Our Beliefs : Sermons : Sermon Archive - 2004 : December 31, 2004
You Are in God's Hands
New Year's Eve
Why do companies make slogans that are short and memorable? So you remember them, right? If you are in need of insurance, maybe you'll remember: "You're in good hands with Allstate." Now that doesn't mean that Allstate is the best company out there for all of your insurance needs, but at least you can remember their slogan, so maybe you'll give them a try.
Tonight we close the door on 2004 and open the door to 2005. That can be a little scary since we don't know what's behind that door. You were able to weather 2004 (and some weathered it better than others), but what about 2005? Will it be more of the same? A better year; a worse year? Whatever 2005 brings with it, you'll be going through it. And this evening God wants you to remember something that will get you through it, no matter what happens. You aren't just in "good hands": You are in God's Hands -- and there's no better place to be.
First, let's look at the world we live in and the nation we live in. We have the same president. Will things continue as they have, or will they change? Will a Supreme Court justice be named this year, and if so, will that judge uphold Scriptural principles? What will happen in Iraq and Afghanistan? How long will we be there, and what toll will it take on us as a nation as on individual families? Will the economy keep improving, or will some terrorist act plunge us into another recession? And if we are attacked again on our soil, what form will it take -- a biological disaster, a nuclear bomb? Only time will tell. And now we have a huge disaster from an earthquake and resulting tsunami that has killed over 100,000 people, and the diseases that it unleashed will kill as many or more. This world has become a very scary place to live in, no matter what happens in this next year.
Besides all this, the church is not well. For centuries there have been disagreements between denominations and their teachings, but now church leaders are openly denying fundamental Christian teachings like the virgin birth of Jesus, the doctrine of his deity, the reality of heaven and hell, a bodily resurrection and the coming of a day of judgment. And many Christians don't seem to mind. There is an increasing emphasis on what we're supposed to do, which is fine in and of itself, but often it is coupled with not worrying about what God's Word actually says. Developments in the church are starting to get scary, too.
And we haven't even talked about our personal lives. Christian parents don't even want to be parents in today's world because it's so hard to raise God-fearing children these days. Instead of "whatever mom or dad says goes," kids think they can make the rules. And if they don't like it, mom and dad dare not discipline them, or they might go to jail. Amazingly, the divorce rate has gone down, but not because people have finally realized that shacking up is a sin, but because more and more people are shacking up and just not getting married. Maybe you're dealing with that in your family. If you're a student, you wonder if after graduation there will be a job waiting for you. Or maybe you dread going to school in the first place because of the bullies that are waiting for you, or the "cool kids" who don't want to include you. Some older folks look at the younger folks and say, "You've never had it so good. Wait until your bones ache all day long and your friends are dying off left and right. Wait until you become a bother to your family and unwanted by them."
In such a difficult, confused, scary time that we live in, we might be content to just drift from one difficult, confusing, scary day to another. But I hope not. Even though we live in a horribly sinful world, which will have its effect on us, and which will only get worse until the end of time, don't forget God. He's still alive. He's not dead; he's not even sick. He still promises to take care of his people. The words of our text were spoken to people just like us. Their taxes were exorbitant. They were surrounded by enemy nations and constantly being invaded by them. Their church had become totally formalistic. In other words, they had many of the same problems we face today. So God said to believers then as he still does today:
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Notice how God piles up the assurances. If you're afraid, I'm with you as your God. If you are weak, I'll strengthen you. If you feel like you don't know where to turn and you are sinking, I will hold you up by my power and will protect you. That's the picture.
It's like a boy walking next to his father down an icy sidewalk. The father knows ice, so he won't fall down -- he's sure-footed. But when the boy tries to walk by himself, he falls down. When he falls down enough, what should he grab onto? His father's hand, of course. But what happens if his grip isn't so strong? He falls again. So what's the only way the boy will stop falling down? When the father grabs hold of him and holds him up. That's what God says he will do for us no matter what comes our way in 2005. Let's see how.
