We'll Understand It Better By and By - Guy Penrod Hymns (w/ Lyrics)

UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD

UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD

1 Peter 5 : 5-7

Introduction

A king in the Old Testament was considered to have done evil more than any other kings before him in Israel so God sent His prophet to tell him the punishment for his evils just as the prophet was about to leave, the king humbled himself and God called the attention of the prophet to the way the king humbled himself and the judgments were postponed to the time of his children  1 Kings 16:33 cf 1 Kings 21: 21-27. God is always interested in a humble and a contrite heart.

The Epistle of Peter is one of the general epistles. General because it was addressed to Christians generally. Specifically, it was addressed to Christians who were facing persecution and sufferings as at that time. 1 Peter 1: 6,7. If you agree with me, Christians are facing hard times. I went to an institution last week and the Christian woman was denied been the librarian position simply because she was Christian. Just this week a young lady applied for a job and the prospective employer asked her to be his girl friend, she turned down the offer. Some had been made to resign because they refused to compromised their faith, it was to this audience that God to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, take note, not just under the hand of God but under the mighty hand of God, there may be a possibility that when one is going through life's issues one may forget that the hand of God is still mighty. Never forget that the hand of the Lord is mighty and HE will manifest for you in Jesus name.

Under the mighty hand of God

1. Humble yourself v6 - It is better to humble oneself than to be humiliated but I tell you pride goes before a fall only those who humble themselves will not be humiliated. Christian humility consists of a due sense of our dependence on God,  God we are as nothing before Him; He is the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity; from everlasting to everlasting He is God; boundless in might, infinite in all His perfections.

Humility will also consist in a low estimate of our knowledge. "Be not wise," says the apostle, "in your own conceit." Christian humility also consist in the fact that we derive everything from God. The Word of God which saves our soul must be received with meekness James 1: 21

 Hear a story of Mueller

At sixty years of age Dr. A. T. Pierson was not too old to learn, and, with humility and an eager thirst after knowledge, he listened as George Müller of Bristol gave detailed testimony to show God as a hearer and answerer of prayer. In one of these interviews he asked Mr. Müller if he had ever petitioned God for anything that had not been granted.

"Sixty-two years, three months, five days and two hours have passed," replied Mr. Müller with his characteristic exactness, "since I began to pray that two men might be converted. I have prayed daily for them ever since and as yet neither of them shows any signs of turning to God."

"Do you expect God to convert them?"

"Certainly," was the confident reply. "Do you think God would lay on His child such a burden for sixty years if He had no purpose for their conversion?"

Not long after Mr. Müller's death, Dr. Pierson was again in Bristol, preaching in Bethesda Chapel. In the course of his sermon, he told of this conversation, and as he was going out at the close of the service a lady stopped him and said: "One of those two men, to whom Mr. Müller referred, was my uncle. He was converted and died a few weeks ago. The other man was brought to Christ in Dublin."

2. Under The mighty hand of God there is exaltation v6 - Exaltation comes in different forms; for singles, marriage could be exaltation, for applicants; gainful employment is an exaltation, all that made you shout or sing in exultation is exaltation. Psalm 75: 6. The Lord of Host will effect your promotion in Jesus name.

3. Under the mighty hand of God there is sufficient care for your burden. - Burden is that major concern of your heart and many times you prayer is directed at that burden most of the time.

God's care 1. Cordial and tender.2. Active and efficacious. 3. Patient and unwearied. 4. Permanent and lasting.