Life’s Hardest Test and God’s Provision

13 Jan Life’s Hardest Test and God’s Provision

Posted at 10:08h in English Service by

Deacon Hui Zhen - 28 August 2014

Preach Gospel To Yourself Daily

As children of God, we need to always examine ourselves if the truth we have always heard become have become our spiritual state. Can we look to Father, always listening and following Him in all things, just like Lord Jesus. There're moments in our journey of faith that we seem to enter into a spiritual stupor. As we continue serving in the church or hearing the gospel, our faith does not seem to grow deeper in Christ, and we do not seem to draw closer to God. Situations and information seem to rob away our joy easily, distorting our judgment core and peace without even us knowing. The truth that gives birth to us call us to be God's child, one with an unchanging relationship with God. It is this relationship that gives us strength to look to Father for strength and wisdom daily. With the complete truth, we ought to tear down the "old written code" that Satan hideously put in our lives that stop us from hearing the living and active conviction of the Holy Spirit. And often, we have entered into a complacent state, forgetting to repeatedly connect and confirm the truth we have heard through deep prayers. The fruit of genuine faith [vs religion] is strength, love, and grace of God, it means we should have daily recharge, daily renewal and daily regeneration. As much as preaching gospel to others is important, we should all the more preach the gospel to ourselves daily so that we will not fall into spiritual stupor. Be led by the living and active word of God daily. The Word of God does not only bring comfort, it operates into the depths of our souls, penetrating, exposing and revealing the spots that need healing. The journey with Abba Father is always so true and active.

Related Topics: Gospel Discernment, Knowing Jesus | More Messages from Deacon Hui Zhen

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Life’s Hardest Test and God’s Provision


Sometimes life gets hard, even as we walk with the Lord. Yet, with greater tests and trials comes greater divine grace. Often, we tend to feel that God is heartless or unhelpful during our trials. However, the faithful God will provide for us, not necessarily by helping us avert the trials, but His help comes within our trials, so that we can eventually pass the test. The most blessed relationship with God is one that is built not on what God can give us or do for us, but on God Himself. To the one who trusts and obeys God, He will give grace upon grace. Yet, though human obedience is important in the walk of faith, God’s grace will always surpass human performance, our works can never outdo God’s grace.

Verses to Read: <Genesis 22:1-18>

1. God is Our Provider.

1) God tests His people <v1>.

  • But God is not unkind.
  • The greater the test, the greater the reward.

2) God provides for us during the test.

  • God’s faithfulness helped Abraham passed the test.
  • God’s provision is not in the form of averting the trial, but divine help is found within the trial, when trial is at its worst.
  • Greatest sorrow >>> greatest relief and joy*

***Ever felt the knife was already at our throats?
***No mood to complain, but only gratitude for not dying

  • Ram >>> Isaac
  • Jesus >>> Us
  • The God who was offended by our sin actually died for us!
  • The Judge died for the offender.
  • We are so sinful
  • God’s grace is so bountiful
  • If God provided the most important Substitute >>> other smaller things too <Ro 8:32>

2. Abraham’s obedience of great faith

  • Difficulty of the test >>> magnitude of Abraham’s faith and obedience
  • Abraham’s relationship with and faith in God was not based on what God could give him, but on God Himself.
  • He never felt entitled about having Isaac >>> knew the son was from God, for God.
  • Passed the test of honoring God above all else.
  • How are we handling the “Isaacs” in our lives?

3. Intricate relationship between grace and works.

  • Grace is not earned by human works.
  • Yet, clear causal association between God’s blessings and human obedience:
    • <v16-17>: “because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you…”
  • Grace does not negate works, but goes beyond works.
  • GOD’S GRACE surpasses HUMAN PERFORMANCE.

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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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