Our attitude toward Almighty God will determine the degree of darkness or light that we experience as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. It is normal for individuals to feel grief at the loss of someone dear to them. Help is available for times such as these! King Solomon, the wisest man ever to live on the face of this earth, with the exception of Jesus, the Christ, in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NLT), tells us: "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under Heaven. (v. 2) A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. (v. 3) A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. (v. 4) A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance."
It is obvious that King Solomon recognizes the hurts of life - but, He points out that help is available; and, that this help comes from Almighty God, whom the Prophet Nahum describes as being good! Yes, my brothers and sisters, the Lord God Almighty is good! We see the goodness of Almighty God in the world that He created! In the "Book of Beginnings" - in Genesis 1:31 (NLT) - we read: "Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day." Just look at these beautiful flowers that He created to be available during times of sorrow to bring comfort to those who are grieving!
We know the goodness of Almighty God through His Word! The psalmist, David, in Psalm 34:8 NLT), tells us: "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!" In Psalm 107:1 (NLT), David goes on to say: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever."
We know that Almighty God is good because of the pains to which He went to bring about the redemption of mankind - both male and female! It was the goodness of Almighty God that sent His only-begotten Son to pay the price for our sins - your sins and my sins! The beloved Disciple/Apostle John, in John 3:16 (NLT), records Jesus, the Christ, Himself, saying: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have Eternal Life." Almighty God has tasted the sorrow that we feel and He does not have to feel our sorrow; but, because He is good, He does!
Almighty God - this good God - is our stronghold in times of trouble! Mankind - both male and female - has found this to be true in every situation of life! It is comforting to know that this good God invites us to come to Him in our hour of need! The Disciple/Apostle Matthew, in Matthew 11:28 (NLT), records Jesus, the Christ, Himself, saying: "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest."
Almighty God does not remove the difficulties and sorrows from our pathway; but, He does provide us with the strength to face them! The psalmist tells us, in Psalm 46:1 (NLT): "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." The psalmist goes on to tell us, in Psalm 121:2 (NLT), "My help comes from the Lord, Who made the heavens and the earth!" It is absolutely amazing what we can survive when we look to the Lord for help!
Almighty God - this good God - knows those who trust Him! There are some blessings that come from Almighty God to each and every one of us! The Disciple/Apostle Matthew, in Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT), records Jesus, the Christ, Himself, saying: "But I say, ’love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (v. 45) In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in Heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too.’"
As we travel the interstate highways of this great nation of ours, we find rest areas for weary travelers; however, they are only helpful to those who use them! It is the very same thing with the promises of Almighty God! This good God, that the Prophet Nahum offers to us, waits for us to look to Him today! ~Bits and Pieces of Sermon by George Dillihunty
No comments:
Post a Comment