when you suffer

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

1. You are not alone.
   "I [am] with thee.", "will uphold thee..." It's like it comforts a scared little sibling when an older sibling is with them and holds their hand.
   1Cor 10:13

   There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

   "common to man":
   "There's within my heart a melody" - cyberhymnal.org says, Luther Bridgers "wrote this song after a tragic fire killed his wife and three sons." I'm ashamed for feeling sorry for myself when I hear of really serious suffering.

2. You can overcome.
   "I will strengthen thee... uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
   In seemingly irresistible temptation, He gives strength to do right.

3. This promise applies to us.
   The enemy lies, 'this was long ago, to Israel'.
   Rom 15:4

   For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

4. This promise applies to sinners.
   The enemy lies, 'you're not righteous enough'.
   Luk 5:31,32

   And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
   I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

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From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers in 1910

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,
Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,
Stirred the slumbering chords again.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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