Do You Have an Arm Like God's?
Job 40:9
Intro: Have you noticed that guys are into things such as strength and muscles? One part of the body that is used to demonstrate strength is the arm. If a man has a big arm, most think that he is strong. A man with twenty-inch biceps would be somebody that I personally would not want to mess with. He is somebody that I might want to have with me as a bodyguard.
The Situation: In this portion of Job, God is challenging Job’s thought process as he has tried to justify why he should not be suffering. Job has looked at his life and can find no reason why God would allow calamity to befall him.
1. Job’s children have been killed.
2. Job has lost everything by way of his business.
3. Job is suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
In so doing, Job is calling out God to justify His actions (See Job 23:1-7). Job believes if he could present his case, he would somehow be delivered. The sense is that Job believes that he knows better than God does.
Beginning at Job 38, God responds to Job and gives him the audience that he desires. But first God has some questions that he puts before him.
One of these questions is found in Job 40:9. The simple fact is that Job—nor anybody has an arm like God. Exodus 6:6 teaches that God's arm was mighty to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondaged. Numbers 11:23 makes it clear that God is able by His arm to supply in abundance. Moses told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 33:27 that the everlasting arms of God will hold them up. The psalmist knew that it was only by the arm of the LORD that victory was possible (Psalm 98:1). And Jeremiah knew that nothing was too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:17). I may have thought at times that nothing was too difficult for me--experience is a great teacher!
The Meditation: We are in many ways just like Job. We grate against that which is not “good” in our lives and our reaction often times reflects what we would not ever think of saying--we know better than God. In fact, sometimes our reactions communicate that we would do things differently than how God does things. Somebody once said that they would like to have God's power for one day to make some changes. Yet this person also realized that if they had God's power with God's wisdom, they would change a thing!
Thankfully, we do not have an arm like God! We do not have the power of God. We do not have the ability of God. To exercise God’s power without God’s wisdom, knowledge, goodness, and love would be to bring a chain of destructive sequences into our lives and those around us.
The Application: The Scriptures show that blessings of strength and spiritual success come to those that understand they do not have an arm like God. They that do not trust in the arm of God struggle. How can we benefit from the arm of the LORD?
1. Delight in God’s perfections, power, and plan even when they do not make sense.
2. Desist from foolish thinking – See Jeremiah 17:5-6.
3. Depend on the arm of the LORD for your need - See Jeremiah 17:7-10.
I do not have an arm like God. Today I thank God that He does not have an arm like mine. He is the matchless and almighty God who alone does wondrous things!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
So Simple a Caveman Can Do It
Psalm 142
Intro: The Geico commercials use cavemen to make a point about their insurance—it is easy to obtain. In doing so they use a stereotype about “cavemen,” which is that they are not very smart. They are a little on the Neanderthal side.
I do not know if it is accurate to call David a caveman; but he was a cave dweller. There were several occasions in his life when he lived in a cave. During these times is when David recorded some of the psalms.
The Situation: Psalm 142 was written when David was living in the cave of Adullam while on the run from King Saul.
David’s star is on the rise. He is a mighty and victorious warrior. He is loved by the people and destined to be the next king. Saul on the other hand has been rejected by the LORD as king and has turned his bitterness toward David.
The Meditation: Caves can be literal places or they can be viewed metaphorically. David’s cave was literal and the emotions he experienced while in the cave are ones that any of us are familiar with. In fact many circumstances can lead us into the proverbial “cave.” These include loss, disappointment, sickness, hurt feelings, sin, loneliness, fatigue, etc.
Caves in the Scriptures are not typically viewed favorably:
1. A cave is where Lot fled when Sodom was destroyed.
2. A cave is where Abraham buried Sarah.
3. A cave is where the prophets of the LORD hid during Jezebel’s rampage.
4. A cave is where Elijah hid when he was burned out.
While caves are not viewed too favorably and seem to be places for the dead, the desperate, and the discouraged; they are also places where the LORD God is able to be remembered and where He remembers His people.
The Application: Psalm 142 shows what is so simple that even a caveman can do it. When you find yourself in a “cave” resulting from experiences in your life you can turn to the LORD and have confident expectation of what He will do.
I. Be Faithful in Prayer – 142:1-2
A. “I cry out to the LORD with my voice.”
B. “To the LORD I make my supplication.”
C. “I pour out my complaint.”
D. “I declare…my trouble.”
David took his problems to the One that could truly help. While it is OK to tell others; remember it is best to tell Jesus.
II. Be Truthful about Problems – 142:3-4, 6
A. I am overwhelmed – vs. 3
B. I am alone – vs. 4
C. I am in difficulty – vss. 3-4
D. I am at wit’s end – vs. 4
E. I am in need of help – vs. 6
III. Be Hopeful in Petitions – 142:5-7
Often times we allow hopefulness in our praying to be diminished because of too great a focus on our problems and not enough of a focus on our God. The “cave” experiences are the times for us to be confident and hopeful in our praying.
A. Be hopeful in the attributes of God – vs. 5
B. Be hopeful in the attentiveness of God – vs. 6
C. Be hopeful in the ability of God – vs. 6-7
Ultimately David was delivered, and his time in the cave was temporary. The same is true of us and any “cave” in which you may be in. You don’t have to be a cave dweller to follow the pattern of this Psalm. But thank God that He does come to us in the cave.
Intro: The Geico commercials use cavemen to make a point about their insurance—it is easy to obtain. In doing so they use a stereotype about “cavemen,” which is that they are not very smart. They are a little on the Neanderthal side.
I do not know if it is accurate to call David a caveman; but he was a cave dweller. There were several occasions in his life when he lived in a cave. During these times is when David recorded some of the psalms.
The Situation: Psalm 142 was written when David was living in the cave of Adullam while on the run from King Saul.
