In The Crucible With Christ

In the Crucible with Christ
Quarter 3, Lesson 7
“Indestructible Hope”
www.MichiganSSPM.org
MEMORY VERSE: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has
been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:5, NKJV
LESSON STUDY INTRO

 This week’s lesson discusses theological and practical concepts
that help establish hope when going through difficult experiences.
1. Perspective is vital (Sun, Mon, Thu)
 God’s viewpoint
o A broader perspective on life—God’s perspective—is essential to
surviving difficult times (2 Peter 3:8)
o This is exemplified in the experience of Habakkuk (Hab. 1:1-4; 2:1-3,
9, 12, 15, 19-20)
 “The key to Habakkuk’s survival is that he is brought to see the
whole picture. Therefore, in chapter 3 he is able to pray an
incredible prayer of praise because of what God will do in the
future.” (Qtly, Sun, par 5)
o The broadest spiritual perspective on the universe is Great
Controversy—the big-picture framework for all other Bible stories
and our own experiences today. Seventh-day Adventists should
praise God for this incredible understanding.
 God’s glory
o Another key to surviving difficulty is a recognition and
appreciation of God’s greatness and character.
o Job is the quintessential example of someone who lost sight of his
own struggles when he glimpsed the magnificence of God (Job
42:1-6)
 God’s discipline
o God can use the struggles we face not only to guide us in life but
to grow us into His image (Heb. 12:6-10; 2 Cor. 4:17)
 “Reading [Hebrews] 12 is like being given a set of reading
glasses. Without these glasses our vision or understanding of
hardship will always be fuzzy. But looking through these glasses
will correct the blurred explanation of suffering that our culture
presses upon us. Then we will be able to understand clearly and
be able to respond to trials intelligently.” (Qtly, Thu, par 2)
2. God is still “Immanuel” (Tue)
 While God was uniquely close to us through the incarnate life of
Jesus (Matt. 1:23), God always has been—and still remains—
 (see also Is. 48:10)
Immanuel
o “It is one thing to imagine God guiding events on earth from a big
throne light-years away from our earth. But it is an altogether
different picture to realize that He is close enough to hold the
hands of His dearly beloved people.” (Qtly, Tue, par 3)
How precious is the thought that God is our refuge and that He will be our
helper in all times and in all places, and that in every emergency we have
God with us. He says that He will give His angels charge over us to keep us in
all our ways.... In our God we have a helper, and we will trust in Him. CTR 333
3. God always has a plan (Wed)

 God’s connection to our lives is more than mere closeness or
even spiritual comfort. To the extent we submit to His leading,
God has a plan for our ultimate benefit.
o Wednesday’s lesson draws out “three important sources of hope
worth highlighting” from God’s dealing with ancient Israel during
the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 29:1-10) –
 First, God reminds them that “their situation is not the result of
chance or unpredictable evil” (Jer. 29:4)
 Second, God “can work even within their present difficulties”
(Jer. 29:7)
 Third, God “is going to bring an end to their exile at a specific
time” (Jer. 29:10)
o As students of Bible prophecy, God’s reassurances to Israel in
Babylon should be a lesson for us as we look forward to the soon
return of Christ.
CONCLUSION
Into the experience of all there come times of keen disappointment and
utter discouragement—days when sorrow is the portion, and it is hard to
believe that God is still the kind benefactor of His earthborn children; days
when troubles harass the soul, till death seems preferable to life. It is then
that many lose their hold on God and are brought into the slavery of doubt,
the bondage of unbelief. Could we at such times discern with spiritual
insight the meaning of God’s providences we should see angels seeking to
save us from ourselves, striving to plant our feet upon a foundation more
firm than the everlasting hills, and new faith, new life, would spring into
being. PK 162

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In the Crucible with Christ

LESSON STUDY INTRO

3. God always has a plan (Wed)

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