READ: 1 Corinthians 4:7-17
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What are the problems that Jesus’ disciples had? They had problems of being made spectacles to the world and to men. The disciples of Jesus were ridiculed and considered as fools for Christ’s sake. Expect to be despised and rejected. Are you going into real ministry? Or are you going into a fake ministry? You must expect hunger, thirst, nakedness and no certain dwelling place. Do not be concerned if you are made into the offscouring of this world.
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 4:12-15
You can forsee problems by studying history. What has happened before, is what will happen again! The problems that your predecessors saw are the problems that you will also see. The difficulties that your predecessors experienced are the difficulties you will experience. There is simply nothing new under the sun.
The study of biographies is the study of history. The study of the life of Moses reveals many intriguing details. Studying books like “God’s Generals”1 will reveal to you the kind of problems a general is going to have.