Helps for Daily Life 7

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BIBLE STUDY 2: HELPS FOR DAILY LIFE

A SERIES: THERE IS HOPE

LESSON 7: 2^nd Chronicles 25:1-9 THE GOD WHO KEEPS HIS WORD

2^nd Chronicles 25:1-9 [KJV]

¹Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. ²And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart. ³Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father. ⁴But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin. ⁵Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. ⁶He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. ⁷But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. ⁸But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. ⁹And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.

INTRODUCTION

In his book on "Evangelism,” A. Skevington Wood said, "We can never talk about God behind his back. We cannot speak of God in His absence. The God who is being discussed is also there. The attitude people take to Him can never be merely theoretical. To deny Him is to spite Him to His face."

H. G. Wells was never particularly Godly, but after he had studied the history of the human race and had observed human life, he came to an interesting conclusion and said: "Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found by God, he begins at no beginning, he works to no end. He may have his friendships, his partial loyalties, his scraps of honor. But all these things fall into place and life falls into place only with God."

An ABC News Gallup Poll revealed the percentages of what Americans believe. Of those interviewed, 86% believed in God, 81% believed in Heaven, 78% believed in Angels, 70% believed in Hell, 70% believed in the Devil. While 60% of those interviewed believed the stories in the Bible are literally true and only 13% believed that human evolution occurred naturally without divine intervention.

INTERPRETATION

The story before us finds Amaziah, the king of Judah, strengthening and fortifying his army that totals around 300,000 men. He feels that his army of 300,000 is not adequate and sufficient. He first organizes his army by putting a captain over each 1,000 men and a captain over each 100 men within each thousand (Brigades with units in each Brigade). Next he hires 100,000 men from Israel as hired mercenaries for 100 talents of silver. It is shortly thereafter that he has a visit from a prophet with a message from God (Verses 7-8). The prophet tells him that if he wants to go into battle with his 400,000 he is welcome to do so, but he will go without God's blessings. The prophet also tells him that God will see to it that he will fail and be defeated.

Why? Amaziah was relying on human ability rather than Heavenly ability. He had turned to men rather than to God. He had left God out of all his plans. He did not look to God or lean on God. An army of 300,000 with God's blessings is far more powerful than an army of 400,000 without God's blessings. Tragically, he had left God out of all he had done.

How often in our plans we leave God out and rely on what we can do. All too often we do not trust God and bring him into the picture. Human means at their best are still insufficient. When we feel we are lacking, it is not human ability we need, but Divine ability. Within in the message of the prophet is a wonderful word to both Amaziah and our hearts. In answer to Amaziah's question about the money he had spent for the soldiers, the prophet said, "THE LORD IS ABLE TO GIVE THEE MUCH MORE THAN THIS." Remember that portion of Scripture because it is vital to this study and what we need to learn and apply to our lives.

EXPLANATION

That statement speaks to me, and reminds me of the God I know. "THE LORD IS ABLE TO GIVE THEE MUCH MORE THAN THIS."

I. THE GOD I KNOW IS A GOD WHO IS ABLE IN HIS PERSON!

The prophet of God emphatically declares to Amaziah, "The Lord is able." I ask you, do you really believe that God is able? With the man of God, could you say from personal experience that the "Lord is able?"

A little boy just got out of church. The pastor saw him standing around and thought he would have some fun with the boy. He wanted to find out how much he had learned in Sunday school, so he asked him, "Johnny, if you can tell me one thing God CAN do, I'll give you an apple." Johnny replied, "Pastor, if you can tell me one thing God CAN’T do, I'll give you a whole truck load of apples."

One of the great revelations of the God of the Bible is that He is a God who is able! According to the Word of God, there are only 3 things which God cannot do. In James 1: 13 we see that God "cannot be tempted with evil." In 2 Timothy 2: 13 we learn that God "cannot deny himself." In Titus 1:2 we read that God "cannot lie." Those statements declare things that God cannot do. However, when the Bible speaks of what God cannot do, it in no way diminishes what He can do. His inability with what He cannot do doesn't minimize, but only magnifies His ability of what He can do. I think of Mary who, when she heard of God's plan to bring Jesus from her virgin womb, asked, "How shall this be" (Luke 1:34). The angel replied, "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37).

