God Will Provide
Notes
Transcript
God will provide is an easy thing to say but at times a difficult thing to live by. Life. Life as we have known it has changed so much. We live in a state of fear not knowing if the person next to us has been infected and therefore we lock ourselves away behind the doors of our houses, or behind the masks that cover our faces and the gloves that cover our hands.
For me I struggle with this. I struggle with thinking how this is affecting people. I struggle to compute this. For me life just continues. Lizelle and I were talking the other night and she asked me if I am worried about how this can affect my family in the UK and hers in South Africa. Yes, I am concerned for them, but I struggle to dig into the actual struggle and fear they may be encountering. It seems simple to me. This is life now and I do not really think about what has changed I just carry on. Is this good well....is it bad... For me i guess it is simple. All I need to do is just carry on doing. But for many and there may be some watching that just can’t carry on. Life has changed too much.
For me I struggle with this. I struggle with thinking how is this affecting people. I struggle to compute this. Lizelle and I were talking the other night and she asked me if I am worried about how this can affect my family in the UK and hers in South Africa. Yes, I am concerned for them but I struggle to dig into the actual struggle and fear they may be encountering. It seems simple to me. This is life now and I do not really think about what has changed I just carry on. Is it good well....is it bad? Yes. For me i guess it is simple. All I need to do is just carry on doing. But for many and there may be some watching that just can’t carry on life has changed too much.
I would like to think that mine has not and perhaps that is was gets me through. But the reality my life my calling has changed. I no longer to see those God has called me to lead and comfort. I no longer get to shake your hands give you hug and rub shoulders with you in the small potluck room. A work a call that deals with people has now become one of reaching our touching your life via an impersonal avenue of video conferencing and recored sermons.
God will provide is an easy thing to say but at times a difficult thing to live by. Life. Life as we have known it has changed so much. We live in a state of fear not knowing if the person next to us has been infected and therefore we lock ourselves away behind the doors of our houses, or behind the masks that cover our faces and the gloves that cover our hands.
I would like to think that mine has not and perhaps that is was gets me through. But the reality is my life my calling has changed. I no longer to see those God has called me to lead and comfort. I no longer get to shake your hands give you hug and rub shoulders with you in the small potluck room. A work a calling that deals with people has now become one of reaching out touching your life via an impersonal avenue of video conferencing and recorded sermons.
How do we make sense of this? God will provide. In all the chaos and up turned lives where families are to the large part stuck at home. How do we get though this. When you worry about your loved ones across our country or the world. When you worry about yourself because you are in the age range that this virus affects the most. How will God proved? Our logic, reason can’t give us assurance. We are in a historic period where we can reason out a solution for our selves. Because we can’t reason things out and logic just does not cut it we lift our burden to our back and we try to make it through, one step, one day, one week at a time.
How do we make sense of this? God will provide. In all the chaos and up turned lives where families are to the large part stuck at home. How do we get through this? When you worry about your loved ones across our country or the world. When you worry about yourself because you are in the age range that this virus affects the most. How will God provide? Our logic, reason can’t give us assurance. We are in a historic period where we can’t reason out a solution for ourselves. Because we can’t reason things out and logic just does not cut it, we lift our burden to our back and we try to make it through, one step, one day, one week at a time.
For me I struggle with this. I struggle with thinking how this is affecting people. I struggle to compute this. For me life just continues. Lizelle and I were talking the other night and she asked me if I am worried about how this can affect my family in the UK and hers in South Africa. Yes, I am concerned for them, but I struggle to dig into the actual struggle and fear they may be encountering. It seems simple to me. This is life now and I do not really think about what has changed I just carry on. Is this good well....is it bad...? For me I guess it is simple. All I need to do is just carry on doing. But for many and there may be some watching that just can’t carry on. Life has changed too much.
Abraham. Had journeyed one step at a time one day at a time one year awaiting the promise of a son. Now he journeys one step one day at a time to Mount Moriah. To a place where he is to sacrifice his only son. Logic could not find a solution. He could not reason his way out of what he was to do. God said it. He had 25 to 30 years with his son. He had to move, he had to trust.
