Subtopic : "He Knoweth The Way That I Take"
Text: Job 23:8-14 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: (vs9) On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: (vs10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (vs11) My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (vs12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (vs13) But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. (vs14) For he perfometh the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him."
Philippians 3:11-15 "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (vs13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (vs15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.7,Page 404, a commentary on Job 23:10-- GOD'S KNOWLEDGE AND MAN'S DISCIPLINE. "Job has just been owning his difficulty in finding God. He searches in all directions, forward and backwards, on the left hand and on the right, and he cannot discover God (vers.8,9). But although it is so hard for him to attain to a knowledge of God, he is quite certain that God knows him. We are known by God before we think of acknowledging him, and when we are bewildered with the mystery of life all is clear and open to God. God knows the way that his servants take. (1) Past experiences. He knows what we have had to contend with, and why our lives have been vexed and tried. (2) Present circumstances. At the very moment when we have some new difficulty to face, some new height to climb, or some new snare to avoid, God is with us, perfectly understanding the whole situation. (3) Future scenes. One step is enough for us, because God knows all that lies before us. Although our way may seem to be leading to impossible regions, he who sees the end from the beginning can lead us through. If God knows our way, we have not to travel like Columbus, over untried seas. The whole route has been mapped out by God. We cannot be lost if he who knows our way is our Guide."
Text: Job 23:8-14 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: (vs9) On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: (vs10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (vs11) My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (vs12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (vs13) But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. (vs14) For he perfometh the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him."
Philippians 3:11-15 "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (vs13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (vs15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.7,Page 404, a commentary on Job 23:10-- GOD'S KNOWLEDGE AND MAN'S DISCIPLINE. "Job has just been owning his difficulty in finding God. He searches in all directions, forward and backwards, on the left hand and on the right, and he cannot discover God (vers.8,9). But although it is so hard for him to attain to a knowledge of God, he is quite certain that God knows him. We are known by God before we think of acknowledging him, and when we are bewildered with the mystery of life all is clear and open to God. God knows the way that his servants take. (1) Past experiences. He knows what we have had to contend with, and why our lives have been vexed and tried. (2) Present circumstances. At the very moment when we have some new difficulty to face, some new height to climb, or some new snare to avoid, God is with us, perfectly understanding the whole situation. (3) Future scenes. One step is enough for us, because God knows all that lies before us. Although our way may seem to be leading to impossible regions, he who sees the end from the beginning can lead us through. If God knows our way, we have not to travel like Columbus, over untried seas. The whole route has been mapped out by God. We cannot be lost if he who knows our way is our Guide."
There Is Understanding, Knowledge and Wisdom Of God Beyond The Break
EXPOSITION
1. THERE MUST BE A CONCEPTULIZATION AND A VISUALIZATION OF SOMEHING "BEYOND THE BREAKS" IN MY LIFE TO REACH FOR:
a. There are Eternal Treasures Beyond The Break St. Matt.6:19-21 " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (vs20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (vs21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
b. There Is A Hope Beyond The Break---Rom. 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
c. There Is Understanding, Knowledge and Wisdom Of God Beyond The Break --- Rom.11:33
"O the depth of riches both of wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
d. There Is a Place Higher And More Solid For My Soul Beyond The Break ---Psa.61:1-2 "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. (vs2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
e. There Is A Place Of Security, Stability And Protection Beyond The Break ---Psa.91:1-2 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (vs2) I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
2.THERE MUST BE AN INHERIENT AND CONSTANT MOTIVATION THAT WILL SUPPLY THE PERSONAL WILL TO REACH BEYOND THE BREAKS IN OUR LIFE.
a. Concerning Personal Will---St. Matt.26:38-39 "Then saith he (Jesus) unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (vs39) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
b. Concerning A Personal Steadfast Determination--- 1 Cor.15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
c. Concerning A Personal Desperation ---Psa.63:1-3 "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee , my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (vs2) To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (vs3) Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."
d. Concerning The Confidence That Is Based On The Assurances Of God--- Heb.13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said,(Josh.1:5) I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (vs6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
3. THE RESULTS OF REACHING"BEYOND THE BREAK"
a. A Single Focused Satisfaction--- Psa.17:15 "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
b. A Confidence In The Night Seasons Of Life---Psa. 30:5 "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
c. A Persuasion Based On God's Omnipotent Love --- Rom.8: 35,38-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (vs38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (vs39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
d. A Righteous Boldness To Approach The Throne Of God's Grace--- Heb.4:16 "Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
1. THERE MUST BE A CONCEPTULIZATION AND A VISUALIZATION OF SOMEHING "BEYOND THE BREAKS" IN MY LIFE TO REACH FOR:
a. There are Eternal Treasures Beyond The Break St. Matt.6:19-21 " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (vs20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (vs21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
b. There Is A Hope Beyond The Break---Rom. 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
c. There Is Understanding, Knowledge and Wisdom Of God Beyond The Break --- Rom.11:33
"O the depth of riches both of wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
d. There Is a Place Higher And More Solid For My Soul Beyond The Break ---Psa.61:1-2 "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. (vs2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
e. There Is A Place Of Security, Stability And Protection Beyond The Break ---Psa.91:1-2 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (vs2) I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
2.THERE MUST BE AN INHERIENT AND CONSTANT MOTIVATION THAT WILL SUPPLY THE PERSONAL WILL TO REACH BEYOND THE BREAKS IN OUR LIFE.
a. Concerning Personal Will---St. Matt.26:38-39 "Then saith he (Jesus) unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (vs39) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
b. Concerning A Personal Steadfast Determination--- 1 Cor.15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
c. Concerning A Personal Desperation ---Psa.63:1-3 "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee , my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (vs2) To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (vs3) Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."
d. Concerning The Confidence That Is Based On The Assurances Of God--- Heb.13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said,(Josh.1:5) I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (vs6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
3. THE RESULTS OF REACHING"BEYOND THE BREAK"
a. A Single Focused Satisfaction--- Psa.17:15 "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
b. A Confidence In The Night Seasons Of Life---Psa. 30:5 "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
c. A Persuasion Based On God's Omnipotent Love --- Rom.8: 35,38-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (vs38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (vs39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
d. A Righteous Boldness To Approach The Throne Of God's Grace--- Heb.4:16 "Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
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