8. The Man's Woes

Review

So far we have discussed

1. The Man's Will

2. The Man's Walk

3. The Man's Worship

4. The Man's Work

5. The Man's Warfare

6. The Man's Weapons

7. The Man's Weights

Introduction

The trials of life can tend to defeat us, but in actuality they should be tools to mold us, mature us, and propel us to greater heights. -Eldon Martens

Trials are just part of life for all of us:

Job 5:7 KJV 1900

Yet man is born unto trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

Job 14:1 KJV 1900

Man that is born of a woman Is of few days, and full of trouble.

But behind the scenes God has designed each trial for a purpose - for our good and for His glory!

Illustration: Years ago a small fishing fleet went our from a small harbor on the cost of Newfoundland. In the afternoon, a tremendous storm arose. By nightfall, not a single vessel of all the fleet had found its way to the harbor. All through the night, families, friends and acquaintances from the town paced up and down the beach peering into the darkness and praying that God would save their lost friends and loved ones.

Adding to their burdens, one of the cottages along the shore caught fire. Since all of the men were at sea they could not get back to the cottage in time to put out the fire.

When morning finally broke, to the great joy of the entire village, the fleet began to sail into the harbor. As the men walked up the pier to their waiting families cheers rang through the crowds. However, one of the men's wife was sobbing as she explained to her husband the news of their now burnt cottage. But to her surprise he shouted "Praise God"! He explained "My dear, it was the light of our burning cottage that guided the entire fleet back to home safely".

Romans 8:28–29 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Examples:

1. Three Hebrew boys in the furnace (standing for righteousness) Daniel 3:19-25

Nebuchadnezzar caught a glimpse of God as these boys were tried by fire!

2. Job (a man who endeavored to live a godly life)

Job 17:13 KJV 1900

If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

Job 19:18 KJV 1900

Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.

Often times a trial can feel like darkness- Job used this term several times as he referred to his situation

3. John the Baptist (Jesus said of those born among women there arose not a greater)

But, as he lay in his prison cell for preaching the gospel - he sent messengers to ask if Jesus was indeed who he said he was!

Luke 7:19 KJV 1900

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

Under the weight of trials many have wondered "why ?", but the more appropriate questions is "what ?"...... What is God trying to teach me through this trial?

Psalm 30:5 KJV 1900

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Quote: "We don't live by explanations, we live by promises" Warren Wiersbe

Romans 11:33–36 KJV 1900

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Quote: "Where reason cannot wade, faith must swim" - Thomas Watson

CAUTION: Our attitude must not reach the point where we are willing to "do something about the situation" or "grab the bull by the horns"

The Bible is full of examples of this and none of them turned out very well.

Abraham & Sarah & Hagar- Ishmael (Genesis 16)

Illustration: The cocoon of the Emperor moth is flask shaped (like a chemistry lab bottle). In order for this beautiful, perfect insect to emerge, it must force its way through the extremely narrow neck of the cocoon by hours of intense struggling. It is believed that the pressure to which the moth’s body is subjected is a provision of nature for forcing the insect’s fluids into the vessels of the wings, allowing for the proper development. 

One day, a well-meaning individual was watching this struggle and out of pity took some scissors and snipped off some of the confining threads. Those threads seemed to be hindering the moth’s escape, and the individual wanted to make it easier for the moth to be freed from the cocoon. However, the moth’s wings never developed, and it spent its brief life-span crawling on the ground instead of soaring through the air using its beautiful rainbow wings. Out of struggles, we develop the strength to soar to new heights by His grace.

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

"but let patience have her perfect work" - we must allow the work to be done! We can hinder the work God is trying to do!

I. Trials Strengthen & Develop Our Faith

Many times troubles can reveal the measure of our faith:

Proverbs 24:10 KJV 1900

If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.

But trials can also strengthen our faith:

2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 1900

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.

Why did Paul say that he could take pleasure in infirmities?

- Because he realized what the result was

There is little growth on the mountain top- the valley is where the fertile soil resides.

Quote: There are some of your graces which would never be discovered if it were not for your trials. - Charles Spurgeon

II. Trials Are Given to Humble Us

One of the greatest hindrances to fellowship with the Lord is pride.

James 4:6–7 KJV 1900

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:10 KJV 1900

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Illustration: How many times have we watched some sports star strut their stuff only to let their pride bring them low. Celebrating after a touchdown- it can get out of hand and become prideful.

1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV 1900

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Illustration: Trials are like the shaping of a rock. If you had a 1000 lb granite stone that was a perfect square there are several things you could do to move the stone. One of the ways you could accomplish it would be to chisel the sharp edges off to make a sphere. Then the stone could be rolled. Many times this is exactly what God is doing with us.

III. Trials Reveal What We Really Love

What has our affections?

Matthew 22:37 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

IV. Trials Direct Us to Our Heavenly Home

Many time this world becomes to pleasant for us. We are to be pilgrims just passing through. It is often a trial that reveals to our hearts the absolute wasteland this world truly is.

Philippians 3:20 KJV 1900

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

V. Trials Enable Us to Minister to Others

Luke 22:31–32 KJV 1900

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 KJV 1900

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.

Hebrews 2:18 KJV 1900

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.