John 11. This chapter in the Bible has a special place in my heart. This is a passage that's been a foundation for me. In the last several years, as you know, my family and I have went through some challenging moments and times, and this has been a rock passage for me. So, even in preparing this message, it really resonates. I've had times of song and praise this week, and I've had moments of tears as I've worked through this passage. And I really do pray that God would bless this time. So for today, the actual whole chapter, we're going to take several weeks probably to do. How long? It will depend each week on how God prompts me. But for this week, we're only going to look at verses 1-16 of John 11. Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sister sent to him, saying, Lord, he whom you love is ill. But when Jesus heard it, He said, this illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this, He said to the disciples, let us go to Judea again. The disciples said to Him, Rabbi, the Jews were now seeking to stone you. And are you going there again? Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him. After saying these things, he said to them, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him. The disciples said to him, Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover. Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest and sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe, but let us go to him. So Thomas called the twin, said to His fellow disciples, let us also go that we may die with Him. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Here's my question for you this morning. Are trials that we experience in this life pointless or providential? Are they the by-product of chaos and chance and just randomness? Or are they God-ordained, God-approved, and God-designed? Ultimately, is God in control? Is God in control? In a couple of months, we're going to be celebrating the second birthday of Joshua, my youngest boy. And there's two... moments I remember from that birthday. The first was holding him and just the amazing privilege it is to be a parent that I don't take lightly. But the other moment took place from the time I dropped Abby off at the front door with her mom so they could go get to the room and I went and parked the car at Salido Hospital until I got up to the room. As I'm walking, end up running into a classmate of Abby's from Toledo Christian. They graduated together. His name's Matt. And as I begin to talk with Matt and his wife, I tell them why we're there and we're going up. And I could tell that they were completely... Something weighty had just happened. And as I began to interact with them, they shared that they had, if it wasn't that day, it was the second time in the last two days, they had come for an ultrasound and they had found out that their first son that she was carrying had major heart problems. And they weren't sure if the pregnancy would be able to go full term. Likewise, they had no idea about the prognosis of this child. And it was in one of those moments where even as I was excited all day, I was burdened throughout the day of Joshua's birth by that, because isn't that our daily occurrence? I mean, I look out and I know most of you, and I know your lives, and I also know that there are several of you here today that are going through some weighty times, some trials and some tribulations, and we're really left asking that question, where is God in the midst of this? Is He dead? Is He aloof? Is He not here? Or is He sovereign and in control and right here in the middle of the storm? And I would say, and hopefully we'll find the encouragement as we look at His Word today, that He is here. He is there. He is purposeful. He is mighty. He is reigning on high. That even the darkest day that you and I will ever endure, He'll be there right by our side. And that's really at the heart of our message this morning. That trials are the divine blessings and opportunities from God. For God works in a mysterious way. If you'd like to get a glimpse of where we're going, we'll begin our time by looking at trials are divine opportunities that allow us to see God. That if as most of us would select if we had a choice. We would love the life of smooth sailing, free of problems, every day a happy day. And we actually believe that that would be what's best for us. And you see, trials are that stage in life where we get to see God. We get to see His hand at work. We get to see His glory, His majesty, and it actually makes us greater worshippers of Him. So we're going to see that trials allow us to see God. But not only do trials allow us to see God, trials allow us to surrender to God. Because for those of you here today who have went through some tough times, I think you'll be the first to testify that it's in trials that we learn to trust and obey. For there's no other way, right? That you really are forced to either depend and rely or to be in despair. So we're going to see that trials allow us to surrender to God. And then lastly, I want us to see that trials are that divine opportunity for you and I to be strengthened by God. That really, this world