Whenever we think of what God is able to do, we begin to find out that:

A. HIS ABILITY IS BEYOND OUR CONSIDERATIONS! I love Ephesians 3:20. In it, Paul declares that our God, the God to whom the prophet was describing to Amaziah, is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think." The word "exceeding" speaks of that which is "beyond and above all in a measure exceeding all this." In other words, His ability is far beyond anything we could ever consider.

THAT TELLS ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM THAT GOD CANNOT SOLVE. What is the biggest thing you could imagine God doing? He is not only able to do it, but also able to go beyond it. What is the biggest thing you could ask God for? He is not only able to do, but He's able to go far beyond our considerations. The Bible repeatedly proves the able person of God. In fact, we are reminded that there is no problem God cannot solve.

If God can step out from behind the curtain of nowhere onto the platform of nothing, and speak everything into its existence.
If God can provide a ram in the bulrushes to spare Isaac from imminent death.
If God can part the waters of a sea so that 2-4 million people could cross, on dry ground; and, then sustain 2-4 million people on manna, quail meat and water so that none died of starvation.
If God can cause the walls of a fortified city to come crashing to the ground simply by the sound of a trumpet.
If God can sustain one of his servants by a brook with heavenly ravens.
If God can deliver 3 young boys from a fiery furnace so hot that it smote the servants who threw them in; and, bring them out without a hair of their head singed, coats changed, or without any smell or smoke...

If God can do that, then there is nothing in your life, my life, or any life that He cannot do. He is so able that there is no problem God cannot solve.

THAT ALSO TELLS ME THERE IS NO PRAYER GOD CANNOT SILENCE.

He heard Abraham in his hour of despair.
He heard Jacob in his hour of deception.
He heard Moses in his hour of discouragement.
He heard Samson in his hour of disappointment.
He heard David in his hour of disgrace.
He heard Elijah in his hour of depression.
He heard Nehemiah in his hour of decision.
He heard Hezekiah in his hour of derision.
He heard Jeremiah in his hour of disillusionment.
He heard Daniel in his hour of delay.
He heard Jonah in his hour of disobedience.
He heard a woman with an issue of blood in her hour of desperation.
He heard Peter in his hour of denial.
He heard Thomas in his hour of doubt.
He heard Paul in his hour of discovery.
He heard Jesus in his hour of death.

If He can hear those prayers, then He can certainly hear and answer your prayers, and my prayers also.

THAT ALSO TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO PERSON GOD CANNOT SAVE.

He saved Levi in a custom-house (Mark 2:14). [A custom-house was a tax-collectors office. That's like getting saved in an IRS office!]
Peter and Andrew were saved on the seashore while they were working (Matt 4:18).
The paralytic man was saved in a home (Mark 2:1).
Zaccheaus was saved at the foot of a tree (Luke 19:4).
Paul was saved in the middle of the road (Acts 9:3).
The Samaritan woman was saved at a well (John 4:11).
The Ethiopian Eunuch was saved in a desert (Acts 8:26).
The Philippians Jailer was saved in a jailhouse (Acts 16:26).
The thief was saved on a cross (Matt 27:38).
He saved the harlot Rahab.
He saved the demon-possessed Mary Magdalene.
He saved a moral man like Nathanael.
He saved a religious man like Nicodemus.
He saved a rich man like Zaccheaus.
He saved a poor man like Lazarus.
He saved a doctor like Luke.
He saved a government official like the Ethiopian.
He saved a lawyer like Zenas.
He saved a thief on the cross.

If that is not enough, He saved hell-bound, hell deserving sinners like ME! Therefore, I say with the prophet, "The Lord is able." What is He able to do? He is able to do anything and everything that is far beyond our consideration.