Finally, they arrived at the mountain where the sacrifice was to be made. An old man struggling with strenuous journey and struggling with the mental ordeal of what was to take place. says, so Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he too the fire in his hand, and the knife, and the two of them went together. All the time Abraham fearing what was about to take place. Patriarchs and Prophets tells us that this trial was more agonizing than that which Adam had gone through and that all of heaven was watching the events play out. says that Abraham believed that God was able to raise his sons from the dead, and in a sense this is what God did by providing a ram that was caught in the bushes.
But was the wood was laid on the back of Isaac as he bore that burden up the mountain Abraham did not know the out come.
As I compare myself to Lizelle we are so different. When I am encountering a challenging situation I often do not over think or try not to let it affect. Lizelle is not the same. That is ok. Like others listening what we currently experiencing is impacting you in ways that you never thought possible. That is ok.
I want to share with you that there is someone who will carry your load of wood. The very wood that you carry will consume you. This does not need to be the case. says, and when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. The shepherd lays the sheep on his shoulders. The world lay here is the same as Abraham laid the wood on Isaacs shoulders. The shepherd is out there in the night in the wilderness amongst the wild animals and dangers of the night. There in the darkness and dangers he finds the lost and frightened sheep. He picks of the sheep and bares the burden all the way home.
Abraham. Had journeyed one step at a time one day at a time one year awaiting the promise of a son. He had believed the word of the Lord that he would have a child. It was as if a life time had passed since the promise of a child. At the time os Isaac’s birth both Abraham and Sarah were old and past the child baring age. Now he journeys one step one day at a time to Mount Moriah. To a place where he is to sacrifice his only son. Logic could not find a solution. He could not reason his way out of what he was to do. God said it. He had 25 to 30 years with his son. He had to move, he had to trust. The past words of the Lord like “do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” must have been going through his mind. Enabling him to continually trust and to more forward in faith.
I would like to think that mine has not and perhaps that is was gets me through. But the reality is my life my calling has changed. I no longer to see those God has called me to lead and comfort. I no longer get to shake your hands give you hug and rub shoulders with you in the small potluck room. A work a calling that deals with people has now become one of reaching out touching your life via an impersonal avenue of video conferencing and recorded sermons.
It is impossible to know everything that went through the mind of Abraham it was a temptation for him to think that God had called him to kill, when God says do not kill. Abraham felt that he was under some delusion that his mind was playing tricks on him. How did he manage all this what were his go to means of making sense of this contradictory command of God “kill your only son your beloved son?” Ellen White tells us in Patriarchs and Prophets page 148 that he bowed his head to the ground and prayed, he prayed as He have never done for conformation from God. This reminds of Jesus. He spent whole night in prayer for Him self, His disciples, and for us. Amidst the trials that Jesus endured He always sought His Father in prayer seeking His direction and strength. We see this even in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed not My will be done but Yours. Abraham also remembered how God had acted in the past. He remembered the compassion God had shown in the past. He remembered the promise of a son and how God and fulfilled it. He longed to receive the comfort and council from the heavenly angels as he had in the past but there were none. I think of Christ being reassured of what He was doing on earth at the Mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah were representatives of those that Jesus would save.
Like Abraham and Jesus and countless others of the years we also need the reassurance that Jesus is with us that He has not forsaken us. Abraham and Jesus show us how we are able to be reassured, it is though prayer, remembering how God has acted in the past. We might not have the physical presence of God as did Abraham and Jesus and others in scripture but we have His Word and it is in His Word that we have the sure promises that God is with us. speaks to the fear of Abraham and to ours it says, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 13—The Test of Faith
Abraham was tempted to believe that he might be under a delusion. In his doubt and anguish he bowed upon the earth, and prayed, as he had never prayed before, for some confirmation of the command if he must perform this terrible duty. He remembered the angels sent to reveal to him God’s purpose to destroy Sodom, and who bore to him the promise of this same son Isaac, and he went to the place where he had several times met the heavenly messengers, hoping to meet them again, and receive some further direction; but none came to his relief. Darkness seemed to shut him in; but the command of God was sounding in his ears, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.” That command must be obeyed, and he dared not delay. Day was approaching, and he must be on his journey
How do we make sense of this? God will provide. In all the chaos and up turned lives where families are to the large part stuck at home. How do we get through this? When you worry about your loved ones across our country or the world. When you worry about yourself because you are in the age range that this virus affects the most. How will God provide? Our logic, reason can’t give us assurance. We are in a historic period where we can’t reason out a solution for ourselves. Because we can’t reason things out and logic just does not cut it, we lift our burden to our back and we try to make it through, one step, one day, one week at a time.
