Trusting God's Sovereignty Through Life's Trials
Summary
In our journey through life, we often encounter days filled with joy and others marked by adversity. As we navigate these seasons, it's crucial to remember that God is sovereign over both the good and the bad. The story of Horatio Spafford, who praised God amidst great personal tragedy, serves as a powerful reminder of the faithfulness of God. In the same way, the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 exemplify perseverance through trials, teaching us that suffering is not without purpose. Romans 5 encourages us to exalt in our tribulations, for they produce perseverance, character, and hope—a hope that does not disappoint because God's love is poured into our hearts.
Ecclesiastes 7 challenges us to consider the work of God, acknowledging that both prosperity and adversity come from His hand. Solomon invites us to see beyond our circumstances, recognizing that God uses every moment to conform us into the image of His Son. This perspective shifts our focus from the immediate to the eternal, reminding us that God does not waste a single moment of our lives. Even when life seems bent and unchangeable, we are called to trust in God's providence, knowing that He is working all things together for our good.
The temptation to associate good days with our righteousness and bad days with punishment is common, yet Scripture teaches us otherwise. Solomon warns against self-righteousness and excessive wickedness, urging us instead to fear God. This reverent fear keeps us balanced, preventing us from placing our hope in our own actions or succumbing to despair. As we trust in God's sovereignty, we learn to praise Him in both prosperity and adversity, understanding that every day is a gift from Him.
Ultimately, our trials refine our faith, preparing us for the joy of the kingdom to come. While we may not always understand why we face certain challenges, we can rest in the assurance that God is with us, using every situation for His glory and our good. Let us hold fast to this truth, waiting with expectation for the day when Jesus returns to make all things new.
Key Takeaways:
1. Perseverance Through Trials: The stories of faith in Hebrews 11 and the life of Horatio Spafford remind us that perseverance through suffering is a testament to God's faithfulness. Our trials are not without purpose; they refine our character and deepen our hope in Christ. [40:45]
2. God's Sovereignty in Adversity: Ecclesiastes 7 teaches us that both prosperity and adversity come from God. We are called to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He uses every moment to conform us into the image of His Son. [45:42]
3. Rejecting the False Prosperity Gospel: The belief that God owes us good days is a false prosperity gospel. Scripture shows that God uses both good and bad days for our growth and His glory, challenging us to trust Him in all circumstances. [47:14]
4. The Balance of Righteousness and Wickedness: Solomon warns against self-righteousness and excessive wickedness, urging us to fear God. This balance keeps us grounded, preventing us from placing our hope in our own actions or falling into despair. [01:10:57]
5. Purpose in Suffering: Our trials serve to refine our faith and prepare us for the joy of the kingdom to come. While we may not understand every challenge, we can trust that God is with us, using every situation for His glory and our good. [01:14:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[40:45] - Perseverance Through Trials
[42:43] - Purpose in Tribulations
[44:20] - Trusting God's Sovereignty
[45:42] - Adversity and God's Plan
[46:32] - Misconceptions of Prosperity
[47:14] - Rejecting False Prosperity Gospel
[48:31] - Solomon's Wisdom on Life's Challenges
[54:22] - Observing God's Work
[55:35] - Bent Situations in Life
[57:06] - Accepting Life's Difficulties
[59:09] - God's Providence in Bent Days
[01:02:35] - Trusting God's Goodness
[01:03:51] - Embracing All Seasons
[01:05:27] - Praising God in All Circumstances
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ecclesiastes 7:13-18: "Consider the work of God: for who can make straight what he has bent? 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."
- Hebrews 11: Often referred to as the "hall of faith," this chapter recounts the stories of men and women who persevered through trials by faith.
