Faith Through Your Trials Given at ANAZ, Abingdon, Va. Local Minister, Joseph K Taylor Genesis 23:1-11 Intro: Good morning. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Who’s glad to be here today? Let's welcome those who are watching by way of the livestream. The last time I was up here, I spoke about Abraham’s faith and the sacrifice of Isaac (which didn’t happen because God is faithful in providing for us.) Now, we are about to read about how God is faithful to us even when we go through tough times, and when we go through trials, or when we go through trying seasons in our lives. We are continuing our Genesis study, and to be honest, I am a little bit out of my comfort zone, but it's okay! Sarah Dies The first verse tells us that Sarah dies at the age of 127. Death is never a pleasant topic to talk about, but it appointed to us at some time. Verse 2-4 tells of Abraham's mourning. (Gen 23:2-4) And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a visitor with you. Give me a possession of a burying place with you, so that I may bury my dead out of my sight. It was time to bury Sarah; Abraham wanted it to be over quickly, not because he didn't love Sarah, but because it hurt too much! We've all been in place like this; it may have been under different circumstances; it might not have been related to death at all. However, you wanted the situation just to go away right then! Grief is not a sign of weak faith, grief shows that you are only human, like Jesus, He grieved over Lazarus; (Jn. 11:35). If Jesus can grieve, so can we! These passages also show Abraham's love for Sarah. Love leaves marks. Abraham now had to live without the one that he loved; he had to make arrangements to bury her. Grief can make ordinary things seem different, and difficult. Just because you grieve, doesn't mean that you must stay there, just take one day at a time! Keeping the Faith Through Difficult Situations The Word says "There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (Ecc. 3:4) What did Abraham do? It says that he mourned, it's natural, and doesn't show weakness. Recently, we mourned over the passing of Rubye, and some still might be mourning, and that is okay. What we don't want to do is let the mourning rob us of our joy. Even though he was going through this trial in his life; probably his darkest trial, Abraham kept his faith. He stood up and began taking steps to do what he needed to do. Could he do it in his own power? No, but his faith was still there. He had to make plans to bury Sarah! Let's read verses 6 –11: Genesis 23:6-11: “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choice of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.” Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people, I give it to you. Bury your dead. (Gen 23:6-11) Abraham did not just sit around and feel sorry for himself. He got up and began preparing burial arrangements for Sarah. A lot of people give up and throw pity parties whenever a trial comes, and nothing gets done if we do that. Abraham’s faith made him get up and go do what he had to do. What was the outcome of his faithfulness? He got a part of the land, which was where he buried Sarah. Conclusion: Abraham’s story reminds us that faith doesn’t remove pain, but, it gives us strength to walk through it. Trials will come, but faith keeps us moving forward. When we trust God in the middle of our grief, He turns our sorrow into testimony. Abraham’s faith through his trial became a witness to the people around him and a lasting mark of God’s faithfulness. So, whatever trial you’re facing today, remember: God is still faithful. Amen? Benediction: What is it that you are facing right now? Don't let go of the faith in God. Put your trust in Him! The altar is open. Kimi is coming to sing, come on up, God is waiting!