We Can Trust In The Lord

[2] If you are ever tempted to doubt God's help, remember the penalty He suffered. -- And remember the ability He shows.

*Verse 18 says: "He is ABLE to succor them that are tempted." Jesus Christ is able! And He has shown it time after time to those who are willing to see.

*Pastor Richard Andersen gave this testimony in 1997: "About 10 years ago I was fortunate enough to travel to Switzerland and see the magnificent Alps. But I am never content just looking at mountains. I must climb them as well.

*So while I was there I decided to hike to the top of one of the smaller mountains just above where I was staying. It was a gorgeous day when I began and since the trek wasn't very steep I didn't bring along much equipment. I thought I'd get to the top and be back for supper. When I reached about the halfway mark, suddenly an enormous black cloud came swooping down.

*Before I even had the chance to put my jacket on it began to rain. I was soaked to the skin. But then the rain turned into snow, and things began to look very, very bad. I didn't even a warm jacket. I was above the tree line so there was no shelter whatsoever. I knew it would take me hours to get back down. And by then I could be frozen to death, as the storm became more and more fierce. But what choice did I have?

*I began to pray asking God to show me the way. And suddenly I had the impulse to start heading upward, towards the top. My mind kept telling me this made no sense at all. I should at least try to get down, but here I was struggling to go even higher. How foolish. And yet I somehow sensed this is where God was directing me.

*After a short time I could hardly walk. I was so cold and everything seemed hopeless. And yet I was given the strength to reach the ridge that was above me. Lo and behold, on the other side of that ridge there was a small cabin, with smoke rising out of the chimney. It was a cabin that seemed to come out of nowhere for it was the first one I had seen all day.

*I made my way down to it and was greeted by a wonderful Swiss couple, who were just as surprised to see me out in such terrible weather. They fed me and put me up for the night. And just before I went to bed, the old man said to me, 'Thanks be to God that you found this place.' (5)

*God led Richard up the mountain to the only safe place he could possibly reach. It didn't make sense to Richard, but God was leading him the right way. And your life may not make sense to you right now, but Jesus Christ will lead you in the way you should go.

*He wants to lead us on the upward path to Him. He wants to give us great faith along the way, and we can trust the Lord. Have you ever done that? Put your faith in Jesus Christ right now, as we go to God in prayer. And keep trusting in the Lord.

*Would you please bow for prayer

(1) Adapted from online sermon #1287 - "PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS" by David Holwick - Ephesians 6:10-13

(2) Adapted from "Guideposts" - June, 2000 - p. 25

(3) "Believer's Bible Commentary" by William McDonald - Edited by Arthur Farstad - Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Copyright 1995, 1992, 1990, 1989 - Hebrews 2:1-18

(4) "Dynamic Illustrations" - April-May-June, 2001 - Conversion

(5) Dr. Richard Andersen quoted in Dynamic Preaching, April, May, June, 1997