Responding To God

Responding to God

May 6, 2012 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must be ready to respond graciously to God, even when He says “no.”

Focus Passage: 2 Samuel 7:18-29

Supplemental Passage: What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. (Psalms 8:4-8 NASB)

Introduction: Attitude is everything. It’s not about us; it’s about God.

I. Get in your place with God

a. Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, (2 Samuel 7:18a NASB)

i. He did not summon God to have an audience with him; he went in before the Lord.

ii. We must understand that it is God Who is in control; not us.

b. and he said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? (2 Samuel 7:18b NASB)

i. After sitting before God, he got it straight in his heart and mind, who he was in light of God.

II. Recount God’s blessings in the past

a. "For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know. "For this reason You are great, O Lord GOD; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (2 Samuel 7:21-22 NASB)

i. David started with praise and honor to God

ii. David exalted the Name of God and blessed Him

III. Praise God for His promises for the future

a. "Now therefore, O LORD God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken, that Your name may be magnified forever, by saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel'; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You. (2 Samuel 7:25-26 NASB)

i. David thanked God for His blessings

b. "Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever." (2 Samuel 7:29 NASB)

i. David asked that the blessings of God continue

Invitation: Perhaps of asking “why?” or “why not?” we should be asking “what?” as in, “OK, God. What do you want me to do with this situation?” or “Very well, Lord. What do you want me to in light of your answer?” Our attitude in responding to God will make the difference of receiving His blessing or not receiving it. If we realize that sometimes the answer is “no” and understand that it is “no” for our own good, we, too, can begin to praise God for His blessings on our lives.