Trusting God's Wisdom in Times of Struggle
Summary
In times of deep struggle and unanswered questions, it is natural to feel as though life is throwing one curveball after another. Many of us have experienced moments when it seems like God is absent, and our cries for justice and relief go unheard. This was the situation faced by God's people in Isaiah 40, who felt abandoned during the Babylonian captivity. They questioned whether God saw their pain and whether He cared about their suffering. In these moments of despair, it is easy to feel as though God has failed us, and our faith is tested.
However, when God speaks into our circumstances, He does so not through scientific or philosophical explanations but through theological truths. He reminds us of His eternal nature, His omnipotence, and His omniscience. God is Everlasting, not bound by time or space, and His understanding is inscrutable. This means that even when we cannot comprehend His ways, we must trust in His character and His divine plan.
In the midst of life's crises, it is crucial to retreat to what we know about God. He is the Creator, capable of overseeing and overruling any situation. While His ways may be confusing and His plans may not always make sense to us, we must remember that God has secret things that He chooses not to reveal. We can ask God questions, seeking understanding, but we must not challenge Him, demanding answers. Trusting in God's inscrutable wisdom allows us to navigate life's challenges with faith, knowing that He is in control.
Key Takeaways:
- Life's struggles often lead us to question God's presence and justice. In these moments, it is important to remember that feeling abandoned is a common human experience, but it does not reflect the truth of God's character. He is always present, even when He seems absent. [02:23]
- God's response to our pain is not through human logic but through His divine nature. He is Everlasting, omnipotent, and omniscient. These attributes remind us that He is not limited by our understanding or circumstances. [06:33]
- When life is overwhelming, we must retreat to the knowledge of who God is. His eternal nature and creative power assure us that He can handle any situation, even when we cannot see the way forward. [07:42]
- God's inscrutability means that His ways are often beyond our comprehension. While this can be frustrating, it is also a reminder of His sovereignty and the need for us to trust in His greater plan. [08:02]
- We are encouraged to ask God questions, seeking clarity and understanding, but we must not challenge His authority. Trusting in His wisdom, even when it is hidden, is a vital part of our faith journey. [09:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - Life's Unanswered Questions
- [01:12] - Struggles of God's People
- [02:23] - Feeling God's Absence
- [03:27] - When God Seems to Fail
- [04:29] - Personal Circumstances
- [05:04] - God's Theological Response
- [06:10] - Running to God
- [07:22] - Retreating to God's Character
- [08:02] - The Inscrutable God
- [09:00] - God's Secret Things
- [09:47] - Asking vs. Challenging God
- [10:23] - Trusting in God's Wisdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 40:27-31
- Deuteronomy 29:29
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Isaiah 40:27, what are the people of Israel expressing about their perception of God's awareness of their situation? How does this reflect their emotional state? [01:29]
2. According to the sermon, how does God respond to the struggles of His people in Isaiah 40? What attributes of God are highlighted in verse 28? [05:31]
3. What does the phrase "His understanding is inscrutable" mean in the context of Isaiah 40:28, and how is it explained in the sermon? [08:02]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between asking God a question and questioning God? [09:26]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the feeling of God's absence, as described in Isaiah 40:27, affect a person's faith journey? What does the sermon suggest about handling these feelings? [02:23]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's eternal nature and omnipotence provide comfort during life's crises? How can these attributes change one's perspective on personal struggles? [07:42]
3. The sermon mentions that God's ways are often beyond our comprehension. How does this concept challenge or strengthen one's faith, according to the sermon? [08:02]
4. What is the significance of Deuteronomy 29:29 in understanding God's inscrutability, and how does it relate to the idea of trusting in God's wisdom? [09:00]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like God was absent in your life. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now, knowing that feeling abandoned is a common human experience? [02:23]
2. When facing overwhelming situations, how can you practically "retreat to the knowledge of who God is," as suggested in the sermon? What steps can you take to remind yourself of God's eternal nature and creative power? [07:42]
3. The sermon encourages asking God questions but not challenging His authority. How can you cultivate a heart that seeks understanding without demanding answers? What might this look like in your prayer life? [09:26]
4. Consider a current struggle or unanswered question in your life. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on trusting in God's inscrutable wisdom to this situation? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this trust? [08:02]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of running to God rather than from Him during crises. What are some practical ways you can turn to God in your current circumstances? How can your small group support you in this? [06:10]
6. How can you remind yourself of God's attributes, such as His omnipotence and omniscience, in your daily life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to keep these truths at the forefront of your mind? [06:33]
7. Reflect on the concept of God's "secret things" from Deuteronomy 29:29. How does accepting that some things are beyond our understanding impact your relationship with God? How can this acceptance bring peace in uncertain times? [09:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Presence in Absence
In times of deep struggle, it is common to feel as though God is absent, especially when life seems to be throwing one challenge after another. This feeling of abandonment is a shared human experience, as seen in the lives of God's people during the Babylonian captivity. They questioned whether God saw their pain and whether He cared about their suffering. However, it is crucial to remember that these feelings do not reflect the truth of God's character. He is always present, even when He seems absent. Trusting in His presence, despite our feelings, is a vital part of our faith journey. [02:23]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt abandoned by God. How can you remind yourself of His presence today, even if you don't feel it?
