REASONS FOR TRIALS

TO MAKE US MORE FRUITFUL BY PURGING

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL

Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

TO LEARN PATIENCE AND BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

TO SHOW GOD'S GRACE AND HAVE GOD'S POWER REST UPON US

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

TO LEARN GOD'S STATUTES

Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S STRENGTH

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

TO REALIZE GOD'S CONTINUED PRESENCE

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 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.  

TO SHOW US WE CAN COMMIT THE KEEPING OF OUR SOULS TO HIM

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

TO KNOW THAT THE BATTLE IS NOT OURS, BUT GODS

2 Chronicles 20:12, 15 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

TO SHOW US THAT THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

TO CAUSE US TO REJOICE THAT WE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST'S SUFFERING

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

TO RECEIVE HIS POWER AND STRENGTH

Isaiah 40:28-29 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

TO BRING GLORY AND HONOR TO GOD

John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

TO SHOW US THAT THE TRIAL IS TEMPORARY IN COMPARISON TO THE ETERNAL GLORY

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

TO TEACH US THAT SUFFERING BRINGS BLESSINGS

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

TO TEACH US TO WAIT ON GOD

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

TO TEACH US ABOUT GOD'S COMFORT SO WE CAN IN TURN COMFORT OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMFORT

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

TO TEACH US GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

TO PURIFY US AS GOLD IS PURIFIED

             Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he     

             hath triedme, I shall come forth as gold.

TO PROVE OUR FAITH IS GENUINE

I Peter 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: