Help In The Time Of Trouble Series

Help in the Time of Trouble

Isaiah 40:28-31

Text: 41:10

Opening Song: Praise Him, Praise Him -- Jesus,

Bleesed Savior is worthy to be Praised.

Prayer: Father the task of preaching your Gospel is once again in my keeping. I commit myself to do the very best that I can. Clear my mind of distractions, warm my heart with compassion, and fill my soul with faith in your goodness and power. Speak to me that I may speak for you. Speak through me that I may speak to those who wait to hear your unadulterated gospel. Right now Lord I ask that you remove self, I ask that you remove pride -- increase in me and I decrease in you; hide me behind your cross. Now Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. My Lord you are my strength and my redeemer. This is my prayer.

For our scripture let us consider the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 40:28-31; 41:10. For our text let us focus in chapter 41:10. It reads:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Subject: Help in the Time of Trouble (repeat)

Turn to your neighbor and say, “Neighbor, I don’t know about you -- but I need some help, in the time of trouble”

Text:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Subject: Help in the Time of Trouble

Before we go any further -- let us get a better understanding of the word trouble. Webster defines trouble as distress, affliction, danger, or need. It goes on to define it as pain, disease or malfunction; the cause of confusion, to inconvenience or bother.

Now I don’t know which one of these definitions fit you -- but I came to tell you that there is Help in the Time of Trouble (repeat)

Trouble! Throughout the bible, God often used trouble to shape, grow, and discipline His people. Today, most of us would readily admit that we are shaped by our past and present experiences in life. Each of our life experiences, the good and the bad, can remind us of our dependence on God. He is the source of every good thing, as well as -- the one who strengthens, guides, and helps us -- in times of trouble.

Now, I don’t want to confuse you -- so let me set the record straight, God does not just shape you during your times of trouble. He is also able to shape a man through blessings. Lets us consider Job for example. A man of many blessings -- but never the less grew a character in him that continued to trust God. Job trusted God when troubles came into his life -- even when tragedy left him with nothing.

Unfortunately brothers, more often than not -- it is only in the time of trouble that when men seem to turn to God. It is in the time of trouble -- that men learn God alone is able to handle all they face.

I don’t know why, but in time of serious crises men somehow realizes their dependence on God’s love. Now, that is not a problem, there is nothing wrong with that -- because God can and does use every day and every circumstance to teach and deliver us.

Let me try to get my point across from another angle --

In doing so, lets look at another Old Testament Saint. Let us consider Moses. You see Moses from his birth to his death -- his whole life was being shaped and molded by God. Ya’ll know the story -- you see God searched for a man to fashion into an instrument to lead -- His people out of the bondage of slavery -- into freedom and into a new relationship with Himself. Well guess what, God appoint Moses to do the job. Ya’ll know Moses -- the shepherd, and a murderer on the run -- this goes to show the power and of God.

I’m talking about -- Help in the Time of Trouble

Some of you may have done some things that you want to forget, but I came to tell you that God would use those tragedies of your past to deepen your dependence upon him. One good thing about that is, it is through our tragedies of life that often force us to cry out to God.

I stopped by to tell you tonight -- that God wants to help you in your time of trouble.