Eight Benefits of Adversity
Let me share what happened one Sunday morning at the church I pastor. When I got there, I discovered that there had been a fatal auto accident in the middle of the night, and two students, ages 16 and 17, at a nearby academy were killed. They were classmates of our young people, who were just finding out what had happened just before Sunday School. The whole church was affected.
The previous Sunday morning, just before the service began, I was sitting on the platform, re-reading the Scripture passage for that day. The ceiling fan blew a page over, and my eyes fell on a different passage. I noticed some things right away, so I grabbed a pen, and started writing. I came up with Eight Benefits of Adversity, and continued writing even after the service began. I stuck the notes into my Bible and forgot about them.
When I got to church that morning, and heard what had happened, I knew I had to scuttle the prepared sermon. My mind immediately went to the notes I had been given the Sunday before.
EIGHT BENEFITS OF ADVERSITY
Psalm 119:64-72
Adversity can benefit us because it ---
1. Teaches us to appreciate God's presence, v. 64
2. Motivates us to study God's Word, v. 66
3. Prompts us to obey God's Word, v. 67
4. Reminds us that God is good, v. 68
5. Emphasizes the need for resolve and commitment, v. 69
6. Underscores the differences between believers and unbelievers, v. 70
7. Shows us things we might never have learned any other way, v. 71
8. Teaches us to value and treasure the things that really matter, v. 72.
There is an important lesson here: always stay sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We never know what He may be preparing us for.
--Rocky Henriques, www.timothyreport.com
(c) 2004 by Rocky Henriques. All rights reserved. Contact
