There are times that we face circumstances, situations and issues that seem insurmountable. At times it may even seem that such situations have come to drown us. As Christians, we might even have prayed and fasted; yet it may seem as if there is no way out; either because of the magnitude of the issue or because of how long it has lasted. If anyone has any pressing issue(s) as such; the message God asked me to bring to you this morning is “That thing or those things shall also come to pass”.
As children of God, the bible has many encouraging words for us when we go through difficult times. Two of such that have always helped me are:
James 1:1-4 – James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
I believe that there is a course in Christianity that is called Patience. Such that you can start with Patience 101. When you passed that course, you are given a certificate of Perfection 101; and then you move unto Patience 102; 103 etc. it is level by level. With God; you either Pass each course and be/promoted, fail the course and retake it or become static, or withdraw from the course and backslid.
I Cor. 10:13 – No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
It’s not strange. It’s common. God knows you can take it. He will make a way of escape for you.
There are several issues that can make the heart of a believer to become troubled. One of such is fruitlessness. The fruitlessness of the body; of career; of academics; of business; etc. When you work hard, and you are not seeing the commensurate result. When it looks like your efforts are wasted. It can be disheartening.
In I Sam. 1: 1-end, we have the of a woman that went through hard stuff. Hannah (grace/gracious) married to Elkannah (acquired of God); how could such a marriage be struggling to produce a child? Not only that Hannah was troubled with fruitlessness, she was being provoked and tormented by her co-wife (Penninah).
He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. (1 SAMUEL 1:2 AMP).
Hannah kept weeping, abstained from food and refused to be comforted. Three things that would not help her. She however still followed them to Shiloh year by year, which later proved to be very helpful.
Hannah’s story teaches us that there are certain issues in life that even your spouse as much as they love you cannot do for you, except God step in.
Elkanna said was he not more than ten sons to Hannah? Why marry another woman then? He was also giving Hannah double portion, instead of single portion, which was good. But Penninah would have received several portions, though a junior wife.
In life, I have found that people around can do one of four things to you when you are going through tough times: sympathise with you; be indifferent to your plight; make mockery of or ridicule you; or add to what you are going through.
The only Person who can truly help you is God.
God surely changed the story of Hannah, such that her fruitlessness came and passed. She became very fruitful. The barren became the mother of seven.
I Sam. 1:20 – Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. (KJV).
One of the things that is difficult to bear in life is when people make mockery of you. Especially when you know that you are doing the right thing. Jesting and ridicule can be very painful. Yet God can make it to come and pass.
In Gen. 7:1-10, people were making jest of Noah as he built the Ark. That ridicule went on for 120 years. It must have been very difficult to bear knowing fully well that God had spoken to him and no one would listen.
One day, rain began to fall. The prophecy came to pass. The people were stunned. It was however too late. They bit their tongue.
Those who are making mockery of you shall bite their tongue. Those who ridicule you now shall soon come to celebrate you.
When I joined the Nigerian Army, my friends thought I would run away from training. Many times, I had that feeling of running away; the six months we spent was like six years.
We were given calendar of training from the start with our Passing Out Parade date from the start. That day looked so far away. Guess what? The day came to pass. Those who ran away regretted on our passing out parade day. That was over 31 years ago. The day had come; and it had passed.
When I came home on a pass, my friends loved to wear my uniform, but they could not. It was not for civilians to wear. They would have been beaten outside. It takes a lot of pain and sweat to wear such uniform.
There is someone here, your mockery comes to an end today.
You will ridicule those who ridicule you.
Your laugh shall come last.
Those who mock you shall bite their tongues.
Difficult assignment to carry out can be very troubling; especially if you don’t have a clue how to start. Only God can give you the inspiration and wisdom.
In Gen. 24:1-67, Abraham sent his chief servant on a very difficult assignment. He was to go and get a wife for Isaac from their hometown. These were people who knew that Sarah was barren, as at the time they left home (65 and 75 years), no child. How could they later have had a child that was to marry?
The oath Abraham made Eliezer to swear to was a tough one in their custom, it gives no allowance for error. How could Eliezer determine the right lady that would love Isaac? With the kind of gifts Abraham sent, any lady could fall for it.
Guess what? It came to pass that God directed his path to the right lady for Isaac. From the first few Patriarchs in the bible; it was only Isaac that never had a second wife nor a concubine, even though, someone else chose his wife for him. That must have been God!
You are here, about 40 years of age. Your Isaac or Rebekah shall soon come to pass. Between now and 7 months, God shall comfort you.
Another difficult situation to bear is when people conspire and gang up against you. It’s like your voice is being drowned by the voice of many waters. Especially if the calibre of the people are high and mighty. It’s a state of helplessness and hopelessness.
