1. One of my favorite Christian movies is Facing the Giants about a high school football team, which had never won a championship, and was greatly discouraged. But their coach, facing trials in both his personal and professional lives, is challenging the team to do what is hard. He has one of the discouraged players carry another player on his back down the field on all fours—blindfolded. I get choked up every time I see that film, because I know that is the reality of life. We are discouraged and have lost hope at times, and to make matters worse we are going through life “blindfolded”--not seeing a workable solution and not knowing whether God even cares about our situation.
I encourage you to watch it soon to reinforce the point that life is hard, but God is good. Read through Hebrews chapter 11. Would you ever consider joining God’s team after reading that? Most wouldn’t. Knowing that our human strength is limited as we face difficulties in life, what do you think the writer of Hebrews would want his readers to do in the midst of their persecution they were suffering? (Heb. 10:32-34) Where should they focus their attention? Read his recommendation in Heb. 12:1-3.
2. Meditate on Psalm 40.
Notice how the psalm begins and how it ends. What is David’s strategy at the beginning that allows him to rejoice?
Have you given God credit from rescuing you from a pit? According to this psalm, how does David express his joy when encountering overwhelming circumstances?
In vv. 6-8, what is the sacrifice that David offers that is better than the lifeless animal sacrifices and meal offerings? Hint: See Rom. 12:1-2.
Maybe others have made your life hard. What can you learn from the fact that David uses the passive voice in vv. 14-15 and does not “take the law into his own hands”? Hint: See Rom. 12:14-21.
3. Some believe God only wants to bless us. He does, but long-term blessing always comes with short-term trials. For decades there has been a popular trend in Christianity, often seen with televangelists who promise success and happiness for donating sacrificially to their ministries. But that “Prosperity gospel” is not the gospel. It’s actually a distortion of God’s goodness that falsely claims, “Because God is good, he wants you healthy and wealthy?”
Just common sense should tell you that is not right. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. Would you have stayed in the ministry after encountering just a few of Paul’s experiences? Here Paul was defending his sincerity and commitment to the church in Corinth. Knowing the opposition Paul faced, what could enable him to stay faithful to his calling? Go to 2 Cor. 12:7-10. What valuable lesson did the apostle learn from God?
