The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder Lasser Bradley Jr. Mm-hmm. Dozen tumblers seem My great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his race. This is Leser Bradley Jr. inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace.
Hide thou me. Times I feel discouraged and think my life in vain. I'm tempted then to murmur and of my lot complain. But when I think of Jesus and all he's done for me, then I cry, O rock of angels, hide thou me, O rock of ages, hide thou me, know their refuge have bibli when life's dark pale, I wander. Far, far from thee.
Then I cry, O rock of ages, I thou me sometimes it seems I dare not go one step farther on, and from my heart, oh, courage has disappeared and gone. But I remember Jesus and all his love for me. Then I cry, O rock of ages, I thou measure. When life's dark veil, I wander far, far from thee. Then I cry, O rock of the ages hide thou me today.
We bring you the second part. of the message six things to remember in the time of crisis. I realize that the things that we're talking about are not deep or difficult to understand. But there are things that sometimes are forgotten when they are needed. I started this message by Reciting an experience my mother had years ago when she was concerned about what would happen if we had a fire in our house.
And she got fire extinguishers installed. And then one morning when she had a fire, she forgot about them. went to the kitchen and got a little pan of water and threw on the fire, which did nothing.
Well, we can hear these six things and say, well, I know all of that, but sometimes in the hour of crisis, We're in such stress we forget.
So I'm bringing this message. To help you remember what they are, and that's the essence of what we're talking about. We have to remember things that we have read, heard preach, things that we know. and not neglect them. We need to be reminded of the wonderful truths of God's Word that are crucial for us to consider in our time of challenge.
We're using as the text the book of Lamentations, where the prophet said, My hope is perished, but then concluded in verse 21 of Lamentations chapter 3, This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness. We first have noted that we need to remember God is still on the throne.
Number two, there are things that I cannot control. Number three, the trials are for my benefit, and we continue there today. Patience. is necessary in our trials. And most of us by nature are not prone to be patient.
We want what we want when we want it. We want things to move along in a positive course on our timetable. But in James chapter 1, verse 1, We read these words. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. He's talking to people who have been driven from their homes.
are scattered abroad. Don't know where they're going to be living. Don't know what's coming next. And what would you expect him to say? Brethren My age.
Heart is heavy. Thinking about the trial that you're facing. I grieve for you. But it didn't do that. He says, my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations.
I said, James, that just seems. Really inappropriate. to be talking to these suffering people and say, count it all joy. But this is from the inspired word of God. James was writing as he was moved upon by the Holy Spirit.
And he goes on to explain. How and why you can count it joy, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Trials come to complete that which is lacking. That you might be complete, that you might be entire, that you might be lacking nothing.
The tendency But we are facing trials. It's to Well, feel sorry for ourselves. I've been trying to serve God. I've been trying to do the right thing. Why did this happen to me?
I deserve better than this. But if we're Giving in to self-pity, that only adds to our misery. That makes matters worse. Before the days of the um gates that come down at a railroad crossing. It used to be signs there that would say stop.
Look. And listen.
Well, I think the message to us, in view of what James is saying, should be stop. Think? and learn. There's something for us to learn in our trials. We need to stop for a moment.
To be sure we're thinking right, to be sure we're remembering the things that we've been taught: that God's on the throne, God is sovereign. God has made us a promise to work all things together for good to them that love him and are called according to his purpose. Think on these things, remember these things that we have learned. Stop, think and learn. Patience, endurance.
helps us to keep on track. Trials are designed in such a way that we're to stay with the project. that we might learn the lesson. There's a tendency to look for an escape hatch.
So I said, I can't stand this trial. Uh or out. And some run away from their troubles.
Some depend on tranquilizers to numb their feelings so they can get through it. That's not the suggestion of this text. This text says Count it joy. Because God is at work. God is going to lead you to higher ground spiritually.
God is going to teach you and complete in you that which is lacking. In our trials, the promises of God become more precious. You can read a promise, meditate a promise. Memorize a promise, think about it at various times. And it's just some words there, but oh, when trials come.
How meaningful. Are those promises? And the examples of Scripture. become more meaningful to us. You read that story of Jehoshaphat.
who came before the Lord and said, Lord, we have no might and we have no plan. Here's a man in a desperate situation. Don't know what to do, don't know what to do next, don't know where to turn, Lord. We're turning to thee. Thou art art power.
We're weak. We're not able to stand. We need help. We have no might, we have no plan. We're trusting you.
You read that. When you yourself are having a trial. And say That's me. That's where I am. And then you read the rest of the story and see how God heard the prayer, intervened, and delivered his people.
And then you think about the Apostle Paul. He said. No man stood with me. Here's this faithful servant of God, this great apostle. mightily used of the Lord in many ways.
