TWELVE YEARS AND A TRAIL OF TEARS

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4)

This is one of the strangest statements in the Bible. It is a paradox and a mystery. “Happy are the sad?” What do these strange words mean?

THE MYSTERY OF HUMAN SUFFERING

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God.” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

-          Is there an answer to the question - Why?

            Yes, there is, but the answer is hidden from our view. (Romans 11:33-36)

-          To all our questions, God replies, “I am that I am.”

Example story from Christ’s life – Luke 8:40-56

The healing of the woman with an issue of blood and the raising of Jairus daughter coincide.

THE MINISTRY OF DIVINE COMFORT

☻ God himself draws near to those who hurt.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

☻ God uses suffering to draw us to Him.

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

Suffering turns us to the Lord as nothing else can.

☻ What starts with suffering ends with the love of God.

You can’t get to the love of God without starting in the place of suffer.

THE MIRACLE OF DIVINE INTERVENTION

The story of the woman and the girl are connected by a 12 year span.  This morning, as you consider your own pain think 12.

✖ Twelve years of unanswered q___________________

✖ Twelve years of unquestionable d_________________

It’s human to doubt

 “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”  (Mark 9:24)

✖ Twelve years of wasted e___________________

Because God is wise, nothing is ever wasted in our experience.

See Romans 8:29

✖ Twelve years and a trail of t________________

Because God is love, he will not leave you alone in your pain.

This is the promise of the Second Beatitude.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

He will come to you.

✖ Twelve years was just e___________________

Twelve years was just enough for a saving faith to come out of two hopeless situations.

I know He answers the most important question in his plan of salvation.

Does God care for me in the midst of my suffering?

The answer is yes, G cares for you and if you doubt his love, look to the cross and be comforted.