THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF TRIALS

Deuteronomy 8:1-6

  1. Intro.
    1. times of trial are not pleasant times
    2. if we cannot see the wisdom of God in trials, we can trust His love
  2. the nature of trials
    1. long - 2 "forty years in the wilderness"
      1. the great wheels of divine purpose move slowly but surely
      2. this should remind us of the patients of God
      3. we need to wait on the Lord during trials
    2. severe - 3 "suffered thee to hunger"
      1. God could have easily prevented this
      2. He suffered it
      3. it is good for us to feel the pinch of need once in awhile
    3. the chastisement of God - 5
      1. the result of unbelief or disobedience
      2. unbelief always keeps us from enjoying the promises of God
      3. their are many who profess to be followers of Christ, but wander aimlessly in life like the Israelites
    4. under His leading - 2 "the Lord thy God led thee"
      1. praise the Lord for this
      2. though we fail to see all that His mercy provides us, He does not forsake His redeemed
      3. God is always faithful
  3. the blessings enjoyed during the trial
    1. bread from heaven - 3 "fed thee with manna"
      1. God supernaturally sustained them
      2. we should keep our eyes on what God is doing during the trials
    2. their clothing preserved - 4
      1. it is amazing how far a little will go when the blessings of God are upon it
      2. much like our blood bought robe of righteousness
    3. kept their feet healthy - 4
      1. this implies that God enabled them to follow Him
      2. only when we turn aside will the feet of faith fail and begin to limp
    4. His presence with them 2 "the Lord thy God led thee"
      1. while in the furnace of affliction we prove the preserving presence of God
      2. if it is chastisement, the rod is in the hand of a loving God
      3. why can we not trust God?
  4. the purpose of trials
    1. to humble thee - 2
      1. a haughty spirit & pride are a grievous thing to the gentle Spirit of God
      2. God delights in a humble heart
      3. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was to keep him humble - II Cor. 12:7-10
      4. to walk humbly with God is to be in a position to experience the hidden treasures of heaven
    2. to prove thee 2
      1. trials make manifest our real inner character
      2. we would never have heard of the "patience of Job" if not for his trials
      3. after Abraham’s test, God said "now I know that thou fearest God" - Gen. 22:12
    3. to teach thee -3