30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 16 19-31 Released from self cetredness 22 Prepared for trials
📖 Luke 16:19-31
25May2020 - *Prepared for trials* - _Luke 16:19-31_ - Bible reading: _Psalm 73:12-19_
_Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented._
As we read the reply from Abraham to the rich man, we are presented with a conundrum. Why do some people receive good things and others, evil things? Why is it that evil people seem to prosper in life, while innocent people suffer, even a person like Lazarus, who was intimate with God? Where is the justice of God? Why does not God invade into the situation and make corrections?
These are questions that have troubled people and need to be addressed. We will take up this matter and seek to give comprehensive treatment to this issue. Though we will take the effort to understand underlying issues, let us also be contented and be prepared to live with some unanswered questions. Let us begin by looking at the dilemma itself.
_Job 21:22-26 “Can anyone teach God knowledge, Since He judges those on high? (23) One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and secure; (24) His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist. (25) Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. (26) They lie down alike in the dust, And worms cover them._
_Psalm 73:12-19 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. (13) Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. (14) For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. (15) If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. (16) When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— (17) Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. (18) Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. (19) Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors._
We see that evil people seem to prosper albeit during their lifetime on earth, whereas the Lord is letting us know, as His disciples, that in the world we will have tribulation. We will address this matter too, as to why there will be tribulation in the world for God’s people. _John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. *In the world you will have tribulation*, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."_
_Act 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "*We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God*." I Thessalonians 3:3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; *for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this*. II Timothy 3:12 Yes, and *all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution*.
God does provide for us and He is faithful but we must be aware and prepared that we will be pressurised, perplexed, persecuted and even struck down. In all of these, we are more than conquerors in Christ.
*Thought to ponder*
For too long we taught the church, the message of God’s goodness but we have not sufficiently equipped the church to be prepared for hardships.