God is Greater Than Your Problem
The last two lessons were right out of The Old Testament. Crossing the Jordan River was a challenge that many of the Israelite people did not want. Today we wish we didn't have to face any challenges in life. Wouldn't it be nice to just go through life without ever having a challenge? Well, no not really. As much as you think that you would like to wake up tomorrow and have a complete understanding of all your classroom assignments, never having to study again, you would soon get very bored with school.
What if you didn't have to practice tennis any longer? Every time you played a match, you just stomped your opponent? Would this get boring as well? The same goes for your life in general. We think that we would rather do without many of our personal challenges, but these challenges (trials) actually help us to develop. We learn that we are rewarded by what we put into it. In the academic world, we actually get wiser as we prepare for the trial ( the test). In the athletic world, we get stronger, faster, and better as we prepare for the trial (the actual game). In the real world, we should become more faithful and closer to God as we face the trials of life (life's test).
Both Apostles James and Peter tell us that we should rejoice when we face the trials of life. In the Book of James 1:2, James tells us, "Consider it pure joy , my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." In the Book of 1 Peter 1: 6-7, Peter tells us " In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
I understand that it is very difficult for any of us to get excited when a trial comes our way. But even our Lord Jesus tells us in John 16: 33 , " I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble." I want to emphasize the first part of what Jesus says in this passage. "So that in me you may have peace." This is the place in our trial where we can grow our faith. Peter says that our faith has much greater value than gold. Your faith in God is the place where you will be able to take the word suffering out of the phrase "trials and suffering." Trials will come your way, but I have the gospel to share with you. The very word "gospel" means "good news". The good news is that God wants you to come out of that adversity victoriously. God wants you to live an overcoming victorious Christian life!
This past week I have had the opportunity to encourage several of you personally. Most of our trials seem to challenge us in the form of relationships. Relationships are very important to us, and that's why we get so upset when a relationship seems to be going through a trial. I have A Good Word for you! Ask God to increase your faith in His handling of your trial. Turn it over to God. Prove your faith to be genuine!
The Bible says in Romans 8: 28, " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." God can take the bad things in our life and make them come out good if we allow Him to .
God is Greater than Your Problem! I'm going to take you back to the Old Testament. In the Book of Exodus, Chapter three, God is talking to Moses about taking the Israelites out of Egypt. God wants Moses to go talk to Pharaoh and tell Pharaoh to let His people go. Talk about a trial!
Moses says back to God in Exodus 3: 13, " Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
God could have said, "Tell them Jehovah- Jireh, 'The Lord will provide'." Or he could have said, "Tell them Jehovah-Rophe, 'The Lord who heals'." Perhaps He could have said, "Tell them El Shaddai, 'God all sufficient'." He could have even said, "Tell them Elohim, 'God as Creator'." Perhaps He could have said, "Tell them Jehovah- Shalom, 'The Lord our peace'." His answer could have been, "Tell them Jehovah-Sabaoth, 'The Lord of Hosts'." God could have said, "Tell them Jehovah-Rohi, 'The Lord our Shepherd'." I could keep going. All of these wonderful names are in the Bible to describe our Lord. But He didn't use any of these names for Moses to go back and tell the Israelites.
God said to Moses, Exodus 3:14, "This is what you are to say to the Israelites:
'I AM has sent me to you." Wow ! Isn't that powerful? We serve the Great I AM. In other words, I AM whatever you need.
Whatever our needs are, we can turn them over to the Great I AM. Trust in God with your trial. Give your faith the opportunity to grow. Know and obey the Great I AM. I AM Power. I AM Love. I AM Help. I AM Healing.
Isaiah 41: 10 says, "Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you."
Robby
