Saturday Night Devotions

Trials

Trial definition: A test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.

Merriam Webster: a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation.

Tribulation: A state of great trouble or suffering.

Merriam Webster: distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution.

Biblical Examples: Joseph, Job, David, Jesus,

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV 1900

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

John 14:27–28 KJV 1900

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

John 16:33 KJV 1900

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; I have overcome the world.

I. Relying Solely on God.

Psalm 46:1–3 KJV 1900

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Exodus 15:2 KJV 1900

2 The Lord is my strength and song, And he is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; My father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Psalm 34:17 KJV 1900

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, And delivereth them out of all their troubles.

II. My Expectations:

Psalm 62:5 KJV 1900

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; For my expectation is from him.

III. Faith: Forsaking All Trusting In Him

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

IV. Grace: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

V. Biblical Love for those that have hurt/wronged us.

John 15:12–13 KJV 1900

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 12:18 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.;

I Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things

VI. Seeking God’s will:

Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Proverbs 11:14 KJV 1900

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Psalm 37:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

VII. Praying without ceasing:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Pray without ceasing.

James 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Jeremiah 33:3 KJV 1900

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV 1900

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 18:6 KJV 1900

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry came before him, even into his ears.

1 John 5:15 KJV 1900

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

VIII. Trust:

2 Samuel 22:3 KJV 1900

3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, My saviour; thou savest me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:30–31 KJV 1900

30 For by thee I have run through a troop: By my God have I leaped over a wall. 31 As for God, his way is perfect; The word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

IX. Continue:

2 Timothy 3:13–17 KJV 1900

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

X. Forgiveness:

Colossians 3:12–14 KJV 1900

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Matthew 6:14–15 KJV 1900

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

XI. Giving Thanks

Colossians 3:15 KJV 1900

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.