140 likes | 261 Views
Giants in Our Lives. Two Perspectives. 1 Sam. 17:26. 1 Sam. 17:11, 24. On whom or on what shall you focus? . A Whole Land Of Giants. Focus on God Brings Faith, which is Life to our spirits. Focus on Giants Brings Fear, which is Death to our spirits . OR.
E N D
Giants in Our Lives Two Perspectives 1 Sam. 17:26 1 Sam. 17:11, 24 On whom or on what shall you focus?
A Whole Land Of Giants Focus on God Brings Faith, which is Life to our spirits Focus on Giants Brings Fear, which is Death to our spirits OR Fear makes us exaggerate. We Cry, Complain, Doubt and Rebel because of fear.
The Clear Choice! “So without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:6 Take God at His Word, choosing faith over fear.
What We have Learned So Far • Keep your eyes on Jesus. • You have the choice to obey or rebel. • Take God at His Word, choosing faith over fear.
The Righteous will live by Faith • Galatians 3:11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because “The righteous will live by faith.” • Hebrews 10:38 “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” • Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Habakkuk 2:4b • “but the righteous will live by his faith” • Who was this Habakkuk? • He was a prophet • He only spoke to God
Habakkuk 1:1-11 Habakkuk: Complain, Complain, Complain • Call for help – I want some justice • Why doesn’t God intervene? God: I have an amazing answer • Justice, but you might not like it.
Habakkuk 1:12-2:20 Habakkuk: I ask for justice and You give calamity • [Ecclesiastes 7:13-14] • But I will stand and wait for your answer (2:1). God: Revelation awaits an appointed time, though it linger, wait for it (2:3). • Wait & Listen
“but the righteous will live by his faith” (2:4b) • BUT = contrast • What Faith is Not: • puffed up, arrogant (2:4,5a) • never at rest (2:5a) • greedy as the grave (2:5b)
We need to know: • We are not in control – “Has not the Lord Almighty determined” (2:13) • Final destiny is important – “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” (2:14) • Don’t look to other things for answers – “But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (2:20)
Habakkuk 3 Habakkuk: Prayer • “I stand in awe” (3:2a) • “in wrath remember mercy” (3:2d) • “His ways are eternal” (6:b) • “You came out to deliver your people” (3:13) • “Though the fig tree does not bud… though the olive crop fails… though there are no sheep… yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (3:17-18)
Reflection • List for the Lord and yourselve the “thoughs” you are facing right now. • Be honest and if you can’t rejoice with some of your “thoughs” ask God to give you the ability to rejoice. Extreme Faith! “thoughs” – the things that could happen in your life in which you decide I will still trust God and rejoice in Him.