(1) God takes that which was intended for bad and turns it to good.
He redeems it to accomplish His purposes. Despite the negative circumstances, God is at work behind the scenes. Satan inspired men to deliver Jesus to death, but God redeemed it for good. His death resulted in salvation and resurrection life.
God demonstrates His power when He takes your suffering and uses it to accomplish His purposes. There are no accidents or chance happenings in the life of believers because God:
Ephesians 1:11 "...worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."
(2) God turns natural losses to spiritual gains. Paul wrote of his losses in the natural world:
Philippians 3:7, 8 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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."
(3) Your human weakness provides opportunity for the demonstration of the power of God.
Paul knew that the weakness of God is stronger than men according to 1 Corinthians 1:25.
That's why God told Paul:
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness"
This is why Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10:
"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
(4) To test your faith:
Everything in the spiritual world is based on faith. This is why the strength of your faith must be tested:
1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
It is a trial of faith when you pray as Jesus did, for God to let the cup of bitterness pass, and yet it does not pass. Instead, you are forced to drink deeply of its suffering. Faith will learn that our prayers are not unanswered just because they are not answered the way we want.
(5) To equip you to comfort others:
2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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."
When you share God's comfort with others you:
Hebrews 12:12, 13 "...lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."
Paul knew that the weakness of God is stronger than men according to 1 Corinthians 1:25.
That's why God told Paul:
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness"
This is why Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10:
"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
(4) To test your faith:
Everything in the spiritual world is based on faith. This is why the strength of your faith must be tested:
1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
It is a trial of faith when you pray as Jesus did, for God to let the cup of bitterness pass, and yet it does not pass. Instead, you are forced to drink deeply of its suffering. Faith will learn that our prayers are not unanswered just because they are not answered the way we want.
(5) To equip you to comfort others:
2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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."
When you share God's comfort with others you:
Hebrews 12:12, 13 "...lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."
No comments:
Post a Comment