Basilea Schlink encourages believers to persevere through life's hardships, trusting that God uses every difficulty to draw them closer to Himself and ultimately lead them to victory and eternal glory.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink offers encouragement to those facing overwhelming difficulties by reminding them that God’s loving hand is behind every trial. She emphasizes that struggles with people and circumstances are purposeful, designed to draw believers closer to God and to cultivate enduring love. Drawing on the example of Jesus’ victory over temptation, Schlink calls listeners to persevere in faith, assuring them of ultimate victory and heavenly reward.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. Perhaps you know this, but in hours of despair, everything seems to fall apart. Perhaps difficult circumstances oppress you, and life with certain people becomes unbearable.
Do you feel you'd like to give up and throw everything away? Then listen to today's meditation by Basilea Schlink called, It's Worth It. In Matthew 11 30, Jesus tells us, My yoke is easy and my burden is light. And yet perhaps you tell yourself, I can't live under these circumstances anymore.
They oppress me too much. What can I do? Except these difficult circumstances, they come from the hand of God. And whatever comes from his hands has been thought out in love for you as his child.
Or perhaps you complain, I can't live with these people anymore. Listen to what helped me when I was in a similar situation. It was the knowledge that God had put these people in my life, especially for me, so that I would become shipwrecked in my difficulties.
Why? Because then my need would drive me into the arms of the Father. Through these problems of living together with difficult people, God wants to help us find real love, the love which comes from him and endures forever. This love will bring us true joy on earth and later the glory of heaven.
Therefore fight through all your temptations. Yes, fight the good fight of faith until the end. It's really worth it.
The Mount of Olives where Jesus fought with all the forces of hell became the Mount of Victory, the scene of his ascension to the Heavenly Father. By fighting against hell, you draw heaven down to yourself and later, when you've stood firm against the temptations and despair, you'll receive victory and the victor's crown. Then your way of suffering will end in glory as the way of our Lord Jesus did.
It was for you that Jesus went his way to the cross. He's paved the way for you to glory. Yes, glory is waiting for all those who come out of battles and temptations as conquerors.
Therefore, pray and sing with us. He has won the fateful fight, on Calvary's cross so dreadful. And when the struggle still runs high, then Jesus and his hosts are nigh, victory of our sins applying.
When done with night is battle hour, and we in wealth by Satan's power, the day's already dawning. So strive in faith that you will win, for Christ can conquer every sin. Christ's help means always victory.
He stretches out his strong right hand. Our foes before him cannot stand, and they are all defeated. Alleluia! Alleluia! You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan.
To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address.
God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Reality of Difficult Circumstances
- Life’s hardships can feel overwhelming and oppressive
- Temptation to give up is common in despair
- God’s hand is behind every circumstance
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II. God’s Purpose in Our Trials
- Difficult people and situations are placed for our growth
- Trials drive us into the arms of the Father
- Through suffering, we learn true, enduring love
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III. The Call to Persevere in Faith
- Fight the good fight of faith until the end
- Jesus’ victory on the Mount of Olives is our example
- Endurance leads to receiving the victor’s crown
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IV. Assurance of Christ’s Help and Victory
- Jesus has conquered sin and temptation
- His strong right hand defeats all foes
- Believers can confidently strive for victory
Key Quotes
“Whatever comes from his hands has been thought out in love for you as his child.” — Basilea Schlink
“Through these problems of living together with difficult people, God wants to help us find real love, the love which comes from him and endures forever.” — Basilea Schlink
“Therefore fight through all your temptations. Yes, fight the good fight of faith until the end. It's really worth it.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Trust that God is working through your difficult circumstances for your spiritual growth.
- View challenging relationships as opportunities to experience and develop God’s love.
- Persevere in faith by praying and relying on Christ’s strength to overcome temptation.
