Few Days and Full of Trouble

Few Days and Full of Trouble
Job 14:1-2, 7-15
Job 14:1-2
"Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. 2 He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.

Fact: Righteous do Suffer ...
Psalms 73:2-3 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Difficulties we face ...
Physical pain …
Grief … John 11:35
Financial struggles …
Loneliness … Psalm 142:4
Persecution … 2 Tim. 3:12
Where can we turn... ?
In times like these … there is help …

Four directions we can look …
1st Look backwards ...
Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

1st Look backwards ...
Job 1-2 – how Job was afflicted …
Financial loss … all his possessions
Grief … children all killed
Suffering … stricken with leprosy
Loneliness … wife, friend forsook him
1st Look backwards ... comfort
Job 1:21-22 The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Job 42:12 Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning;

1st Look backwards ...
Matthew 8:24-26 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
26 He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm
1st Look backwards ...
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory …
2nd Look forwards ... future
Psalms 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
2nd Look forwards ... future
Revelation 21:4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
2nd Look forwards ... future
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
3rd Look Upward to God ...
2 Timothy 4:16-17 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me,
Matthew 6:8. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

3rd Look Upward to God ...
1 John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

3rd Look Upward ... to Jesus
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
3rd Look Upward ... Holy Spirit
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
4th Look outward to brethren ...
1 Timothy 3:15 that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
4th Look outward to brethren ...
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
We are never alone ...
Psalms 142:4-5 Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.
5 I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

Few Days and Full of Trouble
Job 14:1-2, 7-15