Sermon Series: Can God Part I
Notes
Transcript
Psalm 78:12-20
Psalm 78:12-20
Psalm 78:17 (ESV)
Yet they sinned still more against him, they said can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Illustration: There is a story about a man named Jack, jack was adventurous and Jack loved hiking on the edge of cliffs alone. One day Jack slipped and fell, but was able to grab hold to limb...
"Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?"
Sounds like us sometimes, doesn't it? We say we want to serve the Lord and know His will, then when He tells us what He wants us to do, we often balk at what the Lord is doing. This was Israel's problem. They were called out of Egypt to follow the Lord by faith. However, they seemed to constantly doubt the power, the promises and the presence of God as they traveled. The entire attitude of their hearts is summed up in the two-word question they voiced, "Can God?"
When they asked this question, they doubted everything about the Lord. They needed a lesson in trust. This morning, I realize that we are a lot like Israel. We often ask the question "Can God?" Today, I want us to see from the Scriptures that "God Can!" The God we serve is still the Lord of glory. He is still the King of kings and He is still able to do all the things He has ever been able to do.
Background: Psalm 78 is a Psalm written by Asaph - a musician in the church, and a prophet with his lyrics. He writes this beautiful hymn that outlines the history of God and Israel.
vs. 12-16: How God brought them out
vs. 17-20: How Gods people respond
I. The Condition Of The People
A. They Were Faithless - Psalm 78:20 “He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?”
1. Here was a people who called themselves by God's name.
2. Here was a people who should have trusted the Lord without reservation.
3. Yet, they seemed oblivious to the power of God in their midst.
4. Isn't that a lot like the people of the Lord today?
5. Instead of trusting God and living by faith, we worry and we fret.
6. But it doesn't have to be that way!
7. We have a God in Whom we can trust, without reservation and without fear.
(John 20:27) Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing
B. They were forgetful - (v. 7; 42) Psalm 78:7; Psalm 78:42 “They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,”
1. It seems the nation of Israel just couldn't remember all of the wonderful miracles that God had performed on their behalf.
2. The nation of Israel suffered from a serious bout of forgetfulness.
a. Forgetful of how He had delivered them from Egypt by the plagues.
b. How He had parted the Red Sea.
c. How He made the waters of Mara pure.
d. How He had put their enemies on the run.
e. How He had proven Himself to be God and to be all powerful time and time again.
3. They were forgetful of the mighty power of God they had witnessed in their lives.
4. Sounds just like us?
a. How many times has God come through for us?
b. How many times has He moved mountains, parted the waters in our life?
c. How many times has He lifted the veil of affliction and suffering in our lives and allowed the light of His glory to brighten our day?
d. How many times has He spoken peace to our storm?
e. How many times has He met the need, done the impossible, and proven Himself to be our God?
f. And, how often have we forgotten all about what He did yesterday when the trials of today comes up?
5. We need to take a look back this morning and remember all the things God has done for us.
6. If God did it then, we can be sure that He will do it now!
7. We need to take inventory and remember the Lord's power when the next storm begins to blow in our lives.
C. They Were Foolish -
1. By asking "Can God?" they proved their ignorance of His power and of His Person.
2. This same scene was played out many times during the course of Israel's wilderness wanderings, and after they arrived n Canaan. After God had kept them in the wilderness for 40 years. when they made it to Canaan they still was wondering can God?
3. One time that comes to mind is when the 12 spies were sent into Canaan.
4. While there, they encountered a race of people known as the Anakim who were giants.
5. When the 10 faithless spies saw the giants, they looked at them and then they looked at themselves and compared themselves to grasshoppers, Num. 13:33.
6. In reality, they were comparing God to the problems.
7. Once again, we are guilty of the same type of comparisons.
II. The Character Of Their God
A. His Promises v5-7 Psalm 78:5-7
He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
The first Characteristic of God is that he ALWAYS keeps his promises.
1. Israel had seen God keep His Word time and time again.
2. He was always faithful to do what He promised to do for them.
3. God hasn't changed!
4. He is still a God who keeps His Word!
5. Everything God has promised, He will do!
(Rom 4:21) Paul said: “being fully convinced that, God was able to do what He had promised.
(Titus 1:2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Illustration: His eye is on the sparrow: Sometimes when i get a place early, i’ll sit in my car and bird watch.
Hymn writer penned: “Why should feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and Home…HIS EYE is on the sparrow and I know he watches me!!
B. His Performance v4; 12 Psalm 78:4; 12
In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
1. Throughout their history, Israel had enjoyed the presence and the power of Almighty God.
2. Time and again God had demonstrated His power in the midst of His people.
3. Imagine seeing Him part the Red Sea, drop manna from the heavens every day for 40 years.
4. Imagine seeing God defeat all your enemies.
5. Imagine the thrill of seeing His glory as He came down upon the Tabernacle.
6. Imagine the pillar of cloud and of fire. God had proven Himself time and again to His people.
7. Look back over the years and remember the times the Lord has displayed His great power in your life.
8. He has proven Himself to you and me repeatedly!
Healer
He’s a job finder
He’s marriage strengthener
He’s a child saver
C. His Power
1. Throughout their history, God had proven that He was stronger than every obstacle they faced.
2. He was more powerful than Egypt, and the Amalekites.
3. He proved Himself to be greater than their thirst and their hunger.
4. He was able to overcome all they faced by His great power.
(Eph 3:20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
D. His Patience v38
1. While God continued to show Himself strong on behalf of His people, Israel continually lacked the faith to trust the Lord as they should.
2. However, the Bible tells us that "many a time" He turned His anger away from them.
3. He was patient with them and lead them along in love and in grace.
4. Thank God we serve a patient God!
III. The Challenge For Today v6-8
A. Have Confidence In God
(Mark 11:22) And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
(Psa 62:8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
(John 14:1) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
B. These verses teach us that we are to trust Him for all our needs and in every situation.
1. When the world wrings its hands in despair and doubt and asks the question "Can God?"
2. We, who believe the Bible should stand forth and cry out, "Yes!"
3. King Darius wondered if God could deliver Daniel, but the next morning he found out that God can!
4. Nebuchadnezzar questioned whether God could deliver the three Hebrew young men from the fiery furnace, but he soon saw that God can!
5. The disciples in the ship in the midst of the storm stood in amazement when Jesus calmed the wind and the sea, and discovered that God can!
6. The widow of Zarephath, along with Jarius, Mary and Martha came to realize that even in death, God can!
C. Carry Out His Commandments.
1. Genuine faith in the Lord always manifests itself in obedience to the Lord and His Word.
2. Remember, Faith come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
3. When we get into His Word and allow it to lodge in our hearts, changing us, then we will learn to trust Him more and more.
Remember God's character this morning and remember that God can…supply our need, overcome all obstacles, and strengthen us. Are you without Christ today, God can save you! Will you come to Him in faith today?