Whenever we think of what God is able to do, we begin to find out that:

B. HIS ABILITY IS BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION! Doc. Billy Graham had just finished a huge crusade and arrived back in the United States. At the Air Port there was a Limousine waiting to take Doc. Graham home. Doc. Graham told the driver, “I have always wanted to drive one of these. Would you mind if I drove for a while and you take my place in the back. I promise you it will be okay and I will be real careful.” Very stunned, the driver agreed and off they went.

Doc. Graham got onto the freeway and everything was going smoothly and he was really enjoying the smooth ride of that wonderful driving car. Then all of a sudden there were blue lights flashing all around him and the Highway Patrol was telling him to pull over on his microphone. Doc. Billy Graham pulled over as he was instructed.

When the Highway Patrolman walked up to the window and saw Doc. Billy Graham sitting in the driver’s seat he stuttered the words, “Doc. Graham, d-d-did you r-realize you were g-g-going 90 miles per hour in a 6-65 mile an hour speed zone?” Doc. Graham said, “Son, I really didn’t. I have never driven one of these cars before and I was enjoying the ride so much I just forgot to look at my speed. I sure do appreciate you boys being out here to look after old men like me. If you hadn’t pulled me over it is no telling how fast I would have been driving. This car sure does drive and ride wonderful. Thank you Son.”

The Patrolman immediately radioed his chief and said, "Chief, I have stopped someone really big and I don't know the protocol." The chief asked, "Is it a Senator?" The Patrolman replied, "No, it's bigger than that." The chief asked, “Is it a Congressman?" The Patrolman said, “No, it’s bigger than that.” The chief asked, "My goodness, is it the President?" The Patrolman replied, "No, it's even bigger than that.” The chief asked, "How can it be bigger than the President?" The Patrolman replied, “I’m not sure sir. It may be God because Dr. Billy Graham is the chauffeur”

I would say a Highway Patrolman pulling Dr. Billy Graham over for speeding would be exceeding abundantly above all comprehension. Again, in Ephesians 3: 20 we read that God is able to do "exceeding abundantly above." The word "abundant" carries the idea of "exceeding some measure or number, over and beyond, more than is necessary." When you put the 2 words together, "exceeding abundantly" you get a compound word that means God's ability is beyond all things, it is that ability of being more than enough, and then some on top of that.

We can't even begin to comprehend how great God's ability is. He is a God who is able in His person to the point that what He is able is to do is far beyond our wildest consideration, and comprehension.

II. THE GOD I KNOW IS A GOD WHO IS ABUNDANT IN HIS PROVISION! The prophet continues in his declaration of the God that I know by saying that the "Lord is able" to do "much more than this." In other words, the prophet was reminding Amaziah that, if he would trust Him, he would discover that God was able to provide for him. The prophet speaks of the sufficient and surpassing provision of God. It is not just "more" but "much more."

A. NOTICE HOW THE PROVISION IS INDICATED! The "much more" provision of God is indicated in 2 ways: by His reputation, and His declaration. In other words, we have His name and His Word which are God's glory-guarantee that He will provide, and take care of His people.

We read in Psalm 37:25, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. [24]Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. [25]I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." We hear the Apostle Paul's declaration in Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

D. L. Moody called this promise, "God's Check." He described it this way: "My God" – is the name of the firm printed on the check. "Shall supply" – is the promise to pay. "All your need" – is the amount to be paid. "According to His riches" – is the deposit in the account against which the check is drawn. "In glory" – is the address of the bank. "By Christ Jesus" – is the signature which appears on the check. Friend, you can take it to the royal bank of Heaven. His name proves it, and His Word promises it. You can bank on anything that comes from God's bank book.

B. NOTICE HOW THE PROVISION IS ILLUSTRATED! I mentioned the children of Israel earlier. For 40 years, God sustained them, and kept them alive without the use of Bi-Lo or Burger Kings. We do not read where one single Israelite died of malnutrition or starvation. Why? Because "the Lord is able" to do "much more."

