Living With Things You Cannot Change

Living With Things You Cannot Change

2 Sam. 12:13-20, 23; 2 Cor. 12:7-9a

Sept. 18, 2005 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Introduction:

A Diann Beck testimony

B Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. 14 "However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die." 15 So Nathan went to his house.Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. 16 David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them. 18 Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!" 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead." 20 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate. 23 "But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." 2 Sam 12:13-20, 23 (NASB)

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." 2 Cor 12:7-9 (NASB)

1 (ETS) Godly people have dealt with things they couldn’t change throughout the pages of Scripture.

2 (ESS) Godly people encounter painful things that will not change this side of eternity.

C (OBJ) I hope my listener will be encouraged by some of the principles of how to live with things you cannot change.

1 (PQ) What principal are you going to take home today to help live with the things you cannot change?

2 (TS) Let’s look at two principles that can help us live with things we cannot change.

D Pray

I God’s people have been struggling with things the couldn’t change throughout the pages of Scripture. Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. 14 "However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die." 15 So Nathan went to his house.Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. 16 David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them. 18 Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!" 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead." 20 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate. 23 "But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." 2 Sam 12:13-20, 23 (NASB)