that we live in is a gigantic gym. And trials are the fitness program that our trainer puts us on to strengthen our faith. To make us stronger. To make us mightier, not in the sense of how we would view might, but in the sense of God. So we're going to see God, surrender to God, and be strengthened by God. And then we'll wrap it up and ask, so what? What's this matter? With that said, let's begin by asking that question, trials allow us to see God. How? Trials allow us to see God. I think if I ask by a show of hands, how many people would like to see God work in your life? Pretty much a consensus. But here's what often happens, though, when we experience the greatest trials, we get so... busy looking at ourselves. Woe is me, kind of that Eeyore mentality. And we fail to look out and to see God. And that is a danger. But in the midst of the storms, we really need to see God's design for us. For He displays His glory and His greatness. And He really desires us to be more sincere worshippers. So, trials, opportunity for us to see God. If that's the case, first thing I want us to take note of. There is a purpose in our suffering. There is a purpose in our suffering. Read verse 1 with me. It says, Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. We're going to meet this Mary a little bit more personally in a couple of weeks in chapter 12. where he actually describes in more detail this event. What it says is her brother Lazarus was ill, and then it says in verse 3, so the sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, he whom you love is ill. He whom you love. Doesn't Jesus love everybody? I mean, we sing this song, right, in Sunday school. Jesus loves me, this I know, right? Or the Bible tells me so. But see, we need to also understand Jesus' humanity. Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us. And what this is saying is Jesus had a personal relationship with Lazarus, with Martha, with Mary. This was family friends. And they're going through arguably the most difficult experience we can experience in this world. Somebody you love who is dying. And as we'll see in the passage, they actually die. And Jesus loves them, right? It says it. This is the one whom you love. And then John actually reiterates this in verse 5. Now, Jesus loved Martha. He loved Mary. He loved Lazarus. And yet, look at verse 4. It says, this is the purpose. This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. In other words, My purpose for Mary, Martha, Lazarus is to be glorified. My aim in this suffering is that God might be glorified. But that doesn't sound like love to us. I think this is illustrated in elementary school. When a boy has a crush on a girl, does he typically display a right way to show love? I mean, most first graders don't come in with a poem and roses. Maybe Kazza, but I'm not sure. Maybe writes a song on his little pretend guitar. Is that how? No, what happens? The boy has a crush on the girl and he pulls her hair. He does this strange ways to show his love for her. And see, I think if we read this and we really start analyzing it, this seems strange. God loves them and He's not going to fix the problem. God loves them and He allows for them to experience the death of their brother. And it makes us want to say, Jesus, you need to learn what it means to love. When you love somebody, you fix their problem. When you love somebody, you want them to be happy. You want them to be peaceful. You don't want them to endure hardship, Jesus. And yet, Jesus says, no, that's not my focus. You see, my focus for you is to see God in the midst of it. My focus for you is I want you to see God's glory. I'm going to be glorified through this whole event. And that is my agenda. He says the same thing in John chapter 9, verse 3. Remember, the blind man, born blind. And they said, why did this happen? Did he sin? Did his mother sin? Father sin? And Jesus said, no. The reason, ultimately He says, the reason this guy was born was for this day. It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. So I want us, as we consider the whole concept of trials, to wrap our mind around the fact that God wants you to see Him in the trial. That's His motivation. His desire for you is not necessarily for you to be happy, although sometimes you're going to be happy. He might fix your problems sometimes. But that is not His focal point. That is not His agenda. That is not His motivation. No, He wants you to see Him. And that does not mean, please listen to this, that does not mean that you're going to understand everything. I would argue this side of heaven, you will still have many moments in life where you're just not going to understand God's providence. But that doesn't make God any less glorious. That doesn't make God any less powerful. For there's a purpose in our suffering. And He desires us to be greater worshippers of Him. Well, do you believe that? That the heart-wrenching times of life are usable by God? And for those of us here who are weathered by those storms, I think we'll testify, yeah. And we need those. They're good for us. And you look for God's glory. I mean, that needs to be our default mode when that trial