March 5, 2025
Mark Rusinko
Do you feel overwhelmed with the many trials you go through on a day to day basis? The lack of food, clothing, money and adequate housing can be very discouraging. As you wait for the Father to take care of those needs, you must remember that you are not alone. For in the scriptures many have gone through similar problems in their lives as they had developed faith, in spite of those problems, in the Father and the Son.
In Hebrews 11 we find a list of what those faithful to God experienced.
Hebrews 11:13
ESV
13 “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
So, these individuals of faith did not obtain the promises made to them while they were alive but waited patiently for the Heavenly country, a city where they would live forever and be comforted by the Father and the Son as well as having fellowship with other brethren of the same faith. And this faith in the Heavenly promises inspired them to endure the trials that they were going through.
Below we see some of what they went through
36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [a] they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
In verse 37 it says that they were destitute, [without the basic necessities of life] afflicted and mistreated. These are things that you have experienced on a daily basis. But, please be encouraged for your faith is very strong and you will be rewarded for your steadfastness in the faith through the strength of the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul went through many difficulties in his life, many similar to your trials, as he was preaching the gospel.
2 Corinthians 11:24-28
KJV
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
In verse 27 we see how he felt physically from all that he experienced.
He was weary and suffered pain physically; He was hungry and thirsty often. And was cold and lacked clothing to keep him warm. So, you are able to relate to what Paul went through because you have experienced it too.
So, how did Paul handle all of his problems and trials spiritually?
From this we can learn how to handle, spiritually, the storms of life that come our way.
In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 we begin to answer that question.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
KJV
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Paul begins by pointing out that he and the disciples were being afflicted from different directions at the same time, which can be very overwhelming, but he was not distressed.
[He didn’t get stressed out; he had strong faith that things would work out]
As it says in Romans 8:28
KJV
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Paul continues saying we are perplexed [confused at times] but he didn’t allow himself to give up or get depressed. Persecuted, but not forsaken: They all faced harsh treatment for preaching the gospel and representing the righteousness of God. But encouraged by God through the spirit and the miracles they experienced, like being set free from prison by an angel, they
didn’t feel forsaken. Cast down but not destroyed. This is the attitude that we should have as we go through those storms of life. We need to stand firm and endure hardships as an effective soldier in Jesus Christ.
And another key element that Paul talks about is that of contentment. Being content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to improve our situation as we have opportunity, but contentment helps to keep our attitude in the framework of the fruits of the spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, goodness, patience. Longsuffering, etc.
Philippians 4:11-13
NIV
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
So, take heart, and remember what Paul said, whether well fed or hungry I can do all things through the power of the Father and the Son.
Next, I`d like to focus on the love of God towards us.
We need to realize brethren that the agape love extended to us
from the Father and the Son is very deep and is something we may not understand fully the depth of that love, especially when we are suffering.
They are living inside of us and are working so that we can reflect their nature. And walk in their ways through Faith of Christ and doing his will.
Abraham is a good example of having strong and firm faith in God but it also says in Genesis 26:4-5
KJV
4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
So, Abraham had works of faith [faith without works is dead] including keeping God`s commandments , statutes [includes the Holy Days and Sabbath and his laws.] He walked in the will of the Father.
So, let us cast all our cares upon the Father and the Son. Everything that may get us upset and the peace and love of God that passes understanding will comfort us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
ESV
God of All Comfort 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
David was a man after God`s own heart., In the psalms we see David pouring His heart out to God about the problems he encountered in his life. The psalms provide us with a wonderful example of how to cast all of our concerns at the Father`s feet. Psalm 56 reveals the kind of love and concern the Father and the Son have for us.
Psalm 56:8-9
NKJV
8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book? 9 When I cry out to You,Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.
So, we see in this psalm that God tracked the life of David. Kept tabs on him on what he was doing day to day. God was intimately concerned for the welfare of David. He even, figuratively, took David`s tears of hard times and stored them in a bottle. He then wrote down all these things in a book of remembrance for David.
Is the Father as concerned about us as he was for David? I believe He is and stores our tears in a bottle and writes in his book of remembrance of what we have done. He tracks what we do everyday.
Now, to summarize what we have talked about today
Let us read 1Peter 5:6-10 NIV
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. After you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1, We need to humble ourselves towards God working hand in our lives.
2. We need to present all of our anxieties to the Father in detail for he wants to hear what we have to say.
3. We need to be aware of Satan`s involvement in our lives and put on the armor of God to protect ourselves from his influences and persecution of the brethren in the body of Christ.
4. We need to wait patiently for the lord to refresh us after we suffer for awhile and restore us through the Holy Spirit and make us strong and steadfast.
Enjoy the Sabbath rest.
Brother Mark Rusinko