Guidance in Adversity

A. Water Problems

“Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.”

So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?”

And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!”

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.”

And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:1-7)

1. The children of Israel had left Egypt only a few days before this

2. This will be the third water problem in a few days

   a. The Red Sea (too much water)

   b. Marah (bitter water)

   c. Meribah (no water)

3. The griped and were fearful at each water test

4. The forgot every miracle of God

5. God was testing their obedience to His word

B. Guidance and Suffering Cannot be Separated

“…according to the commandment of the Lord…” (vs. 1)

1. Did God lead the Israelites to Meribah? YES

2. Did God know there was no water at Meribah? YES

3. Were the children of Israel in God’s will? YES

   a. We face tribulation when we are out of God’s will

   b. We face tribulation when we are in God’s will

   c. In God’s will we know God will deliver us

   d. Out of God’s will we have no assurance

4. Does guidance only lead us into problems? NO

   a. Before Meribah was Elim with 12 wells (ch. 15)

   b. Yet, we cannot think this will be the pattern

   c. God does not lead us around problems, but through (“through the valley of the shadow of death”)

5. Did God create the no water problem? NO

   a. God is not the author of Christian suffering (James 1:13,14)

   b. Satan is the author of Christian testing

6. Four sources of suffering in the Christian life from Satan:

   1. Satan personally and demons

   2. The world’s cursed system ie. famine, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, storms, etc…

   3. Our own nature of the flesh

   4. Others. The flesh in unbelievers and in some believers

7. Nothing new can overtake you and God will not allow you to go through anything bigger than you (1 Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 12:21)

8. God sent them to Meribah knowing they could handle the problem

   a. Yet they failed the test

   b. God did the same with Jesus

9. How Jesus handled the temptation is our example

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

a. Did God lead Jesus into the wilderness? YES

b. Did God know Jesus would face a test? YES

c. Did God create the test? NO

d. Did God know Jesus could win? YES

e. Had God already made a way of escape? YES

C. How God Sees Testing

1. God brings us through hardships to test His Word (His ways) in us. Will we believe Him?

2. Tests are more for us to know and understand our personal spiritual location and progress

3. When we fall apart and complain, we test God

4. When we come through trials successfully, we have great peace

5. Increased patience, maturity, is God’s goal for us

6. God is more interested in the trip than the destination

D. Adversity

1. Paul and his team were called to Macedonia (Acts 16)

2. They faced persecution from the beginning

   a. Did God lead Paul to Macedonia? YES

   b. Did God know they would face trials? YES

   c. Did God create the trials (demons, beating, jail)? NO

   d. Did God know Paul and Silas could win? YES

   e. Had God already made a way of escape? YES

3. God’s path for us is often filled with opposition (1 Corinthians 19:6)

   a. Adversity comes from the Adversary

   b. There are few places in God’s will where there is no opposition

   c. But, there is no call or place in God’s will where there is no victory

4. Tests are the opportunity for growth and maturity

   a. Tests do not make us strong or all Christians would be strong

   b. God’s promises and the faith we use in the test are what make us strong

   c. God does not create the tests enemies such as Alkaida, Taliban or North Koreans

   1. Our military trains our troops and send them to battle knowing they are ready and have superior weapons

   2. War does not make a soldier strong. Using the training and weapons provided by the military does

   3. Only then does war help shape character

5. Cursing is only turned into blessing by using the word of God and the authority given to us over Satan, the world, and the flesh

6. Overcoming opposition is what creates character

   a. No sailor learns to be a good captain on calm seas

   b. Maturity cannot fully come without suffering. (1 Peter 5:10)

7. What should our attitude be during persecution?

   a. Matthew 5:10, 11

   b. John 16:33

   c. Acts 16:33

   d. Acts 16:25

   e. 2 Timothy 3:12

   f. James 1:2-4

   g. 1 Peter 3:14

8. The result of enduring persecution is personal growth and sanctification

E. The Purpose of Old Testament Stories

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he falls.  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)