The Pharisees warned Jesus that He was in danger from Herod. They told Him if He didn’t stop doing what He was doing, Herod would kill Him. But Jesus refused to listen to them and continued to do what God called Him to do. Jesus was confident in His Father’s promises, given in the past. Jesus knew that the Father’s faithful strength would carry Him through whatever He faced. In fact, Jesus longed to gather all of God’s people into God’s protective care. But people are stubborn, and they refuse to find shelter in God.
Jesus faced His suffering head-on. In our North American culture, we don’t like to think or talk about struggles or suffering. Additionally, we can strive after things that give us comfort, but in the end don’t really help us at all. We need to face suffering and struggles with confidence in God. God’s faithful strength lifts us up when we are tired and weak. God gives us the grace to demonstrate his loving care, even as we suffer, in caring for others.
What stands out from Sunday’s passage? If you could dig deeper into one part of it, what would it be?
Pastor Paul mentioned Abram in his message, talking about how long he had to wait for God’s promises to happen, and how Abram tried to help God along. Have you ever struggled with God’s timing? Have you ever tried to help God move things along?
As you read Psalm 27, think about God’s protection. How does it comfort you?
Where does Habakkuk find his joy and strength? Is this wishful thinking, or can we experience the same?
Suffering and struggles are a reality of life as a result of the curse that came from Adam and Eve’s sin. God redeems our suffering, He transforms it for His glory, but also to make us more like Jesus. Reflect on Romans 5:1-5 and allow these words to reaffirm God’s care and ability to give you hope and encouragement. How could you encourage someone else? How would that encouragement be different from the encouragement Job’s friends gave him?
The passage in Philippians talks about standing firm in Christ. Can you name a few things that could cause you to struggle to stand firm in Christ?
Prepare your heart and mind for worship. Study the passage, come with the desire to glorify God, be an encouragement to others, and to receive God’s blessings as He works in and through those around you.