Sermon Snippet: “Enough!”
INTRODUCTION – Last week, we studied the life of Asa, particularly II Chronicles 15. Part of his struggle was that he was busy. It is a challenge to maintain spiritual interest when we are bustling and tired. We need help.
- GOD’S PEOPLE NEED TO BE STILL.
Psalm 46 – In verse 10, we are commanded to “be still.” The Hebrew word means “Enough!” or “Just stop it!” (Perhaps you have sometimes – always? – felt that way when I am preaching; I know that I have.) How still do I need to be? Clearly, I cannot fully understand (“know”) the character and commands of God without some measure of stillness before Him. However, we must not become legalistic. I remember a man who used to brag that he prayed one hour straight and could get anything from God. I have long wondered about the mechanics of that false teaching. Is the first 59:59 useless? Did he use a timer like baking a cake? More importantly, where is that teaching in the Bible? No, that kind of manmade idea exalts man rather than God, and we do not know more about God when we are engaged in self-promotion. A good example for us is Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 6:14, we read that he quickly placed a serious matter in God’s hands and continued with his hard work. Verse 15 tells us that the work was completed in fifty-two days, a short period of time which must be a record for a government project. Sometimes our periods of stillness will be longer; sometimes they will be shorter; sometimes they will be in the midst of our busyness. They are spiritually necessary and helpful.
- GOD’S PEOPLE MUST NOT RAGE.
Psalm 46:6 tells us that “the heathen” rage. No form of the word “rage” is used positively in Scripture. Proverbs 14:16 tells us that “the foul” (a man without spiritual interests) rages. Strutting swagger is a sign of no spiritual life. Proverbs 20:1 reminds us of the connection between rage and alcohol. How much rage is caused by alcohol and other drugs! Of course, we can rage all by ourselves without chemical influence.
- GOD’S PEOPLE REQUIRE INSIGHT.
Luke 10:38-42. Is Martha always wrong? The early part of chapter 10 tells of early evangelists sent out by Jesus; they had assigned work to do and are commended by Jesus upon their return. Martha was wrong here because of the limited time and opportunity that she had at the feet of Jesus. However, the seventy were not wrong, nor was Nehemiah.
CONCLUSION – Clearly, we need insight from God the Holy Spirit. There are times to push hard, to the limit; there are times to slow down. What will be our most important accomplishment of this coming week, month, or year? We do not know. We may be in the midst of Nehemiah’s fifty-two days, or we may be sitting with Mary at the feet of Jesus. Either way and anywhere in between, we can still be still and know God better. We are busy, but not one of us is too busy to receive eternal salvation through faith in God the Son, Jesus Christ. Certainly, Jesus was not too busy for us, for me, for you.