Dear Christian friends:

Today is a very beautiful summer day. The weatherman forecast no rain and a high of 75 degrees. And we are going to the park this afternoon for our church picnic.

It does not seem to be a good time to preach about trouble. But our text teaches about trouble and how we should think about it. Also let me remind you that trouble often pops up on a beautiful day when we are not expecting it. Also its all right to preach about trouble on a beautiful day because troubles for a Christian are not really bad. They only seem bad. We fear trouble because we fail to trust God, our Father. But for a Christian troubles are a hidden blessing. One day we will see and know how good that trouble was for us.

So on this beautiful Sunday morning, let us attend to our text and see what we should do

I. In our text Peter says, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God." So when troubles come God intends to humble us. We by nature are too proud and self-righteous: think we do not need God and His mercy in Jesus Christ - not eager for prayer, not eager for Bible reading, not eager for Church. We think we are okay if we try our best and be good and do our duty and work. Prayer not important, Church not important, Lord's Supper not important. Our heart and nature is too proud and self-righteous. So God uses His mighty hand to give us trouble so we will wake up and see our weakness, our sin and need for His help and salvation. He wants us to be humble with others and kind to them when they are weak and make mistakes.

If we are proud and self-righteous, we look down on others and quickly criticise them and condemn them.

So when trouble comes we should think: "God is letting this trouble happen to me. He wants to teach me something by this trouble. I will not complain or feel bitter. I will pray to Him and ask Him to help me suffer that and learn from it." Peter says, "Throw all your worry on Him because He worries for you. (verse 7) Remember, when trouble comes God loves you. He is your kind, wise heavenly Father and that trouble He lets happen to you is for your good to improve and make pure your heart and spirit, to make you a kinder better person.

When trouble comes be humble and trust God, don't become displeased or bitter.

II. Also when trouble comes remember that the devil comes with it and tempts you to lose your head and fear and complain and criticise God, yes he tries to make you give up on God. (read verses 8-9) He whispers to you,"God does not love you. He doesn't care about you. You sin too much. If God loved you, He would not let daughter die."

Resist such temptation when troubles come to you and your family. Tell the devil to go away, that God truly loves you in Jesus Christ. God is not angry with you when He lets trouble happen to you. His anger about sin He has finished pouring out on His own Son Jesus Christ. When Jesus suffered and died on the cross God once and for all punished sin. He does not punish sin any more. He loves us and forgive us in Jesus Christ.

So when trouble comes read again those verses in the Bible that tell of God's love for sinners: "God is love", John 4:17, "God so loved the world", John 3:16, "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John:4:17

Go to church talk to your pastor or other Christian friend. Go to the Lord's Supper. Remember the trouble will not last long. Peter says, "After you have suffered a little while, the God of all love, who called you in Christ Jesus to His everlasting glory, will make you perfect, firm and strong." (verses 10-11)

So trouble is good for you and me. It makes us perfect stronger Christians. It helps us to everlasting glory.

Nearer, My God, To Thee - Hymn

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Amen