When it seems that the wicked prosper and those that love the Lord suffer.
Psalm 60:10 'Is it not you O God, you have rejected us & no longer go out with our armies?'
He appears to break His promises. Psalm 22:1 'My God My God why have you forsaken Me?'
Romans 8:28 'We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.'
Isaiah 55:8-9 '"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways & My thoughts higher than your thoughts."'
When life unfolds contrary to apparent Godly instruction - the just shall live by faith. Let God be God. He knows what He has planned before Creation. He does all things well.
In view of how God has dealt with us up till now – He owes us nothing. We have received abundantly above all we could ask or think.
Hezekiah failed the test of the envoys. God left him to test him.
Abram : called by God, Hebrews 11:8 'When called by God to go to a place he would later received as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.'
Acts 7:5 'He gave him no inheritance here, not a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his seed would possess the land, even though at the time Abraham had no child.'
Genesis 22:2 Abraham told to offer up Isaac. He did, and God provided the substitute ram.
Moses : called by God, Given promises of success. Moses went & lot of people worsened. Exodus 5:23 'Ever since I went to Pharoah to speak in Your Name, he has brought trouble upon this people & you have not rescued your people at all.'
David : Anointed as king, Slew Goliath. On the run for years. Wrote many psalms.
Elijah : predicted drought. Fed by ravens & widow at Zarephath. Restored her son.
Jeremiah 20:7 'O Lord you deceived me & I was deceived, You overpowered me & prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long every one mocks me...' He cursed the day of his birth.
Paul : 2 Corinthians 1:8 ' We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so we despaired even of life. Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death'
Hebrews 12:5-11 Discouraged Christians. Let down by God? Do not lose heart. Accept chastening as an indication of the love of God.
Negative Response to the Betrayal Barrier: Rebellion Hebrews 3:7-8 Hard of heart, Unable to hear the Holy Spirit. v9-10 Testing God v12-19 unbelief, turning from God, disobey.
Positive : Abraham obeyed God regarding Isaac. Continue to seek God’s favour, Keep praising Psalm 42:5
God owes us nothing. We owe Him everything. The just shall live by faith. Even in dark times.
God is slow to anger. He gave Jonah a second chance. He knows we are weak without Him
If any one draws back from trusting he will incur the displeasure of God. We are not those that draw back Hebrews 10:38-39 but those that trust & are saved
2 Corinthians 3:18 Now the Lord is the Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. And we all with unveiled face gaze upon the Lord’s glory are being changed into His image & ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord, the Spirit
God will show His face again
Isaiah 25:9 'Surely this is our God, we trusted in Him & He saved us. This is the Lord we trusted in Him. Let us rejoice & be glad in his salvation.'
Isaiah 40:31 'Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint'
Entering His rest
Hebrews 4:9-10 'There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works.' An oath of grace: To enter what God has promised
How to Break the Betrayal Barrier
1. It will happen. Chastening is part of God’s plan
2. A true sign you are a child of God. Hebrews 12:6-11
3. It indicates the Father loves you & wants only the best for you.
4. Preparation for future work a harvest of righteousness.
5. Unpleasant at the time. Accept it as given in love.
6. God gets out attention. He is involved with us.
Internally through His Word. External through circumstances. Terminal, end of project.
Principles:
1. God never betrays us, He only appears to do so. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Jesus alone. Not let down
John 19:30 "It is finished." Mission accomplished
2. God broke the barrier Genesis 22:1 Solution planned in advance.
3. Trusted by God even not known at the time of test.
4. What pleases God most at the time is faith. Hebrews 11:6 only way to please God. God’s honour at stake. He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
5. To get our attention and to talk to Him. Jeremiah 29:13 To seek Him with all the heart to find Him.
6. Walk in the light revealed Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me and I will answer you and reveal to you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Sin unaware of.
7. God confides in those in who He has been at work and willing to listen. Psalm 25:14 'The Lord confides in those who fear Him.' Hebrews 12:11 'A harvest of righteousness and peace.'
Wait patiently for Him who acts on behalf of those that wait for Him.
