Posts
by Samuel E. Ward
Part 3
Introduction
What is the bottom-line counsel that is most helpful to people experiencing troubled hearts? Consider . . .
(1 John 5:3-5 NIV) This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, {4} for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. {5} Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
The secret to an untroubled heart, then, is putting our faith in God. It is faith in His ability to do the following:
I. The Lord Will Protect Those Who Trust in His Name
(Psa 9:9-10 NIV) The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. {10} Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
A. The Lord is a Refuge from Our Troubles, Psa 9:9a.
B. The Lord is a Stronghold Against Our Troubles, Psa 9b.
C. The Lord is a Presence in the Midst of Our Troubles, Psa 10b.
D. The Lord Asks Only that We Learn to Trust in Him When We Are Troubled, Psa 9:10a.
II. The Lord Will Provide for Those Who Seek His Kingdom and Righteousness
A. The Consciousness of the Father of the Promise, Mat 6:31-32
(Mat 6:31-32 NIV) So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
B. The Conditions of the Father's Promise, Mat 6:33a
(Mat 6:33a NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
C. The Caring Response of the Father in His Promise, Mat 6:33b
(Mat 6:33b NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
III. The Lord Will Give Peace to Those Trust in His Plan
The Lord reveals the future so that we can have peace in the present.
A. God Revealed the Future of Israel So They Could Endure Their Present
(Isa 46:9-10 NIV) Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. {10} I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
(Jer 29:10-11 NIV) This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. {11} For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
B. Jesus Revealed the Future of His Disciples So They Could Endure Their Present
(John 16:32-33 NIV) "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. {33} "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
C. Paul and Barnabas revealed the future of Christians so they would remain true to the faith.
(Acts 14:21-22 NIV) They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, {22} strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.
D. James revealed that all who persevere under trials for Christ's sake will be given the crown of life.
(James 1:12 NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Remember God's plans for His own are always for their good.
(Jer 29:11 NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
IV. The Lord Will Never Allow Anything to Separate Us from His Love
A. The Fact of Christ's Irrevocable Love
(Rom 8:35, 39b NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . {39b} nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
None of those things should be interpreted by the believer as an indication that God has withdrawn His love.
B. The Faith of Those Who Trusted in God's Irrevocable Love
(Heb 11:32-39 NIV) And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, {33} who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, {34} quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. {35} Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. {36} Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. {37} They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- {38} the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. {39} These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
C. The Fortitude Which Christ's Irrevocable Love Inspires in Believers to Persevere
Just as the faith heroes of the Old Testament served faithfully without the knowledge of Christ and what He brings to believers, we as Christians must willing to persevere through our earthly trials, even to the point of death, to receive the more heavenly prize yet future at Christ's return.
(Heb 12:1-3 NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. {2} Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
V. The Lord Will Properly Minister Justice and Relief
A. The Troublers Will Be Paid Back for the Trouble They Caused, 1 Thess 1:6.
(2 Th 1:6 NIV) God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
B. The Troubled Will Be Relieved from the Trouble They Received, 1 Thess 1:7a.
(2 Th 1:7a NIV) and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.
C. All Accounts Will Be Settled When Christ Returns to Judge the Earth, 1 Thes 1:7b.
(2 Th 1:7b NIV) aThis will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
VI. The Lord Will Listen to the Prayers of Those Who Are Troubled
(James 5:13a NIV) Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.
Why Pray? Because . . .
A. The Lord Will Protect Those Who Trust in His Name
B. The Lord Will Provide for Those Who Seek His Kingdom and Righteousness
C. The Lord Will Give Peace to Those Who Trust in His Plan
D. The Lord Will Never Allow Anything to Separate Us from His Love
E. The Lord Will Properly Minister Justice and Relief
Conclusion
Jesus promised that "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b NIV) Troubles are a part of the fallen world. But Jesus has overcome the world and ultimately, then, overcome all of our problems. Every problem we have is temporary.
Whatever problem we have that does not kill us only makes us stronger. And if the problem kills us, the problem is solved because we are in the presence of Christ. Every problem short of that is either solvable or survivable. I have survived the loss of my mother at age six, sunstroke at the age of seven, the abuse of my stepmother from age nine to fifteen, the rejection of my father at fifteen, several broken-hearts in my teen years, two motorcycle accidents, at least four auto accidents, one near drowning in the Fox River, one stolen car, a f one stolen Bible and other sundry items, a few periods when I had no income, one surgery that was dangerously close to my brain, the loss of scores of friends (most of whom I personally buried and many in whose presence I was when the slipped into eternity), and the one loss that nearly destroyed me—the death of my first wife when I was forty-eight.
It's only fair that I now tell you how God has overwhelmingly blessed me. I was been given a new mother and father who spoiled me while at the same time taught me to solve problems rather than let them make me a victim, and several other mothers who have claimed me as their own. I learned to be a defensive driver, an excellent swimmer, and found ways to replace or repair all of my cars. Scores of Bibles have been added to my personal library. There was always work to be had when I needed it (though not all of the jobs were my first choice—"a man's gotta do what a man's gotta to do" to support his family). I believe I had one of the best ENT surgeons in the country doing delicate work near my brain. I have peace that most of my friends and my first wife who have died are now in the Lord's presence. Another soul-mate has been given to me who loves me, understands me, and ministers to me in exactly the ways I need. All of these blessings became mine because though I could not see God's hand all the time in my life, I did know His heart. God told Israel, "I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I hear God telling you and me same thing still today.
