Recognizing God's Unseen Hand in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we delved into the story of Jonah, focusing on the unseen hand of God at work in our lives. Jonah's journey to Nineveh, his attempt to flee to Tarshish, and the subsequent storm that led to his being thrown overboard by the sailors, all illustrate how God's hand orchestrates events beyond our understanding. Jonah recognized that it wasn't merely the sailors who cast him into the sea, but God Himself, demonstrating that God's hand is always at work, even when we don't see it.
We explored several key aspects of God's unseen hand. First, God's hand brings us to Himself, as seen in how He led the Israelites out of Egypt not just to free them, but to bring them to Himself. Second, God's hand provides for us, ensuring that our needs are met just as He clothes the grass of the field. Third, God's hand leads us, guiding us through life as a shepherd leads his sheep. Fourth, God's hand prepares us for future challenges, much like He prepared Joseph through his trials for his eventual role in saving many lives. Fifth, God's hand protects us, often shielding us from dangers we are unaware of. Lastly, God's hand comforts us, offering solace and encouragement through His Word and Spirit.
In recognizing the unseen hand of God, we are called to look beyond the immediate causes and circumstances of our lives and see God's greater purpose and plan. This perspective helps us trust in His guidance, provision, and protection, knowing that He is always at work for our good.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Hand Brings Us to Himself: Just as God led the Israelites out of Egypt to bring them to Himself, He orchestrates events in our lives to draw us closer to Him. This divine guidance is not about mere deliverance from our troubles but about fostering a deeper relationship with Him. Recognizing this can transform our understanding of life's challenges and blessings. [46:56]
2. God's Hand Provides for Us: The same God who clothes the grass of the field and feeds the birds of the air is committed to providing for our needs. When we face situations where our resources fall short, we can trust that God will come through, often in unexpected ways. This provision is a testament to His faithfulness and care for His children. [50:36]
3. God's Hand Leads Us: The 23rd Psalm reminds us that God leads us like a shepherd. This leadership is not about control but about guiding us to green pastures and still waters. Our role is to follow His lead, trusting that He knows the best path for us, even when it leads through the valley of the shadow of death. [52:06]
4. God's Hand Prepares Us: Like Joseph, who was prepared through trials for his future role in Egypt, God uses our current circumstances to prepare us for future challenges and opportunities. This preparation often involves lessons in trust, patience, and faith, equipping us for what lies ahead. [54:47]
5. God's Hand Comforts Us: In times of sorrow and distress, God's unseen hand offers comfort and encouragement. Through His Word and the Holy Spirit, He provides the strength and peace we need to endure and overcome. This divine comfort reassures us of His constant presence and love. [01:00:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:41] - Prayer Requests and Updates
[35:22] - Introduction to Jonah
[36:14] - Jonah's Call and Flight
[37:23] - The Storm and Jonah's Confession
[38:31] - Jonah Thrown Overboard
[39:29] - Jonah in the Belly of the Fish
[41:01] - Recognizing God's Hand
[42:33] - The Unseen Hand of God
[45:10] - Personal Testimony of God's Guidance
[46:56] - God's Hand Brings Us to Himself
[49:14] - God's Hand Provides for Us
[52:06] - God's Hand Leads Us
[54:47] - God's Hand Prepares Us
[57:56] - God's Hand Protects Us
[01:00:21] - God's Hand Comforts Us
[01:03:12] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Jonah 1:10-17 - The story of Jonah being thrown into the sea and swallowed by a great fish.
2. Exodus 19:4 - "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself."
3. Psalm 23 - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Jonah's initial reaction to God's command to go to Nineveh, and what did he do instead? ([36:14])
2. How did the sailors react to the storm, and what did they eventually do to Jonah? ([37:23])
3. According to Jonah 2:3, who did Jonah say cast him into the sea, and how does this differ from the sailors' actions in Jonah 1:15? ([41:01])
4. What are the six key aspects of God's unseen hand as discussed in the sermon? ([42:33])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing God's unseen hand in our lives change our perspective on the challenges we face? ([42:33])
2. In what ways does God's provision, as described in the sermon, differ from our own efforts to meet our needs? ([50:36])
3. How can we discern God's guidance in our lives, and what role does faith play in following His lead? ([52:06])
4. How does the story of Joseph illustrate God's preparation for future challenges, and what lessons can we learn from his experience? ([54:47])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's unseen hand bringing you closer to Him. How did that experience change your relationship with God? ([46:56])
2. When have you experienced God's provision in a situation where your resources fell short? How did that impact your faith in His faithfulness? ([50:36])
3. Think about a recent decision or path you took. How did you seek and discern God's guidance in that situation? What steps can you take to better follow His lead in the future? ([52:06])
4. Identify a current challenge you are facing. How might God be using this situation to prepare you for future opportunities or trials? ([54:47])
5. Recall a time when you felt protected by God from a danger you were unaware of. How does this awareness of His protection influence your daily trust in Him? ([57:56])
6. In moments of sorrow or distress, how have you experienced God's comfort through His Word or the Holy Spirit? What specific scriptures or practices have brought you solace? ([01:00:21])
7. Consider the circumstances in your life right now. How might God be using these to draw you closer to Himself, and what steps can you take to respond to His call? ([48:06])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
#### Day 1: God's Hand Draws Us Closer
Description:
God's hand is always at work, orchestrating events in our lives to draw us closer to Him. Just as He led the Israelites out of Egypt, not merely to free them from bondage but to bring them into a deeper relationship with Him, He uses the circumstances of our lives to foster a closer connection with Him. This divine guidance is not just about deliverance from our troubles but about nurturing a profound relationship with our Creator. Recognizing this can transform our understanding of life's challenges and blessings, helping us see them as opportunities to grow closer to God. [46:56]
Bible Passage:
"And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord God." (Ezekiel 20:35-36, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a recent challenge you faced. How might God have been using that situation to draw you closer to Him? What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with God in light of that experience?
