When Crisis Hits Our Lives

When Crisis hits our lives

Lamentations 3 selective verses

Prayer-

Introduction-

Wednesday was All Saints day. I do not preach the church calendar often because it dictates almost every week what should be preached. All Saints day is unique because it comes right after Halloween. I think it funny, All Saints day coming right after Halloween.

Halloween has been so commercialized that All Saints day is overshadowed. Halloween in Western Culture has been in the selling of more candy, costumes, and the best way to scare those around you. They play all the songs that have the theme of ghouls and goblins.

Thriller… Michael Jackson people coming out of the grave.

Monster mash… Monsters having a party.

Show the movie Ghost Busters a 100 times.

Halloween is three words put together. All Hallows evening actually was a night where believers would pray and go into the forest and ring the church bells to remember those that have died for their faith.

Remembering those that have gone before us is one way that keeps us focused on our own race to finish strong in the journey the Lord has of us.

Remembering God’s goodness to us is another way that helps us when we are going through a tough time. It helps us to not focus on the situation, but to remember that this will not last forever and the situation does not define who we are in Christ.

Too many times, we let our situation and circumstances dictate how we act, how we feel, and if the Lord loves us.

The text this morning is a cry of help from the prophet Jeremiah as he felt that God had abandoned him and felt isolated and alone in his situation.

Here’s what I want you to see this morning-

You have to persevere- Quitting is not an option.

The Hope of God comes from our brokenness.

When Crisis hits (and it will)… Draw closer to God not farther away.

The Prophet Jeremiah is a mess. In Lamentations 3 we see a broken and confused man of God that has Ah ha moment with God that changes his live and his circumstances.

Ah ha moment is the moment we realize what God is doing and we get on board.

Lamentations 3:1-6 read as the heart of a broken man.

Lamentations 3:12-18 read as a man that is depressed and discouraged.

In his brokenness, he remembers God’s past goodness and his promises.

Lamentations 3:21-

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.” (His Ah ha moment)

“My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.

(Verse 55- 66) Read with the encouragement that God has heard his cry and is answering him.

Quitting is not an option folks! (point number one)

The Christian life is not easy! It is hard.

We encounter problems.

We have struggles.

We feel like quitting, but we must hold on until the Lord intervenes in our situations.

We miss God’s best because we give up just before a breakthrough comes.

When your strength is gone, God is our strength.

When it is the darkest does not mean God has abandoned you, it just means you cannot see him working.

Warren Weirsbe-

“Those times when you feel like quitting can be the times of great opportunity, for God to use your troubles to help you grow,”

We have all felt those times and cried out to God “Why is this happening?” we have all said “God, I cannot do this without you”

In Christ, all things are possible! (Repeat)

Psalms 46”1- “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of our trouble.”

Deuteronomy 3:16- “So be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you or abandon you.”

Philippians 4:13 - “For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Hebrews 10:23- “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Quitting is not an option!

The Hope of God comes from our brokenness

The world tells you when you hit rock bottom pull yourself up. When you get to the lowest point, the only way is up. The Christian has to discover that at the times we hit rock bottom is the time that the Lord helps us discover the Rock! Jesus Christ!

Lyrics to chain breaker/ Zach Williams

If you been walking the same old road for miles and miles.

If you have been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies.