I wonder, did she remember the prophecies? He just looked up with patience to our Sovereign God and waited for his deliverance, and furthermore, blindly trusted in God, even if his deliverance was death in public humiliation (just like someone else who died in public humiliation, do you remember His name? It is tempting to run from trials, to raise our fists to the heavens, and ask God when He will intervene on our behalf. Then tragedy strikes and Job loses everything: his children, his wealth, his livestock, his crops, his health and even the relationship of his wife and friends. Modern boats have it all right? "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. That's about as intense as you can get! So the brothers journeyed at the behest of their father to Egypt. Even though David had the solution to his problems, he never strayed from his morals. Similarly, bad things sometimes happen to good people for reasons which are beyond our understanding. However, the misinterpretation of Josephs dreams caused his brothers anger and envy. 1. The Bible teaches us that the Lord God sometimes uses adversity and hardship to grow, teach, and strengthen His children. He knew Peter very well and because He knew him, He chose him. Doubts and questions are not bad; God knows you have something youve been trying to ask him for a long time. It was in the exile, lonely and we can say poor, humiliated, working in the worst job ever for someone who used to wear those fancy pharaohs hats and used to walk as an Egyptian (sing it!) He was human and at some point he felt like a failure himself. Wanna obey God? From the dramatic, such as fleeing kings who want your life, to the more relatable, like losing ones freedoms, family or livelihood God is with us through it all. And God can handle our pain, confusion, and prayers wondering what role our suffering could possibly play in Gods good plan. As a homework assignment, please read Exodus. Their lives are a reminder that God is good, the story of my life is still being written, and, no matter what today may look like, His faithfulness will be the final word. Read this and ask yourself if this sounds like you. They love David who had many wives and concubines, murdered an innocent man and committed adultery with the mans wife and got her pregnant. As in all the churches of the saints,Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. The Bible is full of characters who went through hard times. He knows us, we may have a few failures in our records, but we can learn from Joseph, Job, Moses, Gideon and Peter that despite weakness and failure, we can be used mightily by our all-powerful God, because He knows us and He is willing to discuss and debate with us His plans and His reasons for calling us. But God saw her and spoke to her. After declining her friend requests, he was sued for sexual harassment, and because the ladys husband was not only the offended partner but also Josephs boss, judge, and ruler, poor Joe ended up getting undeserved punishment in jail. Oh yeah, but not only that, his own wife told him he was a loser and according to a couple of Bible versions she even suggested that he should curse God (and lose his relationship with him forever) and die. We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. TheLordis the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? We can trust in Gods wisdom even when we do not understand we should remember to turn to God for help. God had to give him true supernatural signs to impress pharaoh and not just tricks out of the Egyptian books of magic that could also be replicated by Egypts sorcerers. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Nevertheless, Romans 8:28 says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose., What others mean for evil, the Lord God often turns to good for those who love Him. God had stopped Hannah from having children, but He still looked kindly upon her and listened to her request. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. Life is full of challenges and hardships, and as Christians, we are not immune to them. However, Job, as Joseph, stayed loyal to God's will and sovereignty. They think that people from the Bible never had any bad thought or made any mistake. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. But then Satan went to God and asked for permission to alter Job's good fortune. You may not have a college degree, or a ministry degree, but that doesnt stop you from having other gifts. Everyone goes through difficult times. The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to ShurSo she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, Thou art a God of seeing; for she said, Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him? Genesis 16:7,13 RSVCE. But God saw her and spoke to her. Because of her position, she was likely to be spared this suffering. 26 Virtuous Women in the Bible You Should Know, 6 Habits To Start Your Morning Routine Like The Proverbs 31 Woman, 5 Prayers Incredible Women of the Old Testament Prayed. Who went through hard times in the Bible? While queen Esther was Jewish, she had been hiding her identity. Romans 8:35 Peter denies him three times at his trial, and after he had denied Jesus the third time, "he broke down and wept" (Mark 14:72). Tragedy struck and Job lost his wealth. In fact, it may even be more effective to serve during periods of struggle! He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. Kay Arthur "Faith endures as seeing Him who is invisible; endures the disappointments, the hardships, and the heart-aches of life, by recognizing that all comes from the hand of Him who is too wise to err and too loving to be unkind." A.W. My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family., 16 The Lord answered, I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive., 17 Gideon replied, If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. God can use the friction of a strong soap to cleanse us from anything that does not produce holiness. This was all about power and politics at this stage of young Moses life. Bible Characters Who Went Through Hard times By Melkynews (self media writer) | 1 year ago There is no denying that we are living in perilous times. Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. I have overcome the world., Brothers and Sisters in the Faith, Following and Serving Jesus Christ has never been for the faint of heart. We do not have to be in harsh environments like a desert to encounter difficult times. Because God actually calls smart people; intelligent, wise people with their own point of view of the situation God is trying to change. Should he argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which he can do no good? He would cover Christians with pitch and burn them as human torches to light his garden parties. However, thats not always necessary. With Gods help, Moses successfully led the Israelites across the Red Sea and away from Pharaohs army. May 5, 2016 This week I spoke to our youth students and their parents about how to handle the pain of losing someone you love. When something doesn't happen the way we would like it to happen, we can believe God will work things out for good. According to the modern school of ministry, Moses was an insecure loser. Because of the famine, Joseph's family in the Valley of Hebron needed food. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose ( Romans 8:28 ). And with God's help, Moses successfully leads his people out of Egypt, free of bondage. Who is Abraham in the Bible and Why is He Important? You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Many of us struggle with the restrictions on our freedoms during this COVID-19 pandemic. All things do work together for our good! James 5:11 - " Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. A Song. Some may be struggling with an exam season, others may be going through a painful breakup. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you., Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. God has a good purpose for everything He allows into our lives. Once Samuel was born, she could have held him back from the Lords service but instead, she eagerly returned to the Lord that which He gave her. If God is real, why doesnt He end our suffering? For we know him who said, Vengeance is mine; I will repay. And again, The Lord will judge his people. , 1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.Isaiah 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord., Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. What is the most difficult thing youre facing right now in life. By the way, I know very successful people with a below average GPA, and many of their employees have a perfect GPA. After this, the Bible tells us that Peter thinks he is unworthy and returns to his old life as a fisherman. I and my maids will also fast as you do. He falls on his sword to avoid capture in battle. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped . 12 Bible Verses about Going Through Hard Times 2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. The good news in all of this is that Peter was restored by Jesus, who is merciful, as John 21:15-25 reads. Bible Characters Who Went Through Hard Times. Christians are not exempted from sickness, maltreatment, and other forms of adversity. When the days of adversity come, it is easy to lose hope and feel overwhelmed or even discouraged. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, The Lord is with you, mighty warrior., 13 Pardon me, my lord, Gideon replied, but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Paul was then transferred to Rome and placed under house arrest for another two years. (They did, it turned their hair orangeeish). She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, Whose maiden is this? And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, It is the Moabite maiden, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it., Psalm 118:5-6 Out of my distress I called on theLord; theLordanswered me and set me free. He was anointed king of Israel and chosen by God, and yet he was also tormented by the jealous King Saul, who chased David for many years trying to kill him. He probably thought he was Bad luck Joe. But take heart; I have overcome the world., 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. There was a time in secondary school when I revealed a huge secret of a friend to others by mistake. In the face of all these adversities, Job concluded Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surelydefend my ways to his face (Job 13:15). Hearing this, I realised that even though we may never understand why bad things happen, trusting in God helps us to move forward in the best way possible. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. Of course, we all know how the story of Saul ends. Many of the psalms highlight David's cries to God and his struggles, such as Psalm 142:1-2, which says, "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. They can happen even when we are surrounded by comfort. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Ruths struggle was primarily economic. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. And whatever he did, theLordmade it succeed., Psalm 25:2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.Job 42:1-17 Then Job answered theLordand said: I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ), We read on Job 42:10-12 . So while it may seem easier to take immoral solutions during times of trouble, doing so will only cause future regret especially on the day we meet God. Likewise, He can use the fires of life to melt away our impurities and make us pure through Christ His beloved Son. Remarkably, she was the first person in the Bible to use a personal name for God because, in her suffering, she realized that God saw her. Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai,Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. He will not leave you or forsake you.John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Hagar Hagar is one of the most desperate accounts in the Bible. DRA. Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. When youpass through the waters,I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. This recognition of God seeing and knowing her plight is an encouragement to me in my own suffering. