Silver lining

What's a silver lining?

We know that something has happened that we didn't like.

It hurt us in some way.

A small to a large event can cause us discomfort.

A silver lining is what appears as a beam of light as dark clouds part.

The light shines through.

What was once only dark clouds of trouble over us, there appears a shining, silver ribbon that separates the clouds.

We can look upward and gaze upon the silver lining as evidence that all hope is NOT lost.

The Lord is turning this problem around for good!

TROUBLE THAT NEEDS SILVER LININGS

It may comfort a few to know some biblical facts about trouble.

Here some examples --

They [Paul and Barnabas] Acts 14:18 preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples.

Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith.

"We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. Acts 14:21-22

I [Paul] consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

And you became imitators of us [Paul, Silvanas, and Timothy v.1] and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12

Even with these Scriptures and others that confirm that we may face trouble, most of us want to know that we have a God Whose arms are NOT too short to help us. Numbers 13:23; Isaiah 59:1

We want to know that He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

We want to experience His mercy and gracious favor after we approach His throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16

We want to have no doubts that if we shout, "Lord, save me!" that He will reach out His hand and rescue us as He did Peter in a storm. Matthew 14:28-31

PROBLEMS and SILVER LININGS

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. [Jesus] Matthew 5:11

Insults, persecution, and lies told about you because you follow Jesus?

Where can we find the silver lining?

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Matthew 5:12

Joseph's brothers intended it for evil when they sold him into slavery Genesis 37:23-27 but God meant it for good. Genesis 50:19-21

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed,

will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. Psalm 126:5-6

There's a built-in silver lining when believers weep: They'll return with shouts of joy and more.

We don't need to know how the Lord does this.

It can be enough to believe only and receive this blessing.

The Lord Jesus Christ said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

Paul wrote that he was mindful of the tears 2 Timothy 1:4 of his ministry partner and son in the faith, Timothy. 1 Timothy 1:2-3

How MUCH MORE is our Heavenly Father aware of ours? Psalm 56:8

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

We get trouble and the silver lining of the Father's comfort appears.

In the future, the Father will wipe away all tears from our eyes. Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4

Years ago, disciples of the Lord were threatened because they taught about Jesus and in Him, the resurrection from the dead. Acts 4:2, 18-22

They gathered with other believers Acts 4:23 and PRAYED for silver linings.

"And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,

as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:29-31

And the Father DID stretch out His hand to HEAL, a great silver lining. Acts 5:12, 15-16

Paul and others were storm-tossed at sea with all hope for survival gone. Acts 27:18-20

Paul wrote to others that they should never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Do you think that he prayed for help and a silver lining?

"But now I [Paul] urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship.

For just last night an angel of God, Whose I am and Whom I serve, stood beside me and said,

'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar.

And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.'" Acts 27:22-24

At other times, 2 Corinthians 11:23 Paul was imprisoned for Jesus and in need of a silver lining.

He wrote, Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

Sometimes the silver lining is the hope of heaven.

You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. Hebrews 10:34

Are we looking for a city with foundations Revelations 21:14 whose architect and builder is the Lord? Hebrews 11:10

If so, we need patience as we wait for silver linings now and in the future.

So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.

You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

Your thoughts?

R. Jason