Faith and Resilience in Adversity: Trusting God's Goodness

Devotional

Day 1: Rooted in Faith and Community

Building a strong, supportive community of believers is essential for sustaining our faith through life's challenges. Deep roots in faith and community produce lasting spiritual fruit and provide the support we need to navigate difficult times. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in their faith, we too must cultivate a deep, resilient faith that can withstand trials. This involves not only personal devotion but also active participation in a community of believers who can encourage and support us. When we are deeply rooted in our faith and community, we are better equipped to face adversity with confidence and hope.

[01:14:52]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: Think of a time when your faith was strengthened by your community. How can you invest more deeply in your faith community this week?

Day 2: Understanding Feelings of Being Let Down by God

It's common to feel let down by God during tough circumstances, but these feelings are part of the human experience and do not reflect God's true nature. Many biblical heroes experienced similar feelings, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Recognizing that these feelings are valid but not definitive of God's character can help us navigate our spiritual journey with greater resilience. By looking at the lives of Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and the disciples, we see that even the most faithful servants of God faced moments of doubt and disappointment. These experiences can deepen our understanding of God's faithfulness and our reliance on Him.

[01:22:54]

Psalm 42:11 (ESV): "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you felt let down by God. How can you reframe this experience in light of His faithfulness and the experiences of biblical heroes?

Day 3: Balancing Emotions and Faith

Emotions are valid and given by God, but they should not control our actions or faith. Instead, we should focus on the truth of God's goodness and faithfulness, allowing these truths to guide us rather than our fluctuating emotions. Emotions can be powerful and sometimes overwhelming, but they are not always reliable indicators of truth. By grounding ourselves in the unchanging nature of God, we can navigate our emotional landscape with greater stability and peace. This balance allows us to experience our emotions fully while remaining anchored in the truth of God's word and His promises.

[01:29:48]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify an emotion that has been particularly strong for you recently. How can you acknowledge this emotion while still trusting in God's unchanging nature?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Faithfulness

Despite the trials and tribulations we face, we can trust in God's unwavering faithfulness. Paul's declaration in Acts 20:24 that none of his trials moved him because he had tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. Trusting in God's faithfulness means believing that He is good and that His plans for us are for our ultimate good, even when we cannot see the full picture. This trust is built through personal experiences of God's goodness and through the testimonies of others who have walked through similar trials.

[01:36:41]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Think of a specific instance where you experienced God's faithfulness in the past. How can this memory help you trust Him in your current circumstances?

Day 5: Shifting Our Attitude

An attitude shift is necessary to fully trust in God's goodness. By focusing on the truth of God's character and His past faithfulness, we can experience joy and peace, even in the midst of adversity. This shift allows us to let go of fear and doubt, placing our trust in God's capable hands. Changing our perspective from one of worry and anxiety to one of trust and gratitude can transform our spiritual journey and enable us to live more fully in the present, confident in God's provision and care.

[01:39:01]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle with fear or doubt. How can you shift your attitude to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness in this area?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound theme of faith in the face of adversity, using the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3 as our foundation. These three men stood firm in their faith, refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue, even under the threat of being thrown into a blazing furnace. Their unwavering trust in God, despite the dire consequences, serves as a powerful example for us.

We delved into the importance of planting deep roots in our community and faith, emphasizing that these roots are what sustain us through life's challenges. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God to deliver them, we too must cultivate a deep, resilient faith that can withstand trials.

We also discussed the common human experience of feeling let down by God. This feeling, though legitimate, should not define our faith. Instead, we should recognize that many biblical heroes, including Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and even the disciples, experienced similar feelings. These feelings are part of our human experience, but they do not reflect God's true nature or His faithfulness.

The sermon highlighted the importance of not letting our emotions control us. While feelings are valid and given by God, they should not dictate our actions or our faith. Instead, we should focus on the truth of God's unwavering goodness and faithfulness, as exemplified by Paul's experiences and his declaration in Acts 20:24 that none of his trials moved him because he had tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord.