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What is Adversity? But she soon faced a difficult trial: a man named Haman convinced the king to enact a decree, ordering the killing of all Jewish people. Do you see men and women of God debating with the almighty why theyve been called and what is the true purpose of their mission? James 1:3-4 ESV / 58 helpful votes. Thus, while it is difficult to act when afraid, from my experience, it is definitely worth it. Likewise, Jesus also promised that persecution would come to those who have makeup their minds to Follow Him. And what did Moses do? Why will you continue to rebel? - Quora Answer (1 of 9): Many people. ForMy yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). James 1:2-4 says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. What Does The Bible Say About Natural Selection? He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,, Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.Mark 11:23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.. They didnt know them as well as Jesus knew them and we read before that He doesnt call dumb people. Here are a few examples of Bible characters to be inspired and comforted by in these challenging times. God was testing Moses and his people to see how they would react at having no water in their new land. Selah. (Job 10:1-4). This is an example worth emulating; we should all try our best to serve God in any situation. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. If Joseph lived in our time, everyone would probably consider him a loser, but God knew his heart, just as He knows yours. Locally, he loves creating media content through writing. Hannah could have held back, she could have turned away from the Lord but she instead went to Him in prayer. for more information about a specific community. It is never easy to make it through difficult phases of life. But reading the stories of others, the stories of women who have suffered and endured encourages me to display similar faithfulness in my own trials. It's the place we can always come back to in every kind of trial. They have forsaken theLord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Esther suffered from knowledge and position. This commitment to prayer and fasting in the face of trials is a reminder of where our strength comes from when we endure suffering. And those were just a few of Moses excuses. They want to present the best version of themselves to the Lord. What Does The Bible Say About Repentance? You must persevere even if you dont understand and thats how we actually learn wisdom. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. When talking about Jesus, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who. But rejoice insofar as you share Christs sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed., Isaiah 43:18 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. It broke all the chains and opened the doors of the prisoners! Humbled, Job thus saw that he did not possess a wide enough perspective to judge God. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Hebrews 11:1-40 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And eventually, the Lord remembered her and granted her more than she had asked her. The failure is in giving in to the doubts and getting defeated by our lack of insiders (divine) information. Our days are made up not of the highlight reels, but of the in-between moments when we whisper quiet prayers and wonder if our good God is still listening. want a hint? It was here, working as a humble shepherd in the worst place ever, unsure of who he was anymore and with a feeling of being far from his calling (as a loser) when he finally came to know face to face the power and presence of the true God. He was anointed king of Israel and chosen by God, and yet he was also tormented by the jealous King Saul, who chased David for many years trying to kill him. And she vowed a vow and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy maidservant, and remember me, and not forget thy maidservant, but wilt give to thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head. 1 Samuel 1:10-11, RSVCE. Who among these Bible characters is your favourite and why? Jobs story reminds me of this testimony I heard about a Christian couple who lost their children in a traffic accident. You must know the information you need, but persevering will teach you how and when to apply it and this, my friend, is called wisdom. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 1. Of course, this is by no means an easy thing to do. They shared about how they were able to trust in God and His Word even through their grief. Contents show. This is something we can learn: to not compromise when faced with solutions which we know are wrong. They have God who loves and cares for them, is for them, and is with them in and through all forms of adversity. Mordecai, Esthers cousin, pleaded for her to talk to the King. Then afterwards, they came to Elim, where the Bible tells us there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees plenty of water to go around. In 2 Samuel 22:1, David says, "I will extol the . For example, I faced a tough period in my life during the O-Level Mandarin Chinese exams. Like Adam in the Garden of Eden, we are experts at passing the buck. We are here for you when you are ready. And they said to me, The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. However, the affliction of Christians is temporal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Notice that this was a reminder to Christians that, in spite of their affliction, they are never alone. Certainly, all of us are going through the current COVID-19 pandemic. Tragedies are never easy and always hard. For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. Matthew 5:10 says, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. John 15:18 says, If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.John 16:33 says, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
The Annex Apartments San Antonio,
Thailand To Hong Kong Train,
Studio For Rent Englewood, Nj,
Articles W
