By Mike Smith

2. Hard Times Hit
• When hard times come:
– We need help.
– Why do they come?
– Where will we go?
– What can we do?
• Thanks to God, we can find the strength to
go on!

3. Hard Times Hit Judah
• They had sinned, and God was punishing
them.
– Joshua prophesied of this destruction.
Joshua 23:15-16
– It was happening in Jeremiah’s day.
Lamentations 1:5; Jeremiah 40:3
• When we sin, God will punish us!
Hebrews 12:5-11; Galatians 6:7-8

4. We Need Help
• God will punish us and help us to do right.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
– His word will prick and convict our hearts.
John 16:8; Acts 2:37
– His word teaches us what we should and
should not do. 1 Peter 3:8-12
• God will help us, but we must listen and
be obedient. Matthew 7:21; Ephesians
5:17
– Includes our going to Him for help. Heb. 4:16

5. Why Trouble
Three Basics
• We bring it on ourselves. Reap-Sow
• Sometimes others bring it. Bad crowd
infects those around them
• God also allows it to bring needed growth.
James 1:2-4

6. Where To Go
• The Lord! Proverbs 3:1-7
– God’s word – The Bible is profitable to
thoroughly equip one for every good
work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Self doesn’t have all the answers.
Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23
• Neither do sinners know the right way.
1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 1:10 GW
“My son, if sinners lure you, do not go along.”

7. What To Do
• Find the strength in His Word.
• He tells us to…
– Examine ourselves and return to Him.
Lamentations 3:40; 2 Corinthians 13:5
– Have sorrow for your sin and repent.
Lamentation 3:47-48; 2 Corinthians 7:10
– Ask God for help and forgiveness.
1 John 1:9; 1 Peter 3:12
– The faithful look to the Lord for salvation
and wait patiently for Him. Lam. 3:21-26

8. Jesus Wants To Give You
Strength!
• We can do all things through Christ.
Philippians 4:13
• But first we must come to Him. Mt. 11:28-30
*Hear and learn the gospel. Jn. 6:45; Rom.1:16
*Believe the gospel. Mark 16:16
*Repent of sin. Acts 3:19
*Confess Jesus. Acts 8:37
*Be baptized. Acts 22:16
**Be faithful! Revelation 2:10