THINK TOGETHER.
Do you know what adversity is?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 24:10. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Do you know what adversity is? Adversity is a word that means trouble, and here it means not just your own trouble but those times when others face trouble too. Solomon’s question for us is how will we respond when others are facing hardship, crisis, or trouble.
Will we faint? Or, will we be strong?
The word faint probably doesn’t mean just literally passing out. It means to do nothing. And the word strength here doesn’t just mean physical strength. Remember Solomon equated wisdom with strength in verse five. Also, don’t forget what wisdom is in the Bible – the fear of the Lord. Trusting God IS strength.
OK, so what is Solomon trying to tell us here? He’s telling us that the way we handle adversity, trouble, and hardships will reveal how wise and strong we are. If we do nothing or give up (faint) then our strength (wisdom, trust in God) is small. But if we respond to the hardships of others with kindness, compassion, help, and attention, then we are showing that we trust God. We are wise. We are strong in the Lord.
In the Lord. That’s the most important part. Making sure that we are strong in times of adversity not from our own prideful smarts or strength, but strong because we know that Jesus is able to turn everything hard into something good. We must let our strength be his strength, the strength of love, and sharing, and giving of ourselves for the good of others, like he did on the cross.
Because of Jesus we can be wise and strong.
With Jesus we can help others in times of adversity.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Who do you know that is going through adversity? How can you trust God and help them through it? What is the wisest way to help?
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, I want to be strong in times of trouble. Give me your strength, the strength of your love so I can help others when they need it. Amen.
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