HOW TO FACE THE TRIALS OF LIFE

Genesis 12:10–20 HCSB

10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine in the land was severe. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live. 13 Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.” 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, so the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s household. 16 He treated Abram well because of her, and Abram acquired flocks and herds, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels. 17 But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave his men orders about him, and they sent him away with his wife and all he had.

Gen. 12:10-

INTRODUCTION:

1. One of the wonderful things about Scripture is that it doesn’t sugar coat its heroes.

All the men and women that God used in Scripture possessed character flaws.

Jacob was a liar and a swindler.

Solomon was polygamous like his father, David.

The disciples constantly failed Christ, even denying him before his resurrection.

Peter, specifically, had anger and pride issues.

2. This is also true with Abraham, who is called the father of those who believe ().

Even though Abraham is given as a model in the Old and New Testament of a man of faith, we see that men of faith fail.

The reality is - we all fail…we all have character issues.

Paul, possibly the greatest Christian that ever lived, said this in ...

Romans 7:15 HCSB

15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.

3. One of the great catalysts of sin in the life of believers and nonbelievers alike are trials.

Trials, like fire, demonstrate the weaknesses in our character.

4. With Abraham, one of the weaknesses of his character was lying.

5. With Abraham, one of the weaknesses of his character was lying.

And in this text, he lies about his wife to protect himself and almost loses her.

Maybe he learned to lie as a young boy & what we see in this passage…is that this pattern of lying is still in his life even after God has called him.

So, God allows a trial to come & expose and deal with this character flaw.

This pattern was still in the life of Abraham after his call, and God brings a trial to expose and deal with this character flaw. This trial did not eradicate his lying, but it brought it to the surface so God could begin to work on it in Abraham’s life. We see this character flaw again in , when Abraham lies to Abimelech to protect himself.

This trial didn’t eradicate his lying, but it brought it to the surface so God could begin to work on it in Abraham’s life.

We see this character flaw again in , when Abraham lies to Abimelech to protect himself.

What character flaws show up in your life while in a trial? Is it anger, impatience, anxiety, or even lying, as it was with Abraham?

5. As we look at this text, we learn principles about how to respond to trials in order to help us be more faithful in them.

6. Abraham doesn’t handle this trial correctly, and therefore, he is a model to us by his failure.

But Scripture teaches that even the failures of God’s people are meant to be examples to us.

1) Believers Must Expect Trials (v 10)

1. When Abraham gets to the land, there is a famine.

We aren’t told the cause of the famine.

“The cause could have been drought, diseased crops, a plague of locusts, or simply a failed harvest.”

2. Abraham was probably shocked.

He had left his family, home, and country to obey God’s command, and his obedience led him right into a trial.

His hometown, Ur, was near the Euphrates River, it was a very fruitful and rich area.

It was quite possible that Abraham had never experienced a famine before.

However, now, he and his family were in trouble.

NOTE: This is a common experience for those who follow God.

Often, we may feel that because we are following God we shouldn’t experience problems...But, that’s not true.

In fact, many times our problems increase because of following God.

Sometimes our problems are natural - We live in a fallen world, in which sin has affected everything.

There are droughts, tsunamis, sickness, and death - We are still affected by these things, even though we are following God.

But there is also spiritual warfare and sometimes persecution.

Satan doesn’t want us following God so he works very hard to discourage us and make us turn away from God.

That was his plan with Job.

He brought sickness, bankruptcy, and death, all for the purpose of making Job curse God...And ultimately, all trials are used by God to help believers grow.

They create perseverance, character, and hope in God.

Romans 5:3–4 HCSB

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

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NOTE: We should expect trials & problems.

Because of this reality, we should expect them. We can discern this not only from Abraham’s narrative but throughout Scripture. Joseph had a vision of his parents and brothers bowing down to him, and soon after, he was sold into slavery. Moses killed a man expecting to be Israel’s deliverer, and right after, he spends forty years in the wilderness. Elijah prophetically spoke against Ahab and Israel, and he was, immediately, sent to the Brook Kerith to be alone. Then, after some time, the brook dried up. Trials commonly come to those following God.

We can discern this not only from Abraham’s story but throughout Scripture.

Joseph had a vision of his parents and brothers bowing down to him, and soon after, he was sold into slavery.

Moses killed a man expecting to be Israel’s deliverer, and right after, he spends forty years in the wilderness.

