Standing Strong In The Midst Of Trials

STANDING STRONG IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS

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OUTLINE

1. THE TRANSFORMATION OF NAOMI

2. THE PATIENCE OF JOB

3. THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

4. THE VICTORY OF JEHOSHAPHAT

5. THE COURAGE OF DAVID

6. THE COMMITMENT OF SHADRACH ,MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO

7. THE TRIAL OF THE BELEIVER

THE MESSAGE

STANDING STRONG IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS

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1. THE TRANSFORMATION OF NAOMI

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Naomi had a bitter experience in life. She went to Moab with her husband and two sons in search of a better life. Sadly she lost her husband and two sons during her stay in Moab. She decided to return to her hometown Bethlehem. One of her daughters in law Ruth decided to accompany her back. When they came back everyone was excited at the return of Naomi. But Naomi told them not to call her Naomi which means ’pleasant’ but instead to call her Mara which means ’bitter’ . Naomi was very discouraged . She thought that there was no future for her. But the Lord had a great plan for her. Her daughter in law Ruth married a wealthy man named Boaz and had a son named Obed. And Naomi had the responsibility of bringing up the child and the child was called the son of Naomi. In her old age the Lord had a great purpose for her life . The Child whom she brought up was the grandfather of David in whose lineage the Lord Jesus Christ was born. We must not get discouraged by our present circumstances. Through the eyes of faith we must see the blessings that are waiting for us .

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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RUTH 1:1-5 , 19-21

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.

The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.

They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,

both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?"

"Don’t call me Naomi, " she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."

RUTH 4:13-17

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!

He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."

Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him.

The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

2. THE PATIENCE OF JOB

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Job had a bitter experience in life. He was a righteous man who pleased God and was greatly blessed . However he lost everything suddenly and his life was filled with sorrow and suffering . However he continued to trust in God and was patient in all his afflictions. Finally the Lord turned his captivity and gave him double blessing for all that he had lost. The Lord wants us to realise that through patience in tribulation we can also receive abundant blessings from God.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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JAMES 5:10-11

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

JOB 13:15

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

JOB 23:10

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

JOB 1:1-3 , 13-22