On this fearful journey Abraham constantly has to rely on God even though things were not making sense. Finally, they arrived at the mountain where the sacrifice was to be made. An old man struggling with strenuous journey and struggling with the mental ordeal of what was to take place.
says, so Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he too the fire in his hand, and the knife, and the two of them went together. All the time Abraham fearing what was about to take place. Patriarchs and Prophets tells us that this trial was more agonizing than that which Adam had gone through and that all of heaven was watching the events play out. says that Abraham believed that God was able to raise his sons from the dead, and in a sense, this is what God did by providing a ram that was caught in the bushes. But as the wood was laid on the back of Isaac as he bore that burden up the mountain Abraham did not know the outcome.
Abraham. Had journeyed one step at a time one day at a time one year awaiting the promise of a son. He had believed the word of the Lord that he would have a child. It was as if a lifetime had passed since the promise of a child. At the time of Isaac’s birth both Abraham and Sarah were old and past the child baring age. Now he journeys one step one day at a time to Mount Moriah. To a place where he is to sacrifice his only son. Logic could not find a solution. He could not reason his way out of what he was to do. God said it. He had 25 to 30 years with his son. He had to move, he had to trust. The past words of the Lord like “do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” must have been going through his mind. Enabling him to continually trust and to move forward in faith.
As I compare myself to Lizelle we are so different. When I am encountering a challenging situation I often do not over think or try not to let it affect for the most part I guess I just carry on. Lizelle is not the same. That is ok. Like others listening what we currently experiencing is impacting you in ways that you never thought possible. That is ok. We need to believe that God will provide. We need to seek Him in prayer, gain assurance from His word, and look back to see how He has lead.
It is impossible to know everything that went through the mind of Abraham it was a temptation for him to think that God had called him to kill, when God says do not kill. Abraham felt that he was under some delusion that his mind was playing tricks on him. How did he manage all this what were his go to means of making sense of this contradictory command of God “kill your only son your beloved son?” Ellen White tells us in Patriarchs and Prophets page 148 that he bowed his head to the ground and prayed, he prayed as He have never done for conformation from God. This reminds of Jesus. He spent whole night in prayer for Himself, His disciples, and for us. Amidst the trials that Jesus endured He always sought His Father in prayer seeking His direction and strength. We see this even in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed not My will be done but Yours. Abraham also remembered how God had acted in the past. He remembered the compassion God had shown in the past. He remembered the promise of a son and how God and fulfilled it. He longed to receive the comfort and council from the heavenly angels as he had in the past but there were none. I think of Christ being reassured of what He was doing on earth at the Mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah were representatives of those that Jesus would save.
Like Abraham and Jesus and countless others of the years we also need the reassurance that Jesus is with us that He has not forsaken us. Abraham and Jesus show us how we are able to be reassured, it is though prayer, remembering how God has acted in the past. We might not have the physical presence of God as did Abraham and Jesus and others in scripture, but we have His Word and it is in His Word that we have the sure promises that God is with us.
As Isaac carries the wood up the mount he carries that which will cause his death. We are no different. We all carry some form of wood on our backs that will cause our end. The stress, and fear of the unknown that we live can easily over whelm us to the point where we just want to give up. This does not need to be the case, there is good news. There is someone who will carry your wood, the things that are consuming you He will carry. says, and when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. The shepherd lays the sheep on his shoulders. The world “lay” here is the same as Abraham “laid” the wood on Isaacs shoulders. The shepherd is out there in the night in the wilderness amongst the wild animals and dangers of the night. There in the darkness and dangers he finds the lost and frightened sheep. He picks of the sheep and bears the burden all the way home. The sheep did not have to try and explain why it got lost. Also, the sheep did not have to make the long journey home next to the shepherd. No, it was carried. The shepherd wanted to give the sheep the assurance that everything is ok.
Are you ok? Are you fearful about what is going on? Are you scared that this is the beginning of the end? Something that as a church we have been waiting for for so long. Now as things transpire you do not know if your faith is strong enough. Not sure how will God provide.
