Sermon: God's Promise in Difficulty | Pastor Ben Berteau | Fourth Sunday of Lent

This week's worship begins with a poll & a discussion about  preferences for vacations and accommodations. This leads into a reflection on the Old Testament reading from Numbers 21, where the Israelites grumble against God in the wilderness when their expectations of a prosperous life with God is not going the way the Israelites' anticipated due to a series of challenges. In response to their grumbling, God responds by sending poisonous snakes as punishment.

Much like the Israelites' situation, we also experience challenges throughout life despite our faith. The key is that God doesn't always remove our difficulties, but instead uses them to shape us. Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane illustrates this, as he prayed for the cup of suffering to be taken away but ultimately accepted God's will.

The central message is that while God may not remove our struggles, He promises to give us the faith and endurance to overcome them. The image of Jesus lifted up on the cross is presented as a source of hope and strength in times of difficulty. Pastor Ben encourages those listening to ask for more faith and to look to Jesus for peace and endurance, even when facing challenges that seem insurmountable. Remember, God's promise is not the removal of obstacles, but that He will provide us with the faith to navigate through them.

 

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