comes in. Where's God in this? Because I know He's here. The Bible teaches me so. And you testify His work in and through these moments. There's very few testimonies that are not more powerful than God to work His mighty hand when you suffered, and be able to tell people God was good. Well, if there's a purpose in our suffering, and this is one of the parts that we all really don't like, there is often a prolonged nature to suffering. There is often a prolonged nature to suffering. And hopefully you picked it up when you read with me in verse 5, but 5 and 6 are two of the strangest verses in the Bible. Now it says, now Jesus loved Martha. He reiterates what we said earlier. He loves Martha and her sister and Lazarus. These are close friends to Him. He's probably shared many meals with this family. He loves them. He's probably been to parties. I mean, they're close. And then it says in verse 6, so... And actually, it would probably be better translated, therefore. Or you could use the word because and pick that up at verse 5. Because Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, because of that, therefore, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was. I mean, you get a phone call and one of your family members is in the hospital. What are you going to go do? Wherever you are, you're dropping everything. And if it's out of state, you're going to get a flight or you're driving all night. And we are going to immediately rush to their side. And this is a family that Jesus loves and He cares for, and He stays two days longer. Would you view waiting as something that's a sign of love? I mean, how many people are in love to wait? I don't think it's possible, is it? I mean, maybe it's just me. I mean, how many times do you get caught in traffic and say, this is awesome? It's just spectacular. I mean, for me, without fail, if it's a busy shopping day and I pick a register, I always pick the register that something happens. And then I'll switch to a new one and then all of a sudden something will happen to there and the original aisle will be fixed. And I just, by nature, I don't like waiting in traffic. I don't like waiting in lines. I don't like waiting on the phone. calling about a bill or a credit card and you get transferred to seven different people? Go to Cedar Point, even a day of fun and joy, do you really like to sit for two hours or stand for two hours before you ride a ride? What if you're in one of those lines, though, and you know the person who lets people in and out of the line? You go up to that person, and you're close, family, friends. You're like, hey, can I go? And they're like, no, I think it would be best if you wait in line. You would be in disagreement on that, correct? And you would hold that grudge against the person. And yet, that's what God does so often when it comes to suffering. I love them so much, I'm going to wait two days. I'm going to wait two days before we go for the person who's dying. And that's how God works. He shares the story of that to us. 2 Corinthians chapter 12. He speaks of this moment where he has, it's called a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. Many people have tried to guess what is this messenger? Is the possibility it was an eye ailment? We don't know. But whatever it was, it was tormenting. It was vexing. It was frustrating. And Paul wanted the problem fixed. And he says in 2 Corinthians 12, verses 8 and 9, three times I pleaded with the Lord about this. That it would leave me. And He responded, My grace is sufficient for you. For My power is made perfect in weakness. And that's the prolonged nature to suffering. Our perspective of what is best for us and God's perspective of what is best for us are often two different perspectives. And we have the splinter in our hands, so to speak. We want to get it out right away, right? When we have the hardship, just fix it. Just fix it, God. Fix it. I need it fixed. And what do we pray for people? God, fix it. I don't want them to hurt. I don't want them to suffer. And God all along is saying, that's not my emphasis. I want you to see that my grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness. Psalm 13 says, how long, O Lord? How long will you forget me? How long will you hide your face from me? How many times have you cried that statement. When everything that you hold dear is falling apart in your life. Have you asked that question? How long? Where are you God? What are you doing in my life? And he's saying, be patient child. Be patient. I know what's best. I know what's best. Are you currently enduring a time of such suffering? My word to you, and I believe my word from God's Word, is be patient. Endure. Rest in His sufficient grace. Rest in the fact that His power is made perfect in your weakness and in your frailty. Are you starting to see God has a plan? Are you trusting in Him? You see, trials allow us not only to see God, trials also allow us to surrender to God. It's really the situation where we give up, or we give in, and we bow down, and we trust, and we obey, and we submit, and we resolve. I'm going to follow You. This isn't making sense to me, God. But You're God, I'm