TOPIC: TRUSTING GOD IN TROUBLOUS TIMES

MEMORY VERSE: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small” (Proverbs. 24:10)

TEXT: 2 Kings 6:24-33; 7:1-22; Psalm 3:1- 6.

INTRODUCTION

The bible contains numerous examples and promises that believers could take solace from in these trying times. There we find a reflection of characters that passed through difficult times and attained victory while trusting in Jehovah God. No doubt we are living in a time that can be described as troublous times as foretold in scriptures. These times are not only characterized by ungodliness and evil, but also with Hardship, Worldwide Economic Recession, Uncertainty in the Industries, Hegemony and Marginalization, Global health challenges, Political instability, Religious Intolerance, family upheaval, International unrest, Insecurity, National Injustice, Lawlessness etc.

Every nation of the world today had in one time or the other experienced varying levels and scale of these conditions. Some countries are currently nose deep in a number of these paralyzing states of events resulting into citizens’ cry, disgust, discouragement and utter hopelessness in their minds with complete loss of sense of possibility for recovery. It appears as though God has abandoned the nations to the wicked forces of Darkness to unleash terror upon the land. We live in “the times of the gentiles” and scriptures foretold that towards the end of this dispensation, perilous times shall come leading the way for the Anti-Christ (World Ruler) to emerge (2Timothy 3:1; 2Thesselonians 2:5-12).

Q 1: What can the root cause of these earthly troubles and instabilities be traced to?

This earth colony of God’s Universal Kingdom remains God’s property even though Satan continues to lay illegal claim to it due to Adam’s fall and subsequent loss of Authority to Satan. “The earth is still the Lord’s and its fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas….” (Psalm 24:1-2). His supremacy is uncontestable and remains universal (Isaiah 40:28). His Power has not diminished to save, deliver or set captives free and restore dominion to man (Psalm 34:16-22; Luke 6:17-19). Man’s conscious rebellion has continuously separated him from God, making it look like the Creator has written man off. We can trust Him for the impossible in our current situations as nothing is too hard for the Almighty (Genesis 18:13-14; Jeremiah 32:26-27).

Q 2: Why do Believers easily get dissuaded from God in times of troubles and difficulties? And what remedy do the scriptures proffer?

When we allow God, our Shepherd, to guide us and we follow diligently, we have contentment. When we choose to sin, however, God allows us to go our own way; consequently, we cannot blame God for the environment we eventually created for ourselves. Our Shepherd knows the “green pasture” and “still waters” it for our restoration (Psalms 23:2). Rebelling against the Shepherd’s leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. Trust Him. Our God is able to keep and uphold us through the storms of life.

1.  BUILDING FAITH IN GOD FOR DIFFICULT TIMES - 2 Kings 7:1-4; 9-20; Isaiah 40:10-31.

Difficult times like Israel experienced in the passage are inevitable, but God promises to see us through it all. (Psalm 23:1-6). At this time of the year which is akin to embarking on a journey with all its latent perils and uncertainties, depending on seasonal prophecies and predictions of false prophets and soothsayers who trade in false claims of what the days, weeks and months of the year offer, is not a practice recommended for anyone who wants to put his trust in God (Isaiah 8:20; Deuteronomy 18:10-14). This behavior portends defeat, frustration, disappointment, backsliding, wasteful destruction and even untimely death, as many have met their doom in the process. The word of God remains our sure word of prophecy,( Peter 1:19) no matter the tide of life, if we can study, trust and rely on the word of God, nothing on this earth can dissuade us.

Q 3: What are the consequences of taking refuge elsewhere other than God in troublous and difficult times Proverb 25:19.

Devote time to study the scriptures to know your privileges in God’s word. Claim the promises by faith and believe in your spirit that they are yours in Christ Jesus. We have been admonished in the scriptures “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching….. Singing (prophesying) with grace in your heart to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). The power of the written word can only be effective in our mouth when it proceeds from within. The Promises of God in the Bible come alive in times of need if you have learnt to eat His flesh and drink His blood. (John 6:53-58). A committed and consecrated life to God, position you unshakably in times of difficulties. A standing believer is one who is strong in the Lord. He does not wait until trouble knocks before he acquires necessary spiritual weapons to withstand the enemy at the gate. ”Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:10-11&16).

A wise believer should rest (taking the shield of faith) on God; who alone sees the end right from the onset of a journey (Isaiah 46:9-10). Being the Ancient of Days, he sees beyond the year and deeper into infinite time. Absolute reliance on Him in this end-time is pertinent “because the days are evil” and the return of our Lord is imminent. The promises of God are yea and amen; dependable, trusted and reliable transcending beyond our earthly lifetime (Luke 21:33). God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). This is the time to build your most holy faith (Jude 20).

Q 4: What is required for building a Believers Faith in Christ?

