I Will Turn To God For Help

I Will Turn to God for Help (Ex. 1:5-14; 2:23-25) Independence is an illusion (1 Cor. 10:12) At some time in our lives will be forced to face this reality. In James 1:2 it says when you face trials not if! (see also John 16:33) It may be the result of a sudden financial crisis or the onset of a serious illness in ourselves or in a loved one. A time when we alone just don’t have the knowledge, the power, the resources to “fix” the problem, no matter how desperately we may want to do so. We may try to deal with the situation alone at first, but like the disciples on the boat in a stormy see, we will eventually discover that we need to turn the problem over to a “greater power”. (Mark 4:37-38) When we accept Jesus the Christ as our Lord and Savior, we make, in effect, a “declaration of dependence”. The evidence of His power, love & control should inspire us to put our hope in Him (e.g. Like Hezekiah, 2 Kings 19:15-19, see also Ps. 20:7, 2 Chron. 7:14) The Greek word for “hope”, Elpizo, literally translated means “to cast one’s cares upon another in trust or confident expectation.” In this case it means that we should throw ourselves upon the unfailing love of God. Our hope is based upon the knowledge of God’s Character, Power & Faithfulness as recorded in the Bible (Ps. 71:5; 78:7; 121:1; Rom.15:4 & 13; 1 Pet. 1:5; Titus 1:2; Col. 1:5 & 23); Upon the resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:19-20; Rom. 8:1; Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Pe. 1:3,4 & 21); Upon the continuing, living presence of God with us (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5; Phil. 1:23; Acts. 7:55-56; 1 Thess. 4:17; Rev. 21:2222:5); Upon the promise of His return and of our resurrection unto eternal life into His kingdom (John 5:25-29, 14:1-3, 19, 17:24; Titus 1:2; 2:13; Col. 1:5, 23, 27; 1 Pe. 1:3-5, 13; 2 Pe. 1:10-11; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts. 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:50-58; Matt. 25:21 & 34; Gal. 5:5; Col. 1:5; 1 Tim. 6:19)

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“But as we, imitating Jesus, set our minds and hearts on the hope and joy that is set before us, we are able to endure all hardships.” (1 Pe. also Luke 6:22-23, 1 Thess.:5:5, 2 Cor. 4:16-18) To demonstrate faith is to act upon hope.

God’s ultimate plan for mankind has not changed (Gen. 1:28) He desires that we be “fruitful” and multiply and that we fill the earth and establish dominion over it. See Gen. 2:15 (“Dress & Keep”) Dress(abad, Heb.) = Work, Serve, Labor for Keep (shamar, Heb.) = Keep, Guard, Treasure, Preserve, Protect, Retain, Save, Watch Over, Celebrate This takes into account the moral principle of stewardship/trusteeship (see Lev. 25:23-24). In caring out His plan for our best interest, God may require us to change our situation (e.g. residence, job, church, friends, other associations) Even when others may intend to harm us, God can use the situation to benefit us "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Gen. 50:20). We are called to demonstrate our faith by being prayerful & thankful instead of anxiety (Phil. 4:6-7, 1 Pe 5:7) Anxiety is the result of doing our own thing, on our own timing and with our own resources. Freedom from anxiety comes when we desire to do what God wants, when He wants it, with whom He wants it and by His power. Fear comes because we fail to recognize who is with us. We should not fear because God is always with us. (Isa. 43:1-2, Heb. 13:5) Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39) God hears our “groaning” and sees our suffering (Ex. 2:24-25) God will not tolerate injustice forever (Amos 4:6-7) God will respond to persistent, heartfelt prayer (Luke 11:9-10; 18:1-8; Ps. 27:14; Matt. 15:23, 25, 27; James 5:16-17; 1 Chron. 16:11; Col. 4:2; Isa. 55:6) Earnest means zealously and with serious intent and determination As you have believed, so it will be done for you (Matt. 8:13)

Some time help seems a long time in coming (Ex. 2:23) How long are you willing to wait upon the Lord, remaining faithful? (Luke 18:8) God answers prayer in “the fullness of time” (Gk. Chronos) according to his plan (Gal. 4:4) God’s grace is always sufficient (1 Cor. 12:9-10) Psalm 27:14 (Wait and Take Heart), 37:7 (Wait and Do Not Fret) & 34 (Wait and Keep His Way), 40:1 (Wait Patiently and Your Prayers Will Be Heard) 59:9 (Wait and Watch), 69:3 (Wait and Pray), 130:5 (Wait and Put Hope in His Word) Proverbs 20:22 (Wait for God’s Justice instead of Seeking Revenge) Isa. 8:17 (Wait for and Trust in God), 30:18 (Wait and Be Blessed) Lam. 3:25-26 (Wait for, Seek and Hope in God and God Will Be Good to You) Hosea 12:6 (Return God, Maintain Love & Justice and Wait on God Always) Micah 7:7 (Wait and watch in Hope for God) Hab. 2:3 (Wait for God’s Answer and Though It may Linger, It Will Come) Zeph. 3:8 (Wait for God to Act in His Time) Luke 12:35-40 (Watch, Wait and Be Ready for the Lord’s Return) Rom. 8:18-25 (Wait Patiently for Future Glory) Gal. 5:5 (Wait by Faith) David spent a great deal of his time waiting. David had to wait some15 years from the time he was first anointed by Samuel to the time he became king over Judah. It was another seven years before David was anointed king over all Israel. This means David waited over 20 years of his life to be made king. David's life during the days we have been studying can teach us a great deal about “waiting on the Lord.” God promised Abram and Sarai a child, but they had to wait 25 years to get him. God promised Noah there would be a flood, but it was a long time coming. God made Jacob wait 14 years to get the wife he wanted. Joseph had to wait a considerable time to see his father and family, and he did not get back home until after his death (they carried his bones back to the promised land). The Israelites had to wait 430 years in Egypt, before returning to the promised land. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that all the Old Testament saints had to wait for us (Gentiles?) before they could see the promised kingdom (Heb. 11:39-40). For 2,000 years, saints have been waiting for the Lord's return and the coming of His Kingdom.