[[-SOAP HUB]] | [[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 66]] ## Title: Going Through Hard Things Together ## Scripture: (Psalm 66:12) “You allowed men to ride over our heads; we passed through fire and water, but you brought us out into a wide open place.” (NET) ## Observation: Somewhere someone told somebody that God only ever leads people through great times. This has created an issue that every time someone goes through something, either they or God has done something wrong. This simply is not true. As a parent, I often put my girls in situations they did not like in order to grow them. For example, I gave them these terrible things called chores. The goal was not punishment. The goal was maturity. I gave them curfews, relational boundaries, and verbal boundaries. The goals for all of these were growth. I even put them in the very difficult spot of learning to drive. The goal was freedom and growth. How is God different? He will not always shield us from difficult paths. This does not mean we enjoy it. It does not mean that He enjoys watching us struggle. But, like a good Father, He knows the struggle is part of the growing process. ## Application: Don’t look at your surroundings and automatically make a decision about God’s faithfulness. God is always faithful. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for walking with us through every season. You are there even in the darkness.