From Tragedy To Triumph

Opening illustration: It was 1818 in France, and Louis, a boy of 9, was sitting in his father's workshop. The father was a harness-maker and the boy loved to watch his father work the leather. "Someday Father," said Louis, "I want to be a harness-maker, just like you." "Why not start now?" said the father. He took a piece of leather and drew a design on it. "Now, my son," he said, "take the hole-puncher and a hammer and follow this design, but be careful that you don't hit your hand."

Excited, the boy began to work, but when he hit the hole-puncher, it flew out of his hand and pierced his eye! He lost the sight of that eye immediately. Later, sight in the other eye failed. Louis was now totally blind. A few years later, Louis was sitting in the family garden when a friend handed him a pine cone. As he ran his sensitive fingers over the cone, an idea came to him. He became enthusiastic and began to create an alphabet of raised dots on paper so that the blind could feel and interpret what was written. Thus, Louis Braille opened up a whole new world for the blind--all because of an accident!

This morning we are going to look further into tragedy, and see what God does to turn our tragedy into a triumph. Have you suffered a great loss? Are you going through a tragic situation? If not now, you will likely face one. So, I want you to learn some truths from God’s Word that will help you. Let us turn to …

Introduction: At times, we can face tragic situations namely –

? We Could Lose Our Homes and Property (v. 1)

? We Could Lose Our Family (v. 2)

? We Lose Our Sense of Well-being – Notice some of the common reactions that people experience when they face tragic situations:

a) We Weep (v. 4)

b) We Become Greatly Distressed (v. 6)

c) We Look for Someone to Blame (v. 6)

d) We May Become Bitter (v. 6)

Have you ever experienced a tragic situation in life? Have you experienced a similar reaction? If you live along enough you most likely will face a tragic situation; one that causes you to cry profusely; one that could result in anger and bitterness. And when that happens, are you going to be defeated, or are you going to be victorious? Different people react in different ways to the same circumstances. David’s men were about to be defeated by their circumstances. Their emotions were clouding their judgment. If they had killed David, they would have shed innocent blood, and I believe they would have lost their leader and their families for good. I don’t want you to be defeated by the tragedies of life.

Instead, look to David as an example of how to be victorious over such tragedies. You see, David was a godly man. He gives a great example of what you should do when tragedy strikes.

What is the strategy to move from TRAGEDY to TRIUMPH?

1. Strengthen yourself in the Lord (vs. 3-6)

The Hebrew verb translated “strengthened himself” is reflexive (Hithpael). It is not passive. It does not say that God strengthen him. It says he “strengthened himself,” meaning, he was actively involved in doing what was necessary to find strength as he faced this tragic situation. The Hebrew conveys the notion of effort and personal responsibility in this situation. I believe that without God we can do nothing. I believe that salvation is of the Lord. Even our faith is a gift from God. Yet I also believe that faith requires a human response even though it is enabled by God (cf. Ephesians 2:8). The apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:12-13, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." So, we are personally responsible to do certain things in order to receive what God wants to do in and through us.

For example, from David’s example we see that:

(i) David could remember God’s love.

(ii) David could remember God’s promise and calling.

(iii) David could remember God’s past deliverances.

(iv) David took his only encouragement from the Lord.

(v) We Must Choose Not to Dwell on Our Problems - Make the effort not to let the sorrowful things, or the difficult things, or the fearful things in your life, absorb you. Instead:

(vi) We Should Turn to the Lord – We should do what Hebrews says, “look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith.”

(vii) Put Your Faith in Him – Psalm 37:7-9 says, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret — it only causes harm. For evil doers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.”