RIGHT ATTITUDE DURING TRIALS OF FAITH

WEDNESDAY, 19TH  OCTOBER, 2022.

Topic: RIGHT ATTITUDE DURING TRIALS OF FAITH

MEMORIZE: "But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried me I shall come forth as gold" Job 23:10.

SCRIPTURE READING: Job 23:1-17.

“1 Then Job answered and said: 2 "Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat! 4 I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me. 6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me. 7 There the upright could reason with Him, And I would be delivered forever from my Judge. 8 "Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; 9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. 10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. 12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food. 13 "But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does. 14 For He performs what is appointed for me, And many such things are with Him. 15 Therefore I am terrified at His presence; When I consider this, I am afraid of Him. 16 For God made my heart weak, And the Almighty terrifies me; 17 Because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness, And He did not hide deep darkness from my face.”

EXPOSITION:

Trial of faith is the moment of hard time you are passing through because of your faith in Christ. It is to proof your sincerity/integrity in following Jesus Christ. It is meant to polish you and not to destroy you. How you handle it determines your maturity in Christ. Today, we shall examine what your response should be to the trials of life – before and during the trials.

1. BEFORE THE TRIAL OF FAITH

a. Trial of faith is for those who have experienced God and his salvation v12.

b. They, like Job, had pleasant experiences of hearing from God personally and directly v12.

c. They loved the word and had the habit of obeying His word with joy v12.

d. They were living a life of holiness and a life that pleased the Lord v12.

2. DURING TRIAL OF FAITH

a. There is heavy burden and sorrow in the heart v2.

b. It is as if God is far away and no more answering prayers v3.

c. Many good desires are not met by God at the time we expect them vv3,4.

d. The spirit can no more perceive the presence and the nearness of God vv8,9.

e. Doubts of the love and loss of assurance of God occupying the mind v15.

f. Feeling of spiritual darkness in the mind v17

Question: What are your own experiences?

3. RIGHT ATTITUDE

a. Walk by faith and not by sight or feelings 2 Corinthians 5:7.

b. Believe that it is a temporary experience which is meant for your good v10.

c. Hold on to the promises of God which are more valid than your feelings and experiences - vv. 6, 11, Hebrews 13:5.

d. Be resolute that you will neither fail God nor disappoint Him v. 11, Psalm 57:7-9.

e. Avail yourself of all the means of grace: constant fellowship, prayers, reading and meditation on the word of God v12.

Read Hebrews 10:35-39. “35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

It will end in praise if you are faithful to the end in Jesus' name.

PRAYER POINTS: 

1. Lord, teach me to always walk by faith and not by sight.

2. Lord, give me grace and power to be faithful to you to the end no matter the trials and temptations.

3. Pray for divine visitation to all believers passing through tough times.

4. Pray that the present challenges will turn to blessings for all believers.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Matthew 20-22