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Sunday, October 21, 2018

This Too Shall Pass Is Not In The Bible - A Sermon




This is the manuscript of the sermon I preached at Christ Church, Los Angeles October 14, 2018. This is the third sermon my  "That's Not In The Bible" series.  


No, “this too shall pass” is not in the Bible but, everything,  the good, the bad, and the ugly will all pass.  God is the only constant.   He and His love are the only things that will never pass.    Only God is forever and we are called to place our trust in Him because He will never leave or forsake us. 

To hear the audio recording of the sermon click the YouTube image at the end of the manuscript.

Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

The Bible may be the most revered book in America, but it's also one of the most misquoted. Politicians, motivational speakers, coaches - all types of people - quote what they believe are passages from the Bible that are not there.  For example at a news conference after he  was fired as coach of the Chicago Bears  Mike Ditka, in tears, said, “Scripture tells you that all things shall pass.”  Surprise Mike that is not in the Bible.

The phrase “this too shall pass”  is most likely a proverb from around 1200 AD. The proverb means that all material conditions, whether good or bad, are transient. This proverb has the ability to make the happy person sad and the sad person happy because of the realization that both the 'best and worst of times' will soon pass.

The legend of the quote finds its roots in the court of a powerful eastern Persian ruler who called his wise men to him, and asked them for one quote that would be accurate at all times and in all situations. The wise men consulted with one another, and came up with the answer ..."this too, shall pass".

The ruler was so impressed by the quote that he had it inscribed in a ring.

The quote was popular in the first half of the 19th century particularly with the English poet Edward Fitzgerald and was later used in a speech by Abraham Lincoln, in his address to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society in 1859.

The closest thing in the Bible to “this too shall pass” may be ;

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV)17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,18  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Remember that I've said the last couple of weeks that some of things that we think are in the Bible are actually contradictions to what the Bible says.  The two that we've talked about, “When the praises go up the blessings come down” and “God helps those who help themselves” both contradict what is in the Bible. Obedience not praise results in blessings, and while God doesn't help the lazy, he doesn't need our help to do anything.  He helps the helpless not those who help themselves. 

While”this too shall pass” is not in the Bible it does not contradict the Bible. 

This too shall pass is something we say to make ourselves feel better when we are going through difficult times.  It could be sickness, financial difficulties, relationship problems, work related stress, any number of unpleasant things.​​


Troubles Are Opportunities

The Bible reminds us that tough times actually produce endurance, character, and a strong hope of salvation, because we know that God loves us.

Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;4  and perseverance, character; and character, hope.5  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Again tough times produce perseverance, character, and hope, which are all characteristics of faith in God which when acted on end in perfection?

That's what it says in

James 1:2-4 (NKJV)2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Because we know that while we are going through those trials God is with us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I told you that is one of my favorite scriptures because it's such a comfort to know that whatever is happening God is with me.

And if your trial is a lack of money or resources;

Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

That's great.  However, if we're honest, when difficult times come it’s hard to keep focus even on God.  It's at those times we need to remind ourselves that whatever is going on is only temporary.   It will pass.

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Each Time…... Really?

What about the believer who dies of cancer without being healed;  what about the believer who has financial difficulty after losing a job;   what about David whose family was a catastrophe;  what about Paul who was martyred;  what about Peter who it is said was crucified upside down; what about you and me;  what about Jesus?

Jesus was crucified so when was He delivered from all His troubles? He was not delivered until after His death.  Jesus’ deliverance came when God raised Him and welcomed Him back to be with Him in heaven. 

Our trouble may be sickness, loss of material things, friends, dishonor, or persecution. At times we don’t think that we will be able to bare them.   But the Lord will give us the strength to handle them if we let Him.  

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)13  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

That brings to mind another saying that's not in the Bible either and that is that “God will never give you more than you can bear”, which probably came from a mis-quote or misinterpretation of this verse, but that's another sermon for another day.

What the verse does say is that God gives us the strength to resist through Christ.

Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV)11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:12  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The key here is the ability to persevere through the strength that Christ has given us through the Holy Spirit. 

Yes the Lord does deliver the righteous from all their troubles but, like Jesus, that complete deliverance may not happen until we are with Him.    

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NKJV)6  So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Suffering actually reminds us where true joy and lasting hope are found.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)12  Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;13  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

God tells us not to be surprised at the troubles we face, but to “keep on rejoicing.” they will pass.

