How Could God Do This?

The opening section of the sermon poses a fundamental question: "How Could God Do This?" - a question many believers ask when facing difficulties. The sermon emphasizes that God's thoughts and ways are not human thoughts, but are as high as the heavens are above the earth (Isaiah 55:8-9). This theological foundation helps us understand that God has authority and purposes deeper than what we immediately perceive.

The second section develops the argument that trials are not signs of abandonment but rather means of sanctification. The sermon cites James 1:2-4 to show that trials produce perseverance, and perseverance must work its full effect so that we become mature and complete, lacking nothing. The history of Deuteronomy 8:2-5 and Psalm 66:10-12 illustrate how God led his people through the wilderness for forty years to test their hearts and teach them to depend on Him. These scriptures describe the testing as refining silver or gold - a painful but necessary process to purify.

The third section examines specific examples of biblical figures who faced severe trials. Elijah, a powerful prophet, became so afraid that he asked to die (1 Kings 19:3-4). Yet God did not abandon him; instead, He provided strength through an angel and food for Elijah to continue his work. Peter also faced difficult questions from Jesus about his love (John 21:16-17), but through this he was restored and commissioned to shepherd the flock.

The fourth section applies the message to the practical life of the congregation. Romans 5:3-5 shows that we can rejoice in suffering because it produces perseverance leading to character, and character to hope, and hope does not disappoint us because God's love has been poured out into our hearts. James 1:5-8 teaches that when lacking wisdom, we should ask God in faith without doubting. Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages believers to throw off the weights of sin and fix our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.

The final section concludes with Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, where he reveals that a "thorn in the flesh" was given to him to keep him from pride. When he prayed three times for it to be removed, the Lord said to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This powerful statement reveals that life's most difficult trials can become the very places where God's grace is most clearly demonstrated.