Rely on God
2 Chron.13-16
Introduction:
- Read 13:1-3, summarize and 13:17-18 (First use of “relied”)
- “Relied” only in Bible 3 times. “Rely” only once!
- God has only one context for this word, Rely on God!
- Examples of Definition:
- Your car, depended totally on it to get here
- Children rely on parents
- Much more than “trust” rely means to take your hands off!
Chapter 16 – The balance of uses of Rely and Relied –
- Asa did it all wrong verses 1-8
- Trouble came
- Relied on Riches, other men, and all seemed to work!
- Finished bad verses 9-13
From Chapters 14 and 15 – How Asa Did it right!
If you are going to Rely on God:
- You better be Right with God [14:1-6]
- Never presume that you can rely on God is you are not Right with Him
- Many of us spend all our efforts pleading with God for His mercy and longsuffering
- Rely on God to help you get right and stay right!
- Illustration of George Muller’s beginnings and results because he understood God’s promises and the fact that He must be in a good relationship with God
- You must learn to Rest on God [14:6-12]
- Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
- To Rest on God is something that you know only when you Rely on God for the help!
- It is that peace that passes all understanding.
- Illustration of George Muller’s learning to rest on God, slowly but completely
- You will be Rewarded by God [14:12-15]
- It Works!!!!!
- “very much spoil and abundance”
- Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
- Illustration of George Muller’s years of provision and protection
- You will be Reminded by God [15:1-8]
- We are reminder by God’s words and His Spirit working in us
- God also test us, sometimes with a review, sometimes it’s a pop test (15/16)
- Illustration of George Muller’s test on “monthly collection for rent”
- You can be Renewed by God [15:8-15]
- Asa had slipped a bit, but turned back to God and renewed the altar
- Wow, we can always start over.
- God loves for us to Rely on him because of the opportunity for others to join in
- Illustration of George Muller’s reason for all of the orphan work. He wanted a visual source for others to see how God can and will supply for His work! Over 150 years later, it is still working.