Trusting God in Difficult Times
Summarized Sermons from Tim Keller, 蘇穎智, Rick Warren
Habakkuk, an Old Testament prophet, experienced violence, injustice, and destruction. He cried out to God. Habakkuk1:2-4.
Satan wants us to believe if our Heavenly Father loves us, He will protect us against all harm; if bad things happen to us, God must have forsaken us. Luke 4:9-12.
OT’s Joseph suffered for decades. Later, he explained God’s intent was to save many lives. Genesis 50:20.
In the short term, things could be terrible. Unfortunately, we tend to focus on the negatives, and what is in front of us.
What to do?
Habakkuk was honest with his feelings. Seeing bad things as what they were, he complained to God. Habakkuk1:2-4.
His turning point was when he stood on the ramparts to look far, and he listened to God. Habakkuk 2:1-2.
God told him: The righteous would live by faith; be patient; and waited for the destruction of their arrogant, wicked, and idolatrous enemies. Habakkuk 2:3-19.
Then Habakkuk remembered and saw God’s power, glory, holiness, and salvation. He trembled and waited patiently for God. Even with nothing left—no figs, grapes, olives, food from fields, sheep, and cattle—he still rejoiced in the Lord, his Savior. He knew the Sovereign Lord was his strength. Habakkuk 2:20-3:19.
Christ told His disciples some of their closest relatives and friends would hate, betray, and kill them. Then Christ reassured them not one hair on their heads would perish. Luke 21:16-19. What could death do other than putting them into their heavenly Father’s arms. All things work together for His glory and the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28.
In addition, we should identify and strengthen our weaknesses, and fight. Learn from Nehemiah in re-building the Jerusalem walls. When the walls were half-built, with so much rubble and their enemies’ constant threats, the Jews were tired and afraid. Nehemiah told them to remember God. Nehemiah also established extensive defense systems to fight. Nehemiah4:6-23.
In conclusion, be good. Be honest with what is confronting us and our feelings. Do not just see the negatives. See the positives also. Look far. Look long term.
Remember God—His power, glory, holiness, and mercy.
Listen to the Lord. John 1:14.
Trust and patiently wait for Him. Rejoice in Him, our Savior.
Identify and strengthen our weaknesses, and fight.
Know that our Sovereign Lord is our strength. Then we will really live. Luke 21:19.
Summarized from
Tim Keller
https://gospelinlife.com/trusting-god-in-difficult-times/
蘇穎智
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yHCkWT0-Dc&t=126s
Rick Warren
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU-EAfIN7WM
Satan wants us to believe if our Heavenly Father loves us, He will protect us against all harm; if bad things happen to us, God must have forsaken us. Luke 4:9-12.
OT’s Joseph suffered for decades. Later, he explained God’s intent was to save many lives. Genesis 50:20.
In the short term, things could be terrible. Unfortunately, we tend to focus on the negatives, and what is in front of us.
What to do?
Habakkuk was honest with his feelings. Seeing bad things as what they were, he complained to God. Habakkuk1:2-4.
His turning point was when he stood on the ramparts to look far, and he listened to God. Habakkuk 2:1-2.
God told him: The righteous would live by faith; be patient; and waited for the destruction of their arrogant, wicked, and idolatrous enemies. Habakkuk 2:3-19.
Then Habakkuk remembered and saw God’s power, glory, holiness, and salvation. He trembled and waited patiently for God. Even with nothing left—no figs, grapes, olives, food from fields, sheep, and cattle—he still rejoiced in the Lord, his Savior. He knew the Sovereign Lord was his strength. Habakkuk 2:20-3:19.
Christ told His disciples some of their closest relatives and friends would hate, betray, and kill them. Then Christ reassured them not one hair on their heads would perish. Luke 21:16-19. What could death do other than putting them into their heavenly Father’s arms. All things work together for His glory and the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28.
In addition, we should identify and strengthen our weaknesses, and fight. Learn from Nehemiah in re-building the Jerusalem walls. When the walls were half-built, with so much rubble and their enemies’ constant threats, the Jews were tired and afraid. Nehemiah told them to remember God. Nehemiah also established extensive defense systems to fight. Nehemiah4:6-23.
In conclusion, be good. Be honest with what is confronting us and our feelings. Do not just see the negatives. See the positives also. Look far. Look long term.
Remember God—His power, glory, holiness, and mercy.
Listen to the Lord. John 1:14.
Trust and patiently wait for Him. Rejoice in Him, our Savior.
Identify and strengthen our weaknesses, and fight.
Know that our Sovereign Lord is our strength. Then we will really live. Luke 21:19.
Summarized from
Tim Keller
https://gospelinlife.com/trusting-god-in-difficult-times/
蘇穎智
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yHCkWT0-Dc&t=126s
Rick Warren
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU-EAfIN7WM