Elijah prophetically spoke against Ahab and Israel, and he was, immediately, sent to the Brook Cherith to be alone...Then, after some time, the brook dried up.

Trials commonly come to those who follow God.

James 1:2 HCSB

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,

Notice that James says “when” not “if.”

He essentially says, we should expect trials.

1 Peter 4:12 HCSB

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.

NOTE: Trials are a part of life…and they are a part of following God.

We should expect them.

And tonight, you’re either going through a trial…coming out of a trial…or about to go into a trial.

2) Believers Must Recognize that with Each Trial Comes a Temptation (v 11-13)

1. The next thing we can discern about trials from Abraham’s example is that every trial comes with a temptation.

2. In this text, I think we see two possible failures from Abraham.

When the famine comes, Abraham immediately leaves the promised land and goes to Egypt.

Also, we see that he sets a plan to lie about his wife by saying that she is his sister to protect himself.

Ultimately, through both decisions, Abraham decides to rely on himself and his wisdom instead of God’s.

3. Now before I go on and talk about with the trial comes temptation…I want to briefly mention that trials are also a time of testing.

NOTE: God uses trials as a time of testing& purifying of His people.

John 15:1–2 HCSB

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.

He says, “every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will produce more fruit.”

Pruning is a cutting away of all the dead or damaged branches…and it implies pain.

Every branch that is fruitful, he cuts at it so that it can bear more fruit.

I believe this is what happened with Abraham.

He had been faithful, and now God prunes him so he can be more faithful and more fruitful.

God didn’t waste any time in preparing Abraham for the great call on his life.

He immediately sends him into the famine so he can start pruning him.

God wanted to cut away old habits, sinful attitudes, self-reliance, and the fear of man.

All these old attitudes were unfit for Abraham’s calling, and this is true for us as well.

NOTE: God will always send us into trials so that he can train us to become godly.

Hebrews 12:7 KJV 1900

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

James 1:2–4 HCSB

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-

These trials were meant to change them into the very image of Christ.

God uses trials & times of testing to change our lives.

God wants to use trials for our good.

He wants to make us stronger…He wants to make us better.

So, God uses trials to grow us & change us.

4. However, Satan wants to use trials as a means of temptation.

So, the question we need to answer concerning our passage is this - Why was it a sin for Abraham to leave the promised land?

(F. B. Meyer said, “In the figurative language of Scripture, Egypt stands for alliance with the world, and dependence on an arm of flesh.”)

Is.

Isaiah 31:1 HCSB

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the abundance of chariots and in the large number of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel and they do not seek the Lord’s help.

5. Now, it must be noted that throughout Israel’s history, God at times called his people to go to Egypt for safety.

We see this with Jacob and his family.

During a famine, Joseph was second in command in Egypt.

God spoke to Jacob & commanded him to go down to Egypt and informed him that one day he would bring his family back to the promised land.

Genesis 46:3–4 HCSB

3 God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back. Joseph will put his hands on your eyes.”

We also see the same thing with Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph.

When Herod was killing babies, God told Joseph to take his family down to Egypt.

Matthew 2:13 HCSB

13 After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.”

6. Therefore, the fact that Abraham left Canaan and went down to Egypt by itself doesn’t mean that Abraham sinned.

The problem seems to be the fact that he didn’t seek God.

He didn’t build an altar to seek God’s voice, and God never called him to go to Egypt.

Apparently, Abraham became anxious and tried to take things into his own hands.

Going to Egypt was a picture of his self-reliance.

The trial became a temptation…and Abraham failed.

He takes his family to Egypt and concocts a deceptive plan to protect himself.

NOTE: We must be aware that with every trial there is a temptation.

What God wants to use to help us grow…Satan wants to use cause us to fall.

What God wants to use to make us stronger…Satan wants to use make us stumble.

(Illus. When we are stuck in traffic, there is a temptation to become impatient, anxious, or even angry.

When there is conflict at work or in our family...there is a temptation to hold grudges, to respond harshly, or even to cut people off.

We must choose correctly.

We have the opportunity to grow in patience, love, and gentleness...or we have the opportunity to sin and build even deeper strongholds.)

NOTE: Every trial comes with an opportunity to grow or to fall further into sin.

Abraham had the opportunity to trust and seek God while in the famine or to trust himself.

Abraham chose to take things into his own hands and trust in his own wisdom, rather than relying on God.

