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The Blue Letter Bible
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Ezra 7:6, 9, 10, 28

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← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"THE GOOD HAND OF THE LORD"
I. THE NEED FOR THE HAND OF GOD ON OUR LIVES.
A. Favor with God brings favor with man. (vs. 6).
1. Life moves on two planes, vertical and horizontal.
a. The verticle is the axis upon which our lives revolve, thus more important.
b. If the center of my life is out of kilter the circumference is bound to be erratic.
c. So many today think their greatest problem is human relations.
1. It is divine relations.
d. We try to balance our lives from the outside in.
e. My relationship with God must have top priority.
1. "Seek ye first."
B. The good hand of God brings us to our desired goals. (vs 9).
1. Man has two basic goals: satisfaction and joy.
a. Someone says, "I'm seeking success."
b. If you attain it you will be disappointed, it will not bring you what you thought it would.
1. You thought it would bring satisfaction.
2. Neither can be attained apart from God.
a. You can find happiness, elation. (Just scored winning.) touchdown.
b. Solomon's vain pursuit for satisfaction.
C. God's hand means strength. (vs. 28).
1. In many trials it was only His hand that sustained me.
a. My strength and resources were gone.
2. Joseph's bow abode in strength.
3. Have you ever been in a place of distress and fear? You wonder, "What can I do?" Then suddenly feel the presence of God.
a. The tension and strain leaves and a beautiful peace and confidence comes.
II. HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE HAND OF GOD ON YOUR LIFE.
A. "The Lord is with you if you'll be with Him, and if you seek Him."
1. We must come to God and ask Him.
a. God comes to you only by invitation.
b. He will not intrude uninvited.
B. "Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord." (vs. 10).
1. Our hearts are prepared through quiet times of study.
a. The Word of God prepares my heart for the work of God.
2. Quiet times of prayer prepare me for the work of God has for me to do.
C. Take time out for your busy lives to cultivate and develop your relationship with God.
1. Quiet time while you wait on Him will be the best spent time of the whole day.
Sermon Notes for Ezra 6:14,15 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Ezra 7:10 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for 2 Chronicles 1:7 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Nehemiah 1 Next Book →
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