Confidence For Hard Times

CONFIDENCE FOR HARD TIMES

Micah 7:7-20 4/26/09

1. Judgment of the absence of God

a. men clamor for God to be gone

b. when He is – Hell breaks loose

2. We live in such a time

a. separated from Gov.

i. Barney Frank; Nancy Pelosi;

ii. Gov. NY; Ill; & Seminole Charley

3. In Midst - we can live w. Confidence

1. REALITY OF OUR CONFIDENCE. 7-10

A. When Times Are Hard vs. 7

1. I will look to the Lord

a. to lean forward

b. to peer into the distance

c. faith that something/one coming

2. I will wait for the God

a. wait- not in fear but in trust

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

b. Elohim all of God; triune

c. my salvation >yesha

i. liberty – deliverance - prosperity

3. I will be heard

a. Personal relationship my God

b. listen to w/intent to answer

c. listening even when we don’t speak

B. When Life Is Dark V. 8

1. I May Fall – but I will rise!

a. Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: .

b. not the falling that counts/back up

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. My Enemies May Laugh

a. world will mock and ridicule

3. Darkness May Reign

4. My Lord Will Shine!

a. illuminate the darkness

b. bring happiness – in dark

C. When My Sins are Many 9-10

1. I will repent

a. Accept Personal Discipline

b. Admit Personal Responsibility

2. I will be forgiven

a. My Advocate

b. My Avenger

3. I will be restored

a. No 2nd rate Christian

b. No hierarchy

Ps 51

2. REASON FOR OUR CONFIDENCE

A. Personal Reasons

1. My Sins are Pardoned

a. Not just forgiven -taken away

b. lifted off

2. My Transgressions are Covered

a. pass by - cover

3. My Iniquities Are Subdued v. 19b

B. Powerful Reasons

Who is a God Like You?

1. Whose Anger is Restrained

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2. Who Delights in Mercy

3. Whose Compassion Covers Us