Hope for Worried Men (Isaiah 40)

MOTIVATE 

Proverbs 30:18-19 “There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a woman.”

Today I want to talk to you about soaring eagles. The eagle is a national symbol of our country. They are one of the most magnificent animals that God has created; they are both inspiring and impressive. They have wingspans as up to 8’ and weigh as much as 20lbs. They glide gracefully through the air and can reach speeds of up to 60 mph; and when they dive for their prey can reach speeds greater than 100 mph.[1] I think the most significant thing about their flight is during the arrival of a storm. They are the only bird that does not seek to avoid the storm. The very winds that slow or scare others are the ones that enhance the eagle’s journey. When an eagle detects bad weather it continues to fly into the storm until the winds lift it above the storm. Eagles do not escape the storm but they embrace it. They use the turbulent winds to gain entry into greater elevation and perspective – a place they could not have reached before the storm. And so they soar.

Likewise, God did not create Christians to escape the storms and stressors of life. Every one experiences some level of stress, and of course some more than others. We live in a world of continual stress – raised blood pressure, tense muscles, headaches, fatigue, eating more or less, overreacting to normal circumstances, forgetfulness, forgetfulness, forgetfulness (did I say that already?) and difficulty with concentration, persistent pessimism, loss of objectivity and an overall desire to escape or run away. These are only to name a few…anyone feel stressed?

Top 10 Signs You Are A Stressed Member Of SPBC:

10. You’re worried the Youth Pastor might ask you to help him organize Vacation Bible School. 
9. You’re stressed that your child’s whispering is louder than the elderly gentleman’s s snoring. 
8. You enter the sanctuary for the worship service and are handed a bulletin. As you open it you read that you are on the schedule for nursery duty! 
7. You have the urge to use the restroom but decide to wait because the exit door is in the front of the room for everyone to see you exit. 
6. You are trying to sing and follow the lyrics on the PowerPoint but you can’t see past the 2 bald guys on stage. 
5. You leave the church to go out to eat when suddenly in the drive-thru you realize you left your kids in the nursery. 
4. Surprise, it’s your turn to feed the entire church for the after-church fellowship! 
3. You are stressed each week at church because the back rows are always filled up before you get there. 
2. 3 words: Ravens or Redskins? 
1. Ooops, I forgot to bring a chocolate dessert for one of Pastor Dave’s potlucks.

 

EXAMINE   Isaiah 40:25-31 2 reasons we can soar over stress

In all, stress happens when the demands of life overcome the supply of strength upon your body. Stress is a reality that everyone lives with; even Christians are not immune to its effects. I want to suggest that stress is a symptom of being out of sync with your Savior. God created or wired each individual with a capacity to handle life’s problems but he did not create you to do it alone. You are meant to be in relationship with your Creator, and when you are not then your body and soul feel the tension.

In this passage we will examine 2 truths for why you can soar over stress.

We can soar over stress because God is everlasting (40:25-28). El Olam

 

The prophet Isaiah was writing to the people of Israel during a time where their strength was sapped and hope had vanished. Isaiah 1-39 noted God’s judgment upon Israel for its idolatry as the Assyrian army’s threatened to overtake Israel & Judah and prophesied that Babylon would conquer Judah. In 722BC Israel was conquered by Assyria and in 586BC Babylon conquered Judah. God’s people were worn down and overcome with the gravity of their circumstances. They were exhausted and spiritually empty.

However, a turn of events happens in Isaiah 40-66. Babylon has conquered Judah but Isaiah begins to remind God’s people just how big God is and his ability to deliver them from sin & slavery.

40:25 God asks the rhetorical question “To whom will you compare me?”

Throughout this chapter (and book) Isaiah is calling Israel’s attention “BEHOLD YOUR GOD!” (40:9-10).

40:1-2 God has power to comfort and pardon for sin

40:8 God’s word is unfading

40:10 God is the Lord who comes with might and reigns in power

40:11 God is the protective shepherd for the weak

40:12 God measures the waters and marks off the land

40:13-14 God’s wisdom and knowledge are unlimited

40:15 God oversees nations

40:19-20 God is uncreated

40:22 God sits far above the circle earth that its people look like grasshoppers

40:23 God unseats and establishes national leaders according to His purposes

40:26 God slings the stars into the sky and knows them each by name

40:28 God is the Everlasting Creator

The call is for Jerusalem to “lift up your eyes” to recognize God is without equal; his strength and power are beyond measure. It is God who sustains all of creation and he never gets stressed or tired, he has everlasting strength.

Many of our problems and much of our stress is a result of closed eyes; failing to see God rightly.

Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Charles Misner (Prof. Emeritus of Physics at UMD), a scientific specialist in general relativity theory, expressed Albert Einstein’s view of preaching like this: ‘I do see the design of the universe as essentially a religious question. That is, one should have some kind of respect and awe for the whole business… It’s very magnificent and shouldn’t be taken for granted. In fact, I believe that is why Einstein had so little use for organized religion, although he strikes me as a basically very religious man. He must have looked at what the preachers said about God and felt that they were blaspheming. He had seen much more majesty than they had every imagined, and they were just not talking about the real thing…[2]

So What?

• If God is everlasting then he does not faint or grow weary. He does not get tired or need timeouts. He is an inexhaustible reservoir of strength and power and hope over stress.Worry lacks faith in God’s prominence and protection (see Matthew 6:25-32/33-34)
  • There is nothing too big for God. Things you think are unfixable or unsolvable can be by God.
  • There is nothing too small for God. Our life is not hidden from God (40:27).

-          “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

-          “Don’t worry be happy” is over simplistic and lacks biblical view that God uses all things (pain & suffering included) to bring about our good.

 

We can soar over stress because God is giving (40:29-31).

Isaiah calls Jerusalem to recognize God’s character. In response to God’s greatness is His graciousness to give and pour Himself out toward His creation. Isaiah says He gives power and strength who are weak and needy.

-          Youths shall faint (tired, lacking strength)

-          Youths shall be weary (hardness of life)

-          Young men fall exhausted (frailty)

 

The Bible describes God as a giver; 250x phrase “God gives” or “God gave” shows up in the ESV. It is an amazing thought that God the Creator, in all his glory condescends himself and selflessly gives to his creation.

Important to note is to whom he gives – “those who wait for the Lord”. Those who trust in the Lord shall renew [exchange, replace] their strength. THIS IS THE GOSPEL; exchanging your weakness and sin for God’s strength, forgiveness and hope.

God’s power to be and do is available for me and you. He gives generously to all those who ask in faith
(James  1:5-6). He is not stingy or selfish. In fact, God has given us the greatest gift anyone could ever share – His very own self. He came down to be one of us, for us. Jesus lived among humanity and died as the sacrifice for our sin. We are invited to receive His gift of hope and help for everyday living and throughout eternity.

Faith is a requirement for recipients of God’s most special gifts. It is to those who wait/hope/rely on/trust in the Lord. The only thing that hinders God’s giving is unbelief. As Hebrews 11:6“Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to him must believe that God exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”

• Since God is giving then that means he is accessible & available. Prayer should not be used as a last minute effort when stress turns to burnout. Prayer prevents stress & burnout.

  Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

µ     Take serious the opportunity to pray for one another

µ     Take serious the opportunity to gather in prayer for our church

• Since God is giving then make yourself available to God to the circumstances he brings about in your life so they will not stress you but strengthen you. When you trust God you will soar like an eagle in the storm because of the confidence you have that God is in control.

  Psalm 97:5 “The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.”

 APPLY/THINK
Trusting and waiting on God is not a passive religious experience but an active relationship with a living God. We experience the ability to soar when we shift our burdens and fears from our own shoulders to the Lord’s.

Imagine[3] a child and her daddy at a swimming pool. The Dad is in the pool while the daughter is waiting from the edge. The Dad holds out his arms and says, “Jump, I will catch you. I promise.”

The best way to make that Daddy look good is to trust him and jump! That makes him look loving, wise and strong. But to not jump and walk way from the Dad makes him look bad. It says, He doesn’t care, it’s not a good idea (He’s unwise) and that you doubt his competency.

Waiting on God and trusting Him with your stress is the best expression of His worth. God is worthy of worship.

 

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[1] Information provided by MSN Encarta.

[2] Quote by John Piper, found at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByDate/1479_Training_the_Next_Generation_of_Evangelical_Pastors_and_Missionaries/

[3] Illustration adapted from John Piper: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/faith-in-hope-against-hope-for-the-glory-of-god

Hope for Worried Saints (Revelation 21-22)

MOTIVATE

If you have a destination you plan to attend it is best to gather information that will help you understand how to get around the area. You will want to know who to see, where to go, what life is like there.

illus NASA
Can you imagine astronauts at NASA preparing for several years to travel on mission to Mars. After a period of extensive training, the launch date finally arrives. As the rocket lifts off, one of your fellow astronauts says, “What do you know about Mars?” Can you imagine shrugging your shoulders with ignorance? Unthinkable isn’t it?

illus Disney
My family recently had the privilege to travel and experience Disney World in Orlando, FL. My wife, along with her sister and their mother planned for over a year long the details of the trip, the itinerary of daily activities – where we stayed, what activities we’d do each day (even to each hour), where we would eat and more.

illus Job travel
If your job causes you to travel to various cities or even countries then you no doubt will research the best hotel to stay in and places to eat or shop.

illus. MPNICA
Our church travels to Nicaragua and we have people, if not the team members themselves who have no doubt at the very least gone to google “Nicaragua”. I have gained information about Nicaragua as a tourist destination as well as learned cultural information about the people.

