Mercies in Disguise

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The beginning of suffering

Gn. 3:17 …cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life…

1. This broken world

Level 1: Suffering comes as a result of our sins

against God’s law

1. Crime and punishment

Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

The consequences of sin

2. The discipline of the Lord

Pro 3:11,12 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

God will treat as His sons

3. A broken heart

Psa 51:16,17 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Miseries into melodies

Level 2: Suffering comes as a result of the trials that

measures our faith

4. Under fire and strike

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

God is working in the inner man

5. The hardest the sweetest

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

Made winners before the match

6. Never left or forsaken

Isa 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.

I am with you everyday till the end of the world

Level 3: Suffering comes as a result of our obedience

to God

7. Thread into opportunity

Psa 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

While you are going, make disciples

8. Weakness into Strength

2Co 12:9,10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

9. This is not our home

We are citizens of heaven

Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

A whole new world

The death of suffering

Rev 21:3,4 Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

What do you do when you arefacing suffering and struggling?

What do you do when you arefacing suffering and struggling?

We pray for blessingsWe pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleepWe pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken needYet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tearsWhat if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re nearWhat if trials of this life are Your mercies in

disguise

We pray for wisdomYour voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your loveAs if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate pleaAnd long that we'd have faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tearsWhat if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re nearWhat if trials of this life are Your mercies in

disguise

When friends betray usWhen darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heartThat this is not, this is not our home,

It's not our home

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindropsWhat if Your healing comes through tearsAnd what if a thousand sleepless nightsAre what it takes to know You’re nearWhat if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this lifeIs the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t

satisfyAnd what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nightsAre your mercies in disguise