Discover the Book - Aug. 2, 2007
God’s Rule over the Nations—
Daily Benefits in Trusting God
One of the most powerful truths to strengthen and guide you through life is found in Jeremiah 1:12.
The Creator and Redeemer, the Lord God Almighty who is the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe tells us that there is something He is very focused upon.
The Book you hold in your hands this morning, the Bible God's Word is like none other—because God says, “I am watching over my Word—to perform it!”
Perhaps the greatest way that you and I can affirm the reality of God today is through this facet of His Sovereignty. God’s rule over the nations is the context of this claim—and the clearest way to see God’s Rule over the nations is through Biblical Prophecy.
This book is unique in that God has mapped out specific events in the future. Only the Living and True God of Heaven and Earth has ever dared to say, “Let me tell you the future”. In fact, He said that was the way you could know that He was real, and that you and I could place our faith and trust in Him.
God declares the future in His Word because He “watches over His Word to perform it!”
Þ Jeremiah 1:12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” NKJV
Þ Jeremiah 1:12 The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” NIV
Þ Jeremiah 1:12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” NASB
No where is God’s Rule over the nations seen more clearly than in prophetic Scriptures!
In the 15 years since Jerry Bridges wrote the words of chapter 5 of his book Trusting God (1991)—God’s Rule over the Nations is only getting clearer and clearer.
What is the simplest and yet most profound evidence the Bible offers concerning God’s Rule over the Nations?
It is prophecy fulfilled--the irrefutable verification reserved to the Scriptures alone.
Prophecy is the missing element in all other sacred scriptures of the world's religions; It is not to be found in the Koran, the Hindu Vedas, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Book of Mormon, the sayings of Buddha, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science). By contrast prophecy comprises about one third of the Scriptures!
So the huge amount of prophetic verses in our Bible can become another strong support for our understanding God’s Sovereignty and are a great and comforting place to encourage our trusting God. There are daily benefits of trusting God that I want to apply this morning. But first, the God who rules the Nations!
As we begin this morning open with me to Isaiah 41:21:
"Present your case," says the LORD. "Bring forth your strong [reasons,"] says the King of Jacob. (NKJV)
PROPHECY IS THE TEST TO SHOW WHO IS GOD. The true God rules over the nations!
- TRUST THE ONLY GOD WHO ACCURATELY KNOWS THE FUTURE.
Isaiah 41:23 Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you are gods; Yes, do good or do evil, That we may be dismayed and see it together.
- PROPHECY PROVES GOD IS REAL.
Isaiah 42:5-9 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
- PROPHECY PROVES GOD IS RELIABLE.
Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’
- PROPHECY REVEALS TO US THE GOD WE CAN TRUST.
Isaiah 48:3-5 “I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass. 5 Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, Lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, And my carved image and my molded image Have commanded them.’
- TRUSTING GOD DETERMINES OUR ETERNAL DESTINY.
Isaiah 48:17-18, 22 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of
Part 2 of this of this sermon will be continued tomorrow August 3rd.
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