When the Going Gets Tough

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This is a sermon based on various Scriptures that speak about trial and testing that Christians are sometimes called to endure.

Introduction:

I want to introduce my subject today first before we look at some Scriptures. What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase, “When the going gets tough?”             The tough get going. I didn’t know who was credited with coming up with that phrase, but a couple of different websites gave credit to Joseph Kennedy, the father of President Kennedy.

The expression refers to the fact that you can tell which people have strong character, because when life gets hard and they are confronted with extreme difficulties, they don’t give up and cave in, but they rise to the challenges and come through with courage and victory.

When we witness this kind of character in others we admire them and hold them in esteem in our minds and hearts. The question naturally arises, “How did they get to be so tough?”

Well, there obviously was something deep within them that tends to accept challenges rather than run from them. (Perhaps it was a personality trait they were born with.)

But, in addition to that, they acquired some of the toughness by going through tough experiences that prepared them for more trouble ahead.

Every person that has ever lived has discovered sooner or later that life is not always easy. Some have discovered that it is almost never easy. We’ve all learned that there are physical challenges, intellectual challenges, spiritual challenges, etc. The question is how are we going to respond when the going gets tough?

I felt drawn to this subject because of several interesting passages of Scripture that apply to this issue.

I want to refer to several different passages of scripture today to express and explain what God’s Word says about the tests we face in life.

1. Many Scripture references like James 1 teach us that tests and trials are a normal part of life; even for a Christian.

James 1:2-3 (NKJV) ²  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

I have preached from this text before, but let me just say this much. James is telling us that this life is full of trials, temptations, disadvantages and challenges. He does not say, “IF” we meet up with trials, but “WHEN” we do.

It is impossible to escape them, so what are we going to do about them? Well, James says that the appropriate response is to look at them as a reason for joy.

What??? Why would we rejoice over tests and trials? Because we know what it will do for us if we successfully overcome them. We will get stronger.

We will become better. We will improve in endurance and patience.

2. Some Scriptures reveal that there are people who follow the Lord only because of the benefits they hope to receive.

John 6:26 (NKJV) ²⁶  Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.

This verse appears in a narrative about Jesus leaving one area where the crowds of people had been and went to Capernaum. The people sought for Him and eventually found Him there, and asked Him when He came there? Jesus’ response to them is a revelation of their true motives. “You seek Me because you ate of the loaves and were filled; [not because you were convinced by the signs I have demonstrated].

His observation about them indicates that some people really are not interested in the significance of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, but they’re only interested in what Jesus can do for them to make their life better or easier.

Some people are not interested in being a disciple and learning to exemplify the character of Christ. They merely want enough religion to ensure that God will answer their prayers and get them through the rough times of life.

They only want enough of God to satisfy their earthly and physical desires while they’re here on earth and then take them to heaven where everything will be peace and pleasure forever.

But, I believe the Bible teaches us that God is not so nearly interested in making our lives comfortable. I believe He is much more concerned with helping us develop His character and mimic His love and grace to a world that is lost.

3. Some Scriptures teach us that God allows tests to come to us for the specific purpose of revealing how much we really want Him.

There are several examples in the Bible, but let me share just two.

Deuteronomy 8:11-20 (NKJV) ¹¹  "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, ¹²  lest--when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; ¹³  and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; ¹⁴  when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; ¹⁵  who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; ¹⁶  who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end-- ¹⁷  then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' ¹⁸  And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. ¹⁹  Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. ²⁰  As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.

Judges 2:20-22 (NKJV) ²⁰  Then the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and He said, "Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not heeded My voice,  ²¹  I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, ²²  so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not."

In these two passages of Scripture, it is as though God is saying to His people, “I provided peace, prosperity and blessings for you, but rather than honor Me and serve Me with gratitude, you have forsaken Me and deserted Me. So now I will take away the benefits and blessings in order to test you and reveal whether you really want Me or not.”

I’m afraid that the Christian churches here in America are facing the same crossroads and the same consequences. I personally believe that God has abundantly blessed America, not only because of our foundation on biblical values and faith, but because of our commitment to Him and our spreading of the Gospel to other lands. However, our society, in general, and many Christian churches, in particular, have abandoned biblical truths and eternal principles of godliness. We have forsaken God’s Word and God’s ways in order to appease and accommodate the perverted passions of the world.

I believe God is ready to tell His people in America, “I’ve provided many benefits and blessings for you to serve Me in peace and prosperity, but you have abandoned My ways. Now, I will take away your blessings, and I will test you to see if will truly seek Me and walk in My ways or not.

I know that many people don’t really like to think about it or talk about it, but I am more convinced than ever that the “storm” is about to come. The testing is about to begin.

4. How can a person stand through the test?

When the testing comes, there is only one thing that will matter. When the blessings we have enjoyed in this life have been taken away, we will be forced to recognize that only eternal values matter. Bank accounts won’t matter. Reputation won’t matter. Material possessions won’t matter.

The only thing that will truly matter is a personal vibrant faith in God and a knowledge deep within our hearts that no matter what happens in the world around us, we belong to God and we trust in Him to get us through.

There is a verse in Daniel that I have used before in a sermon, but it is appropriate for our consideration here.

Daniel 11:32 (NKJV) ³²  Those who do wickedly against the covenant [the willful king] shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

According to this passage, it is the people who truly know God that will be able to remain strong and stand firm in the midst of severe tests. It is only the people who truly know God that will be able to carry on the work of God and the work of faith in spite of great opposition.

The song writer wrote these words, “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”

Someone else once wrote, “When I got to the place where God was all that I had, I discovered that He was all I needed.”

I felt led to bring this truth today, because I believe that the day is coming when many of us will discover in a new way, just how important our faith is, and how important our Christian family is. We will learn that the only way we will be able to cope with the darkness and despair around us is because we believe the Word of God and we know that Jesus already has won the victory and He is going to win the final victory over all evil. Without that confidence and knowledge we will crumble in doubt, defeat and despair.

Conclusion:

I want to simply say that the signs are all around us and the stage is set for some huge global changes, and we are getting nearer to the coming of our Lord just by the passing of time. Some people interpret that to mean that Jesus is going to come and rescue us out of this world so we won’t have to endure any of this pending trouble, but I’m not so sure.

Just like God tested Israel, and just as God has permitted many other countries to go through the fires of testing, I believe God may very well allow America to go through times of tremendous testing, just to see how many of us really are committed to Him.

Or, are we just “following him for the loaves that he feeds us?”