not, and I'm going to rest in You. Well, if that's the case, it's a place where we get to surrender to God, I want us to first take note that we need not panic. We need not panic over God's providence. Read verse 7 with me. So then after this, he says to the disciples, all right, let's go to Judea again. And the disciples hear that, and they're confused, and they're perplexed, and they say, Rabbi, the Jews were now seeking to stone you, and you want to go back there. This isn't making sense to us. They're concerned about his safety. They're concerned about their safety. They're afraid. What's the point? One sub-point for us to ponder is God will often put us in places and situations where by nature, you and I are going to say, no, thank you. There's going to be many situations in your life that you're going to say, nope, not interested. Kind of like the job recruiter calling you and saying, hey, we have an opening. It's not really what I was looking for. And God will often do that in our experiences where He'll put us in places that test us, that test our patience, that are not ideal in our eyes and He's saying, come anyhow. I know what road to travel down. But see, here is at the heart, and we'll see this in verse 9, we need not panic over God's providence. Jesus answers them, He says, are there not twelve hours in the day? What He's stressing is the fixed point of a day. Now, the actual daylight would vary somewhere between, in Israel, between nine hours and fourteen hours, depending on the season. But He's saying, basically, that's fixed, that twelve hours, it's the day that doesn't change. You can't change that. And what He's saying to us and to the disciples is God's plans are fixed. They're determined. He's not going to be thwarted in His plans. It reminds me of the books, and I've mentioned them before, the Choose Your Adventure books. where you pick the book up and you start reading a couple pages and that says, turn to page 17 if you want to this, turn to page 33 if you want to this. And consistently, whatever page I would pick, I would end up dying or ending up in jail like three pages down the road. you'd have to go back and then eventually you'd actually go through the full story. I think sometimes we have this misunderstanding of God's sovereignty that if we pick page 17, we're going to speed up the process. And Jesus is saying, no, listen, there's 12 hours in the day. If anyone walks in the day, if anyone abides and walks in the will of My Father, he's not going to stumble because he sees the light. Anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him. So it's about us abiding in God's will. Please understand this. No one, including Satan himself, can shorten or extend God's plans for your life. Did you understand that? That there is no one, including Satan himself, that can shorten or extend God's plans for your life. Is that not the case with Jesus? Jesus died at the exact moment that the Father had ordained. Countless times we've read already in John, they try to kill Him, but somehow it just doesn't happen. Why? Because it wasn't God's time. Likewise, the disciples wanted to spare Jesus the danger, and Jesus is saying, when that time comes, there will be no way to spare it. And that's providence. Psalm 139.16 teaches that all the days are ordained for you and I before one comes to pass. And that can't be changed. Now, does that mean we live recklessly? No. That would definitely not fall into the idea of abiding in God's will. We don't just live carefree and reckless because, hey, God always picked out the days. Likewise, though, we don't live in fear. And I would say for too many Christians, we live life very cautiously. That apart from maybe hopping in your car, you really don't have any acts of faith in a given day. And God is teaching us, don't panic over providence. Abide in Me. John 9 verse 4 says, we must work the works of Him who sent Me while on His day. Night is coming when no one can work. So we want to follow the Father's will. Are you available and willing to obey God's calling? Are you available and willing? Here's the news, there's a possibility that calling might include long suffering. That in calling might put you in situations that are dangerous. Are you available? Do you live life in fear or in faith? I mean, how many times have you pondered your own mortality? Do you worry you're going to die? I mean, I know several of you who have talked to me about that. And that's not how God has created us to be. He doesn't want us to live in fear. How often are you paralyzed and making big decisions because of this? Well, don't panic over God's providence. But also, and please understand this, don't protest God's providence. Because you see, the truth that Scripture is teaching us here is that God's providence is good. It's always good. Read verse 11 with me. After saying these things, he said to them, our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him. Yet again, disciples are what? Confused, misunderstanding. They say, no, Jesus, if he's sleeping, he'll get better, so we probably shouldn't go there. Because, once again, they want to cover themselves and save themselves, and