He chose to sin instead of practice his faith.

(Illus. When we are stuck in traffic, there is a temptation to become impatient, anxious, or even angry…When there is conflict at work or in our family...there is a temptation to hold grudges, to respond harshly, or even to cut people off.

When there is conflict at work or in our family...there is a temptation to hold grudges, to respond harshly, or even to cut people off.

But we have to choose correctly…When trials come - we have the opportunity to grow in patience, love, and gentleness...or we have the opportunity to sin and build even deeper strongholds.)

When trials come - we have the opportunity to grow in patience, love, and gentleness...or we have the opportunity to sin and build even deeper strongholds.)

So let me ask you - What are your common negative responses to trials? Lying? Anger? Impatience? Throwing a pity party?

Satan knows your inclinations and those will be the very temptations you encounter in your trial.

If you will become aware of our tendencies and of what God wants to produce in us through the trial, we can respond better when the next trial comes our way.

In every trial, there is a temptation.

3) Believers Must Seek God’s Wisdom while in Trials

1. As we consider Abraham’s failure to seek the Lord in the trial, it gives us our next principle - We must seek the Lord’s wisdom in trials.

2. Again, Abraham headed straight to Egypt.

He didn’t build an altar and pray.

He didn’t question God or ask for his will in the situation.

He took everything into his own hands.

NOTE: Many times, we do this as well instead of seeking the Lord.

We get anxious and start scheming…plotting…and planning.

But if we’re going to respond correctly to trials…we must seek the Lord’s will for the trial and get his wisdom.

3. But how do we find God’s wisdom during trials?

A. We seek God’s wisdom through prayer.

James 1:5 HCSB

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.

In the context of teaching on trials, James says we must pray for wisdom because God gives generously to all who ask.

NOTE: Trials are meant to make us more dependent on God.

A trial is an invitation to pray and wait on the Lord.

Sometimes, His answer will be removing the trial.

Sometimes, His answer will be giving us perseverance to go through the trial.

But always, with His answer, he gives us wisdom to properly respond to the trial.

B. We seek God’s wisdom through Scripture.

Psalm 119:105 HCSB

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

David said that when he studied the Word of God, the Lord turned the lights on.

He could see what path to take.

NOTE: Scripture many times tells us exactly what to do.

And, where it doesn’t give us exact answers, it gives us wisdom principles.

C. We seek God’s wisdom through the counsel of mature Christians.

Many times God gives us wisdom through other believers. Scripture calls the church the body of Christ (cf. ).

One person is the eye...another is the hand or the feet.

Many times, we spiritually impoverish ourselves by neglecting the resources within the body.

Proverbs 11:14 HCSB

14 Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.

Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

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

NOTE: There is victory and protection when you have godly counselors around you.

NOTE: There is victory and protection when you have godly counselors around you.

4. Now, with all this said, Abraham didn’t have many of the resources that we have.

Abraham lived before Scripture was written.

He lived in a land full of pagans.

But God still had a way of communicating with His people.

He spoke audibly, sent an angel, or gave a dream.

And He still may choose to do those things today…but his primary revelation is through the Scripture.

So, when we go through trials, we must seek God’s wisdom.

4) Believers Must Consider Unbelievers while in Trials (v 17-20)

1. We as believers must consider the watchful eye of unbelievers while we’re going through trials.

One cannot but notice that an unbeliever—Pharaoh—rebukes Abraham who is supposed to be a blessing to the world.

One cannot but notice that an unbeliever—Pharaoh—rebukes Abraham who is supposed to be a blessing to the world. It seems that Pharaoh could discern that his sickness was Abraham’s fault, since everybody in Pharaoh’s palace had a skin disease except Sarah. They probably, then, questioned her and found out the truth—Abraham, the follower of God, lied.

It seems that Pharaoh could discern that his sickness was Abraham’s fault, since everybody in Pharaoh’s palace had a skin disease except Sarah.

They probably, then, questioned her and found out the truth—Abraham, the follower of God, lied.

2. Pharaoh was so upset his concluding words seem to Abraham seem to be very short.

In the original language, he said just four words: “‘Here … wife … take … go.’

3. In reply, Abraham says nothing.

What could he say?

He had lost his witness and stained his integrity.

The pagan king had shown himself more righteous than Abraham.

NOTE: This happens to believers all the time.

They go to the same places and do the same things as the world.

