Untitled Sermon (2)

I was watching the young man's message from last Sunday night and as he was preaching in Luke 8 about jireis's daughter and the woman with the blood disease and how through our life we need faith. I was thinking about my life verse. My verse I anchor myself too. Heres the deal Jireis's daughter had to get siick and die why to bring Glory to God. The Woman who had the blood disease had to get that disease why to bring Glory to God. There is blessing through the affliction. Text: Psalm 119:71 (ESV) "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes." — Psalm 119:71 Introduction Most people do not consider suffering to be good. We naturally pray for relief from pain, hardship, and trials. Yet the psalmist makes a surprising statement: "It is good for me that I was afflicted. " He is not saying affliction is pleasant, but that God used it for a greater purpose. That's how we as his should view what we are going through Sometimes God teaches us lessons in the valleys that we would never learn on the mountaintops. When things are all hunky dory we get to a point oh I don't need God in doing Good. We need to lean on him during affliction and mountain top moments. 1. Affliction Can Be God's Classroom The psalmist recognized that suffering became a place of learning. Trials have a way of stripping away pride, self-sufficiency, and distractions so that we listen more closely to God. The more I'm in this Book the more I realize I need More or Him James 1:2–4 reminds us that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. God often uses difficulties to mature His children. Have you ever been told Grow up-- Sadly in this world we have a lot of toddler Christians they look busy in the church buildings but deep down they aren't close to the king.  Folks I'm such a mess even if I take my eyes on Jesus to try and look at someone else's issues  I trip over all my own. Application: Instead of only asking, "Lord, why am I going through this?" ask, "Lord, what are You teaching me?" Some of us still are learning -- here's the day we will be learning till out last breathe. We don't need big heads thinking we have arrived What did Paul say I'm the chief of sinners. 2. God's Word Becomes More Precious in Trials The purpose of affliction was "that I might learn your statutes. " Pain drove the psalmist deeper into God's Word. When everything else fails, God's promises remain steadfast The Bible becomes our comfort, wisdom, strength, and hope during life's hardest seasons. Application: Let your suffering drive you toward Scripture rather than away from it. The more I deal with my life and the stuff around me the more I search this book. Things like lord why are so many Christians saying bomb and kill that whole nation to dust. When I read pray for you enemy's. I pray revival sparks in the country's that hate us and they come to the saving knowledge. 3. God's Goodness Is Seen Even in Hardship The psalmist looked back and saw that God had been faithful. Our God is faithful and just and merciful thank goodness What seemed painful at the time became a blessing because it drew him closer to the Lord. Romans 8:28 reminds believers that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. God never wastes our pain. Application: Trust God's purpose even when you cannot understand His plan. Conclusion Psalm 119:71 teaches us that God can transform affliction into spiritual growth. While we would never choose suffering, we can choose to trust the God who is sovereign over it. Every trial can become an opportunity to know Him more deeply, obey Him more faithfully, and love Him more completely. Closing Challenge When hardship comes, when all seems lost, when your government  fails you, when you seem alone ----remember: God is still good. God's Word is still true. God's purpose is still being accomplished. God's grace is still sufficient. Closing Prayer