David’s star is on the rise. He is a mighty and victorious warrior. He is loved by the people and destined to be the next king. Saul on the other hand has been rejected by the LORD as king and has turned his bitterness toward David.
The Meditation: Caves can be literal places or they can be viewed metaphorically. David’s cave was literal and the emotions he experienced while in the cave are ones that any of us are familiar with. In fact many circumstances can lead us into the proverbial “cave.” These include loss, disappointment, sickness, hurt feelings, sin, loneliness, fatigue, etc.
Caves in the Scriptures are not typically viewed favorably:
1. A cave is where Lot fled when Sodom was destroyed.
2. A cave is where Abraham buried Sarah.
3. A cave is where the prophets of the LORD hid during Jezebel’s rampage.
4. A cave is where Elijah hid when he was burned out.
While caves are not viewed too favorably and seem to be places for the dead, the desperate, and the discouraged; they are also places where the LORD God is able to be remembered and where He remembers His people.
The Application: Psalm 142 shows what is so simple that even a caveman can do it. When you find yourself in a “cave” resulting from experiences in your life you can turn to the LORD and have confident expectation of what He will do.
I. Be Faithful in Prayer – 142:1-2
A. “I cry out to the LORD with my voice.”
B. “To the LORD I make my supplication.”
C. “I pour out my complaint.”
D. “I declare…my trouble.”
David took his problems to the One that could truly help. While it is OK to tell others; remember it is best to tell Jesus.
II. Be Truthful about Problems – 142:3-4, 6
A. I am overwhelmed – vs. 3
B. I am alone – vs. 4
C. I am in difficulty – vss. 3-4
D. I am at wit’s end – vs. 4
E. I am in need of help – vs. 6
III. Be Hopeful in Petitions – 142:5-7
Often times we allow hopefulness in our praying to be diminished because of too great a focus on our problems and not enough of a focus on our God. The “cave” experiences are the times for us to be confident and hopeful in our praying.
A. Be hopeful in the attributes of God – vs. 5
B. Be hopeful in the attentiveness of God – vs. 6
C. Be hopeful in the ability of God – vs. 6-7
Ultimately David was delivered, and his time in the cave was temporary. The same is true of us and any “cave” in which you may be in. You don’t have to be a cave dweller to follow the pattern of this Psalm. But thank God that He does come to us in the cave.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Wilderness Survival
Psalm 63
The background to this Psalm is that it was written when King David was in the wilderness as the result of Absalom’s treason against him. David is in exiled from Jerusalem and away from the ark of God, the formal place of worship. Yet this wilderness experience was not enough to keep David from worshipping God.
No “wilderness” is powerful enough to keep any of us from maintaining fellowship and worship with God. God allows the “wilderness” experiences, for those of us that know God, often times for development in our lives. While true that the wilderness can be a difficult place, David came through his time by satisfying his soul through delighting in God.
How does a person delight in God? How are you able to maintain a strong desire for God?
I. Recognize Your Privilege through God – 63:1-2
A. You can know God personally.
B. You can seek God individually.
C. You can speak to God honestly.
II. Rejoice in the Perfections of God – 63:2
Lovingkindness = chesed – mercy, kindness, favor, pity, goodness.
Each of these words gives a dynamic of a relationship that exists between two people. One is in the place of being able to give that which another needs and the other is in no position to attain it for himself. David is in the wilderness—his circumstances have changed; but his God has not changed. This leads David to delight in God and to praise Him.
III. Respond with Praise to God – 63:3-8
A. My lips shall praise you – 63:3, 5
B. My hands shall be raised – 63:4
C. My soul shall be satisfied – 63:5
D. My mind shall be steadfast – 63:6
IV. Remember the Promise of God – 63:9-11
A. The wilderness is limited.
B. The end is glorious.
These responses in times of wilderness experiences are essential to the health of your spiritual life. Each response keeps my desire for God in my life strong and the potential for defeat less.
Your wilderness is limited. God is limitless. Don’t get these switched around. To do so is to live in despair and to be led into defeat versus living by faith and being led into triumph through Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14.
The background to this Psalm is that it was written when King David was in the wilderness as the result of Absalom’s treason against him. David is in exiled from Jerusalem and away from the ark of God, the formal place of worship. Yet this wilderness experience was not enough to keep David from worshipping God.
No “wilderness” is powerful enough to keep any of us from maintaining fellowship and worship with God. God allows the “wilderness” experiences, for those of us that know God, often times for development in our lives. While true that the wilderness can be a difficult place, David came through his time by satisfying his soul through delighting in God.
How does a person delight in God? How are you able to maintain a strong desire for God?
I. Recognize Your Privilege through God – 63:1-2
A. You can know God personally.
B. You can seek God individually.
C. You can speak to God honestly.
II. Rejoice in the Perfections of God – 63:2
Lovingkindness = chesed – mercy, kindness, favor, pity, goodness.
Each of these words gives a dynamic of a relationship that exists between two people. One is in the place of being able to give that which another needs and the other is in no position to attain it for himself. David is in the wilderness—his circumstances have changed; but his God has not changed. This leads David to delight in God and to praise Him.
III. Respond with Praise to God – 63:3-8
A. My lips shall praise you – 63:3, 5
B. My hands shall be raised – 63:4
C. My soul shall be satisfied – 63:5
D. My mind shall be steadfast – 63:6
IV. Remember the Promise of God – 63:9-11
A. The wilderness is limited.
B. The end is glorious.
These responses in times of wilderness experiences are essential to the health of your spiritual life. Each response keeps my desire for God in my life strong and the potential for defeat less.
Your wilderness is limited. God is limitless. Don’t get these switched around. To do so is to live in despair and to be led into defeat versus living by faith and being led into triumph through Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)