The bible tells us that Korah, Dathan and Abiram together with 250 princes in Israel conspired against Moses for no reason (Num. 16: 1-50). The same bible tells us that Aaron and Miriam (the older siblings of Moses) also conspired against him because of jealousy, though he married an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1-15).
Both gang ups were tough on Moses. They came and they passed. Moses was vindicated and triumphed in both instances.
Many years ago, my father joined the British Army to fight in the 2nd World War. They were discharged when the war ended. He then joined the Western Region Ministry of Works. He became a Foreman, where he stagnated till he was retired because of conspiracy from his superiors, as he would not cheat on the government.
We were at home one day when a dispatch rider brought his letter of promotion in retirement! He was promoted twice. What would have taken 8 years took four months.
Every conspiracy against you is hereby foiled in Jesus name.
Those that gang up against you shall be scattered.
If your super-ordinates conspire against you, you will triumph.
If your coordinates conspire against you, you will triumph.
If your subordinates conspire against you, you will triumph.
If your family members conspire against you, you will triumph.
Lack and Poverty is an enemy. It can weigh one down. Even the bible says “money is a form of defence”. There are many errands money can run for you. Though there are. Lack of money can make one feel helpless and sometimes useless.
You will not suffer for money. Money will not disturb you.
Money will run errands for you.
In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the bible tells us about a woman who suffered lack with her family. Her husband was a man of God. One of the sons of a prophet. Known to prophet Elisha.
He was not a sinner. Yet he was poor. His sons were poor. He was in debt. He could not pay up till he died. He had no inheritance to clear his debt. His wife was equally poor. Poverty was reigning in their house.
Thank God the woman ran to where help could come from. She was able to pay her debts. She became a merchant.
There is something insignificant you have now that shall become a pleasant surprise to you.
You are planning to sell something to survive. You won’t need to sell that thing. For I will bring a surprise blessing your way.
Your creditors will be shocked how quickly you returned their money.
What must I do when I’m amid a crisis?
- Examine yourself. Make sure you are still in faith and in right standing with God. (Job 23:10).
- Don’t murmur against God nor blame Him. Not why me, but why this and why now? (Job. 1:22).
- Don’t break down. Satan will be happy. Video: Tears of saints derived from pain and anguish is very precious to Satan. Don’t allow a demon to be promoted on your behalf. (Acts 16:16-40).
- Don’t give up. The promise may tarry, wait for it. E.g. Hot feeding bottle for baby….
- Don’t be discouraged. One of the most potent weapons of the devil against children of God. It has always worked. Don’t allow it.
- Don’t lose your joy. That is the believers’ strength. When joy goes, strength leaves. Where there is no strength, life will soon end.
- Don’t worry. Worry leads to despair. Despair gives birth to lack of hope. When hope is lost, all is lost.
- Don’t be afraid. Fear has torment. It comes to steal one’s peace of mind. When peace is gone. Confusion sets in. Irrational action will follow. Note that the Thief cometh not, but to steal, to kill and to destroy. But Jesus has come to give life and to give it more abundantly.
- Rejoice in the Lord. God always delivers His own. (Phil. 4:4). Except it’s Divine time…
- Ask God what’s going on. What is the reason/secret behind the issue? Daniel was to be killed by Nebuchadnezzar because of the king’s dream. But it came to pass, that he was promoted instead.
- Be patient. Persevere. Life is full of hardship. If you faint, your strength was small. Don’t isolate yourself. Don’t quit fellowship. Don’t withdraw your service to God. None of these will help you.
- Continue to live a holy life. Don’t compromise your faith. Don’t compare yourself to sinners that seem to be making it. Their end shall reveal their means.
Gen. 8:22 – While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” (GENESIS 8:22 AMP). Plant your seed, expect harvest…
Rom. 8:28 – And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (ROMANS 8:28 AMP). Love God walk according to His plan and purpose, all things shall work for your good…
Isaiah 3:10-11 – Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their [righteous] actions. Woe (judgment is coming) to the wicked! It shall go badly with him, For what his hand has done shall be done to him. (ISAIAH 3:10-11 AMP). Continue to be righteous. There is something called ‘the fruit of righteousness’, you shall eat it in Jesus name.
Altar call
One of the promises of God is the second coming of Jesus. Guess what? It shall also come to pass. There shall be a separation of good people and bad people, sheep and goats, wheats and weeds.
Sheep are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour and are living right. Goats are those who either don’t care to accept Him; or those who failed to obey His words.
Which category are you? You can make a decision today. When that day shall come to pass, it will not unexpected for you.
Prayers
Father, don’t let me misjudge myself.
Father help me never to murmur against you.
Father, don’t let me break down in crisis.
The sermon was delivered on November 3, 2019.