Coping with Life's Trials (Jeremiah 29:1-14)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
5 June 2022
Everyone has trials in life. The Bible teaches we should be prepared for trials, not fatalistically, but with understanding that God is in control. God has a purpose for our trials. Through faith in God we learn what the trials are for.
In Jeremiah 29 the Lord's message to his afflicted people was that he was sending them into captivity. But he would use a second cause for this, namely, the Babylonians. God uses afflictions to achieve his purposes. He sent Jesus to the cross of death and he used Judas Iscariot as a second cause to achieve this.
In trials continue to live out your Iives without bitterness. The Lord's message to the afflicted Israelites was that they were to build houses, plant gardens, arrange marriages, and generally get on with their lives. When Jesus was on earth he went about his life. As a twelve year old boy he told his earthly parents that he must go about his Father's business (Luke 2:49).
Do good to people even though you are having hard times. Israel was to pray for the Babylonians and seek their good. When Jesus was on earth he went about doing good (Acts 10:38).
When under pressure it is natural to look for quick and easy solutions. Some Israelites listened to false prophets. They looked for a quick way out of captivity but the prophetic word was they had to spend 70 years in captivity. Look not for solutions to adversity but for lessons of adversity. God’s providence will always provide a way for you to cope.
When Jesus was in earth he faced false ideas. There was the temptation in the wilderness and in the general Jewish desire for him to lead the nation in revolt against Rome. Jesus accepted the Father's will that he must endure trials and ultimately to die on the cross as the substitute for God's people.
Finally in your trials never lose hope. Weeping may endure for the night but morning will bring joy. Israel could look forward to restoration to the promised land. The Lord will be with them for they shall call upon him and he will answer. This promise was fulfilled by Jesus the great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for his people.
There are better days ahead for God's people. The trials of life are to make us more like Jesus and to prepare us for heaven.
Receive Jesus today. Understand how to cope with the trials of life even as Jesus did when he dwelt on earth. In this world we shall have tribulation but be cheerful. Jesus has overcome the world. In him you will also overcome.