History With God

Would You Rather Make History with God or Man?

The Heart of God’s Holy Lovers

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm (and the longest chapter in the Bible) and the most carefully structured. Psalm 119 expresses heartfelt admiration for God, who has so lovingly bestowed this great gift upon his people, and fervent yearning for one’s personal life to reflect the loveliness and goodness of the Torah.

Psalm 119:33–40 ESV

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! 37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. 38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. 39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. 40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

History

2 Chronicles 9:29 ESV

29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

1: TALE, STORY

2 a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes.

3: a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events

History Begins

Genesis 12:1–2 ESV

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

Me & You

Genesis 17:1–7 (ESV)

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,

2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”

3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,

4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.

5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

Do You See What I See?

Genesis 18:31–33 ESV

31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

History was Tested

Genesis 22:1–2 ESV

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

History Continues

Jacob dreamed

Jacob wrestles God

Joseph became a dreamer

Moses became a deliverer

Tell Them I AM

Exodus 3:13–14 ESV

13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

Speaking with God

Exodus 34:29 ESV

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.

Show Me Your Glory

Exodus 33:18 ESV

18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”

Time Moves On

There are giants in the land

Lions and bears

Horse Races

Jeremiah 12:5 ESV

5 “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

ESV Expository Commentary

The comparison between racing with men and competing with horses is a harbinger of the tougher trials for which Jeremiah must prepare. His present difficulties seem extreme to him, but in retrospect, they will be easy races in a safe land compared to the faster races and harder terrain to come as Jeremiah and his people go into exile.

120,000 Souls

Jonah 4:10–11 ESV

10 And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

Hebrews 11 (God’s History Section)

Come After Me

Psalm 119:169–176 ESV

169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! 170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. 171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

One who asks God to “seek” him. One who has drunk deeply of this grace will not easily forget God’s commandments.