Times of Trouble

Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die?  Especially, such a brutal, horrifying death.  Hebrews 2:18 tells us why.  It says “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”  Have you ever thought about that?  Jesus was tempted, suffered, and died so that he would be able to help us.  He is our help in trouble.

 

We are in the middle of revival at our church.  You’ve heard it a thousand times before.  You know the saying, “God will never put on me more than I can handle.”  Well, I had a revelation last night.  This is simply not true, nor is it biblical.  Roger Cook, a pastor and church planting catalyst for the West Virginia Baptist Association, said these words that brought that saying into very clear perspective:  If God never gave you more than you could handle, you’d never have a reason to call upon him.  So, God will give us more than we can handle, so that we can fully rely on him.

And, so, my reading in Hebrews 2 simply tells me the same in a different way.  Jesus is able to help me when I’m in trouble because he’s been there.  He’s been through temptation, trials, trouble.  He really does know what I’m (and you are) going through.  God in Heaven can aid me because he’s experienced what I’m experiencing.  Isn’t that comforting?  Psalm 91:1-2 tells us that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’” 

If you are experiencing pain, struggles with life, troubles, take them to Jesus.  Jesus is there to love and heal you.  Just like the old hymn says,

“Have we trials and temptations?
  Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
  Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Take your problems to the Lord.  He’s there to help you!

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Superior

Hebrews is one of my most favorite books of the Bible.  I don't know who wrote it, but it has great insight as to who Jesus is.  Hebrews declares His superiority.  It just cannot be denied.  The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted.  It was against the law to be a Christian, unlike being a Jew.  They thought about going back to being Jewish.  But, the author told them to hold fast and keep the faith.  This is a message that Christians must hear today.  There seems to be so many things that Christians are facing today that they have not in the not so far past.  Hold fast, my friends, and keep the faith.

God has always revealed Himself when humanity needed it.  It tells us this in the very first verse of Hebrews, "...in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets...".  See, He knows when we need to hear from Him.  He goes on to say that, "...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."  Last days is not referencing "end times", but rather the time between Jesus' first coming and Jesus' second coming.  John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the word who explains the Father.  Jesus is the last and final prophet, the One who declares the Word of God like none other.  The writer wants us to realize that God is a personal God.  Not only does He reveal Himself, He knows us better than we know ourselves and He always chooses the best way to communicate to us.  

The writer wants to point out to us Jesus' superiority.  In verse 4, the writer says, "having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."  In the prior verses there are seven significant proofs that declare Jesus to be superior to the angels:

1.  Heir to all things (v.2)
2.  Creator of all things (v.2)
3.  Reflector of God's glory (v.3 - radiance)
4.  Revealer of God's character (v.3)
5.  Sustainer of the universe (v.3)
6.  Redeemer (v.3)
7.  Ruler of the universe (v.4)

Psalm 2:7 is quoted here in Hebrews 1:5.  It says, "You are my son, today I have begotten you".  2 Samuel 7:14 is also quoted saying, "I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son."  Jesus alone is the heir to all things.  He is not only "the firstborn", but also "the only begotten".  This right here proves that the angels are inferior to the Son.  

Psalm 104:4 is quoted in verse 7, "He makes his angel winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."  The role of the angels is to worship Him and it is their mission to minister to those who will inherit salvation.  

Hebrews 1:8-9 says this, "...Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."  Jesus is Eternal!

Hebrews 1:13 says, "And to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'?"  Only the Son has been summoned to the right hand of the Father.  Being at the right hand indicates power, prominence, influence and prestige.  With this close proximity to the Father, the Son can intercede on behalf of the saints.  

As a result of Jesus' sacrificial death, we have a responsibility to share this good news with the entire world.  Even to a world that sometimes refuses to listen.    

Worship

What does it mean to worship?  Well worship is defined as "the reverent LOVE and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object."  God wants us to worship Him.  We worship God out of fear (not being afraid, but of awe), devotion, reverence.  How do we do that?  We can sing, shout, cry out.

Why do we worship?
For starters, we worship because of the blessings that He gives.  Second, we worship in spite of difficult circumstances.  And also, because of His grace and mercy.

Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished iniquity (sin) in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."

What kind of worshiper does God want me (and you) to be?  He tells us in Psalm 1:12:  "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." 

Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty penned the song "In Christ Alone".  You may have heard portions of it from the Newsboys in a song by the same name.  It says these profound words:

"In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm."

Psalm 34 tells us how to praise and worship and the promise that comes from that action. 

Let's look at those verses:

Action                                                       Promise
(v.1)    extol (praise)                                always speak His name
(v.2)    boast                                              rejoice who God is
(v.3)    magnify                                         exalt His name forever
(v.4)    seek                                                deliver from fears
(v.5)    look to Him                                  never be ashamed
(v.6)    cry                                                  save from troubles
(v.9-10) fear                                              not lack good things

My final thoughts I will close with Psalm 103:1, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

prayer

I started a journal some time ago.  I haven't kept up with it.  But here was my first entry.  I used it during a Sunday School lesson on a Sunday that we didn't have a planned lesson.  I hope that you can take something out of it.  Journaling isn't one of my strong suits.  I'm not very artistic, so I don't do it very often.

prayer

1.  Prayer begins in solitude.

• "Solitude" means "the state or quality of being alone or remote from others".

2.  Prayer includes speaking honestly to God.

• When you are being honest verbally to God you deepen your relationship with Him.
• He already knows.

3.  Prayer involves asking God for help and thanking Him when he provides it.

4.  When tempted to complain, pray.

Solitude:

Psalm 46 and 62

verse 1 of Psalm 46:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"

verse 10 of Psalm 46:

"Be still, and know that I am God."

"Be still" is a Hebrew verb that can be translated "to relax".

verse 5 of Psalm 62:

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him."

Matthew 9 is the Model Prayer

"The first thing we need to do when we get in God's presence is be still.  The second thing we need to do is be still some more.  Then we can begin to listen, and then we can begin to hear from Him and experience His power in our lives."  - Steve May, "Silence in Solitude"

Speak Honestly

Psalm 73:1, "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart."

Tell God your deep, dark, secret thoughts.

Asking & Thanksgiving

Psalm 13

David had four burdens:

1.  feeling forgotten by God

2.  feeling cut off from God's favor

3.  experiencing deep depression

4.  suffering the humiliation of losing

Be patient and wait for the Lord.

Temptation to Complain

When you're tempted to complain, use your temptation as an opportunity to ask for God's help and thank Him for His blessings and love.


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