not be placed in a situation where we might get stoned, because that usually ruins a person's good day. So he doesn't want them to go in that situation. And then Jesus says in verse 11, or verse 12, the disciples said, Lord, if he's fallen asleep, he will recover. Now, Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought he meant taking rest and sleep. And then verse 14, listen how he picks it up. It tells him Lazarus is dead. He's died. And then he goes on and says, and for your sake, I am glad that I was not there. Did you get that? For your sake, I'm glad he was not there. In other words, for your sake, I'm glad I wasn't there to stop this from happening. In other words, I am glad he died for your sake. And I bet Mary and Martha, if they heard that, would say, great, I'm glad that my life and my pain is a learning opportunity for the disciples. But you see, please listen, God uses your suffering often for the good of others. He uses your suffering for the good of others. I mean, the disciples are going to learn from this, and they're going to learn valuable lessons. And guess what had to happen? Lazarus had to experience death. He's going to be one of the few people that we can say died twice. I mean, he tasted death in a real sense. Likewise, Mary and Martha, and it seemed to be a pretty close-knit family, got to watch their brother close his eyes for what appeared to be the last time. They were going to have no more conversations with him. He wasn't going to be there to be that big brother to help them out when the going went. And God let that. And you see, God uses your pain often for the good of others. the experience I shared earlier at the hospital. Well, Matt, God has used him mightily in his life and the life of many. Matt is the lead singer for a local Christian group called Sanctus Real. And since this has happened, he's created a foundation called a Whole Heart Foundation. And it's been helping out people all around the country and I'm assuming eventually the world who've had similar experiences with their children having these heart matters. Likewise, if you've had an opportunity to hear any of his music, I always thought he was a great songwriter, but there is a richness to his lyrics and to the passion behind his song because of this providence. He writes one song calling all of me and just that danger that you and I have of not wanting to give ourselves completely in love because you might get hurt. And as he looked at this child, it would have been very easy for him to be kind of reserved because there's a good chance this baby might die. And yet, I think going through this, he's able to experience hardship in a way that people who haven't went through it can't. And it's a blessing to people. I was so encouraged to see how God has used us. And his child, baby Bowen, is still fighting, and he's a beautiful young boy, as I can see online. And who knows what God's ultimate purposes will be in time. But you see, it's good for others, but also it's good for us. And when we hear children, you probably heard this, you didn't want to eat something, and your parents said what? It's good for you. You know, those vegetables, those Brussels sprouts, whatever they are. And you start questioning, are they really that good for you? I haven't had them that much, I'm still relatively healthy. Likewise, you give your child chores and we say, it's good for you. It's developing a work ethic and you're like, spectacular. And then your parents don't give you money that you want and you say, it's good for you, you're learning the value of money. And then you experience defeat and failure and we say, it's good for you. But I mean, please understand, don't protest God's providence because really, it is. And there's no mimicking what parents say to their children. It is good for you. It's really good for you. 1 Peter 5.10 says, after you suffered a little while, and for me, in the last four years, this has been one of my verses I've memorized. And I had to read it over and over when I was discouraged. It says, After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore you. He's going to confirm you. He's going to strengthen you and he's going to establish you. In other words, this is good for you. In the story of John Newton, guess when he was converted? After a two day storm on the sea. It was the best thing that could ever happen to him. Almost died. Because he started studying the Scriptures. Next thing you know, he's like, man, I need a Savior. Romans 8.28, God works all things for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purposes. Well, do you describe trials in your life as good for you during it? Or do you follow in the story of Ruth where Naomi comes back, everything bad's happened, and they say, Naomi, and she's like, nope, my name's changed, it's Mara, which means bitter. Are you Mara? Are you bitter? Or do you say, you know what, God is good, and this is going to be good for me in the long run. Do you live life in fear or in faith? You trust Him. You see, trials allow us to see God, which is really awesome, right? Trials also allow us to surrender to God because it puts us in a situation