Sermon Central
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Resting In The Lord Series
Contributed by John Walls on Sep 16, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Final message in the areas of Resting in the Lord
RESTING IN THE LORD
Part 3
Introduction: In this final message on this verse, I talk about resting in the providence of God. We saw in the last messages that we can rest in the promises of God. The promises of God are promised made by God Himself. They are made backed by His faithfulness to perform them. They are seen clearly throughout the Bible. I have a book in my library called "All the Promises in the Bible" by Doctor Herbert Lockyer. It has three hundred and forty two pages of small print. But it has all the tremendous promises found in our Bibles. Feasting on this book with our Bible in the other hand is like having like nothing is more important than His infallible word.
Last week we looked at resting in His protection. We are safe in the arms of Jesus. We saw our great enemy. We saw him as the wild animal that we find in the Bible.
We also saw the nearness of the protection of God with shining examples in the pages of Bible. I only cited four examples. There are many more than that.
Today I want us to find this third timeless truth in we can rest. We can rest in His Providence. I want to review the thought of what is meant in this passage about resting in the Lord. Resting in the Lord means having a quiet confidence in one whom is mightier than we are. This thought is seen in many places in the Book of Psalms. Let me cite a few.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Resting in the Lord according to James Hervey expresses the privilege and duty of Christians. Resting in the Lord silences the clamours of conscience. It is the refreshment and repose of a weary pilgrim. It is what a pilgrim does when he arrives at the end of his journey. He is settled for life in a secure, spacious, peaceful habitation. That is exactly the attitude of every believer that does what our text tells us to do. We are resting in the Lord. How much stronger habitation is there than that. Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
When I was studying for this message, I found that I did not much about this subject. Yet it is important that we see how we can rest in His providence.
RESTING IN HIS PROVIDENCE
What is the providence of God? Let me give several great definitions with some scripture molded into the definitions. John Milton asserted that the providence of God is the ways of God to men. Our Bible makes it crystal clear that providence is God’s wise and benevolent care of His creatures and creation. Genesis 22:18
"The Lord will provide."
“The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
Proverbs 16:9, 33
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Doctor W. J. Townsend in His book "Christian Doctrine" explains providence as "That unceasing and efficient government which is carried on by the divine Being throughout the universe, by which the creatures are preserved, their wants supplied, and the purposes of the vast creation are accomplished. This active, all-pervading Providence is a prominent doctrine of Scripture."
“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”