They respond the same way as the world when going through a trial and, therefore, lose their witness.

1 Peter 2:11–12 HCSB

11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.

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Peter said that we should abstain from sinful desires and live good lives so that pagans see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

He said that we should abstain from sinful desires and live good lives so that pagans see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. The implication seems to be that the pagans will glorify God because they came to Christ through our chaste witness during our trials. Did not Nebuchadnezzar worship God after the three Hebrews kept their integrity within their trial? God showed up miraculously and Nebuchadnezzar praised God. He said,

The implication seems to be that the pagans will glorify God because they came to Christ through our chaste witness during our trials.

(Illus. King Nebuchadnezzar worshiped God after the three Hebrews kept their integrity during their trial…God showed up miraculously and Nebuchadnezzar praised God.)

God showed up miraculously and Nebuchadnezzar praised God.

any god except their own God” ()

“Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God” ()

Daniel 3:28 HCSB

28 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent His angel and rescued His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

NOTE: How we respond in trials is very important.

How we respond in trials is very important. It is not only important for us and our families, but also for unbelievers—their lives could depend on it. says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

It’s not only important for us and our families, but also for unbelievers—their lives could depend on it.

says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

Colossians 4:5 HCSB

5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.

NOTE: Your trial may open a door for you to witness directly/indirectly to someone who doesn’t know Christ.

Your response to your trial could have an influence on someone else’s eternity.

5) Believers Must Keep Their Eyes on Christ while in Trials

1. What must stand out to us is that Abraham, who is the father of all who believe, called a friend of God, and given as a model for us to follow in Scripture, fails miserably.

2. Again, one of the great things about Scripture is that it never covers up the failings of its heroes.

David committed adultery and murder, and yet he is called a man after God’s own heart.

Peter and the rest of the disciples denied Christ in his greatest hour of need.

Paul, the apostle, fought with his co-worker, Barnabas—leading to a split.

3. If our great men fail, what hope is there for us?

In many ways, this story could be very depressing, but I think it reminds us of our need to focus on Christ.

Many have fallen away from the church when their pastors or spiritual leaders stumbled.

Instead of being marked by holiness, they were marked by pride, discord, and deception.

How can we stay faithful in trials if they don’t?

4. Certainly, Abraham, David, Peter, and Paul are models to follow...but they are models of men who failed God yet continued to follow him.

We need models of people who fail because we often fail and people fail us.

However, Christ is our perfect model, and we should keep our eyes on him.

If we focus on others, especially when they fail, we may find ourselves discouraged and ready to give up.

We must focus on Christ.

Hebrews 12:2–3 HCSB

2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.

5. Jesus is the originator and perfecter of our faith.

He is the only person that faced the full weight of temptation without failure.

Therefore, He is the only One that can enable us to persevere.

He can enable us to be faithful in our trials.

(Kent Hughes said:

“Jesus did not stumble when trials came. His faith never wavered. He did not look to his own devices but only to God. Abram was a great man of faith, but Christ is the perfect man of faith. Abram left his home and family in Ur to go to an unknown land, but Christ left heaven in obedience to the Father’s call. Abram is known for both his great faith and great failure. Jesus’ life was one of unexceptionable faith. His life was all in faith and by faith from beginning to end.”)

NOTE: When we are faced with trials, we must focus our attention on the one who saved us and who will perfect us — JC.

He is our model, and He will faithfully carry us to the end.

CONCLUSION:

1. Trials will come to all of us…and the reality is, we will get through them successfully…or we will fail.

2. When trials come, we will trust God & run to Him…or we will trust in ourselves & run from Him.

And what I have come to find out about trusting in myself & failing during times of trials is this...

First - God is gracious and forgiving.

Second - God doesn’t give me a pass on the test…Another trial will come…and I will have to decide whether or not I’m going to trust God or trust myself.

NOTE: When God is trying to develop you & work something out of your life…He will allow the times of testing to come.

And you have to choose how you respond.

You can get better or you can get bitter.

You can grow stronger…or you can stumble.

(Illus. Someone once said, "The same sun that melts wax, hardens clay.")

NOTE: The attitude with which we approach a problem will determine the effect it will have on us.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 HCSB

18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

3. He doesn’t say “give thanks for everything”…but “give thanks in everything”

In every situation…learn to be grateful…find something to be thankful for.

This is often a missing key to facing the trials of life.

Let’s pray!