The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. Here is a promise that as we look to God in hope He will supply that which we need. Everything is satisfied by the hand of God. Abraham did not know how God was going to provide but He did.
This story of Abraham is one that speaks not only of God’s provision for a sacrifice but for the provision He has made for our salvation.
Are you ok? Are you fearful about what is going on? Are you scared that this is the beginning of the end? Something that as a church we have been waiting for so long. Now as things transpire you do not know if your faith is strong enough. Not sure how will God provide.
speaks to the fear of Abraham and to ours it says, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
On this fearful journey Abraham constantly has to rely on God even though things were not making sense. Finally, they arrived at the mountain where the sacrifice was to be made. An old man struggling with strenuous journey and struggling with the mental ordeal of what was to take place.
The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. Here is a promise that as we look to God in hope, He will supply that which we need. Everything is satisfied by the hand of God. Abraham did not know how God was going to provide but He did.
This story of Abraham is one that speaks not only of God’s provision for a sacrifice but for the provision He has made for our salvation. It is a story that shows us that God Provides all that we need, yes there will be fear within us that is natural what is important is not to let that fear overwhelm and control us. God is bigger than this friends. I think of the hymn under His wings and the first stanza says, Under His wings I am safely abiding; though the night deepens and tempests are wild, still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me; He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
says, so Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he too the fire in his hand, and the knife, and the two of them went together. All the time Abraham fearing what was about to take place. Patriarchs and Prophets tells us that this trial was more agonizing than that which Adam had gone through and that all of heaven was watching the events play out. says that Abraham believed that God was able to raise his sons from the dead, and in a sense, this is what God did by providing a ram that was caught in the bushes. But as the wood was laid on the back of Isaac as he bore that burden up the mountain Abraham did not know the outcome.
God call us to know and believe that we are His children and that we can safely abide in Him and I Him we can still trust. May all of us know and believe that we are His children and that as we remain in Him we are secured.
Amen
As I compare myself to Lizelle we are so different. When I am encountering a challenging situation I often do not over think or try not to let it affect for the most part I guess I just carry on. Lizelle is not the same. That is ok. Like others listening what we currently experiencing is impacting you in ways that you never thought possible. That is ok. We need to believe that God will provide. We need to seek Him in prayer, gain assurance from His word, and look back to see how He has led.
As Isaac carries the wood up the mountain, he carries that which will cause his death that which will consume him. We are no different. We all carry some form of wood on our backs that will cause our end. The stress, and fear of the unknown that we live can easily overwhelm us to the point where we just want to give up. This does not need to be the case, there is good news. There is someone who will carry your wood, the things that are consuming you He will carry. says, and when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. The shepherd lays the sheep on his shoulders. The world “lay” here is the same as
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
Abraham “laid” the wood on Isaacs shoulders. The shepherd is out there in the night in the wilderness amongst the wild animals and dangers of the night. There in the darkness and dangers he finds the lost and frightened sheep. He picks of the sheep and bears the burden all the way home. The sheep did not have to try and explain why it got lost. Also, the sheep did not have to make the long journey home next to the shepherd. No, it was carried. The shepherd wanted to give the sheep the assurance that everything is ok.
I will strengthen you,
Are you ok? Are you fearful about what is going on? Are you scared that this is the beginning of the end? Something that as a church we have been waiting for so long. Now as things transpire you do not know if your faith is strong enough, you are not sure how will God provide?
Yes, I will help you,
The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. Here is a promise that as we look to God in hope, He will supply that which we need. Everything is satisfied by the hand of God. Abraham did not know how God was going to provide but He did.
This story of Abraham is one that speaks not only of God’s provision for a sacrifice but for the provision He has made for our salvation. It is a story that shows us that God Provides all that we need, yes there will be fear within us that is natural what is important is not to let that fear overwhelm and control us. Friends, God is bigger than this. I think of the hymn under His wings and the first stanza says, Under His wings I am safely abiding; though the night deepens and tempests are wild, still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me; He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
God call us to know and believe that we are His children and that we can safely abide in Him and in Him we can still trust. May all of us know and believe that we are His children and that as we remain in Him, we are secured.
Amen