Whether you travel to a destination for your job, personal vacations, mission trips, it is to your benefit to know as much as possible about such location.

Likewise, as believers it is to our benefit to know and understand about our eternal home in Heaven. The more we learn about it the more we will love it; and the more we love Heaven will be the more we have our hope fixed on what is eternal rather than what is temporary.

Colossians 3:1-4 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, said: “Hope is one of the theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not, as some modern people think, a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

Christians today are losing hope and lack influence in today’s world because we do not understand Heaven and the kingdom of God. We fail to realize that what we do on this world will echo in eternity (Gladiator). Our lives are making investments into the future and rather than viewing Heaven as an eternal bank account we see it as a boat on the lazy river or a luxury resort destination. We have flipped the ultimate life question from “What can I do to glorify God” to “How will God gratify me?” Therefore, churches and Christianity is filled with consumers or spectators rather than contributors and participants.

Our message series “Hope For The Worried” is not just to make us feel warm & fuzzy but to instill faith that results in a transformed life. Theologian Donald Bloesch (Theological Notebook, p.183) said “Our greatest affliction is not anxiety, or even guilt, but rather homesickness – a nostalgia or ineradicable yearning to be at home with God.”

EXAMINE   Revelation 21-22 Hope for the worried saint

The book of Revelation is a book of mystery and majesty. It speaks prophetically about future events as well as the glorious nature of God and eternity in Heaven. I’ve noted before that there are 2 great themes in the book of Revelation: 1) Jesus is Champion: He is the Risen Savior, King of kings & Lord of lords.
2) Jesus is Coming: Swiftly and Visibly for all to see and may happen at any moment.

In the book of Revelation we see the church endure trial and tribulation until Christ returns to rapture believers and join in the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:7). Upon that time Jesus will establish a millennial kingdom. Following this 1K year reign there will be the battle of Armageddon where Jesus will eternally defeat satan and judge unbelievers at the “great white throne judgment” (Rev 20:11). Then begins God’s creation of a new heaven and new earth.

@wedding, Mia turns to me and says, “Daddy, when are they going to kiss?” That is the question everyone is asking, when is Christ the Groom & going to kiss his church, the bride.

In the final 2 chapters of Revelation there are 2 reasons believers can have hope today.

Believers can have hope because of God’s promise for re-creation (Revelation 21:1-7)

The book of Genesis tells the creation story. God took great care to create, spending 4 days creating the earth (1 day animals and 1 day humanity). And yet in God’s plan were the Fall of humanity and the decay of the world. Genesis tells the story of Paradise lost but Revelation tells the story of Paradise restored. The entire Bible is God’s story of working to reverse the curse; reconciling humanity to Himself and redeeming the earth.

Acts 3:21 “He (Jesus) must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”

God is restoring beauty (Rev 21:1-2): John sees a “new heaven and new earth… the holy city coming down prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”. This is the place that Jesus has been preparing (John 14:3). Since God is a God of creative beauty and goodness (Genesis 1 “and it was good”), there is no doubt the passed two-millennia in God’s eternal mind will produce an even more beautiful creation. God’s redemption is for more than humans and includes the skies & seas – removing smog and pollution, plants & other organisms – renewing life.

“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in pains of childbirth until now” – awaiting this final resurrection (Romans 8:22).

Revelation 21:10 – 22:5
The best things we love in this life and that this world has to offer are simply a brief preview of the greater things to come. God does not frown when we enjoy good food, He isn’t perplexed when we find pleasure in marital sex nor does he grumble when we enjoy great games of football or any other sport. God’s nature is filled with joy, favor, blessing and hope. Once we view God in terms of how the Bible speaks about Him and reveals about Heaven then we in turn can be transformed to fulfill the purposes for which God has saved us toward.

God is restoring our bodies (Rev 21:3): John hears a voice saying the “dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them and they will be his people.” Jesus’ resurrection gives us the hope and promise to conquer death. Heaven and eternal life is more than just a spiritual experience but a physical one. The Bible teaches that, like Jesus, we will receive a bodily resurrection. Death is simply the doorway that transports our souls into heaven and then awaits reunion with new resurrection bodies.

1Corinthians 15:53 “For this perishable body must put on the imperishable and this mortal body must put on immortality.”

