Recognizing the Pearls in Your Life

Turning Trials into Treasures

I. Introduction

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II. Pearls are made sovereignly

Isa 55:8  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Rom 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Jer 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

II. Pearls are made slowly

1 Pet 5:5  Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

1 Pet 5:6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psa 31:14  But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15  My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Psa 33:18  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19  to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20  We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

IV. Pearls are made secretly

Psa 27:4  One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psa 17:8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

Deu 29:29  The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.