Suffering to Setup
Exodus 1:7-14
Ex 1:7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. (8) Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
(9) And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we: (10) Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and [so] get them up out of the land. (11) Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. (12) But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. (13) And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: (14) And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, [was] with rigour.
There are subjects in the church we try to avoid for whatever reason. Some subjects can be considered combative or controversial while others are just unpopular and can risk turning people away because they only want to hear feel good messages, especially within Pentecostal churches we tend to keep our services up here. Today I am tasked with showing and encouraging you as born again, blood bought believers and daily followers of Jesus Christ that your victories are not on the mountaintops but in valleys of everyday living.
To my veterans in the faith, my prayer is you will find encouragement today and for those of you who are new in your walk with Christ I pray your faith will increase so that when you are dealing with life that satan will not be able to sow seeds of doubt and discouragement in your faith.
Life in general is hard. I think we can all agree with that. There are just challenges we all face in this life. There are stresses and concerns we have. As children of God, life can become an even greater challenge because it’s not just the temporal, the physical we must deal with but now there is the battle over our spirit. Paul sums up our struggles in Ro 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I encourage you to finish chapter 7 and even read on into chapter 8. What Paul said in Roman can be summed up in Ga 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Since last fall my family is in the middle of life moments that honestly just don’t seem fair. Anyone else with me, you feel like everything is going wrong, there seems to be constant setbacks, troubles, and afflictions. You feel like every step is three steps backward. You are like where are the promises of God, why couldn’t God have warned me ahead of time, send me a dream or a vision or give me a word of knowledge that would help me through these moments.
I can imagine that the Children of Israel from my text felt the way we are feeling. God made the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12, God said to Abraham, And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. I can imagine them reciting these words to themselves but wondering why are we being afflicted and held in captivity to Egypt. We are supposed to be great, but we are making someone else great. This mighty nation that can’t be numbered among the stars or sands are asking where is the promises among the afflictions?
My text said (13) And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour (which means to break apart): (14) And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, [was] with rigour. The Egyptians were doing everything they could to break them for over 400 years. You know that there was some frustration in their faith. There was a promise, and they are holding to it but when and how can it come to pass. That’s how we feel right. God where are you, where is this promise, why am I dealing with this affliction I feel like my situation is trying to break me.
I was ready to take this message into a different direction by asking the question had you known what you would face would you still walk with the Lord in faith that He would take you to the promise but then I read something that changed the message and changed my thinking all together. Honestly, I can say that I somehow missed the rest of the Abrahamic covenant. This isn’t anything new, it’s well-known but I never put it together until now.
God would tell Abraham in Ge 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; God already told Abrham that before the promise there would be a process. Maybe like us we focus on the promise and not the process. It’s easy to keep the promises of God before us and remember the good parts of His promises while forgetting or not emphasizing how we will get there. God warned Abraham that during this process there would be affliction.
We hear these words; we know them but somehow, we forget them, and we think we are exempt from life. We have so many preachers telling us that we can have our best life now, all we must do is name it and claim, blab it and grab it, call it and haul it. That’s all a bunch of junk. God doesn’t bend at our will; it is His will, nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. David said in Ps 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Guess what God has also warned us that there is a process in the promise. That just like the Children of Israel we will go through some things. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation” being a Christian does not exempt you from a trouble-free life, the sun will rise on the evil and on the good, and …rain on the just and on the unjust. There is no guarantee you’ll never hear the word “cancer” or “terminal”. That you’ll never cry over wayward children. That you’ll never be lied on, or that you’ll never lose someone you love, or there won’t be times when you feel like quitting.
His word told us that this walk, this process would still have the same problems. The Bible says, Ps 34:19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble. When it comes to scripture you just can not take part of the scriptures, you must take His word in its entirety. I tell people all the time don’t just read and quote one verse you need to read what is above and below that verse to understand it as it was written. There have been to many false teachers that have weaponized God’s Word for religious control, legalism, and personal gain.
Ro 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Let me give you some word.
Pr 13:11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. (12) Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life. (13) Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Ps 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. (22) For [such as be] blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and [they that be] cursed of him shall be cut off. (23) The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand. (25) I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (26) [He is] ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed [is] blessed. (27) Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. (28) For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (29) The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (2) Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (3) Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (4) There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. (5) God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. (6) The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. (7) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (8) Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. (9) He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. (10) Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (11) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Ro 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (15) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Ro 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (3) For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (4) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (5) Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. (6) For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (7) But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. (8) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (9) Use hospitality one to another without grudging. (10) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (12) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. (29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (4) But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. (5) For every man shall bear his own burden. (6) Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Jesus said in Mt 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (4) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (6) And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (7) And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let me go back to what God said to Abraham and the affliction that would come, Ge 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; Ge 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
While they were afflicted 400 years and what looked like a broken promise. They were in Egypt which is known for its advancements in architecture, agriculture, and knowledge. They couldn’t see that while in captivity working for Egypt; building Egypt’s empire and economy that what was really happening was they were preparing for their promise. Their enemy was teaching them how to become a greater nation, Egypt was sharing their secrets of their success. They were developing skills and knowledge that would help them build their promise. The wealth that Egypt took in on their behalf was being stored up so that when God released them, their enemy would be writing the check to fund the fulfillment of their promise. Exodus12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: (36) And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. In their problem there becomes a producer for the promise. The rigour you are dealing with is not to break you but to build you.
Let me borrow the words of Joseph and say ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, through these situations your faith is growing, you’re learning to flourish in adversity. Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Mountaintops are great, there is something special about reaching the top. The view it provides the sense of wonder and accomplishments it can bring but have you noticed that when you compare the mountain top to the valley there is a noticeable difference. Mountaintops are harsh places, they are rocky, sometimes barren, the higher winds make it a difficult place for growth, water is limited, there is no fertileness in the ground, but when you look in the valley its lush, its fertile, there is growth and sustainability in the valley. Our growth and where we flourish is in the valley. Mountaintops give us a peak at where we are going but the valley is where we see our growth.
In this walk all the storms, the afflictions, all the persecution, all the setbacks, all the pain, all the trying is not to separate you from God but to draw you closer to Him. In the afflictions your faith should be growing, you should be growing, what used to trip you up years ago and cause you to fall should now result in you on your knees calling on the name of the Lord, worshipping and praising Him. While it may seem like we are always taking 3 steps back in the natural what is really happing is you are taking leaps forward in the spiritual. Ps 34:17 [The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. (18) The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (19) Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