Philippians 3:20-21 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

God is restoring the broken (Rev 21:4): John says, “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

ð     Since God is re-creating & restoring all things, you can have hope that God can bring renewal & refreshing into any stale or sad situation you face.

ð     God’s power through the gospel is available to forgive all your sin.
2Corinthians 5:17 “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Believers can have hope because of Jesus’ promise of reward (Revelation 22:12-21)

The Lord Jesus actually gives two promises to conclude this vision. The first is His promise to return soon.

Jesus warned the disciples to be ready for His return is coming unexpectedly (Matt 24:27-51, 25:13; Luke 12:35-40).

Angels promise Jesus’ return at His ascension (Acts 1:11)

Apostles promise Jesus’ return

PAUL – 1Thess 4:16 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

PETER – 2Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief , and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”

JOHN – 1John 3:2 “we know that when he appears we will be like him”

HEBREWS – 9:28 “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

as well as other Scriptures speaking to the imminence of the second coming (Titus 2:13; 1Thess 5:6)

Every future sign that Jesus predicted to happen before His coming has occurred, except the galactic events of the sun & moon darkening and with the stars falling from the sky (Matt 24:29-31). Yet, if you watch the news even in the past year you hear from NASA that these sort of meteorological phenomenon are bound to happen and can happen quickly.

Jesus’ second promise that He will reward everyone according to their deeds; His recompense is with Him. This is both positive and negative; positive for the faithful and negative for unbelievers.

What is the reward for believers?

v.14 blessing of forgiveness of sin and access to eternal life
v.15 escape from eternal judgment
v.12, 16 affirmation from Jesus
- “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)
- 1 Cor. 9:25 (imperishable crown); 1 Thess. 2:19 (crown of ministry joy); 2 Tim. 4:8 (crown of righteousness); James 1:12 (crown of life); 1 Pet. 5:4 (unfading crown of glory)

- perhaps these crowns are rewards for future responsibility and capacity to glorify God (Matt 25:14-30)

Heaven inspires hope and joy.
-        When it comes to Heaven, most Christian’s speak with bore and reluctance. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain portrays the common misconception about Heaven. The Christian spinster Miss Watson takes a dim view of Huck’s care-free, fun-loving spirit. According to Huck, “She went on and told me all about the good place. She said all a body would have to do there was go around all day long with a harp and sing, forever and ever. So I didn’t think much of it… I asked her if she reckoned Tom Sawyer would go there, and she said, not by a considerable sight. I was glad about that, because I wanted him and me to be together.” 

Oh if Miss Watson would have spoken what the Bible says about Heaven. She could have spoken about living life to the fullest. Living in a resurrected body that would never get old or wear out. She could have spoken of the gardens to grow, the rivers to ride, the mountains to climb and master and many untold adventures that are all to be had – especially for a young boy; this would have gotten Huck’s (and many today) attention!
-        19^th C. preacher J.C. Ryle said, “I pity the man who never thinks about heaven.”
-        Randy Alcorn in book Heaven says, “The moment we say we can’t imagine Heaven, we dump cold water on all that God has revealed to us about our eternal home. If we can’t envision it, we can’t look forward to it. If Heaven is unimaginable, why even try… So, when Heaven is portrayed as beyond the reach of our senses, it doesn’t invite us; instead, it alienates and even frightens us. Our misguided attempts to make Heaven ‘sound spiritual’ (i.e., non-physical) merely succeed in making Heaven sound unappealing.” (p.17)
-        Heaven is more than a luxury retirement hospital. Heaven is the world’s greatest hope

APPLY/THINK

What happens when we do not live with Heaven as our hope?[1]

1. We have unrealistic expectations. When we forget that this world is not our home then we try to force it to become what it was never intended to be. Rather than finding contentment, peace and gratefulness we have disappointment, sorrow and fear.

-          Our relationships are endless cycles of paranoia and hurt

-          Our jobs are empty of fulfillment

-          Our view of trials or tragedy makes us bitter rather than trusting a God of resurrection power.

-          The pleasures of this world (relationships, jobs, etc.) are meant to wet our appetite and instill a hunger in us for the full meal waiting for us in eternity.

2. We are unbelievably self-centered. Failing to understand our eternal purpose means we live for the glories of this world.

-          Life becomes about an obsession to meet my needs and desires.

-          Life has no long-term plans, only short-term gains for the immediate here and now.

3. We are unmotivated to put faith into action. Eternal consequences are viewed either as temporary or  non-existent, so we have a low passion to pray, know the Scriptures, serve in meaningful ways that stretch outside of comfort zones and much more share the gospel with someone who’s destiny depends on it.

