Title: A Bottle in the Smoke (Psalm 119:83)

Announcements:

1. Rana sir’s wife operation healing

2. Prem Kumar Sharma's death anniversary ko shanti prathna 3rd sept 08:30 AM

3. Lord's supper next Sunday

4. Fasting prayer next Saturday.

Title: A Bottle in the Smoke (Psalm 119:83)

धूवाँमा राख्‍दाराख्‍दा खुम्‍चिएको दाखमद्यको मशकजस्‍तो म भइसकेको छु, तापनि तपाईंका विधिहरू मैले बिर्सेको छैनँ।

I. God's People Have Their Trials/Aapat Bipat

Explanation:The metaphor of "a bottle in the smoke" vividly captures the reality of the trials and sufferings that God's people endure,

a bottle made of animal skin would hang in a tent or a home and become blackened, dried out, and shriveled by the smoke of the fire used for warmth and cooking.

This imagery helps convey the idea that believers, too, are exposed to the "smoke" of life's difficulties, which can mar and weaken them.

Details:

Purvaniyat Pariksha/Predestined Trials: Trials are not random or accidental; they are part of God's sovereign plan for His people.

Just as smoke is an inevitable consequence of fire, so trials are inevitable in the life of a believer.

God, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained specific trials for each of His children to shape their character and strengthen their faith.

Poverty and Trials: The metaphor of the bottle in the smoke can be particularly sad for those who live in poverty.

In humble circumstances often face more intense trials—like the poor, who are more exposed to the elements and more likely to have their "bottles" blackened by the "smoke" of life’s hardships.

This reminds us that suffering is not limited to the wealthy society/community/church but is often more difficult among the less fortunate.

Comforts Bringing Trials: Interestingly, the very things that bring comfort, like the warmth of a fire, can also bring trials.(River, Rains, Jobs)

The relationships and possessions we cherish can become sources of worry.

For example, a loving family can also bring deep concerns about the spiritual well-being of each member.

Wealth can lead to fears about its loss or mismanagement.

Thus, trials can arise even from our blessings,

These trials are often used by God to keep our focus on Him rather than on worldly comforts.

II. Christian Men Feel Their Trials

Explanation:The image of a bottle blackened and shriveled/chaurieko by smoke illustrates not only the reality of trials but also the deep Bhavnatmik/emotional and Aatmik/spiritual impact these trials have on believers.

Christians, far from being stoic or unfeeling, are often more sensitive to the pain of trials because they understand their purpose and source.

Details:

Sensitive to Trials: Christians are not immune to the pain of trials.

In fact, because they have a tender conscience and a deep awareness of God's holiness, they often feel the weight of their trials more acutely.

This sensitivity is a sign of spiritual life;

a dead or unfeeling heart would not recognize the trials as something significant.

Purpose of Feeling: The feelings that arise from trials are not to be dismissed or suppressed trials are meant to be felt because they are part of God's refining process.

When a believer feels the pain of a trial, it drives them to seek God more earnestly and to rely more fully on His grace.

The pain is a tool in God's hand to draw the believer closer to Him.

It reminds me of Army who are trained day and night for a that is certain but the time is unknown.

Armey cadet are not allowed to sit idel besided the allotted time of rest, they are put to work not matter of weather.

to desciplined to follow the commands of captain.

who is our captain?

whose commands you follow?

don’t just randomly answer, but remember only the fittest cadedt receives award.

are you the fittest cadet?

Revealing Our Blackness: Just as the smoke reveals the blackness on the bottle, trials reveal the Trutipurn/imperfections and sin in the believer's heart.

Trials are like a mirror that shows us our true spiritual state, often revealing pride, selfishness, or lack of faith.

This revelation is not meant to Ninda/condemn us but to lead us to repentance and greater Nirbhar/dependence on God.

Sense of Bekar/Uselessness: Under the weight of trials, believers may feel like the blackened, shriveled bottle—useless and unfit for service.

This sense of uselessness can be Bharipan/overwhelming,

but it is also a reminder that our worth and Upyogi/usefulness come not from our own strength but from God's grace working in and through us.

When we feel empty, it drives us to be filled with Christ's power.

Emptiness in Trials: trials often leave believers feeling empty, devoid of strength, hope, and sometimes even the will to continue.

This emptiness is not an end in itself but a means to a greater end:

it forces the believer to rely entirely on Christ, who alone can fill the void and provide the strength needed to endure.

III. God's People Do Not Forget God's Statutes in Their Trials

Explanation:Despite the intensity of trials and the deep feelings they evoke, “True believers” do not forget God's statutes.

The Word of God remains a constant source of comfort, guidance, and strength, even when everything else seems dark and overwhelming.

Details:

Enduring Faith: The Psalmist’s declaration, "I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes," is a powerful testimony to the resilience of faith.

when believers feel overwhelmed by their trials—when they feel blackened and shriveled by the "smoke" of suffering—they hold fast to the Word of God.

This steadfastness is a sign of genuine faith, which clings to God's promises even in the darkest times.

Scripture as a Comfort: For believers, the Bible is more than just a book; it is a lifeline.

In times of trial, when everything else seems uncertain or hopeless, the Scriptures provide a solid foundation on which to stand.

believers to immerse themselves in God's Word, finding in it the comfort, strength, and wisdom needed to navigate through trials.

The Role of Trials: Spurgeon suggests that trials serve a crucial role in deepening the believer’s relationship with God.

When trials come, they often strip away all other supports, leaving the believer with nothing but God’s Word to cling to.

This deepens the believer’s dependence on God and strengthens their faith.

The trials may be painful, but they are also purifying, burning away the dross and leaving the believer more fully devoted to God.

Refinement through Trials: Just as gold is refined in the fire, so believers are refined through trials. The "smoke" may blacken and shrivel the bottle, but it also serves to purify the believer’s faith, making it more genuine and precious in God’s sight. Spurgeon encourages believers to view their trials not as curses but as blessings in disguise, meant to draw them closer to God and conform them more fully to the image of Christ.

Let us close our eyes.

Lets imagine us as the blackend bottle in the smoke.

and ask ourself have we remembered his statutes?

If your past sickness turned you into blackend bottle and made you aacept source of medicine whic is forbidden in Bible lets turn to God and seek forgivness.

If your povert has made you accept unlawful wealth as bribe or have earned money by dishonesty seek forgivness.

If your desier of flesh led you into unwanted sexual act seek forgivness before God expose it.

If your desier of flesh led you into fight act seek forgivness.

if your anger led you to hurt someone seek forgivness.

Have you cheated someone in relationship. seek forgivness

raise you voice and pray to God

Stop trying to fix things by your own

Surrender to him and glorify him.

Declare that he is the source of strength

pray that even if you become blackend bottle God will be your source strength. and his law never departs from you.

This detailed explanation of Spurgeon's sermon highlights the profound spiritual lessons that can be drawn from the metaphor of "a bottle in the smoke," encouraging believers to trust in God's sovereignty, find comfort in His Word, and embrace the refining work of trials in their lives.