The Reward of Perseverance
Perseverance in the face of suffering leads to a deeper heart-knowledge of God's control and a testimony of His goodness.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the theme of perseverance through suffering, using the story of Job as a powerful example. Despite Job's immense losses and despair, he ultimately found hope and restoration through his unwavering faith in God. Wilkerson warns that believers today are facing unprecedented trials, yet reassures that God remains faithful and compassionate, promising deliverance as He did for Job. The sermon encourages Christians to trust in God's control over their lives, even amidst suffering, and to hold onto the hope of His mercy and restoration.
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Any discussion on sufferings and trials must begin with the most despairing believer of all time -- a righteous, faithful, God-fearing servant, devoted to prayer and worship. Yet, when sorrow and trouble overwhelmed his life, this same man began to make some very disparaging remarks about God at the height of his suffering. "If I called and He answered me, I would not believe that He was listening to my voice. For He crushes me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause" (Job 9:16-17).
Job lost everything dear to him: his family, his health, his possessions, even his hope. The statement about God in the passage above is just one of many this poor man made as his awful pains were multiplied.
Our nation is hurtling swiftly into a period of trouble, a time such as the world has never seen. Even now, many devoted believers are experiencing hardships that their previous experiences have not prepared them for. Christians are seeing their marriages tested; some are having their health deteriorate; others are suffering financial hardship; and young people are lost in the insanity of the hour.
In the days ahead, we cannot allow our hope to rest in some pipe dream, believing that Christians will be immune from suffering. However, we can be assured that our heavenly Father will be faithful to keep us through all our afflictions and then deliver us, just as he did with Job.
"You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11).
Job persevered and God restored to him all that he had lost and more. Likewise, when you come through your trial, you will possess a true heart-knowledge that God is in control of your life. Then you will be able to testify of God's goodness, just as Job did when he said confidently, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).
Sermon Outline
- I. Suffering and Trials
- A. The despairing believer: Job
- B. Job's experience: loss of family, health, possessions, hope
- C. Job's remarks about God: questioning God's presence and care
- II. The Reality of Suffering in Our Nation
- A. Christians facing hardships: marriage, health, finances, youth
- B. The need for perseverance in the face of suffering
- C. Hope in God's faithfulness
- III. The Reward of Perseverance
- A. Job's perseverance and God's restoration
- B. Heart-knowledge of God's control
- C. Testimony of God's goodness
Key Quotes
“If I called and He answered me, I would not believe that He was listening to my voice.” — David Wilkerson
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” — David Wilkerson
“You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Trust in God's faithfulness and goodness, even in the midst of suffering.
- Seek God in prayer and worship to persevere in the face of trials.
- Remember that God will deliver you from suffering, but in His own time and way.