SERIES: “UNDER THE SUN.”
TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 7:1-28 (140) PROVERBS 24:10.
The preacher intends to instruct us regarding understanding prosperity and adversity in the light of spirituality. Prosperity is not an indication of spiritual accomplishment, neither is adversity a sure sign of spiritual failure in life. We must beware of teachings and adversity. Prosperity is what we gain out of the experiences which matures us for living. Prosperity is being richer toward God in our relationship. Prosperity is what we have that others do not have, like sanity, joy, peace, patience, kindness etc.
Adversity can be prosperous because through adversity we learn prosperity. What we think is a loss can be gain. Often times God breaks us in order to make us.
Life includes both adversity and prosperity. Prosperity outside God is all vanity and vexation of spirit. To prosper materially while empty spiritually is adversity, but to have Jesus Christ is prosperity.
Jesus Christ had His day of adversity. They lied about Him, they spat on His face, they beat Him up, He was tried in 5 different courts with no justice. He died on Friday but His prosperity came early on Sunday morning.
God can bring good out of evil for the person who loves Him and is called of Him. Every man or woman God used greatly was first put through a test in preparation and training in the school of adversity and prosperity.
- Jacob fled from his brother Esau. He slept on stones in a vision, he saw a ladder stretching from heaven to earth-Gen. 28:11-13. He called the place Bethel. He received glorious promises from God.
- For 20 years, Jacob suffered mistreatment from Laban his father-in-law, uncle. God later grew him and multiplied him to become the nation of Israel.
- After being mistreated by his own brothers. His master put him in jail. God moved Joseph from the pit to prison-to the palace. He became a prime minister of the Egyptian empire. Psalm 105:17-21. Pharaoh changed his name to Zaphnath-paa-neah-Gen. 41:45, “Revealer of secrets and Savior of the world.”
- Exodus 2-4, 120 years, 40 years, Prince of Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, 40 years as great prophet, received the 20 commandments, wrote the Pentateuch. God revealed Himself to Moses as “I AM.”
- David, Elijah, Paul, John etc.
- God often leads people through hardships and periods of testing in preparation for a far better and greater sources of blessing.
- No cross, no crown! Whatever you are going through right now remain true to God.
- Pass your examinations in the school of prosperity and adversity. Let us learn:-
- Proverbs 24:10, “If thou faith in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:14, In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider, God also hath set the one over against the other to the end that man should find nothing after him.”
- In the day of adversity consider and know that God is still in control, just like He is in control during days of prosperity.
WHO ARE THE FAILURES IN THE SCHOOL OF ADVERSITY?
- They are people who get confused by adversity.
- They are the people who become bitter because of problems. Bitter against parents and against anybody.
- They are people who fall apart and disintegrate.
- They are people who respond with anger and are filled with hatred.
- They are the people who give up, who abandon God and God’s house, people and withdraw.
- They are people who backslide. They say they have talked to God, sought deliverance and nothing has happened.
- They make statements of failure, “Nobody cares about me,” “Everyone is against me, no one cares whether I live or die.”
WHEN PEOPLE GET DISCOURAGED.
- They pray the wrong prayer. In Numbers 11 and 1st Kings 19, Moses and Elijah prayed to die because of discouragement and depression.
- They say the wrong things-Job 3:1-26.
- They think wrong things and do wrong things. In Numbers 20, Moses smote the rock because of discouragement in 1st Kings 19, Elijah ran away from Jezebel.
- They begin to see wrong things and end up in wrong places and in wrong spirit.
- Proverbs 24:10, “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength?”
HOW TO OVERCOME ADVERSITY.
- In time of peace prepare for war.
- Don’t be distracted. Be careful about man’s applause, praise and criticism.
- Don’t pay attention to those who abuse you.
- The end of the age has come and we have many fake christians and fake news.
- If you don’t understand the spiritual condition of a thing, do not get involved with it.
- Beware of demonic house helps and farm workers and relatives.
- Remember the next corner after a blessing of life, is adversity. Be ready for it.
- Be cautious about comfort. Comfort can make a person to be spiritually lazy-Judges 5:15-17.
- God does not want us to fail in the school of prosperity and adversity.
PRAY:
- Holy Spirit fire, pull down every barrier blocking my progress-in Jesus name.
- Oh, God, I refuse to participate in every failure of my family-In Jesus name.
- Any power that says I will never enjoy my life, fall down and die, In Jesus name.
- Every cage of household witchcraft and wickedness against my destiny, break now-In Jesus name.
- Every spirit of witchcraft operating at the edge of my breakthrough, die in the name of Jesus Christ.
Latest posts by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso (see all)
- DIVINE INTERVENTION IN DESTROYING THE YOKE OF DELAY. - March 26, 2025
- KUGUZWA UPYA - March 23, 2025
- “LIVING DOGS AND DEAD LIONS.” - March 23, 2025