Encouraging Words from the Word of God Message 10

Encouraging Words from the Word of God

Message 10

Psalm 81:16

Me:

Hiking in the woods

a. It’s a favorite pastime.

i. Some trails are smooth and easy (Tunnel Hill Trail)

ii. Other trails are uphill and rocky (Smoky mountains)

b. The smooth trails

i. Those are a joy to walk

ii. You get to look at the scenery

c. The rocky trails

i. You must watch your step

ii. If you fall it would not be pleasant

iii. I’m too old to be falling on rocky trails

iv. The going is tough, but they often have a surprise

v. A waterfall or a panoramic view

We:

The Trails of Life are like that.

a. Some trails are smooth

i. We like those

ii. A smooth trail would be like Sunday morning

iii. I like Monday morning

iv. A nice dinner

v. Time with family

vi. A favorite pastime

b. Some trails are rocky

i. Going to work

ii. Being sick

iii. A bill you can’t pay

iv. A broken relationship

v. A health problem that keeps you grounded

What’s you rocky trail?

Did you ever wonder?

i. God why don’t you just remove those rocks?

ii. I mean I am living for you.

iii. I love you Jesus

iv. If you love me, why wouldn’t you remove those rocks?

God knows what He is doing.

i. The older we get in our Christian walk

ii. The more mature we become

iii. We don’t really appreciate the rocks

iv. But one thing is true

v. We need the rocks

vi. I’m sure you have learned, as I have, that some of the sweetest experiences of life have come because of the rocks.

God:

Honey Out of the Rock

a. You can divide the Psalms three ways

Tears - Trust - Triumph

b. They follow this pattern

i. The psalm begins with tears and trouble, and the psalmist cries out to God.

ii. Then he gets his eyes off himself and his difficulties and looks to God in faith.

iii. When he does, a wonderful thing happens

His trials are replaced by triumph

His cries are replaced with singing

He finds honey from the rock

iv. Psalm 81:16 (NLT) — 16 But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”

Psalm 81:16 NLT

But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”

c. James mentions this

i. James 1:2–4 (NLT) — 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:2–4 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

1. Trials are not working against us; they are working for us!

ii. James is saying…

1. Don’t run around the rocks or stand there and expect God to remove them.

2. Instead, look for the honey that is sure to come from the rocks!

d. Paul says it this way.

i. Romans 8:28 (NLT) — 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28 NLT

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

ii. No matter how many rocks we may encounter as we go through life,

iii. We can always find “honey in the rocks”

iv. If we will turn everything over to the Lord.

You:

4. How do you handle the rocks

Complain?

i. We do this all too much

ii. Make a Facebook post about your rocks?

Ignore them?

i. Hoping it will go away

ii. Give up?

c. It really doesn’t matter the fault

i. Yours or some else’s

ii. God is using that rock to impact your life

iii. To impact it in a good way.

We:

5. Try this next time or this time

Show me the honey Lord.

i. What are you trying to tell me?

ii. I’m listening

God is always at work around us.