Introduction:
I am so glad that March is over. It is going to remembered years from now like September 11th, or the day that Katrina roared onto the Gulf Coast on August 29th, 2005, or the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. You ask why?
March was the month the economic expansion did an about-face, and now we, Americans, are faced with the possibility of a recession. March was the month we saw the best unemployment numbers in history, and now at the end of the month, we are facing the possibility of the worst unemployment in history. March was the month that many people saw their retirement funds disappear, and now they face the prospect of working longer than they planned. March was the month that the hospital became overcrowded, and the medical staff screamed for equipment to do their jobs. We saw, daily on our television, a graphic that continuously went up reporting how many died throughout the world and within our own US borders.
But as a Christian, I saw more than the economic and health crisis March had ushered in. I saw something with my spiritual eyes that I hope you also saw. The countries of this world and the United States included felt like we had this thing called life under control. We thought we could do what we want, not consult with God on anything we did, and even exclude Him and believe that there would be no consequences. And God has taught all these nations through such a microscopic non-living virus that you don't control anything. God is telling us, "You better put me in the equation going forward."
Now that is the One Million Dollar question. Are we going to put God back into our lives and back into our nations? And if so, how do we go about doing that?
Scripture
1 Peter 5:6(NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Point #1
HUMBLE YOURSELF- IF I THINK THAT I AM IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING, I NEED TO SUBMIT MY RESIGNATION BECAUSE THE REALITY IS THAT I AM NOT IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING.
Have you ever heard the expression used- "Who died and put you in charge?" Well, Jesus died. In fact, the church is celebrating His death and Resurrection in a few weeks. But I need to remember that His death did not put me in charge; it put Him in charge. I read a Scripture in Isaiah 9:6 (NIV), which says,
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders…
When Jesus died and then rose three days later, He took the government upon His shoulders. He took the government of me upon His shoulders; He took the government of my family upon His shoulders; He took the government of the church I pastor upon His shoulders, and He took the government of the country I live in upon His shoulders.
The New Testament confirms that in Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV)
16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
So, if I think I am governing anything, I need to submit my resignation.
There was a guy in the Old Testament, a king actually, who learned that lesson the hard way.
Daniel 4:29-34 (NIV)
29 … as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,
30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
Point #2
I DO INDEED NEED TO SUBMIT MY RESIGNATION IF I THINK I AM IN CHARGE, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT I KNOW TO WHOM I MUST SUBMIT IT.
Peter clearly tells us to whom we must submit our resignation. He says “Under God's mighty hand…”
People resign all the time, but unfortunately, people a lot of time submit their resignations to the wrong authority. Some people get frustrated with working, and they submit their resignation to the government and say to the government take care of me.
Some people get frustrated with all their problems of life, and they submit their resignation to a bottle, or a hand full of pills or some illegal drugs.
Some people even submit their resignation to the god of this world.
I need to submit my resignation, because I am not in charge, but it must be handed to God and Him only.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
When you and I became Christians, we submitted our resignation- telling God to take over.
Our country needs to submit its resignation to God and tell Him you are in charge.
Husbands need to submit their resignation and tell God you are in charge of my family.
And small business owners need to submit their resignations to God and tell God this is your business.
Point #3
ONCE I SUBMIT MY RESIGNATION AND SUBMIT IT TO THE RIGHT ONE, THEN I NEED TO WAIT UPON HIM.
that he may lift you up in due time.
When you hand IN YOUR RESIGNATION, YOU TAKE THE BALL OUT OF YOUR HANDS AND PUT IT INTO THE HANDS OF THE PERSON THAT ACCEPTS YOUR RESIGNATION.
AND HERE IS THE PROMISE THAT GOD GIVES US THROUGH PETER. HE WILL LIFT YOU UP IN DUE TIME.
THE APOSTLE PAUL PUT IT ANOTHER WAY IN Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
BEFORE WE GET THERE- WHERE GOD LIFTS US UP WE MUST SUBMIT OUR RESIGNATION TO GOD AND