To keep rejoicing is a choice. And it can be a very difficult one when facing great loss, suffering, and the pressure of hard places. When we choose to rejoice, not being thankful “for” the hard times, but “in” the hard times, we are pushing back. The devil would love nothing else but to defeat us in despair, to stop us in our tracks. But when we’re choosing not to allow our circumstances and feelings to get in the way of what we know to be true, that’s powerful and life-changing. And we know this: Christ suffered greatly on our behalf, and to share in his sufferings and remember that we are victorious through him, is all the reason we need to keep looking forward with hope and joy in the days still ahead.

His power actually works within us.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.8  We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;9  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--10  always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

One of the most miraculous reminders of God’s constant and loving care over us everyday is this: He’s given us the the spirit of his very presence. He’s with us, continually.  The Holy Spirit is in us.  Though we may forget, he never does. He fights for us. He carries us. He strengthens us. He protects us. He covers us. He leads us.

John 14:16-18(NKJV) If you love me keep My commandments, And I will pray the Father, and He will give your another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

We may not even be aware at times of the incredible ways he is working even within our greatest times of need. Be assured, if you’re hurting today, God has not forgotten you. He sees the pain you’ve carried, he offers you the peace and security of his very presence rising up within you. Don’t ever feel like you’ve got to face things on your own. No amount of suffering we may endure can hold that power over us. When we belong to Jesus, He is greater than all we face.

Philippians 4:13 NIV I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Yes, Things Will Pass...Eventually
In my own past when I was dealing with an issue and God had given me a solution that I didn’t like I just wouldn’t do anything.  Instead I said “this too shall pass” rather than obey.  I would just sit back and say “I’m still waiting on God He’ll take care of it” or, “God promised” and I would find some scripture that fit the solution that I wanted and I would just sit back and wait doing nothing.  Yes, things did eventually pass but often much later and uglier  than they would have had I obeyed, sometimes the passing was very ugly.  

Things will eventually pass just maybe not how or when we want it, but they shall pass.

And when it passes, we will come out as gold.

Job 23:10 NKJV But He knows the way that I take; When  He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Greatest beauty is often formed in the darkest of places. That’s how diamonds are formed; that’s how gold is found. The pressure and heat of hard circumstances is creating within us an eternal beauty, one that lasts far beyond our own years. We will come out “as gold,” tested, tried, and true. We’re not meant to stay stuck in our trials and pain. He reminds us that we will come out to the other side. Changed for the better, stronger, shining, beauty deepened from within, we won’t ever be the same again.

When we eventually walk out of the place of great suffering we will be different from when we walked in. We can be assured, that God’s work within us is never for harm, but to strengthen us, to build deeper character and faith, and to bring us out as “gold,” leaving lasting impressions for His glory in this world.

Revelation 21:1-4 (KJV)1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

No, “this too shall pass” is not in the Bible but, everything,  the good, the bad, and the ugly will all pass.  God is the only constant.   He and His love are the only things that will never pass.    Only God is forever and we are called to place our trust in Him because He will never leave or forsake us. 

​Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)6  Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Yolanda Adams recorded a song a few years ago entitled “This Too Shall Pass”. I'll close with some of the lyrics of that song.  I've excluded those that I think are not scriptuptural but it doesn't change the point that she was making in saying that “this too shall pass”

“This Too Shall Pass”

In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you
These trying times that are so hard to endure
In the middle of what seems to be your darkest hour
Hold fast your heart and be assured

This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
This too shall pass

The Father knows the tears you cry before they fall
He feels your pain, His heart and yours are one
The Father knows that sorrow's heavy chains are strong
But with His strength, you'll overcome

This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
This too shall pass

So set your eyes upon the mountain
And lift your hands up to the sky
And let His arms of love surround you
And take you to the other side

This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
This too shall pass

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior yes, all things will eventually pass but the result for you won’t be the same as for the believer that I read from Revelation 

Revelation 21:1-4 (KJV)1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Your fate will be quite different

Revelation 21:7-8 (NKJV)7  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.8  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

If you don’t want to spend eternity in the lake of fire the remedy is in confessing the fact that you have been  cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and a lier.  Then asking God to forgive you and agreeing with Him that His Son Jesus has already paid the penalty for you disobedience and asking Him to come into your life as Lord and Savior.  You do that by doing what it says in

 Romans 10:8-10 (NKJV)8  But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):9  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Sermon Audio


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