Day 307: Knocked Down But Never Knocked Out
Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7 - 14, Hebrews 12
The Bible clearly promised it, "Man that is born of a woman is of few
days, and full of trouble." Job 14:1. The Psalmist promised it, sang
about it, then prayed about it, "The days of our years are
threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore
years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off,
and we fly away." Psalm 90:10. Rabbi Jesus had promised it then spoke words of
the greatest hope! John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto
you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation: but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world."
Whether we want it or not, look for it or not, we are all going to have
trouble!
Funny how life works out sometimes isn't it? Something
everybody has that nobody wants is troubles! Everyone has troubles!
Some of us have just come through some troubles. Others are in trouble
right now. Some are headed for trouble! But, I’m glad I can take you to
the second point of this message which is while we have all been knocked
around, and knocked down we have not been knocked out of this Christian
life. Paul in his words is essentially telling us Defeat is an
attitude, Joy is a Decision. Paul exhorts the Christian church at
Corinth the Christian life is tough but we are so much tougher. "You
might give me a bruise, but I’m not going to lose, God has won!"
Surely, God will deliver you from trouble! Surely, our God will deliver you through the trouble! If life brings you to it, then surely God will see you through it to the victory at the end! You will absolutely come out of it in complete victory to stand
back up on your own two feet once again, much greater and much stronger
than before. This is not to say that your best, sole source of confidence should be just
the Lord our God and yourself alone: (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) "Two
are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that
is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up... A cord
of three strands (you, a brother or sister in Christ and Jesus Christ) is not easily broken."
The long and the short of trouble is this:
If you want to be distressed - look within. If you want to be defeated -
look back. If you want to be distracted - look around. If you want to be dismayed - look ahead. However, if you want to be delivered - look up to see the great cloud of witnesses and Jesus who have already gone ahead
and before you (Hebrews 12:1 - 2). Do not grow weary (Hebrews 12:3)
"Consider him who has endured from sinners such hostility against
himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." Pick
yourselves up (Hebrews 12:12). So, move on, march out into the
victorious life (Hebrews 12:13 - 16), for it's God who gives it (Hebrews
12:28,29)!
Let Us Pray: Sing this day the song of hope in God
in times of trouble, both great and small. Look unto the heavens from
whence your victory will surely come and deliver you. In the name of
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, pray yourselves through Psalm 91.
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Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7 - 14, Hebrews 12
The Bible clearly promised it, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble." Job 14:1. The Psalmist promised it, sang about it, then prayed about it, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." Psalm 90:10. Rabbi Jesus had promised it then spoke words of the greatest hope! John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world." Whether we want it or not, look for it or not, we are all going to have trouble!
Funny how life works out sometimes isn't it? Something everybody has that nobody wants is troubles! Everyone has troubles! Some of us have just come through some troubles. Others are in trouble right now. Some are headed for trouble! But, I’m glad I can take you to the second point of this message which is while we have all been knocked around, and knocked down we have not been knocked out of this Christian life. Paul in his words is essentially telling us Defeat is an attitude, Joy is a Decision. Paul exhorts the Christian church at Corinth the Christian life is tough but we are so much tougher. "You might give me a bruise, but I’m not going to lose, God has won!"
Surely, God will deliver you from trouble! Surely, our God will deliver you through the trouble! If life brings you to it, then surely God will see you through it to the victory at the end! You will absolutely come out of it in complete victory to stand back up on your own two feet once again, much greater and much stronger than before. This is not to say that your best, sole source of confidence should be just the Lord our God and yourself alone: (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up... A cord of three strands (you, a brother or sister in Christ and Jesus Christ) is not easily broken."
The long and the short of trouble is this: If you want to be distressed - look within. If you want to be defeated - look back. If you want to be distracted - look around. If you want to be dismayed - look ahead. However, if you want to be delivered - look up to see the great cloud of witnesses and Jesus who have already gone ahead and before you (Hebrews 12:1 - 2). Do not grow weary (Hebrews 12:3) "Consider him who has endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." Pick yourselves up (Hebrews 12:12). So, move on, march out into the victorious life (Hebrews 12:13 - 16), for it's God who gives it (Hebrews 12:28,29)!
Let Us Pray: Sing this day the song of hope in God in times of trouble, both great and small. Look unto the heavens from whence your victory will surely come and deliver you. In the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, pray yourselves through Psalm 91.
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