Chuck Salvo | 3.22.23 | Wednesday | On Fire Christian Church
God is Watching Over Me
- ““Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 NKJV
- a single sparrow, a bird of little value and worth, is taken notice and care of by him; it has its life from him, and is provided for with food by him, and is under his protection; nor does he ever forget it, nor can any thing be done to it, without his permission; it cannot be struck, so as to cause it to fall on the ground, or be taken in a snare, or be killed in any shape, without the knowledge of God: his providence reaches to the minutest creatures and things (Gills Exposition)
- If he knows of the death of these little, almost valueless, birds, even of the falling of one of the many hairs of your head – surely you cannot doubt his knowledge of, his caring for, the life or death of one of his proved and gallant followers
- When we are Suffering as a believer we must remember our value before God and know that when we are submitted to God’s providence it is a glory to God!
- We may suffer because we are just in a fallen world
- We suffer from our own foolishness
- We suffer as God disciplines us
- Suffer because of our faith
- “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,”. Romans 5:3 ESV
- “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 ESV
- “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”. 2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV
- “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10 ESV
- suffering is anything which hurts or irritates. In the design of God, it is also something to make us think. It is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives in a way that would never occur without the trial or irritation.
- Job 1:6 satan comes before God
- Notice God’s blessing and protection
- Satan could not penetrate unless God allowed him
- In this case God allowed these things. In some instance we may fall to suffering because of poor choices
- God still sees and like a loving father is watching over us
- Even our enemies and even the consequences of our own actions are not outside of His care
- Psalm 91:3. He will deliver you from the snare of the Fowler
- Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider
- Suffering requires a proper response to attain what God desires through the suffering
