RESTING IN THE LORD
Psalm 37:7
Part 3
Introduction: In this final message on this verse, I talk about resting in the providence of God. We saw in the last messages that we can rest in the promises of God. The promises of God are promised made by God Himself. They are made backed by His faithfulness to perform them. They are seen clearly throughout the Bible. I have a book in my library called "All the Promises in the Bible" by Doctor Herbert Lockyer. It has three hundred and forty two pages of small print. But it has all the tremendous promises found in our Bibles. Feasting on this book with our Bible in the other hand is like having like nothing is more important than His infallible word.
Last week we looked at resting in His protection. We are safe in the arms of Jesus. We saw our great enemy. We saw him as the wild animal that we find in the Bible.
We also saw the nearness of the protection of God with shining examples in the pages of Bible. I only cited four examples. There are many more than that.
Today I want us to find this third timeless truth in we can rest. We can rest in His Providence. I want to review the thought of what is meant in this passage about resting in the Lord. Resting in the Lord means having a quiet confidence in one whom is mightier than we are. This thought is seen in many places in the Book of Psalms. Let me cite a few.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:11
“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Resting in the Lord according to James Hervey expresses the privilege and duty of Christians. Resting in the Lord silences the clamours of conscience. It is the refreshment and repose of a weary pilgrim. It is what a pilgrim does when he arrives at the end of his journey. He is settled for life in a secure, spacious, peaceful habitation. That is exactly the attitude of every believer that does what our text tells us to do. We are resting in the Lord. How much stronger habitation is there than that. Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Isaiah 49:10
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
When I was studying for this message, I found that I did not much about this subject. Yet it is important that we see how we can rest in His providence.
RESTING IN HIS PROVIDENCE
What is the providence of God? Let me give several great definitions with some scripture molded into the definitions. John Milton asserted that the providence of God is the ways of God to men. Our Bible makes it crystal clear that providence is God’s wise and benevolent care of His creatures and creation. Genesis 22:18
"The Lord will provide."
Psalm 145:9
“The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
Proverbs 16:9, 33
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
Isaiah 45:5-7
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
Acts 17:28
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Philippians 4:6-7, 19
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Doctor W. J. Townsend in His book "Christian Doctrine" explains providence as "That unceasing and efficient government which is carried on by the divine Being throughout the universe, by which the creatures are preserved, their wants supplied, and the purposes of the vast creation are accomplished. This active, all-pervading Providence is a prominent doctrine of Scripture."
Psalm 145:15-16
“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”
Colossians 1:17
“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Hebrews 1:3
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”
It is my intention to encourage you with this important truth. If I confuse you or cause you to have more questions than answers, then I have failed to do what I set out to do.
There are many portions of scripture that shows the providence of God. I will only deal in depth with just one. But I want show you that there are more than one for our admonition.
It was the providence of God that caused the sleepless night of a king that saved the Jewish people from slaughter in Esther chapter six. God worked this out for His glory and His people’s good.
The book of Job displays the providence of God. Job refers to it several times.
But one of the greatest examples of the providence of God is found in the life of Joseph. So today I want to give you quick overview of Joseph and his ability to rest in the providence of God.
It is interesting to note that Joseph is a perfect type of our Lord Jesus. You do not find any sin named in the life of Joseph. He was sold as a slave. He took a Gentile bride. That is just a few parts of this perfect type of Christ.
Let’s look at Joseph as he was resting in the providence of God. As we look at Joseph, we can see God’s hand in every part of Joseph’s life. I am sure that there were times in Joseph wonder why this was happening to him. But I find not one word of complaining or murmuring against God recorded in the pages of this blessed Book.
I will not have the time to read all the passages about Joseph. I want to encourage you to read Genesis chapters thirty-seven through fifty.
I. JOSEPH SOLD IN THE PLAN OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE.
Joseph was his father’s favorite son. This is a dangerous thing to do for a father. This act can turn your other children against you. You see this truth in the life of Jacob.
Jacob bestowed favor upon Joseph. He gave him a coat of many coats. I am sure Joseph wore it every where.
One day Jacob wanted to Joseph to check on his brothers. He goes to where his brothers were supposed to be. When he found out they were in another place feeding the flocks, he goes there.
As he approaches his brothers, they must have spotted his coat first. The jealousy that they were holding in their hearts boiled over to hatred. They act upon their hatred. 1 John 2:11
“But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”
They decided that he must die. But better sense overrode one of the brothers. He talks the others into throwing him in a pit and leaves him to die.
One of the brothers leaves. He plans to come back later and get him out of the pit. But while he is gone, a caravan of slave traders comes by. Someone suggests selling Joseph in slavery. This was really a fate that would be worse than death. So Joseph is sold into slavery. The brothers conspire together to lie to their father. They kill an animal and put on the coat and take it back to their father and tell him that Joseph is dead.
They think that this came about by their own cunning. In reality, God in His providence to His glory as we see later on.
II. JOSEPH SLANDERED IN THE PLAN OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE.
Joseph is sold to a man by the name of Potiphar. Potiphar is an officer in Pharaoh’s court. God gave Joseph a good mind for business. He is elevated in Potiphar’s house. He is head of Potiphar’s entire household.
Mrs. Potiphar had a perverted mind. She has a big house. She has a husband who provides for her well. She has social position. But she finds this young man to her liking. She wants to have an affair with him. But Joseph resisted all of her passes.
One day, she makes sure all of the servants have left except Joseph. Then she makes one more pass at Joseph. Joseph did not know what God would write down for our admonition later on. But he is does the right thing. 1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
He leaves the scene quickly before he commits a sin against the Lord and his master.
Genesis 39:8,9
“But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Joseph is arrested and thrown in jail. He has done every thing right. But he is jailed. Remember jail in that day did not mean that he got three squares a day, all free medical care and air-conditioned cell. It was a fate that is worse than being a slave.
There is a lesson we can learn from this account. You can do everything right and you can still get into trouble. But remember this is a message about the providence of God. All this is in God’s plan.
III. JOSEPH SILENCED IN THE PLAN OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE.
We do not know how long Joseph is in jail. I am sure it is a while. But God was with him. The head jailer realized that Joseph was a good man who could be trusted. So he made him a trustee. This gave Joseph access to all of the prison.
One day two new prisoners were placed into prison. They are from Pharaoh’s place. They both had a dream. Both did not understand the dream. God gives the interpretation of the dreams to Joseph. Joseph tells them the interpretation of their dreams. One man dies according to the dream and the other is set free. Joseph asks the one who is set free and returned the palace to remember him for the injustice he has suffered. When the man returns home, he forgets Joseph until it is in God’s providence.
Pharaoh has two dreams. These dreams disturb him. God had given him these dreams. But no one could interpret them. The chief butler remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh.
Joseph cleans up and comes to Pharaoh. He gives the interpretation of the dream.
Here is the important lesson for us. Events unfold in our life in God’s time. In His Time is best. If Joseph would have been released earlier, it is possible that he would have never been found for Pharaoh. In God’s time is best for us.
IV. JOSEPH SHINES IN THE PLAN OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE.
Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of the putting aside the grain for the years of the famine. God gave Joseph the ability to be a good steward. (I have wondered what Potiphar and his wife thought about this turn of events. I am sure that Joseph did not seek any revenge. Romans 12:19-21
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”)
God moves in the life of Joseph. The country of Egypt is saved because of the plans of Joseph. Many countries owe a debt to godly people. Our country is one of them.
Joseph does not get the big head or swell with pride either. He understands more of God’s providence. But he does not see it all yet. John 13:7
“Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
V. JOSEPH SHOWS THE PLAN OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE.
Famine not only affects the land of Egypt but also the land of Canaan. Jacob hears that there is food in Egypt. He sends his sons to get them food.
When the men showed up, Joseph recognized them. He does not take revenge upon them. He helps them even though they do not know who he is.
He has their gold put back in the grain bags. This act scares his brothers. They think they were being set up. I wonder if their conscience was bothering them.
Before they left, Joseph told them if they ever returned they needed to bring their youngest brother. One day the grain was running out. They had to go back to Egypt. They brought Benjamin with them.
Joseph had a big dinner for them. He is testing them by giving Benjamin the biggest portion and the best seat.
He had his cup put in Benjamin’s bag. Then he let them leave. He wanted to find out if they were treating Benjamin as they did him in his youth. But they were willing to take die in the place of their young brother.
After he sees this, Joseph revealed who he was. I am sure fear gripped their hearts. They really thought that the chickens had come home to roast. But Joseph knows that all that happened was in middle of God’s providential care. He tells them that.
He has his father and family moved to Egypt. This is also part of God’s plan even though none know it at this time.
When Jacob dies, his brothers once again think Joseph was holding off his revenge until that time. But Joseph tells what some call the Romans 8:28 of the Old Testament. Genesis 50:20
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Conclusion: God knows all. He knows the beginning of all events and He knows how it will all end. He commands us to rest in Him. He knows end of path that we take.
When we rest in His providence, we trust Him more fully. We are showing that we love Him greater. We know He knows best.
HE MAKETH NO MISTAKE
By
A.M. Overton
My Father’s way may twist and turn,
My heart may throb and ache,
But in my soul I’m glad I know
He maketh no mistake.
My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away,
But still I’ll trust my Lord to lead
For He doth know the way.
Tho’ night be dark and it may seem
that day will never break;
I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him,
He maketh no mistake.
There’s so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight’s far too dim;
But come what may, I’ll simply trust
And leave it all to Him.
For by and by the mist will lift
And plain it all He’ll make,
Through all the way, tho’ dark to me,
He made not one mistake.
Psalm 9:2
“I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”
Job 23:10
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