2.  SHAPING LIVES THROUGH TOUGH TIMES - Jeremiah 33:14-26; Daniel 3:8-25.

In history, we have learnt how great men as well as nations have evolved through tough times. Every unsavory situation and event has potential opportunity for prodding God’s people, making them strengthened in Faith and their commitment in serving the Lord. The Children of Israel had violated God’s covenant which resulted into consequence of unavoidable destructions and heathen domination over the people and their land. More judgement in form of captivity in foreign land had been prophesied by Prophet Jeremiah. However in the midst of these foretold judgements, God still made known His mercy in days to come that He would fulfil the covenant He had made with the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. “For thus saith the Lord; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; neither shall the priests the Levites, want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually” (Jeremiah33:17-18).

In the infinite wisdom of God, the Children of Israel passed through the fire and waters of test and suffering (Isaiah 43:1-2) which ultimately humbled and made them strong and today, they are a formidable, influential, powerful people in the original landmark given to them by God after their return from exile. They have remained unconquerable in spite of repeated assault from surrounding enemy nations in the Middle East (Jeremiah 33:23-26).

Q 5: Describe how difficult times can shape a Believer for God’s use in our time?

The three Hebrew children before King Nebuchadnezzar did not only shapen history, but were made better with their encounter with the “Son of God” in the furnace of fire set up by the king (World). Your past decisions have charted the path you are treading today and whatever prevailing circumstances that might have been brought with it, can be changed by the mercies of the Almighty God. “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1-2).

Q 6: What is the hope of restoration of a defeated believer in the time of adversities?

We have seen characters in Bible who strayed away from the Lord and were restored and resumed serving the Lord with greater vigor and passion for the things of the Kingdom. Miriam and Aaron, King David, Peter, Saul (later named Paul); all these had renewed hunger for God after their restoration. Genuine repentance, definite decision to break loose from all such ties to alluring sources of temptation and finally consecration to follow the Lord all the way would provide the platform for mercy and restoration(1Timothy 1:15).

In all situations, let’s learn to put our confidence in God who has wrapped up His future work on Israel and those following Christ by declaring that the only thing that can stay His hand from fulfilling His promise is if man can annul His decree on the unchangeable law of day and night. What a source of confidence to know that God is with us through our learning curve of life! A heathen king gave this answer when he came face to face with God’s awesome power: “…He (Almighty God) doeth according to His Will… and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, what doest thou?” (Daniel 4:34-35).

3.  MAINTAINING FAITH IN TOUGH AND CHALLENGING TIMES- . 2 king 7:1-22; Ps 23:1-6

Recognizing the Lord as the true and caring Shepherd of our life is the key to how we can maintain and stay calm in faith even in the face of storms. With human wisdom and strength, it is difficult to weather the storms during tough times currently plaguing our land. There is fear of the future on every side. Uncertainty is high and most people without God are already in distress mode. The paralyzing effect of fear constitutes inability to effectively pray and subsequently doubt and unbelief gradually begins to set in, where faith has once been bold and outspoken. The Lepers decided to be undaunted by fear of the Syrian Army and faced the problem by faith. God honored their boldness and made them the messengers of good news of abundance supplies from starvation and death.

Q7: Discuss the paralyzing effect of fear on the believer’s Faith at trying times?

The scripture declares that God has not given us the spirit of fear unto bondage; but of power, and of Love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Meaning we are to face our fears with faith. Facing problems can be God’s way of guiding us towards greater strength and eventually, to bigger goals than we ever dreamed possible.

The account of David in (1Samuel 17: 32, 37, 44-47) killing Goliath explains how he faced his fear by applying four positive principles (faith):

a.  Have Vision: - You must see in your mind’s eyes that you can conquer the mountain and believe in the impossible (Mark 11:24).

b.  Have Faith: - This kind of faith comes from a revelation within you that gives you the confidence in the ability God has given you. That together with God, you can conquer any mountain (Matthew 8:8-10).

c.  Put your Faith into action: - You can talk about your faith, you can have all the faith in the world, but until your faith is put into action, you will never win the battle (Matthew 21:21-22).

d.  Allow God to carry you:- A true relationship must exist between you and God who that would give you what it takes to truly abandon your life in His unfailing Hands. Talking to Him in prayer, listening to what He says to you through His words in the Bible. By this, you could trust Him to carry you through. Let go and let God!

We have large wings under our little wings. We have strong hands under our weak hands. We have a God who loves us and cares about us and wants us to succeed and make it to His everlasting Kingdom. He promises that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). There is always help that comes from the Lord to reach out to us at difficult and challenging times. Peter cried out for help and the Lord pulled him out of the water and from sinking. Will God not do same for you if you maintain perfect walk with Him in 2017? (Luke 18:7-8). Surely, He will.

4 Bible Study: Wednesday; 7:30pm; Prayer Meeting: Friday; 7:30pm; Sunday Service: Sunday -7:30pm; Website: www.ecfcnl.org.

ECF Bible Study- February@2017.