There Was A Plank

THERE WAS A PLANK

Title is based on a section from the book “Hinds’ Feet On High Places” by Hannah Hurnard

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:10 - 19

*Phil. 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

INTRODUCTION:

A promise given to the Philippian church by Paul under divine inspiration of God.

I. A PROMISE WITH RESTRICTIONS

A. According to

1. Your Need Define (Webster’s)

Need --> A state that requires supply or relief; urgent want; necessity; poverty.

The promise is to supply all your need; but it is all your need - in this, the promise is both broad and yet restricted (David Guzik).

I Timothy 6:6-11

6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

2. His Supply

Supply --> To furnish; to provide; to satisfy

a. (v. 19) “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

b. Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

B. According to your surrender

1. Phil. 4:16 “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.”

2. However, notice that this promise is made to the Philippians - those who had surrendered their finances and material possessions to God's service, and who knew how to give with the right kind of heart (David Guzik).

I feel that this is a conditional promise to those who have fulfilled their responsibilities to God and are walking in the will of God as best they know it. This is not to haphazard Christians living in and out of the will of God.

C. The Reaping and Sowing Principle

1. This promise simply expresses what Jesus said in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (David Guzik).

2. Communicating Philippians 4:10 -15

(v. 14) “ye did communicate with my affliction” --that is, ye made yourselves sharers with me in my present affliction, namely, by sympathy; of which sympathy your contribution is the proof. (JFB)

Communication 4790 sugkoinoneo {soong-koy-no-neh'-o} from 4862 and 2841; TDNT - 3:797,447; v

AV - have fellowship with 1, communicate with 1, be partaker of 1; 3

1) to become a partaker together with others, or to have fellowship with a thing

II. Book “Hinds’ Feet On High Places” by Hannah Hurnard

A. Based on Habakkuk 3:16-19

3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no

herd in the stalls:

3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

B. Illustrates our dependence on God. “I can do all things through Christ”

1. In the midst of barrenness and famine the prophet says, “I will rejoice.”

2. Hind -->a doe or female deer -->Leaping and bounding across almost any obstacle.

3. The prophet had forseen the prevalence of the church’s enemies and long continuance of the churches troubles. Seeing war and famine, he trusts in God. M. H.

4. When all is gone his God is not gone. M. H.

5. This book is based on a deep surrender to God and his way of perfecting the Christians and providing for them as they walk in His will.