-          Believers who have the hope of heaven should do all they can to bring that same hope to the hopeless. We must inspire others to the splendor of Heaven as much as warn about the suffering of hell.

Heaven can be your home, hope is available in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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[1] Adapted from Paul Tripp, Forever, pp.24-26.

 

God and Suffering

 

 

In a world that does its best to minimize or medicate suffering and attempts to maximize pleasure, Christians must understand suffering is not meaningless. God is always working in and through our suffering to produce His greater purposes. On this side of eternity it is difficult to discern every meaning to every suffering (Deuteronomy 29:29; 1Corinthians 13:12) but we can understand a degree of God’s purposes, of which here are a few:

 

  Suffering humbles us to God’s sovereignty (Job 1:21, 40:3-5; Psalm 73:25; Psalm 77, 139)

 

Is my pride and arrogance causing me to have a sense of entitlement without recognizing God’s sovereignty and requesting God’s gracious blessings?

 

  Suffering identifies us with Jesus (2Cor 4:10-12; Gal 6:17; Philippians 3:10; 1Peter 4:16)

 

Am I attempting to isolate from God and God’s people?

 

Suffering teaches us to trust and depend on God’s resources and not our own (Psalm 119:71; 2Cor 1:8-9; 12:7-10; Philippians 4:11-13)

 

Am I attempting solutions to my suffering from a human or worldly perspective?

 

Suffering matures our faith and character (Romans 5:3-4, 8:28-29; James 1:2-4; 1Peter 1:6-9)

 

Is there an area of my life and spiritual growth that needs maturity?

 

Suffering chastens us to holiness (Job 5:17-18; 2Corinthians 12:7; Hebrews 12:5-29; James 5:13-20)

 

Is there an area of my life that needs surrendering and repentance to God?

 

Suffering equips us to comfort others (Hosea; 2Corinthians 1:3, 4:7-18)

 

Am I so self-focused that I am missing opportunities to see & share God’s grace and comfort? How can I turn my misery into ministry?

 

Suffering glorifies Jesus (John 9:3, 11:4, 12:23-28, 12:32, 17:1; Romans 8:17-18; 1Peter 4:13)

 

Am I seeking personal glory or credit for things in my life without gratitude to God?

 

Suffering prepares us for redemptive death in hope of an eternal home (Psalm 90:10-12; John 11:4, 15:2; Romans 8:18-29; 2Corinthians 4:17 – 5:10)

 

Am I holding too tightly to this world? Am I ready to face God for my eternal destiny?

 

Indeed, it is humbling to reflect on each of these divine purposes for suffering. These purposes and questions do not make circumstances easier. However, they can inform the way we respond in the midst of suffering. God’s Word and purposes should shape the way we think, feel and act. In our affliction we can be reminded that we do not have to be completely crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; not forsaken nor destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Scripture provides us the words and prayers to reflect faith and moving forward in life. As you may go deep in suffering you may also grow deeper with the Savior.

The doorway of joy often comes from the pavement of sorrow. We cannot go around suffering but only through it. These two experiences (sorrow and joy) can only be compatible when you understand the purpose of life from God’s perspective.

 

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus teaches us that suffering is inescapable and overwhelming, so we must prepare and pray (Luke 22:35-46). As servants of God we are not greater than the Savior who experienced the agony of crucifixion and the aloneness of the “cup” of God’s wrath. We learn from Jesus that we must pray and persevere trusting in the great eternal hope of resurrection.
We trust this hope for you. Know you are not alone in Christ and with this church family.

 

Some further quotes as encouragement and inspiration in your journey…

“Smooth seas never made skillful sailors”

Samuel Rutherfod said that when he was cast into the cellars of affliction he remembered that the great King always kept his wine there.

Charles Spurgeon said, “they who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.”

John Piper
“God intends for the afflictions of Christ to be presented to the world through the afflictions of His people. God really means for the body of Christ, the church, to experience some of the suffering He experienced so that when we proclaim the Cross as the way of life, people will see the marks of the Cross in us and feel the love of the Cross from us…” (Desiring God, pp.269-270)

“We must talk so as to make suffering seem normal and purposeful, and not surprising in this fallen age. The forces of American culture are almost all designed to build the opposite worldview into our minds. Maximize comfort, ease, and security. Avoid all choices that might bring discomfort, trouble, difficulty, pain, or suffering. Add this cultural force to our natural desire for immediate gratification and fleeting pleasures, and the combined power to undermine the superior satisfaction of the soul in the glory of God through suffering is huge.” (John Piper, Counseling Suffering People, JBC, Winter 2003)

 

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).