Lesson 17: Now - Where Can I Find Answers to Hard Questions? (3)

Another motive for our seeking holiness is that Jesus is coming again. Jesus is coming again very soon! The Bible tells us that we are to watch and not be caught unawares by this event (Matthew 24:42; 25:13; 1 Thess. 5:6).

We should let this certain hope of Christ's imminent return drive us into His arms, into His word, and into the desire for holiness which makes us like Him.

Okay, so now we understand reason for hard questions in our lives. Let's go looking through the Scripture where there are some of the answers to our questions. The following list is a partial list of verses for specific questions:
* Comfort in time of loneliness – Psalm 23; Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5-6
* Comfort in time of sorrow – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Romans 8:26-28
* Relief in time of suffering – 2 Corinthians 12:8-10; Hebrews 12:3-13
* Guidance in time of decision – James 1:5-6; Proverbs 3:5-6
* Protection in time of danger – Psalm 91; Psalm 121
* Courage in time of fear – Hebrews 13:5-6; Ephesians 6:10-18
* Peace in time of turmoil – Isaiah 26:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7
* Rest in time of weariness – Matthew 11:28-29; Psalm 23
* Strength in time of temptation – James 1:12-16; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
* Warning in time of indifference – Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 10:26-31
*Forgiveness in time of conviction – Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:7-9


There are a great many promises in the Bible for those who believe in Jesus Christ. These promises are given to us to help us through good times and bad. It is our responsibility to make use of these promises in our lives. If we were out on a cruise ship and that ship started to sink, would we want to look for any old piece of driftwood we could hang onto until rescue appeared, or would we go looking for that enclosed lifeboat that could keep us dry and fed from its emergency provisions? God’s promises are the same – we can rely on the driftwood of our own logic or experience, or we can rely on the fully-provisioned lifeboat of God’s incredible promises when we need help.

To find these promises, start reading your Bible. But do one more thing – as you find a promise, write down the reference and a quick description. For example, as you read John 3:16 and see the promise that God in His love wants to save you for eternity, write it down and call it something like “whoever believes has eternal life.”

*To help you begin your “promise book”, here are just a few of the thousands of promises contained in God’s Word. Look up each reference and write the promise to you:

Psalm 46:1; 1 John 1:4; Psalm 119:165; Luke 16:17; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 1:9; Romans 5:1; 2 Timothy 1:7; James 1:5; Psalm 145:20; Isaiah 32:7; Jeremiah 29:12; Proverbs 3:5-7; Lamentations 3:31-33; Malachi 3:16; Galatians 5:16; Hosea 6:1; 2 Corinthians 4:9; Revelation 21:4.