He's standing alone. No man. stood with me. Notwithstanding, he goes on to say, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. What more could you ask?
If the Lord stands with you. You have all the comfort, the help. that you need. Trials actually are a blessing. sent to fill up what is lacking.
Say, I just have a tough time with that. Absolutely, that's contrary to our human nature. That's not the way we're prone to think. Then it suggests that God would never want his children to suffer. And yet, over and over in Scripture, it's made clear that it's through our sufferings, our trials, our difficulties that we are trained.
That the dross is consumed, that we're conformed more to the image of Jesus Christ. But in spite of the fact that the trials are sent to fill up what is lacking.
Sometimes an effort is made. to cut short the process. before realizing The benefits. that are to be involved. Successfully handling our trials prepares us.
for greater things to come. prepares us for greater service. Prepares us to be more useful. He says that we're to comfort others with the same comfort wherewith we ourselves have been comforted.
So if we've never been through any trials, if we've never been through any difficult places ourselves and had to learn what it means to totally rely upon the Lord and to find the comfort that He gives, how then are we going to be able to comfort others?
So while at first glance It may seem that James is lacking compassion. that he just doesn't have deep feeling for these people. But it does because rather than just making some little frivolous statement That hopefully would make them feel better for the moment. He's giving them some instruction that will make a difference in their life for a lifetime. You Recognize that you have a reason to rejoice.
In your trials, because God is at work. And he uses them to fill up in your life What? is lacking. Number four. My greatest concern must be to honor God.
Our natural Inclination is Just to do whatever will bring me immediate relief from my trouble, bring me happiness and peace. And so often there's a willingness to accept any kind of a solution.
Somebody Does it know the Lord? Knows nothing about the Bible, but comes to you and gives you a piece of advice. Hey, babe, that sounds good. I think I'll. Be there.
Your concern must not be for immediate relief from your pain and discomfort. But to honor God. to honor God. means that no matter what Anybody else does, or what anybody else says, you're going to do what's right.
So many times when I've had a couple sitting in front of me And we were talking about their marital problems. One would say Well, if he would just do this or that. then I I I could do my part. Dark. He'll say, if she just would get off my back and wasn't nagging me all the time, I could do better.
So each person points to the other. Instead of recognizing my fault, my failing. where I need to change. I would do better if somebody else would. But you see, your obligation is to God.
to do what's right in his eyes. If nobody else does what's right, you are to do what's right. Colossians 3, verse 17 says, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Whatever you do. The things you say, the things you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 19 verse 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. How then Should you conduct yourself during the trial in order to bring glory to God?
Well, first of all, there should be no anger toward God.
Now Hopefully, most of you say, Well, that's never even crossed my mind. I would never entertain the thought of being angry at God. But I've had people say to me, I am. angry at God. I can't believe.
that God allowed my loved one to die at such an early age. I can't believe that God let this trouble. Come into my life. I've had them go so far as to say, I don't even believe there is a God. Considering all the things I've had to face in my life.
Well, certainly, if your concern is to bring glory to God, to honor His name. You're not going to be angry at God. You're not going to be angry at anybody else. He tells us to put away anger. There should be no complaints.
No attempt to take revenge. No bitterness. Trials are designed to make us better. Not bitter. If they become bitter.
If we have hard feelings toward anybody. Our spirit is wrong. The need to ask for forgiveness. And know that the mark of true discipleship is that we love. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love.
one to another. Number five. I must go to God's word. for council. The wisdom of the world is not the answer.
1 Corinthians 1, verse 18 says, For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Somebody says, I've got a lot of stress. And in many cases, you'll be going to talk to somebody who doesn't even believe there's a God. How can that individual No what makes you tick. when you don't even believe in the one that made you. The place you need to go.
Is To the source of information that's provided by divine inspiration, that being the Word of God. God says, I will destroy the wisdom of the world, and he's in the process of doing that. And you see some of the ideas that are advanced based on human reasoning rather than on the authority of the Word of God. You see God destroys the wisdom of the wise. I've observed that psychologists often do an excellent job of describing a pattern of activity, describing a particular type of problem.
But admit They don't have the solution. Answers are to be found in the Word of God.
So we need to go there for our council. God's Word is sufficient. Romans 15 verse 4 says, For whatsoever things are written aforetime are written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Where do we get hope? Where do we get the instruction?
Where do we get the guidance we need? In the scriptures. What is some of the counsel that's given in the time of trouble? Psalm 46, verse 1 says, God is our refuge and strength of every present help in trouble.
