God who watches over me
Matthew 6:8~13 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (8)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #310 I
Know Not Why God’s Wondrous Grace (#410 in previous version) There are times when it seems like everything goes well for other people and we feel miserable with nothing going well for us. Having negative thoughts and doubting God, which sprouts despite ourselves, will leave our spiritual state even more devastated. Even now, God keeps and watches over us who have the Gospel. How does He watch over us?
1. God is at work
In the Gospel, the past for us as God’s children is the stepping stone for blessings, the present is the most blessed field, and the future is stretched out toward the vision of world evangelization. However, we may hear the Word of God and yet not find it so easy to believe and follow the Word of God in our practical life. Salvation is not earned by our own will but is achieved in God’s absolute sovereignty at His appointed time schedule. He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Even now God is at work for His children. Even though things don’t seem to go well, we must never be deceived by Satan.
2. God provides grace needed for each person
Satan wants the believers to live without assurance and remain powerless even as children of God. He causes strife within the family and makes us blame our parents and doubt God. He hinders us from doing well in school and makes us feel discouraged without any dreams. That is why if we do not gain the power that God provides, we will lack the power to hold out in the face of the problems of the world. Jesus promised us that if the master of our life becomes not us but Jesus Christ, then He would provide us with the grace that we need. Even today, God pours the most needed grace upon us.
3. Our eyes will change
Satan existed even before we were born and will follow and deceive us until the last day when Jesus Christ locks him up in hell. We cannot live avoiding the world, and living in hiding is something unworthy of children of God. Satan eats into the area that we are weakest in and prevents us from receiving the power that God gives to us. If we hear and meditate on God’s Word and pray daily, God will provide us with the wisdom and power of heaven. It is at this time that our eyes to see the world change.
- Who runs your life? Confess that Christ may take charge of your life today. Do not be deceived by the forces of darkness and be robbed of your mind and thoughts but have victory in the name of Jesus Christ. Evangelism Disciple Training Message / 2012.3.27