How do we deal with a tragedy like the hundreds of thousands who have died and will die as a result of a tsunami? Should we be the first to say, "How can a loving God allow so much pain? How can he allow so much suffering in war? If that is who God is, I want nothing to do with him!" Is that how we react? Perhaps a number of our friends will react that way. How will we deal with their accusations? Then we need to hear how God spoke to Job when God tested his faith: "Were you there when I created the world? No. Do you have any idea who you're criticizing? The Almighty God!" Suffering doesn't come from God. Suffering comes from sin. Death comes from sin. And the whole world is filled with sinners. We suffer because of who we are, not because of who God is. But God has come to our rescue. Trust in God, and he will save you; in fact, he already has by sending his Son. And if we can trust in God for our salvation, we can trust in him for everything. Listen to what God says in Psalm 93:3-4: "The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea -- the LORD on high is mighty." God is in control. And he wants to take us by the hand and lead us. Do we want to follow? For all the problems in this world or in our nation, what does God want to tell us? They are in God's hands. Even through this tragedy, we can pray that many would turn to the only source of comfort -- Jesus Christ.
How do we deal with the problems in the church? First of all, find out who is preaching and teaching the truth of the Scriptures, and avoid any teachers that are teaching contrary to it. What if things need to change in your church -- not doctrine, but application? It's been said, "Don't be part of the problem; be part of the solution." If you are concerned that your church isn't involved in many ways to help in the community, then start doing it yourself; get others involved. If the church service doesn't have what you like, help out with it. Maybe there's a reason why it isn't the way you like, or maybe your congregation is just waiting for a volunteer to be able to help out with what you propose. But above all, realize that your attitude in anything should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, as the Apostle Paul says, made himself nothing, and even suffered death on a cross to give you life eternal. Go again to the manger, but don't let appearances fool you. He is not the helpless infant. He is the true God who would overcome Satan, death and hell by his work of redemption. He offers you that forgiveness for your sins free of charge today, in 2005 and every year beyond. When you have problems in looking at developments in the church, first of all realize that by God's grace you are part of the church. Then look at ways of doing things in the church that still hold fast to all the teachings of the Scriptures, always making sure we are giving God glory, not just getting what we want. God will bless you as part of his church as you follow his Word. He wants you to know that your strength comes from him. You are in God's hands.
Finally, what about in your personal life? Remember, you are in God's hands. Maybe you are way too stressed out about obligations and what people expect of you. The Lord says, "Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine." Maybe you are getting up there in years, each one more difficult than the last. To you God says, "The righteous will still bear fruit in old age. They will stay fresh and green, proclaiming: 'The Lord is upright; he is my rock.' " Maybe you have suffered the loss of a loved one, a job or your health. The Lord says, "Cast all your anxiety on me for I care for you." Maybe you are afraid of dying, and you know it's getting closer and closer. Jesus' words bring you comfort: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live, even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die." This isn't some worldly advice that says, "Do your best; pull yourself up by your bootstraps and deal with it." Instead, whatever problems you have now and those that will follow you through the door tonight into 2005, and whatever new difficulties pop up in the new year, remember what you God wants you to remember better than any slogan: You are in God's hands.
I read of a man in Montgomery, AL, who stopped at a gas station, filled up and drove on...for five hours...before he realized that he forgot something...his wife! It's hard to believe how a man could forget his wife. But we're not much different in our relationship with God. We have the tendency to forget the one who created us and redeemed us, the one who called us to faith and keeps us in that faith, and showers us with every blessing under the sun and into eternity. To prevent us from forgetting our God, read his Word daily. Focus on your life's purpose and keep your priorities straight, talk to your children about God. In short, become so familiar with the Bible that it becomes part of everything you think, say and do. Then, because you are in God's hands, you will have a very blessed 2005. Amen.
