"God Sees And God Cares"

13 August 2006

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

Presidio of Monterey (ORD Military Chapel)

Monterey California, 93940

BIG IDEA: DISCOURAGED BELIEVERS, while in the midst of their crisis, need to affirm to others that GOD sees, their adversities, and He will make the necessary provisions for them.

References: Psalms 30:5b – David praises God for deliverance – “… weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (KJV); Jeremiah 29:11-12 (MSG)”I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen”. ; Job 14:1 (KJV) – Man that is born of a woman is of a few days and full of trouble; Job 2:7-9 (ESV) So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die; Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 1 Kings 19:1-8 (ESV); Job 2:7-9 (ESV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: 1 Kings 19:1-8 (ESV); Job 2:7-9 (ESV)

III. READ THE TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-8 (ESV) And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers which are dealing with depression OR feeling discouraged to affirm to others that GOD sees, their adversities, and He will make the necessary provisions for them.

V. INTRODUCTION:

In my sermon preparation, I came across a short BUT humorous FACT sheet about STRESS, which was written by Reverend David Yarbrough of Texas:

"The population of this country is 200 million. 84 million are retired. That leaves 116 million to do the work. There are 75 million in school, which leaves 41 million to do the work. Of this total, there are 22 million employed by the federal government.

"That leaves 19 million to do the work. 4 million are in the armed forces, which leaves 15 million to do the work. Take from that total the 14.8 million who work for state and city governments and that leaves 200,000 to do the work. There are 188,000 people in the hospital at any given time, leaving 12,000 to do the work.

Currently, there are 11,998 people in jail. That leaves just two people to do the work - you and me. And you’re just sitting there listening. No wonder I’m stressed!"

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My brothers and sisters … I have a confession to make! I confess as a 44 year old Man of God, I’m learning more and more each day … that regardless of how devastating …. or challenging a situation is for me, … God knows what He’s doing, … and God knows what He is allowing to occur in my life.

I also confess that I’m NEVER alone! Neither is my situation or circumstance EVER … HIDDEN from God.

Because …God has ANGELS watching over me!

For God WORD says (in The Book of Jeremiah – 29:11-12 MSG): ”I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen”.

****************TAKE 5 BEATS*******************

MOVE 1: Now, that you have heard my confession …

a. How many of you - in Ord Chapel (this morning) –TRULY believe that … in the midst of a CRISIS … God would never leave you alone?

b. Now, don’t raise your hand … unless you really want to … but “how many of you … have EVER felt LIKE YOU WERE DISAPPOINTED with God?

c. Finally, if you don’t mind, by a show of hands – how many of you HAVE … ever … REALLY BEEN ANGRY with God?

d. I contend this morning … that there are some believers (in our presence) that are STILL ANGRY WITH GOD. And in their minds eye – THEIR ANGER WITH GOD is justified!

e. I don’t know … maybe GOD allowed THEIR love one or significant other to die;