A Burdened Heart and the Sovereignty of God

A Burdened Heart and the Sovereignty of God

“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

·        Difficult times distort our perspective on the greatness and goodness of God.

o   “The Christian’s instincts of trust and worship are stimulated very powerfully by knowledge of the greatness of God. But this is knowledge which Christians today largely lack: and that is one reason why our faith is so feeble and our worship so flabby.”       J.I. Packer “Knowing God”

·        How great is our God?

o   “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” Ps 145:3

o   “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

§  The answer to why anything contained in the whole universe, past, present, or future, was ever created is simple. Because He willed it. Ultimately for His glory.

·        “…all things were created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:13

The Sovereignty of God

·        All things are under the complete rule of God. He either directly causes all things to happen or passively allows them to. In both He is not only involved but in absolute control.

o    “So my aim in this second message is to commend to you this absolute sovereign control of God over all things, including evil, because it is Biblical, and because it will help you become stable and deep and God-entranced and God-glorifying in all you think and feel and do.” John Piper

·        Our God is sovereign over…

o   Kings & Rulers

§  “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” Proverbs 21:1

o   Governments

§  “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1

o   Countries & Nations

§  “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods of their dwelling place….” Acts 17:26

o   Weather

§  “He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.” Psalm 135:7

o   Nature

§  “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith.” Matthew 6:30

·        “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father….Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” Matthew 10:29,31

o   The Universe

§  Estimated over 100 billion stars in our galaxy alone. Average distance between stars is 30 trillion miles. Estimated between 100-200 billion galaxies in known universe. Continues to grow with technology.

§  “Lift up your eyes on high and see who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” Isaiah 40:26

o   Disease & Disabilities

§  “Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord.” Exodus 4:11

o   Our God creates both peace & calamity

§  “I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:7

o   Our God is in control of all things

§  “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” Psalm 115:3

§  “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2

·        Our God holds the destiny of the world in the palm of his hand

o   Revelation 5:1

o   Scroll contains course of history, leading up to end of the world, God’s sovereign will for all creation & ultimate redemption, future glorification for believers and final damnation for unbelievers.

What about me?

·        Predestined before the foundations of the world

o   “even as he chose us in him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ…”  Ephesians 1:4-5

·        Set apart before birth

o   “But when he who had set me apart before I was born…” Galatians 1:15

§  Before you were even born, God had his eyes specifically on you.

·        Personally knitted together in mother’s womb

o   “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

·        Wonderfully made in the image of God.

o   “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26

o   “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”Psalm 139:14

·        God knows:

o   Our every need

§  “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”  Matthew 6:8

o   Our every thought

§  “the Lord-knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.” Psalm 94:11

o   Every detail about our life

§  “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

·        Each breath we take is given by God

o   “nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” Acts17:25

·        His sovereignty includes our last breath

o   “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16

·        Conclusion: God was actively involved in bringing us into existence. He sustains us every moment of every day and He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Ever begin to question or doubt God? Read Job 38

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action[a] like a man;     I will question you, and you make it known to me.4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,10and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? 12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place,13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.

15 From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. 16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,20 that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? 21 You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! 22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? 25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt,26 to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man,27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? 28 “Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven.

30 The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth[b] in their season,or can you guide the Bear with its children? 33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you.35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts[c]or given understanding to the mind?[d]37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?  Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,38 when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket?41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?

A Burdened Heart

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation . But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

·        God’s particular care for the hurting

o   “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

o   “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

o   “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you…” Psalm 55:22

·        Cling to Christ

o   Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief- Isaiah 53:3

§  He sympathizes with our weakness- Hebrews 4:15, 2:17-18

o   “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

·        Depend on prayer

o   “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

o   “I love the Lord because He hears my voice and prayer for mercy. I will pray as long as I have breath.” Psalm 116:1-2

·        Submit to the Spirit

o   “But I say, walk by the Spirit…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Galatians 5:16,22

·        Feel the love of God

o   “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

o   “For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5

Comfort Amidst Chaos

·        When life seems out of control, does God really have a plan for my life?

o   When life lacks direction, does God still have a purpose for my life?

·        Worrying or seeking?

o   “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on….But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matt. 6:25,33

·        Predestined with a plan. Saved for a purpose.

o   “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

o   “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 2 Timothy 1:9

·        Pursue the promised guidance of God

o   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

o   “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord…Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble…The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:1,3-4,9

·        One of the Christian’s greatest promises

o   “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

§  Careful how we define “good”

Example of Joseph

·        “Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.” Genesis 37:26-28

o   Who was responsible for Joseph being sold into slavery?

o   How do you think Joseph felt?

·        “So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 45:8

·        “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:19-20

o   Who was ultimately in control when Joseph was sold into slavery?

Example of Jesus

·        “So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” John 19:5-6

o   According to this passage, who was responsible for Jesus’s death?

o   How do you think his followers felt after he died?

·        “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” Acts 2:23

o   Was God responsible? Yes.

o   Even when Jesus’s followers couldn’t see it or fathom it, God had a plan!

Worship amidst heartache & sorrow

·        Story of Job. Suffering produced worship.

o   “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

·        Boasting in hardships.

o   “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

What about death?

·        Our God is even sovereign over death

o   When referring to man:“Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,” Job 14:5

·        This world is not our home.

o   “He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.” Hebrews 11:26

o   “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14

·        Having an eternal perspective.

o   “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

·        Looking forward to Revelation 21:1-4

o   “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Application

·        Lacking joy?

o   Find ultimate joy in your salvation.

·        Lacking hope?

o   Find ultimate hope in knowing that this temporary world is not your home.

·        Lacking patience?

o   Find ultimate patience by trusting in God’s plan and perfect timing.

·        Lacking peace?

o   Find ultimate peace in trusting God is working all things for your good.

·        In everything be comforted!... So that you can comfort others

o   “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”              2 Corinthians 1:4

Conclusion

It is with the utmost confidence that I find rest on this assurance; amidst every moment of life’s darkest hours, as a child of the most High, I am surrounded by the love of God, guided by the providence of God, and protected by the sovereignty of God. I am able to be patient and hopeful during seasons of adversity, while being thankful and humbled during seasons of prosperity. Though often unable to imagine, I choose to trust in God’s promise that he is not only present but is actively working on my behalf bringing forth good from all of life’s circumstances. Until the day He brings me home, my heart will continually say “blessed be the name of the Lord.”

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26