APRIL 7 & 14, 2024
THE CHALLENGE OF A CRUMBLING FOUNDATION
Psalm 82:5 – All the foundations of society are being shaken to the core.
Introduction to Daniels’s Life & Book: Daniel 1:1-7
WHAT TO DO
1. Don’t be surprised by adversity.
I Peter 4:12 – Dear friends, don’t be shocked or surprised when you suffer through painful tests and trials as if something strange is happening to you.
John 16:33 – In this world you will experience difficulties! But take heart! I have conquered the world! I’ve told you this so that in trusting me, you will be UNSHAKABLE and deeply at peace.
Four sources: You; World; Satan; God.
2. Look for ways God might use it for good.
Jeremiah 29:11 – God says: “The plans I have for you are plans for good and not to harm you. They are plans to give you hope and a future.”
God Shakes Things Up: To inspect me.
Jeremiah 17:10 – The Lord searches our hearts and examines our deepest motives so he can give to each person his right reward, according to how he has lived.
Deut. 8:2 – God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you’d keep his commands.
ASK What does this problem reveal about me?
God Shakes Things Up: __To correct me.__
Heb. 12:8-11 – God corrects all of His children, and if He doesn’t correct you, then you don’t really belong to Him. God corrects us for our own good, because He wants us to be Holy, as He is. It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace.
Heb. 12:26-27 – When God spoke from Mount Sinai His voice shook the earth, but now He says, “I will not only shake the earth but the heavens too.” By this He means that He will sift out
everything without a solid foundation so that only the UNSHAKABLE things will be left.
Job 5:17 – Consider yourself fortunate when God all-powerful chooses to correct you.
ASK: What is this problem teaching me?
God Shakes Things Up : To direct me.
Prov. 16:9 – A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps.
Prov. 20:30 – Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.
Psalm 119:59 – I have thought about my life, and I’ve directed my feet back to Your written instructions.
ASK: Where is this problem leading me?
God Shakes Things Up: To protect me.
Job 36:16 – God has led you away from danger, giving you freedom.
Genesis 50:20 – You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.
ASK How could this problem protect me?
God Shakes Things Up: To perfect me.
I Peter 5:10 – After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share His eternal glory in union with Christ, will Himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.
Romans 5:3-4 – We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us, they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in and helps us trust God more each time we use it.
ASK: How can I grow from this problem?
3. Trust God for what I don’t understand.
Prov. 20:24 – Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust the Lord with all your heart. Don’t depend on your own understanding. Honor the Lord in everything you do, and he will give you success.