Finding Hope Through Persistent Faith in Trials
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we explored the theme "Hope in the Ruins," drawing from various scriptures, including Luke 18 and Lamentations. We began with Jesus' parable of the persistent widow, emphasizing the importance of continual prayer and faith, even in the face of trials. Jesus illustrated that if an unjust judge could eventually grant justice due to persistence, how much more will our just God respond to our cries. This parable serves as a reminder that we should never cease praying, regardless of the ruins we find ourselves in.
We delved into the book of Lamentations, where the prophet Jeremiah vividly describes his afflictions and his tendency to blame God for his suffering. This is a common human experience—feeling abandoned and blaming God during times of distress. However, Jeremiah's narrative shifts from despair to hope as he recalls God's unfailing love and mercy, which are new every morning. This shift in focus from self to God is crucial for finding hope amidst ruins.
We also examined Romans 5, which teaches that trials produce endurance, character, and hope. These virtues are developed through our struggles, and God uses them to strengthen us. The peace with God, achieved through our relationship with Jesus Christ, allows us to experience the peace of God in our lives, even in the midst of turmoil.
In conclusion, the key to navigating life's ruins is to shift our focus from our circumstances to God's faithfulness. By doing so, we develop resilience, strength, and a deeper trust in God. We are reminded that God is unbelievably faithful and that our trials are opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Persistent Prayer and Faith: Jesus' parable of the persistent widow teaches us the importance of continual prayer and unwavering faith. Even when it seems like God is silent, we must keep presenting our petitions before Him, trusting that He will respond in His perfect timing. This persistence builds our faith and aligns our hearts with God's will. [01:19]
2. Blaming God in Trials: It's natural to feel abandoned and blame God during times of suffering, as Jeremiah did in Lamentations. However, this perspective can lead to despair. Instead, we should shift our focus from our circumstances to God's unchanging character and His promises of love and mercy. This change in focus brings hope and renewal. [06:22]
3. Endurance Through Trials: Romans 5 teaches that trials produce endurance, character, and hope. These virtues are not developed in comfort but through challenges. God uses our struggles to strengthen us, build our character, and deepen our trust in Him. Embracing this process leads to spiritual maturity and resilience. [14:38]
4. Peace with God and Peace of God: Having peace with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ allows us to experience the peace of God in our lives. This peace transcends our understanding and guards our hearts and minds, even in the midst of chaos. It is a divine assurance that God is in control and working all things for our good. [17:03]
5. Hope in God's Faithfulness: Shifting our focus from our problems to God's faithfulness transforms our perspective. God's mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. By remembering His past faithfulness, we find hope and strength to face our current challenges. This hope is not based on our circumstances but on God's unchanging nature. [12:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - The Parable of the Persistent Widow
[02:22] - Trials and Spiritual Courts
[03:08] - Common Human Experiences of Lament
[04:31] - Various Forms of Trials
[05:27] - Jeremiah's Lament in Lamentations
[06:22] - Blaming God in Our Suffering
[07:07] - Feeling Abandoned by God
[09:28] - God's Way Through Jesus Christ
[10:07] - God Reveals, He Doesn't Explain
[12:06] - Shifting Focus to God's Faithfulness
[13:16] - Perfect Peace in Trusting God
[14:38] - Endurance and Character Through Trials
[17:03] - Peace with God and Peace of God
[18:27] - Learning from Ruins
[19:51] - Personal Testimony of Hope
[21:06] - Lessons from Affliction
[22:17] - Finding Hope in God's Faithfulness
[23:30] - Assurance in Psalm 91
[25:00] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[26:40] - Developing Character and Endurance
[28:04] - God's Protection and Deliverance
[29:35] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 18:6-8 (NLT): "Then the Lord said, 'Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly. But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?'"
