SOMETIMES THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE HARD TO BELIEVE.
Psalms 3:1 « A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. » LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
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.
1. FAITH IN THE LORD IS BETTER THAN WORRY.
A. IT ALL WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST IN THE LONG RUN.
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.
B. BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS THE FIRST TIME, AND DON’T TRY TO CHANGE IT.
WHEN GOD STANDS AGAINST PEOPLE, THEY HAD BETTER REVISE THEIR WAYS OR ELSE QUICKER JUDGMENT WILL COME.
Numbers 22:34-35 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
C. CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE DO NOT MEAN THAT EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE IS AGAINST YOU.
NAOMI’S FINAL CONCLUSION WAS THAT GOD WAS AGAINST HER.
Ruth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
2. CHRISTIANS HAVE THE SPECIAL ADVANTAGE OF GOD BEING ON THEIR SIDE.
A. WE ARE VICTORIOUS THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD.
IT MAY NOT BE EASY, AND IT USUALLY INVOLVES SOME FIGHTING ON OUR PART.
1 Samuel 17:34-36 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
B. THEY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF PRAYER. DAVID PRAYED THAT THE ENEMY WOULD NOT WIN.
Psalms 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
SOMETIMES OUR BIGGEST ENEMY IS OUR OWN UNCONTROLLED IMAGINATIONS.
3. WE HAVE TO THROW OFF THE WAYS OF THIS WORLD.
A. UNBELIEF.
DO NOT EXPECT THE ENEMY TO WIN. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO ANTICIPATE WHAT DOES NOT EXIST.
Psalm 27:3-6 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.