- Romans 5:3-5: "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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ecclesiastes 7:13-18 suggest about the nature of prosperity and adversity? How does it challenge common perceptions of these experiences? [48:31]
2. In Hebrews 11, what are some examples of individuals who demonstrated faith despite not seeing the fulfillment of God's promises in their lifetime? [40:45]
3. According to Romans 5:3-5, what is the purpose of suffering, and how does it contribute to a believer's spiritual growth? [42:43]
4. How does the sermon describe the temptation to associate good days with righteousness and bad days with punishment? [46:32]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God's sovereignty in Ecclesiastes 7:13-18 influence a believer's understanding of life's challenges and blessings? [45:42]
2. What lessons can be drawn from the perseverance of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, and how might these lessons apply to modern-day believers facing trials? [40:45]
3. In what ways does Romans 5:3-5 encourage believers to view their tribulations as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks? [42:43]
4. How does the sermon address the false prosperity gospel, and what implications does this have for a believer's faith journey? [47:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might viewing this situation through the lens of God's sovereignty change your perspective? [45:42]
2. Consider a time when you felt tempted to equate your circumstances with your spiritual standing. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness regardless of your situation? [46:32]
3. Identify a personal trial you are currently experiencing. How can you apply the principles from Romans 5:3-5 to find hope and growth in this situation? [42:43]
4. How can the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 inspire you to persevere in your own faith journey, even when the outcome is uncertain? [40:45]
5. What steps can you take to reject the false prosperity gospel and embrace a more balanced understanding of God's role in both good and bad days? [47:14]
6. Think of a "bent" situation in your life that you wish could be changed. How can you trust in God's providence and find peace in His plan? [59:09]
7. How can you cultivate a reverent fear of God that keeps you balanced between self-righteousness and wickedness, as suggested by Solomon? [01:12:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Perseverance as a Testament to Faith
In the face of trials, perseverance becomes a testament to God's faithfulness. The stories of faith in Hebrews 11 and the life of Horatio Spafford illustrate how enduring suffering can refine our character and deepen our hope in Christ. These narratives remind us that our trials are not without purpose; they serve to strengthen our faith and prepare us for the joy of the kingdom to come. As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to exalt in our tribulations, knowing that they produce perseverance, character, and hope—a hope that does not disappoint because God's love is poured into our hearts. [40:45]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How did it challenge your faith, and in what ways can you see it refining your character and hope in Christ today?
Day 2: Trusting God's Sovereignty in All Seasons
Ecclesiastes 7 teaches us that both prosperity and adversity come from God, and we are called to trust in His sovereignty. This perspective invites us to see beyond our immediate circumstances, recognizing that God uses every moment to conform us into the image of His Son. By shifting our focus from the temporal to the eternal, we are reminded that God does not waste a single moment of our lives. Even when life seems bent and unchangeable, we are called to trust in God's providence, knowing that He is working all things together for our good. [45:42]
Isaiah 45:7 (ESV): "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things."
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life that feels unchangeable. How can you trust in God's sovereignty and see His hand at work in this situation today?
Day 3: Rejecting the False Prosperity Gospel
The belief that God owes us good days is a false prosperity gospel. Scripture shows that God uses both good and bad days for our growth and His glory, challenging us to trust Him in all circumstances. This understanding helps us reject the temptation to associate good days with our righteousness and bad days with punishment. Instead, we are called to praise God in both prosperity and adversity, recognizing that every day is a gift from Him. [47:14]
Job 2:10 (ESV): "But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt entitled to good days. How can you shift your perspective to see both good and bad days as opportunities for growth and trust in God?
Day 4: The Balance of Righteousness and Wickedness
Solomon warns against self-righteousness and excessive wickedness, urging us to fear God. This balance keeps us grounded, preventing us from placing our hope in our own actions or falling into despair. By maintaining a reverent fear of God, we are reminded to trust in His sovereignty and wisdom, rather than relying on our own understanding. This balance helps us navigate life's challenges with humility and faith, knowing that God is with us in every circumstance. [01:10:57]
Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 (ESV): "Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself leaning towards self-righteousness or despair? How can you cultivate a balanced fear of God today?
Day 5: Finding Purpose in Suffering
Our trials serve to refine our faith and prepare us for the joy of the kingdom to come. While we may not understand every challenge, we can trust that God is with us, using every situation for His glory and our good. This assurance allows us to hold fast to the truth that God is working all things together for our good, even when life seems difficult. As we wait with expectation for the day when Jesus returns to make all things new, we are encouraged to embrace our trials as opportunities for growth and transformation. [01:14:20]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you see it as an opportunity for growth and transformation, trusting that God is using it for His glory and your good?