where we need to trust and obey. Lastly, and I hope we understand this, trials are the divine opportunities to allow us to be strengthened by God. As I said earlier, it is the place where you're at the gym, it's the bench press where you get to strengthen yourself. by God, because He's the one strengthening you through this stretching. Well, first of all, we see it's an opportunity for us to grow in faith. Continue on with me. In verse 15, He says, I'm glad I wasn't there. And it says, so that you may believe. so that you may believe." We're nearing really kind of a turning point in the Gospel of John. Chapters 1 through 11 are the signs of Jesus. And they're the signs of Jesus as chapter 20 verse 31 says are meant to lead to faith. John 20 verse 31 says, these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. So part of seeing God's glory through trials is for this, to produce faith. He wants you to have greater faith. He wants you to strengthen yourself in faith. He wants you to be much more bolder each and every year in how you live, how you worship, how you act because of what God has done in the previous year. So He wants to strengthen you. It's really the idea of muscle confusion. If you work out, who's going to benefit more from a workout if you do the same weight, same routine, every day, and you only go at about 60%, so you don't really burn? Or the person that one day you're doing something wild, and a couple days later you do something... I mean, that's the heart behind what I've still yet to try, the P90X, muscle confusion. And you see God as the divine trainer for you, provides true muscle confusion. through trials and tribulations for us to grow in our faith. He wants to mature us. James, what does James say? Consider it pure joy when you face trials. Because through the testing of your faith, it produces perseverance, produces steadfastness. That's James 1, 2-3. Paul says the same thing in Romans 5, 3-4. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings. Why? Because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance, character, and character, hope. And I think I can say this with absolute assurity, without being stretched, you will not grow spiritually. That although we have this preconceived idea that it would be awesome for our life to always be great, happy, always have money in the bank account, always get to work and do the job that you love to do every single day, you never have a fight with your spouse, your children are angels and they always do what's best, and You live in not Ohio, so it's always sunny, and you live on the beach, and it's this utopia world, and we think, man, if I did that, I would be so happy. But if that happened, guess what would happen? Your faith would be very minor, very weak. There would be very little strength in God, because you'd be so self-sufficient. And that's why, going through the tough times, And one of my favorite hymns is, It Is Well With My Soul. And you know when that was written after Horatius Spafford had to deal with the fact that he lost his four daughters same day. I mean, parents, could you imagine burying four daughters same day? He couldn't even bury them because they drowned in the middle of the sea. And yet he could write a hymn which is one of the most beautiful hymns I've ever read in my life and sung, because He grew through this faith. Well, are you growing in grace as God used trials to mature you? And do you view difficulties as inconveniences or workouts? Now, before we go on, please understand, I'm not naive to think that we're going to be happy-go-lucky during these times. God has created us with real emotions. So it's okay to hurt. It's okay to not maybe enjoy the workout, the burn. Yet, it's good for you. It's growing you in grace. But also, it's growing you to follow Him whatever the cost. Look at verse 16. So Thomas called the twins, said to his fellow disciples, let us also go that we may die with Him. Good old Thomas. Now, I would say this is actually one of the more commendable experiences in the life of Jesus amongst people. Now, Thomas, what do we know him as? Pretty easy description. What's his name? Doubting Thomas. He's the one that's like, unless I touch it, I don't believe it. And even here we see somewhat of a pessimist. We're going to go die. We're going to die. Come on, let's do it. But Oliver, in the midst of that, do you see the resolve? Do you see his allegiance? His obedience to Christ? If he's going into harm's way, I'm not going to let him go without me. I'm there. That whatever the cost, I will follow. We sang that this morning. Do you mean that? Do you mean that? Are you willing to follow Christ whatever the cost? Whatever the cost. Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, they're commonly referred to as the Oxford Martyrs. It took place around 1555. You can read about it in the Fox Book of Martyrs. They stood up against the Catholic Church and the teaching of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist or the Communion and some other things related to that. And unless they recanted on their teachings, they were going to be burned at the stake. and they were convicted and they were burned at the stake and it's recorded that. Vladimir spoke to Nicholas while they're there and he said, play the man, Master Ridley. We shall this day light such a candle that by God's grace in England, as I trust, shall never be put out. That our death is going to spur the faith and the allegiance of countless men and women and children to follow hard after Christ. And if this is God's providence, let's man up. It's what he says to him as he's being burned. at the stake. You see, trials strengthen us. They make us bolder. They make us more courageous. And that's what God desires for us. Mark 8, 34, if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Are you willing to die for your faith? I mean, we don't know that until that time comes. We don't. I sometimes look at my own faith and I see how fickled it can be that I just don't know. I hope I would. I hope I would in God's power. But that should be our attitude of following Him. I'm going to follow Him down the darkest road. That even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, what? I'm not going to fear any evil. For He's with me. His rod and His staff is comforting me. And He wants to grow in following Him that we are willing to take upon the task that we say, I don't want to do this. Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Are you afraid to be bold for Christ? Are you praying for God to empower and equip you? Are you willing to join Him in death? And are you praying for people? I think this has a deep impact on how we pray for people. We start seeing how God uses trials. We need to not always be praying God fix their problems so they don't have to hurt. Instead, God strengthen their faith so they can glorify You. I found a hymn a few years ago. And actually, I recently found it performed on iTunes, and we'll probably sing it sometime in the next couple of weeks. But it's William Cowper's hymn, and it's called God Moves in a Mysterious Way. And I want to read it to you, and I would encourage you to really pay attention, because I think it is one of the most majestic understandings of trials and God in the midst of them. Please listen. It says, God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea and He rides upon the storm. Deep in unsearchable minds of never failing skill, He treasures up His brightest designs and He works His sovereign will. And then he talks to us. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take. The clouds you so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head. And then he challenges us. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace. For behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. For His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. Although the bud may have a bitter taste, sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, and to scan His work in vain. But God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain." God works in mysterious ways. So what? I think first of all, we need to look for God in the storms. I mean, as somebody who has been in the storms, as somebody who buried my 30-year-old brother-in-law and watched his wife with three kids have to experience this, I've seen God in the storm. And I've seen His hand at work. I've seen amazing things come from that. It doesn't take away the pain. I would trade all of those, I think in my own human understanding, for another moment with Andy, but that's not God's plan. So we need to look for God in the storms, but we also need to let God be God in our storms, and just bow and follow Him, and obey Him, and trust, and He's going to be good to you, and He's going to help you. I think lastly, we need to love God's providence. I think when we get on the other side of the storm, and really, friends, we're never going to get to the other side of the storm until we reach Jordan's stormy banks. And we go to the promised land and we're amongst God. But in the meantime, in those short periods, I think you'll be able to look back and say, man, I'm so much stronger because of what I just went through. For He moves in a mysterious way. Father, indeed, You work in mysterious ways. There's no greater evidence of this than You sending Your Son to die in the place of sinners. That He who knew no sin became sin for us, and that does not make sense. We deserved condemnation, and yet, You brought reconciliation. So, Father, as we look at Your dealings with Your Son, as we consider Your dealings with Lazarus and his family, We are reminded that You are sovereign. And You have plans and purposes beyond our limited understanding. So God, I pray for everyone here, including myself, that we would view trials in light of the Bible and not in light of our own understanding. And I pray for those today who are currently in the storm. that the winds are wrestling around, the rain is coming down, the lightning and thunder is in their midst, and they are afraid, I ask Lord, that You would show Your hand. And that they would cling to You as You already have them in Your hand. And may You get all the glory. We pray this in the precious and wonderful name of Jesus. Amen. Would you stand as we sing our final songs?