If you have been following along in the ‘Read the Bible through Chronologically’ then you should have read Psalm 34 this past week. Although this has been a chapter I have read numerous times one verse in particular leapt from the pages as I read it. That verse was nineteen which reads, “Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” When one reads this passage of scripture much can be interpreted for the phrase. However, I want to focus on just a couple of thoughts, or words, today.
First when we look at the word adversity most of us immediately conjure up some event or travesty in our lives which we have faced or are facing. In fact, just the mention of the word can bring back a haunting memory of some past experience. However, there are some things we must understand about adversity. I like what Albert Barnes said about this passage in his writings. He said, “Religion does not exempt the righteous FROM suffering, but it sustains them IN it; it does not deliver them from all trials in this life, but it supports them in their trials, which it teaches them to consider as a preparation for the life to come.” Adversity has its place in the Christian’s life; the problem is few want to experience the trials and learn the lessons of life. Someone once said these truths about the problems we face.
1. Problems often provide us with greater opportunities
2. Problems can promote our spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
3. Problems can prove our integrity (1 Pt 3:15)
4. Problems can produce a sense of dependence
5. Problems can prepare our hearts for ministry (more empathetic)
Source Unknown
As I look at the problems we face I am reminded that they can come from two sources: internal and external. A great example of the internal can be gleaned from a story first posted in the March, 1993 edition of Reader's Digest. The story goes as this. While assembling their new water bed, Betty and her husband, Everett, realized they would need a hose. Everett dashed to the hardware store and bought one. They attached it to the bed, ran it through the apartment to the kitchen tap and left to wait for the bed to fill. About an hour later they checked on its progress. That's when they discovered Everett had bought a sprinkler hose. His adversity in the day-to-day of life came about by his doing. Many of us have trekked off in a haste to accomplish a task without fully thinking through and doing a thorough job only to create more of an issue. If we let this habit carry over into our spiritual life we can create a spiritual mess.
The other aspect of adversity comes from the external sources. These trials and difficulties result from life in general to ploys of the arch enemy of our Father. When facing these we must remember that we are more than conquerors because we fight FROM victory not FOR victory. However, we too often forget that nugget of gold as well as fail to recognize the source of our adversity. If we are wise and prudent we will slow to follow the example of Jesus when He was tempted in the dessert for 40 days. Each of his temptations was overcome by dependency on the Word of God. As the tempter sought to twist the Word of God for his advantage, Jesus correctly spoke the Word allowing Him victory over temptation and adversity. In order to become victors we must be students of the Word of God and faithful to call upon the Lord in all things.
In closing let me touch on the other Word mentioned in Psalm 34:19 which intrigued me, delivers. We are delivered from our adversities not be our might, our wisdom, or our abilities but rather by our Lord. The scripture reminds us that God is our deliverer in times of difficulties. He is the one we must call on. Numerous times the Psalmist reminds us that God is our refuge! He is our Strong tower! He is our defender! He is our Rock! He is our Fortress! When we call to Him in prayer He is our defender and our deliverer. While He is our defender take caution lest we demand that He deliver on our time table and in our method. God is sovereign and will work His divine plan to care for us as He sees best.
Seeking God’s Strength In All Things,
Pastor Ric
P.S. The Renewal begins this Sunday. Many have prepared and many have prayed now let’s invite, attend, and see God do His great work.
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