Adversity ..

IN PROSPERITY, God is heard. In adversity, God is seen — Charles Spurgeon.

While in slavery, the Israelites cried out to God, and God appeared to Moses in the burning bush.

God told him to return to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let his people go.

However, when Pharaoh wouldn't release them, God unleashed his fury on Egypt with plague after plague until he let them go. (Exodus 4)

Haman had maliciously manipulated the king to make a decree to kill all the Jews, not realizing that God was watching. (Esther 3)

And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

When Mordecai heard about the plot, he sent a message to Esther telling her that perhaps she was made for such a time. (Esther 4:14)

The reality of the Christian walk is that we are made for difficulty and wired to endure pain.

Prayer

But if our strength fails on the day of adversity, then our strength is little. (Proverbs 24:10)

Paul describes their response to adversity this way:

We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Adversity reveals where your allegiance lies. It shows the direction of your heart.

When Esther got Mordecai’s message, she wanted to do something.

But she knew that no one appeared before the king without an appointment.

So she pleaded that the Jews in Susa fast for her for three days, and she and her maidens would do the same. (Esther 4:16)

Esther knew that to have God intervene would be to fast and pray.

And when she did, she found favour before the king, and Haman was impaled on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai. (Esther 7:10)

If you want God to save you, you'll need to cry out to him.

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Every scripture is written in an ink made visible by adversity

God does not hide from his children. In adversity, He shows Himself.

He showed Himself when Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. God shut the mouths of the lions. (Daniel 6)

When Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, God not only saved them, but He also joined them in the fire.

And when the king saw him, he said, “Look! I see four men untied, walking around in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” (Daniel 3:18-25)

God will show up when you need him.

He promised that when you pass through the waters, he will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. (Isaiah 43:2)

The apostles needed an urgent miracle when Peter was arrested and imprisoned. So they prayed fervently for him. (Acts 12:5)

Herod had planned to have him killed. But the day before his execution, God sent an angel to deliver him.

When the enemy comes like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19)

God will break the hold of the enemy over your life. He will send you help when you need it.

Be encouraged.

Final Thoughts

EVERY SCRIPTURE is written in an ink made visible by adversity.