If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? (Proverbs 24:10-12)

All of us have moments when unexpected things happen. It usually creates fear, anxiety and wrong responses. What do we do? This proverb gives us some incredible help.

PREPARE
“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small” (vs. 10)

Our strength is from the Lord, obviously. Over the years through every succeeding day, I must cultivate the ability to access that strength. If I have not done that daily, monthly, yearly, my capacity for strength in the difficult times is low. I must PREPARE for the unexpected, but my preparation is that of DEPENDENCY upon the strength of God.
 

RESCUE

“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” (vs. 11)

We should live selfless lives. The great man or woman is first thinks about others in times of adversity and trouble and does that which will rescue them. In moments of the unexpected ask the question, “Who else around me is drowning and how can I help them?” God honors such selflessness.
 

TRUST
“If you say, “behold, we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work? (vs. 12)

I often say to people who face the unexpected “God knew about this a million years ago and He has everything necessary stored up for you to handle it!” Notice the three times the word “HE” is mentioned. I can relax and trust that…

• HE knows about the things that I had no knowledge were coming (“does He not know…)
• He’s looking out for those who trust Him (“He keeps watch over my soul”)
• He will take care of my enemies and also me if I will trust in Him (“…will he not repay man according to his work?”)