A British army officer studied the record of the immigration of the Israelites and calculated the amount of food and water they would need. If they ate one pound of food per day per person that would equal 900 tons of food per day for 40 years. If they utilized one gallon of water per day per person, it would take 29 wells pumping at the rate of 6,000 gallons an hour for 40 years. Yet, God sustained His people, for 40 solid years on manna, quail, and water.

When I think of wealth, I can’t help but think of the wealth of Bill Gates. One time a few years ago someone calculated his wealth based on the hypothesis, his income if he worked a 40 hour work week, Here are the calculated figures at that time for a 40 hour week: $923,076,292.31 per week, $2,307,692.31 per hour, $38,461.54 per minute, and $524.19 with every beat of his heart.

To illustrate Bill Gates' wealth another way, imagine an endless line of $1 bills laid end to end. That line would go from the moon and back 7 times. If you began travelling along this line picking up dollar bills on March 13, 1986, the day Microsoft went public with their stock, and you wished to accumulate wealth at the same rate Bill Gates did after that date, you would need to travel that line at a rate of 22.91 mph.

According to the U. S Census Bureau, the population of the world on November 14, 2004 was 6.45 billion people. That means that Bill Gates could have given $5.55 to every person on the entire planet, and he would still have $46,231,695 left over.

However, ladies and gentlemen, compared to God, Bill Gates is a pauper. He is the God who owns it all and has need of nothing. He is the God that owns the cattle on a thousand hills, every hill, and every TATER in the hill!

The God I know is a God who is able in His person and a God who is abundant in His provision. He is abundantly able to do anything to us, with us, by us, and for us that we need Him to do.

III. THE GOD I KNOW IS A GOD WHO IS AWESOME IN HIS PROMISES! Again, the prophet of God is giving Amaziah a word of caution, as well as a word of comfort. He is warning him against going into battle alone. He could take a million man army into battle, but without the Lord a million men army would be no more powerful than a single man army. He says, "Amaziah, if you will turn to God, and trust in God you will find that 'the Lord is able to GIVE THEE much more than this.'" What was he saying? Notice the words, "give thee." God, through the prophet, was extending His promise to Amaziah. He was reminded Amaziah, as well as us that God is awesome in His promises.

A. GOD’S PROMISES ARE PROMISES WE CAN LEAN ON PERSONALLY. The prophet says, "Amaziah, 'the Lord is able to GIVE THEE much more than this.'" In other words, it was a promise Amaziah could lean on personally. If he chose to do so, Amaziah could rest his head on the promise of God.

Thank God, you and I can look at God's promises and say, "This is what God has promised me." My wife and I have always trusted God to provide our needs and He has never ever failed us and I don’t expect that He ever will because He promised He would not. However, the early years of ministry were ones of learning how to trust God. Susan and I learned that God's promises were promises we could lean on personally. God told us He would "never leave us or forsake us," so we leaned on it. God told us if we would "seek first the kingdom of God" then "all of these things shall be added unto you" and we leaned on it. God told us that if we would "delight ourselves in the Lord" that He would "give us the desires of our heart" and we leaned on it. We just rested our heads on the promises of God and that is where they rest today. If you will rest your head on the promises of God you will find that you can lean on them personally also.

B. GOD’S PROMISES ARE PROMISES WE CAN LIVE BY PERPETUALLY. The promise of God, through the prophet, to Amaziah was not a one-time deal. It was good for as long as Amaziah looked to God, lived for God, and leaned on God. If he did, then he would find that the Lord would personally, and perpetually "GIVE THEE much more than this."

That's the God I know, do you know Him?

I would like to conclude this study in a little unusual way by just sharing with you a few things about the God I have come to know and found to be so wonderful and meaningful and some of the reasons I love God so much and am committed to Him. I hope you know Him as do I.

The God I know is enduringly strong, entirely sincere, and eternally steadfast. The God I know is immortally graceful, imperially powerful, and impartially merciful. The God I know is the centerpiece of civilization. The God I know stands alone in Himself. The God I know is unique, unparalleled, and unprecedented.