So, whatever kind of trouble you have, If you've picked up the telephone and somebody had brought you bad news, if you've learned of a death of a relative in a distant place, or at a dark time of night, somebody comes to your door and says family member has been killed, whatever the trouble is, whatever the heartache, whatever the problem that you're encountering, how good to remember God is our refuge and a present help in the time of trouble. It's also good to remember that the arm of flesh will fail. Jeremiah 17, 5 says, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm. But we're also reminded when we go to Scripture that we cannot be complacent and idle. If there are things required of us, things that are commanded that we do as followers of Christ, we need to be diligent in doing them.
Ecclesiastes chapter 9, verse 10 says, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave. whither thou goest.
So While you have life, while you have opportunity. Do what needs to be done. Not just anything, but do the things that will honor God. Do the things that are stipulated in His Word as to how you will serve Him. And don't Jump to conclusions.
You'll find that advice in God's word. Proverbs 18:13 says, He that answereth a matter before he heareth it. It is folly and shame unto him. Don't Jump. to conclusions.
Reading from Matthew chapter 16, verse 5, we see an example of where the disciples did just that. And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And Jesus said unto them, O ye of little faith, Why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Do ye not yet understand? Neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it you're fretting about bread? You've had a clear example. I can provide that.
Have you forgotten all about the 5,000? Neither the seven loaves of the 4,000, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that you do not understand that I spake, it is not to you concerning bread that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Jesus said.
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The disciples immediately jumped to conclusions. He's rebuking us because we didn't bring any bread. Jesus said, why would you worry about bread? You saw me feed 5,000 and 4,000 breads, not a problem.
I meant what I said. I said, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He was talking about their doctrine.
So here is a classic example of what it means to jump to conclusions. If you go to God's word for counsel. You're advised not to jump to conclusions. Number six. God Is the God of all grace.
You need special grace when you're going through trials and afflictions. 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, establish strength, and settle you. The cot of all grace. Don't forget that.
The God of all grace who hath called you. After that you have suffered a while, suffering is recognized as a reality. It's something that Christians are going to endure from time to time. And after you have suffered a while, it'll make you perfect. You'll make a complete, established, strengthened settle you.
You need grace. Obviously, we all needed grace with respect to the salvation of our soul because, by nature, we're fallen, guilty sinners. deserving nothing but the wrath of God. We could not elevate ourselves from a state of spiritual death. We could not transform and change our own hearts.
Salvation not based on human effort, good works, or free will, but on grace.
So we love grace. But you not only needed grace in the day of your salvation, you need grace every day. You need grace. to stay calm in the storm. You need grace to be gracious.
Sometimes If a person is under a lot of stress. due to their trials. They Don't display the right spirit. We need grace. to be gracious.
Grace. To serve. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace. Whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. We need grace to serve.
Paul said that My God shall supply all of your needs. By grace, He will supply our needs, whatever they may be. When we recall them that he is the God of all grace. We also remember he is the God of hope according to Romans 15, 13. We need hope.
He's the source of it. He's the giver of it. When we feel hopeless, we need to remember something. Where Jeremiah was down in the valley, he had forgotten. He said, My hope has perished.
But then he remembered. Great is thy faithfulness. God is the God of hope. He's the God of all comfort according to 2 Corinthians 1.3. Comfort is needed.
He's the giver of it. He's the source of it. We go to Him. They're made trials. that we will face along the journey of life.
But I encourage you. to remember The six things. that I brought before you this morning. Number one. God is still on the throne.
Number two. There are things that I cannot control. Number three. Trials are for my benefit. Number four, my greatest concern must be to honor God.
Number five. I must go to God's word for counsel. Number six. He is the God. of all grace.
Master, the tempest is raging, the billows are tossing high. The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh. I hope that this message, Six Things to Remember in the Time of Crisis, has been a blessing to you. I'm sure you're acquainted with the principles we've talked about, but the point we've made is that sometimes when crisis comes, we forget the basics that we have been taught.
When Jeremiah said in the book of Lamentations, my hope is perished from the Lord, he soon recovered when he said, this I recall to mind, therefore have I hope.
So we need to remember the things that we've been taught, the principles of God's word to sustain us in the time of trouble. Remember, if you request it, We will send you this message in print in booklet form.
So we would love to hear from you. This is the last week of our anniversary month. And I'm sure some of you have been planning all month to write us and haven't done it yet.
So this is your opportunity to get your letter to us during the celebration of our 73rd anniversary of broadcasting. This program.
Now, until next week at this same time, may the Lord richly bless you all. The depths of my sad heart are troubled. Awaken and save, I pray. Torrents of sin and of earth. The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder Lassaire Bradley Jr.
Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. The winds and the waves shall obey thy will. Peace be still. Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea, or demons or men, or whatever it be, no waters can swallow the ship where lies the master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will. Peace be still. Peace be still, They all shall sweetly obey thy will. Peace. Peace peace be still.