2. Lamentations 3:20-24 (NLT): "I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'"
3. Romans 5:1-5 (NLT): "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
### Observation Questions
1. What lesson does Jesus want us to learn from the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:6-8? [01:19]
2. How does the prophet Jeremiah describe his afflictions in Lamentations 3:1-18, and what shift occurs in verses 20-24? [12:06]
3. According to Romans 5:1-5, what are the benefits of enduring trials and how do they contribute to our spiritual growth? [14:38]
### Interpretation Questions
1. In Luke 18:6-8, why does Jesus emphasize the importance of continual prayer and faith, even when it seems like God is silent? How does this relate to our personal experiences of feeling unheard by God? [01:19]
2. How does Jeremiah's shift from despair to hope in Lamentations 3:20-24 illustrate the importance of focusing on God's faithfulness rather than our circumstances? What does this teach us about handling our own times of distress? [12:06]
3. Romans 5:1-5 speaks about the development of endurance, character, and hope through trials. How can we practically embrace this process in our daily lives, especially when facing significant challenges? [14:38]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like the persistent widow in Luke 18:6-8, continually praying without seeing immediate results. How did you maintain your faith during that period? What can you do to strengthen your persistence in prayer now? [01:19]
2. Have you ever found yourself blaming God for your suffering, similar to Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:1-18? How did shifting your focus to God's faithfulness change your perspective? What steps can you take to make this shift more consistently? [06:22]
3. Romans 5:1-5 talks about rejoicing in trials because they produce endurance and character. Can you identify a recent trial in your life and describe how it has helped you grow? How can you remind yourself of these benefits during future challenges? [14:38]
4. The sermon mentioned that having peace with God through Jesus Christ allows us to experience the peace of God in our lives. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus to experience this peace more fully? [17:03]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of shifting our focus from our problems to God's faithfulness. What practical steps can you take this week to focus more on God's faithfulness in your daily life? [12:06]
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to develop more endurance and character. What actions can you take to embrace this growth process, even if it involves enduring trials? [14:38]
7. How can you support someone else who is currently going through a difficult time, helping them to see God's faithfulness and find hope in their situation? [26:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer and unwavering faith are essential for a strong spiritual life. Jesus' parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 illustrates the importance of continual prayer, even when it seems like God is silent. The widow's persistence eventually led the unjust judge to grant her justice. If an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will our just and loving God respond to our prayers? This parable encourages us to keep presenting our petitions before God, trusting that He will respond in His perfect timing. This persistence builds our faith and aligns our hearts with God's will. [01:19]
Luke 18:1-8 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."' And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'"
Reflection: Think of a prayer request you have been bringing before God for a long time. How can you renew your commitment to pray persistently for this request, trusting in God's perfect timing?
Day 2: Shifting Focus from Blame to Hope
In times of suffering, it is natural to feel abandoned and to blame God, as Jeremiah did in Lamentations. Jeremiah vividly describes his afflictions and his tendency to blame God for his suffering. However, this perspective can lead to despair. Instead, we should shift our focus from our circumstances to God's unchanging character and His promises of love and mercy. Jeremiah's narrative shifts from despair to hope as he recalls God's unfailing love and mercy, which are new every morning. This change in focus brings hope and renewal. [06:22]
Lamentations 3:22-24 (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. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"
Reflection: When you face trials, do you find yourself blaming God? How can you shift your focus to remember His unchanging character and promises of love and mercy?
Day 3: Embracing Endurance Through Trials
Romans 5 teaches that trials produce endurance, character, and hope. These virtues are not developed in comfort but through challenges. God uses our struggles to strengthen us, build our character, and deepen our trust in Him. Embracing this process leads to spiritual maturity and resilience. The peace with God, achieved through our relationship with Jesus Christ, allows us to experience the peace of God in our lives, even in the midst of turmoil. [14:38]
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV): "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How did it help you develop endurance, character, and hope? How can you embrace future trials with a perspective of growth and trust in God?
Day 4: Experiencing the Peace of God
Having peace with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ allows us to experience the peace of God in our lives. This peace transcends our understanding and guards our hearts and minds, even in the midst of chaos. It is a divine assurance that God is in control and working all things for our good. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. [17:03]
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: In what areas of your life do you need to experience the peace of God? How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus to access this peace?
Day 5: Finding Hope in God's Faithfulness
Shifting our focus from our problems to God's faithfulness transforms our perspective. God's mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. By remembering His past faithfulness, we find hope and strength to face our current challenges. This hope is not based on our circumstances but on God's unchanging nature. [12:06]
Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV): "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can remembering this past faithfulness give you hope and strength for your current challenges?
Quotes
1. "Sometimes we find ourselves blaming ourselves, putting so much pressure on ourselves, as you see in some of the topics, some of the chapters, verses. And I believe all of us go through one period of lamenting or some period of trial at any one point in our lives. Amen. And it could be grief and loss. It could be empathy for others. It could be unresolved conflict. It could be physical and mental decline. It could be regrets. Sometimes your regrets can be so much on you, such that you think the world is coming to an end. One song says, bring your regrets and your mistakes to Jesus. He's not going to let you down. He's not afraid of them. Amen." [03:08] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Lamenting is a very deeply human experience and often linked with some form of powerlessness to control them. But the Lord can still bring you hope. I've written a few scriptures on the prophet's own experiences. And the main scriptures I was given are very hopeful. But listen to these ones. In Lamentations chapter 3, verse 1 to 18. It's a long passage, but I'll run through very quickly. Verse 1, God says, I am the one who sees the affliction that came from the rod of the Lord's anger. He has led me into darkness and shattened out all light. He has turned his hands against me. And against, and again and again all day. He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in dark places like those long dead." [05:27] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Life teaches lessons. Lessons will come to you. Life will take you through twists and turns. But God has a way for you. And that way is through Jesus Christ. Amen? Amen. I will convince you a bit. Later, we mostly want reasons for the occurrences. Why is this happening? What is happening here? And you wish that the troubles will disappear suddenly. But God has a reason why he doesn't let the troubles disappear suddenly. And you want to explain, oh God, explain to me, why is this delay? Why is this? Why is that? I have news for you. God doesn't explain himself. He reveals. He reveals himself. God will not come and explain to you why you are going through this trouble and that trouble. Because if he did explain to you, you still wouldn't understand." [10:07] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You are a piece of the puzzle God is doing. The things God is doing. You are brought into the situation for a time like this. Someone may be troubling you. Someone may be troubling you. Someone may be a disturbance on your life. And your prayer is that God will remove this person away. You know what God is doing? God is using you to train that person. There are some people so stubborn who are also praying that God brings deliverance to their life. I have one of such incidents and I don't want to mention names. But this person is a thorn in someone's flesh. And the prayer has been that God will take. Such a person away. But he doesn't always do that. Sometimes that person is planted in your life. So, you learn some other things we will be coming to." [10:53] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this. So, a light is being turned on. I still dare to hope when I remember this verse 20. The faithful love of the Lord. Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, the Lord is my inheritance. Therefore, I will hope in him. Hallelujah. You see, it came to a point where he said, but I will never forget this. It's a change of perception from yourself and focus on the Lord. Are you focusing on yourself? If you focus on yourself, if you look into yourself, then there's nothing to find. The Bible says in Isaiah chapter 26 verse 3, he will make him to walk in perfect peace. He whose mind is stayed on him. Amen? Trust in Jehovah forever. For the Lord Jehovah is an everlasting strength." [13:16] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We rejoice too when we run into problems and trials. Really? Listen, we rejoice when we run into problems and trials. Can you tell yourself this? I rejoice when I run through problems and trials. You know why? Because there's somebody with you. You're not afraid because there is a savior in your boat. When the storms come, you're not afraid. You're not afraid because there come around you. I have Jesus. Now, listen to the benefits here. Verse three. We rejoice too when we have, we run into problems and trials. For we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develop strength of character. And character strengthens our confidence, our hope of salvation. So, between your trials and the hope that is to God wants you strengthened. God wants you to develop endurance. God wants you to develop experience. God wants you to develop strength of character." [14:38] (84 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "What is most important is that you will have peace with God. In order to have the peace of God. Can I explain? What is the peace with God? The peace with God is what comes on us by our relationship with Jesus Christ. Because we've accepted Jesus Christ. This morning, do you have the peace with God? Have you had the peace with God? Have you had the peace with God? Have you had the peace of God in your life? You are if you are listening to me on on Zoom or on YouTube. If you don't have the peace with God, then it's important to realign yourself with Jesus Christ. Because when you do have the peace with God, then now, in the midst of your problem, you can pray for the peace of God to come on you. The Bible says that you should be anxious about nothing but in all things, in all things by prayer and supplication. Let your request be made known to God and the peace of God will come on your life. Hallelujah." [17:03] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "No matter what you are going through, no matter the ruins, no matter the situation, you will find hope. The Lord has something in store for you. I want to quickly round off and if you read through the verse twenty-four, uh twenty-one to twenty-four, the prophet get his eyes off himself and onto the Lord and then say, you know what? You're going to be saved. He says, hope is revived when he remembers that the Lord's messes and companions are new every morning. Verse twenty-eight to thirty says he he cites lessons learned in the school of affliction and says it is good to wait quietly for the Lord's deliverance and to submit to his yoke early in life. Now, verse thirty-one to thirty-three it's a it's a snapshot of he says God's rejection is neither final or costless. His companion and messes were are always follow." [21:06] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "As long as you are looking at yourself, you are looking at yourself. You blame everyone in every situation around you. But as long as you look to the Lord, your eyes are on the Lord. I realize that they are the other series is talking about finding hope. Hope and I believe I've been assigned to that. So, some of them I'll reserve them for for later but there is hope to be found in the Lord and it's about the faithfulness of God. God is faithful. God is faithful. God is faithful. I was reading Psalm ninety-one. Interesting and I'll throw throw it to you as a challenge. Take time and read Psalm ninety-one and you realize that there are three voices there. Three voices in Psalm ninety-one and I realize that it's the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit having a conversation. When you find it, please let me know if you can send a test or come and share with us. There is an interesting conversation in Psalm ninety-one. The son starts it and I'll leave the rest for you to find and it's ultimately about the faithfulness of God." [22:17] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord he is my refuge. My fortress. My God. In whom I will trust. Surely he will deliver you from the foulest snare. And from his noisome pestilence. Oh he will deliver you from every sin that come my way. You will not be afraid of the pestilence that fly at noon day. Nor the arrows that come to you at night. Nor the disturbance that waste in new day. A thousand of these shall fall on your left. And ten thousand shall fall on your right. They will not come near you. It is only with your eyes will you behold these. Because he has commanded his angels to take charge over you. That they bear you up in their hands. That you will not dash your foot against a stone. You will walk upon the other and the lions. The young lions and then the scorpions. You trample them underfoot. Because you have set your love upon him. Because you have known his name. Because you have made him your habitation. He will protect you. He will strengthen you. Because you have set your love upon him. He will deliver you. He will lift you up. Because you have known his name. When you call on him in trouble. He will answer you. He deliver you and honor you and bring you eternal salvation. What a God. What a Lord. If we trust in him and take our eyes of ourself. He will not disappoint you." [28:04] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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