Adversity and Challenges – 3

Memory Verse: …  ” Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the Lord rescues him from them all. – Psalm 34:19 (AMP).

Text: Psalm 13:1-6

Spiritual Emphasis: Being a believer doesn’t exempt us from disappointments, hardships, adversities, and challenges of life. There will be unfair things that we don’t understand, but this is where you have to trust that God is still in control. If you are patient and don’t get bitter or give up, God will give you beauty for the ashes.

      How should we respond in times like these?

• Keep following Jesus and Keep renewing your mind: God is a good God. Settle this in your mind. Delay does not negate the promises of God. The goodness of God is revealed supremely in Jesus. Keep your focus on Jesus, on His Word, on His promises, and we have a helper, the Holy Spirit. He will help transform our mind and thoughts to be in line with God’s Word as we depend on Him – Matthew 15:21-28; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:8-9; John 14:15-18; Hebrews 12:2.
• Keep Hoping: Jacob could have cried out, like David: ‘How long, O Lord? His sufferings seemed to go on and on. He had been grieving for his lost son for a long time. Now there was a severe famine, and he faced the prospect of losing his much-loved Benjamin. Eventually, Jacob simply had to trust God and let go of his son Benjamin. Very often it is not until we let go and commit a situation into God’s hands – perhaps fearing the worst – that God works it all out – Genesis 43:1-44; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 37:4-5.

Questions/Activities: How can we perceive adversities, and challenges in positive light or opportunity to glorify God? (James 1:2-4).

Conclusion. 

Father, thank you that no matter what hardship or trouble I face, I can stay in peace knowing that You will rescue me from them all. Thank You that You were with Job, David, Ruth, Joseph, Daniel, and Paul in their times of difficulties and troubles, and You are with me in mine. I may not be able to move mountains, or calm the storms of life, but I know who can, and He is always with me. His name is Jesus Christ, Jehovah Jireh (The Lord our provider), Jehovah Rapha (our Healer), Jehovah Nissi (our Peace), Elohim (Supreme God, Strong one, Creator God), El Shaddai (All-sufficient One), El Roi (God who sees me), and He said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Help me to be patient, trust and obey You in Jesus name – Amen!!!

Shalom! 

Self-Study: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Proverbs 3:4-6; Philippians 4:12-13; Proverbs 24:10; 1 Peter 5:10; James 1:2-4; Romans 8:28; Joshua 1”9-10; John 14:27-28; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 15:7-8; Romans 12:2; Psalm 34:19; Isaiah 26:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7; Job 13:15a; Job 14:7.