In conclusion, we are called to shift our attitude and trust in God's goodness, even when our circumstances seem bleak. By doing so, we can experience the joy and peace that come from a deep, abiding faith in God.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Planting Deep Roots in Faith and Community: Building a strong, supportive community of believers is essential for sustaining our faith through life's challenges. Deep roots in faith and community produce lasting spiritual fruit and provide the support we need to navigate difficult times. [74:52]
2. Feeling Let Down by God: It's common to feel let down by God during tough circumstances, but these feelings are part of the human experience and do not reflect God's true nature. Many biblical heroes experienced similar feelings, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. [82:54]
3. The Role of Emotions in Faith: Emotions are valid and given by God, but they should not control our actions or faith. Instead, we should focus on the truth of God's goodness and faithfulness, allowing these truths to guide us rather than our fluctuating emotions. [89:48]
4. Trusting in God's Faithfulness: Despite the trials and tribulations we face, we can trust in God's unwavering faithfulness. Paul's declaration in Acts 20:24 that none of his trials moved him because he had tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. [96:41]
5. Shifting Our Attitude: An attitude shift is necessary to fully trust in God's goodness. By focusing on the truth of God's character and His past faithfulness, we can experience joy and peace, even in the midst of adversity. This shift allows us to let go of fear and doubt, placing our trust in God's capable hands. [01:39:01]
### [99:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[73:19] - Introduction and Community Involvement
[74:52] - Planting Deep Roots
[76:37] - Reading from Daniel 3
[78:57] - Setting the Stage
[79:57] - Facing Tough Circumstances
[80:44] - The Importance of Deep Roots
[81:28] - Peter Walking on Water
[82:54] - Feeling Let Down by God
[84:33] - God's Unchanging Nature
[86:08] - The Role of Emotions
[87:12] - Generational Faith
[87:57] - Consistency in Faith
[89:48] - Emotions vs. Truth
[91:15] - God's Master Plan
[92:34] - Taste and See
[95:16] - Letting Jesus Take the Wheel
[96:41] - Paul's Trials and Faith
[99:01] - Shifting Our Attitude
[101:12] - Boldness in Faith
[105:03] - Worship Team Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to King Nebuchadnezzar's threat? ([01:16:37])
According to Acts 20:24, what was Paul's attitude towards his trials and tribulations? ([01:36:41])
What does Psalm 34:8 encourage us to do, and what is the promised outcome? ([01:32:34])
How did the sermon describe the role of emotions in our faith journey? ([01:29:48])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were able to stand firm in their faith despite the threat of the fiery furnace? ([01:16:37])
How does Paul's declaration in Acts 20:24 reflect his understanding of God's faithfulness? ([01:36:41])
What does it mean to "taste and see that the Lord is good," and how can this be a command rather than a suggestion? ([01:32:34])
How can recognizing the validity of our emotions help us in our faith journey, according to the sermon? ([01:29:48])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt let down by God. How did that experience affect your faith, and what steps can you take to shift your attitude towards trusting in God's goodness? ([01:22:54])
What are some practical ways you can plant deeper roots in your faith and community to help sustain you through life's challenges? ([01:14:52])
How can you ensure that your emotions do not control your actions or faith? Share a specific strategy you can implement this week. ([01:29:48])
Think of a current trial or challenge you are facing. How can Paul's example in Acts 20:24 inspire you to remain steadfast in your faith? ([01:36:41])
Identify one area in your life where you need to "taste and see that the Lord is good." What specific action can you take this week to experience God's goodness in that area? ([01:32:34])
How can you support someone in your community who might be feeling let down by God? What practical steps can you take to encourage them? ([01:22:54])
Reflect on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. How can their example of unwavering faith inspire you to stand firm in your own faith, even when facing adversity? ([01:16:37])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "How exciting is it to be in a church where we have so many wonderful, beautiful things going on? So exciting. It's so exciting to be, feel like you're a part of something that's bigger, something that's growing, feel like just an integral part of God's kingdom and bringing it here on earth. It's just so encouraging." [01:13:19] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Have you ever put your faith, your hope, your trust in God and feel like you have been let down? Anybody? One. Nice. Great. All right, apparently I'm only preaching to two people today, me and you over there. There, Mike. But in all seriousness, though, I'm just going to run under the assumption, because no one's answering me here, so I'm just going to run under the assumption that all of you have felt this way before. Welcome to the club." [01:22:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him. My favorite part about preaching today's message, other than having the opportunity for the Lord to speak to me and through me to you guys, is actually all of these scriptures that I'm touching, on here today, are some of my favorite passages in scripture." [01:32:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So instead of trying to cram everything that we think we know about God into this little boat, maybe it's actually time to step out into the water where Jesus is calling. What I'm talking about maybe actually isn't about the feelings at all, but an attitude change." [01:31:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God actually hasn't let you down, even if it feels like that. And really, in that sense, and likely that sense alone, God is actually very similar to a good friend of mine. Rick Astley. In that sense, in that sense alone, God is actually very similar to Rick Astley. Now, don't hate me too much. I understand that it's cheesy and weird, but it's true, okay? And actually, legitimately speaking, God is actually probably the only person in existence who actually can say that he will never give you up or let you down." [01:24:33] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "My challenge was asking you guys, are you planting deep roots in your community? And if so, how deep are those roots? Because those roots are ultimately what's going to produce the fruit of Christianity time and time and time again in your life. It's by building that deeply rooted community alongside all of these believers who can support you, pray for you, journey with you throughout this crazy thing we call life." [01:14:52] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God wouldn't send us a comforter if we didn't need to be comforted at times. I'm not here to make you feel small in your faith. I'm not interested in that. That's not what I'm here for. I want to draw out some of the dark lies that the enemy has been planting in each and every single one of us, and I want to start bringing them into the light. I want to challenge some of our ways of thinking that it ultimately grows us all closer to the Lord." [01:20:44] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Paul isn't moved because he has tasted, he has seen, and he knows that God is good. It's a heart posture. It's trusting in him regardless of our circumstances. And if we want to take this whole idea back even a step further into the episode where Peter is walking on water and Peter starts sinking, Jesus comes up. We have this weird image. I just kind of want to take a break here for another second. We have this weird image where Peter is walking on the water. Jesus is walking on the water. Peter starts. He starts sinking in the water. And then Jesus pulls Peter out of the water, standing on the water." [01:39:01] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We were talking in kids' class about the difference between having emotions and being controlled by them. Emotions are not the problem. It's when we allow them to take the driver's seat in our lives. So then, in this context, what truth is, what truth? Is being displayed when it feels like God is letting, when it feels like God is letting me down. That's what I hear you guys asking me. In this context, what, what is the truth behind this feeling that God has let me down?" [01:28:30] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The reminder needs to be that what God can do, He can do again. And the timeless faithfulness that He has proved time and time and time and time and decade after decade after decade after decade and generation after generation after generation after generation and century after century after century and millennia and millennia and millennia and millennia to eternity, He has had a master plan for humanity all along. He hasn't ever been fooled once. Not one time." [01:31:15] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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