When Problems and Troubles Arise
Basilea Schlink teaches that God allows problems and troubles to awaken us to repentance, deepen our faith, and experience His redeeming power through prayer and trust.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink explores the spiritual purpose behind the problems and troubles believers face. She emphasizes that God uses difficulties to awaken us to sin, lead us to repentance, and deepen our faith through prayer and trust in Jesus' redeeming power. Schlink encourages believers to see beyond their visible struggles and rely solely on God's almighty care, assuring them of His loving protection and provision.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today, but perhaps you can't see him at work in your life because you can't see beyond the mountain of your problems and difficulties. God wants to help. However, often we have to experience that he lets the difficulties pile up without sending help.
Why does he do this? Listen to today's meditation by Basilea Schlink called, When Problems and Troubles Arise. God's promises come true. Whatever he says, they'll do.
My heart no doubt can hold about what he has told. I have often experienced that God let difficulties pile up in order to wake us up to see what displeased him. Whenever we came into such situations, our first prayer was, Lord, enlighten us through your Holy Spirit of truth.
Show us what is grieving you. Show us why you are placing so many problems and troubles in our way and why you have to chastise us. And such prayers for the Spirit of truth have the greatest promise of being answered.
He always showed us our sore spot very clearly. Then, claiming the redeeming power of the sacrifice of Jesus, we fought an intensive battle of prayer against it. God wanted to reach a certain goal.
He wanted to bring us to repent of the things which he had shown us to be our failures and sins. He wanted us to turn over a new leaf. If he succeeded with us, the difficulties disappeared by themselves after a while.
God took them away because he had attained his purpose. The Lord also leads us into such difficulties to teach us not to look at the visible things, even if there are great difficulties, and not to reckon with our human possibilities. He wants us to reckon with him alone, with the almighty, powerful Lord, the caring Father.
He wants to give us a special blessing through such prayers of faith in the midst of difficulties. He wants to give us an experience with the living God which we seldom experience in other situations. Such prayers of faith in the midst of impossibilities give us the greatest possibility to glorify him and give him the honor before the visible and the invisible world.
That is why I can only be thankful for the many difficulties which God has placed in my way and in the way of the sisterhood. They showed us our sore spots. They led us into repentance.
Through prayer and faith in the blood of Jesus, they let us experience redemption and transformation. The difficulties also brought us into a deeper faith in his power and help, which we experienced then due to our prayer. They filled our hearts anew with the adoration of our Lord.
They let us testify to who our God and Father is, so that others could be set afire to give God the glory. There never was one who came to harm, who trusted in the Father's arm. That is his own true promise.
He freely gives all things we need. From anxious fears we too are freed. For God loves all his children.
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. Understanding God's Purpose in Difficulties
- God allows problems to awaken us to our shortcomings
- Difficulties serve as divine chastisement to bring repentance
- Prayer for the Spirit of truth reveals our sore spots
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II. Responding to Trials with Faith and Prayer
- Claiming the redeeming power of Jesus' sacrifice
- Engaging in intense prayer battles against sin
- Trusting God's promises amid impossibilities
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III. The Blessings Resulting from Trials
- Difficulties lead to transformation and deeper faith
- Experiencing God's power and help in prayer
- Giving glory to God through testimony and trust
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IV. Encouragement to Trust God's Loving Providence
- God never harms those who trust Him
- He freely provides all we need
- Freedom from fear through God's love
Key Quotes
“God wants to help. However, often we have to experience that he lets the difficulties pile up without sending help.” — Basilea Schlink
“Such prayers of faith in the midst of impossibilities give us the greatest possibility to glorify him and give him the honor before the visible and the invisible world.” — Basilea Schlink
“There never was one who came to harm, who trusted in the Father's arm. That is his own true promise.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- When facing difficulties, pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to reveal areas needing repentance.
- Trust in Jesus' sacrifice and God's promises to overcome trials through faith-filled prayer.
- View problems as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God's power.