Explores facing fears with faith, praying for leaders, and formulating godly plans, emphasizing the importance of knowing God personally and understanding His word.
Good morning, dear family of faith. There's a warm familiarity in gathering here, isn't there? Like a comforting embrace from a loved one, we find ourselves wrapped in the comforting arms of our Father, ready to receive His word.
We're about to embark on a spiritual examination of 2 Kings 6:24-7:19, Haggai 1:6-7, and Deuteronomy 25:13-15. But before we do, let's remind ourselves of the words of the esteemed J.I. Packer, who once said, "Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives." And so we gather here, not just to know about God, but to know Him, to understand His ways, His will, and His word.
The story of the siege of Samaria: Here we see a city gripped by fear. The people were starving, desperate, and without hope. But in the midst of this dire situation, the prophet Elisha brought a message of hope. He declared that by the next day, there would be plenty of food for everyone. This was a bold prediction, one that seemed impossible given the circumstances. But Elisha wasn't speaking from his own understanding. He was speaking the word of the Lord.
When fear surrounds us, we must listen for the voice of God: His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It's not always easy to hear God's voice in the midst of our fears. The noise of the world can be deafening. But when we quiet our hearts and listen, we can hear His reassuring voice. He speaks words of comfort, hope, and peace. He reminds us of His promises and His faithfulness. And when we hear His voice, we can face our fears with faith.
How do we cultivate this faith?: The scriptures give us a clue. In Haggai, we read about a people who were struggling. They were working hard, but their efforts seemed futile. They were frustrated and discouraged. But the Lord spoke to them through the prophet Haggai, urging them to consider their ways. They were so focused on their own efforts that they had forgotten about God. They had forgotten that it is God who gives the increase. It is God who blesses our efforts and makes them fruitful.
Faith is not something we can manufacture on our own: It is a gift from God. And it grows as we turn our attention to Him, as we remember His faithfulness, as we trust in His promises. When we do this, we find that our fears begin to fade. They are replaced by a deep and abiding trust in God. We begin to see that He is bigger than our fears, that He is more powerful than our problems, that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Trusting Him in the specifics of our lives: In Deuteronomy, we read about the importance of honest weights and measures. This may seem like a small detail, but it's actually a profound principle. It's about integrity and honesty. It's about treating others fairly and justly. It's about living out our faith in practical ways.
Faith is a matter of action: It's about living out our trust in God in the way we treat others, in the way we conduct our business, in the way we live our lives. When we do this, we find that our faith becomes more real. It becomes more than just a concept or a doctrine. It becomes a living, breathing reality.
What happens when our faith is tested?: What happens when we face trials and difficulties? The story of the siege of Samaria gives us some insight. Despite Elisha's prophecy, the king of Israel doubted. He couldn't see how God could provide in such a desperate situation. But God did provide. He caused the Arameans to hear the sound of a great army, and they fled in fear, leaving behind all their provisions. The people of Samaria went out and plundered the Aramean camp, and there was plenty of food for everyone, just as Elisha had prophesied.
Even when our faith is tested, God is faithful: He is able to do what seems impossible. He is able to provide in ways we can't even imagine. And when we trust in Him, when we hold onto our faith even in the face of fear, we find that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.
The importance of praying for our leaders: The king of Samaria was in a desperate situation, and it was through the prophetic intervention of Elisha, a man of prayer, that deliverance came ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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