Quotes
"I meet the Lord and spend a good long time with Him, I want to meet men like Horatio Spafford that are able to praise Jesus in the midst of great sorrow. And when we get to heaven to see the Lord who is our everlasting joy, I believe that God is just going to be able to minister to us and give us, kind of peel back the curtain a little bit of why things happen the way they do for us to be able to see His faithfulness and good in our lives in the midst of great sorrow and persecution and tragedy." [00:39:53] (45 seconds)
"Hebrews 11 in the New Testament is that passage that we often call the hall of faith. And when you read the stories of the men and women that believed God and did not see the fullness of the promise of what they believed in in their lifetime and yet were persecuted and really faced great trials, they pressed on in maturity. And then we have stories like Job and men like Watts who are going through trials and circumstances. These men of faith, the reformers and those who were martyred for their faith, they pressed on and they're examples for us. That perseverance through suffering is worthy of our attention." [00:40:45] (58 seconds)
"But if you're leaning into what God is doing in your life and you're trusting him and your ears are open to what he is saying and your eyes are open to what he is doing, then your tribulations are not going to disappoint you. And if you're tribulations, then create in you, they refine in you perseverance. And perseverance is proven character. And proven character is hope. And when we have hope, church, it never disappoints. Why? Because God's love is poured out into our hearts." [00:42:54] (31 seconds)
"That God is able to meet us in our greatest need, that He provides His presence to help us get through it, and that no matter the outcome, God uses good and bad days to conform us into the image of His Son. He uses good and bad days to conform us into the image of His Son. And that's where Solomon is taking us in the text this morning. As we continue our study in this book, and we're in this chapter where we began last week of him introducing these proverbs, these wisdom statements, Solomon... Solomon is going to highlight one of those wisdom statements, and then he's going to build upon it." [00:44:41] (42 seconds)
"So, when everything is taken away, God is still working. When you have, it seems like, more bad days than good days, God is still working. But it doesn't always seem that way, right? I mean, let's just be honest. When we have a bad day, it's tempting to be frustrated, and it's very difficult to see, not just the silver lining, but God's purpose in the midst of it." [00:45:35] (33 seconds)
"And you know, you hear the term prosperity gospel, your mind immediately goes to guys like Creflo Dollar and Joel Osteen and all of those heretics, really, that teach a gospel that God will give you health and wealth and prosperity. But Tim Challies, who is a brother in the Lord and faithful to the gospel, was writing about the false prosperity gospel that we're tempted to believe in. And it's this, that we think that God should give us good days." [00:47:14] (31 seconds)
"But that's not the testimony of Scripture. Ecclesiastes 7 doesn't promise that, nor does the testimony of the rest of the Old Testament. I mean, if you want to, because we're going to be snowed in today, and if you're not a fan of football, read the book of Job today. And figure out what the message of that book is nor is it the testimony of the gospels where jesus says that the slave is not greater than the master and if they persecuted him how much more will they persecute us nor is it the testimony of the epistles of the new testament where guys like john and paul and peter just write that again and again that god uses refining fire to purify us but that we're not escaping the trouble that is visited to the righteous on the earth but in the midst of all of that in the trials and the trouble and the persecutions while we're not promised our best life now here on this earth we are promised to be rescued we are promised that god will always be with us we are promised that god always has a plan in the midst of the good days and the bad days we are promised he will never let us go we are promised that he will use it for our good and his glory and we are promised in essence that god does not waste a single moment of our lives and when we start thinking about the ebbs and flows of the gospel we are promised that god will the highs and lows the the good days and the bad days you need to know oh child of god that god will use every moment of your life to conform you into the image of his son he doesn't waste a second and when we live this way realizing that god uses all of it we will always find mercy and grace to get through it i mean when you hear the stories like the video showed my first thought is how do you have that kind of faith and how do you keep moving forward and and that's that's a bigger example but we all have people in our life that we know that just have been steamrolled by life and you look at them and think how do they get through it and how do they get through it and how do they get through it and how do they get up every day like how do they just realize that that there's something bigger than their circumstances and i'm a pastor and i've read the word of god and i've i've even gone through trials like i i've i've seen that but i'm talking about those the crushing moments of life and i i'm tempted to think how do they do it and yet they're a testimony to us of the faithfulness of god because they have always found grace and mercy that god has always been present and so let's look at ecclesiastes 7 and be confronted and comforted by the sovereignty of god as solomon challenges us to consider the work of god in our lives i'll be reading ecclesiastes 7 verses 13 through 18 hear the word of god consider the work of god for who is able to straighten what he has bent in the day of prosperity be happy but in the day of adversity consider god has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him i've seen everything during my lifetime of futility there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise why should you ruin yourself do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool why should you die before your time it is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other for the one who fears god comes forth with both of them" [00:48:31] (0 seconds)
