LESSON TWO (SECOND ARTICLE)

TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO.

In the article, Prince and Mrs Adeyori faced some tough times which were as a result of a single challenge which was inability to give birth after wedding. They were abused and mocked but the Lord came through for them at the appointed time; after eight years. One can imagine the shame they would have had for eight years. It was not an easy ordeal they had to pass through, but God helped them through it.

You, also, might be facing a tough time presently or later. It might be in health, finances, relationship, family, place of work, business, academics or spiritual life. May I remind you that tough times never last? God is always there for you. What he require of you is for you to call unto him and trust him completely. In Jer. 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Yes, you have been calling, but may I submit to you that he is never tired of hearing your voice? Hannah kept calling on the Lord in Shiloh till God gave her an answer and granted her requests. It is only God that has the solution to all problems. Heb. 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Come unto God who gives strength.

Note, if you are passing through a challenging situation at a moment, there is something that God wants to bring out of it. 

It might be to deal with you, to take away pride from you and to make you humble. For example, King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:28-37 "28All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

34And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

Again, it might be to sharpen your Spiritual gifts, e.g. Joseph. Genesis40:7-8 "7And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? 8And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you." He was kept in prison for a sin he did not commit, he had been sold unto slavery due to the jealousy of his brethren, he interpreted the dream to these two Pharaoh's officers, yet the chief Butler forgot him, till two years were accomplished.

And, it might be a test of faith. Hallelujah!

Brethren, know that if you are passing through a hard time, it will, at the end, profit you. Do not blame God or yourself. But, give glory to God because, he will come through. Yes, he never leaves or forsakes his children. Isaiah 43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Be like Job in Job 13:15 who said "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him." Hallelujah!. Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

In Conclusion, 

What do you need to do? Keep on trusting him. Be strong. Hold on to him. Hold his hands. You need faith. 

 This  Hymn says "Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely, he sees and knows all the way you have trod, never alone are the least of his children, have faith in God, have faith in God. Have faith in God, he's on the throne, have faith in God, he watches over his own, he never fails, he must prevail, have faith in God, have faith in God."

I love you. Be blessed.