust Jesus not only to completely save you from every sin but also to perfectly deliver you from every evil work and bring you safely into His Heavenly Kingdom (cf. 2 Timothy 4:17-18).

Take time to reflect on God's goodness.