Day 2: Embracing God's Divine Nature
God's response to our pain is not through human logic but through His divine nature. He is Everlasting, omnipotent, and omniscient, attributes that remind us that He is not limited by our understanding or circumstances. In moments of despair, it is essential to remember that God's ways are higher than ours, and His understanding is beyond our comprehension. This perspective helps us to trust in His character and divine plan, even when life doesn't make sense. [06:33]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What aspect of God's divine nature do you find most challenging to understand? How can you embrace this mystery as part of your faith journey today?
Day 3: Retreating to God's Character
When life is overwhelming, it is crucial to retreat to the knowledge of who God is. His eternal nature and creative power assure us that He can handle any situation, even when we cannot see the way forward. This retreat is not about escaping reality but about grounding ourselves in the truth of God's character. By focusing on His attributes, we find the strength and courage to face life's challenges with faith and hope. [07:42]
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally retreat to God's character when you feel overwhelmed? What practical steps can you take today to focus on His eternal nature?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Inscrutable Wisdom
God's inscrutability means that His ways are often beyond our comprehension. While this can be frustrating, it is also a reminder of His sovereignty and the need for us to trust in His greater plan. Trusting in God's wisdom, even when it is hidden, allows us to navigate life's challenges with faith, knowing that He is in control. This trust is not blind but rooted in the assurance of His character and promises. [08:02]
Job 11:7-9 (ESV): "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's wisdom? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 5: Asking Questions with Humility
We are encouraged to ask God questions, seeking clarity and understanding, but we must not challenge His authority. Trusting in His wisdom, even when it is hidden, is a vital part of our faith journey. This humility in questioning allows us to grow in our relationship with God, as we seek to understand His ways and align our lives with His will. [09:26]
James 1:5-6 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
Reflection: What is a question you have for God that you have been hesitant to ask? How can you approach Him with humility and faith, trusting in His wisdom and timing?
Quotes
God's people were struggling in Isaiah 40. they were struggling bad as this chapter prophesied the Babylonian captivity and it speaks about their struggle and they ask in verse 27 or they say my way is hidden from the Lord and the Justice do me escapes the notice of my God what they're asking is God what's going on God where are you don't you see my pain my way is hidden from you you don't see what I'm dealing with because if you saw it you would not let it happen like this this way this long and this much the Justice do me it's not fair this isn't fair I shouldn't be hurting like this crying like this struggling like this discouraged like this where are you God [00:70:26]
and while we can all be spiritual and pretend we never think that way there are those times in our lives when God seems to be conspicuously absent unlocatable Joe put it this way he says I look North and couldn't find him I looked East I looked West I kept I kept looking and I couldn't find him the absenteeism of God the sense that my way is hidden from him he doesn't see what I see feel what I feel and understand what I'm going through and while we can intellectually know better it doesn't change the broken hearts shed tears or the enormous pain of life's reality [00:150:78]
when God speaks into their situation he does not speak scientifically technologically academically or philosophically he speaks theologically because he raises the issue in verse 28 do you not know have you not heard the Everlasting God the Lord the creator of the ends of the Earth does not become weary and tired his understanding is inscrutable he says when your world is real Evans members of Oak Cliff is falling apart this is not the time to run from him this is the time to run to him he says do you not know and then he throws out theological Concepts that we must keep in the front to lobe of our minds he is Everlasting his understanding is inscrutable and he's creator Everlasting omnipotent omniscience all-knowing all powerful and eternal [00:311:58]
you must Retreat to the character of God in the crisis of life regardless of the emotion in the circumstances their emotions are sad they want to know where he is and when life hits you and you're looking for God and you don't see him you have to retreat to what you know he's Everlasting which means he's not limited to time and space he's creator so his power is able to oversee overrule anything and his omniscience his understanding is inscrutable he is the unfigure-outable god let me serve notice on you right now God is hard to understand he can be extraordinarily confusing his understanding is inscrutable it doesn't off always add up you think he's going this way and he does a curve on you and he doesn't make sense [00:427:259]
Deuteronomy 29 29 says God has secret things things that he doesn't tell anybody things that he chooses not to explain sometimes he will explain sometimes it will give you reasons other times he will hold it close to the vest either for a time or for all time you can ask God a question but you can't question God let me say that again you can ask God a question but you can't question God now what's the difference to ask him a question is to say God would you help me to understand that to question God is to challenge him your children can ask you a question but that's different than your children challenging you when you ask a question you may or may not get an answer when you challenge you're demanding an answer God will allow a question he will not allow a challenge [00:523:56]
his understanding is inscrutable you try to figure out what God has chosen not to reveal and you're going to need all of Walgreens there Excedrin PM you're going to need all the walking to deal with the headache of his inscrutability he says you have to understand this because if you do not understand it when your world is unraveling then you will fall prey to the circumstances and not to the Creator Everlasting omniscient God who is overseeing the circumstances [00:617:94]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?