#### Day 2: God's Hand Provides for Us
Description:
The same God who clothes the grass of the field and feeds the birds of the air is committed to providing for our needs. When we face situations where our resources fall short, we can trust that God will come through, often in unexpected ways. This provision is a testament to His faithfulness and care for His children. Understanding this can help us rely on God's provision rather than our own efforts, knowing that He is always faithful to meet our needs. [50:36]
Bible Passage:
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a current need or worry you have. How can you trust God to provide for this need? What practical steps can you take to rely more on His provision and less on your own efforts?
#### Day 3: God's Hand Leads Us
Description:
The 23rd Psalm reminds us that God leads us like a shepherd. This leadership is not about control but about guiding us to green pastures and still waters. Our role is to follow His lead, trusting that He knows the best path for us, even when it leads through the valley of the shadow of death. This trust in His guidance can bring peace and assurance, knowing that He is always leading us towards what is best for us. [52:06]
Bible Passage:
"And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you felt lost or unsure of your path. How did you see God's guidance during that time? What can you do today to better follow His lead in your current circumstances?
#### Day 4: God's Hand Prepares Us
Description:
Like Joseph, who was prepared through trials for his future role in Egypt, God uses our current circumstances to prepare us for future challenges and opportunities. This preparation often involves lessons in trust, patience, and faith, equipping us for what lies ahead. Recognizing this can help us embrace our current trials as part of God's greater plan for our lives, knowing that He is preparing us for something greater. [54:47]
Bible Passage:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a difficult situation you are currently facing. How might God be using this to prepare you for the future? What lessons in trust, patience, or faith can you learn from this experience?
#### Day 5: God's Hand Comforts Us
Description:
In times of sorrow and distress, God's unseen hand offers comfort and encouragement. Through His Word and the Holy Spirit, He provides the strength and peace we need to endure and overcome. This divine comfort reassures us of His constant presence and love, helping us to find solace and encouragement even in the midst of our trials. [01:00:21]
Bible Passage:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider a time when you felt God's comfort during a difficult period. How can you extend that same comfort to someone else who is currently struggling? What practical steps can you take to be a source of God's comfort to others today?
Quotes
1. "Jonah was recognizing that there was an unseen hand at work. Jonah was recognizing the unseen hand of God. He knew, obviously, and you and I know, that the sailors physically picked him up, and those rough, calloused hands of men threw Jonah overboard. We know that. Jonah knew that. But Jonah was looking at this thing with eyes of faith. Jonah was looking at this thing, and he was recognizing something. He's recognizing that it wasn't the sailors that got me out here, although they did the job there, but God's the one that was behind it all." [41:36] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do you believe? Do you believe there is an unseen hand of God at work? Oh, yes, there is. God is at work in this world, and God is at work in people's lives. Matter of fact, I would remind you that the greatest work being done is the work God is doing in people's hearts. But there is an unseen hand that is at work in this world. And Jonah... But Jonah was looking beyond the sailors. He was looking beyond, if I can put it this way, he was looking beyond the secondary causes, the secondary reasons. He was looking past all of that, and he was seeing the unseen hand of God." [42:33] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Listen, you and I ought to learn to look past the secondary causes and see the unseen hand of God. We ought to look beyond. We ought to look beyond and just not begin to think to ourselves things are just circumstance or things just happen or just coincidence even. And I trust that there is nobody here in this room tonight that would think things happen because of good luck or bad luck. May I just tell you, there is no such thing. There is a good God in heaven who is at work in this world." [43:30] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Think about your life. How many of you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior? Have you trusted the Lord Jesus that He bled and died on Calvary for you? That He was buried and rose from the dead? Well, let me ask you a question. How did God get your attention about it all? Did He deal with you? Has He worked in your heart and life? Well, if you're saved, of course He did. But think about this. All that God did to bring you to that place where you looked for the Lord, where you found to Jesus and said, Lord I'm a sinner and I need a Savior. There's an unseen hand at work and thank God the Lord is interested in your life tonight." [45:51] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's hand brings us to Himself. He brings us to Himself. That's what He's doing. He's bringing people to Himself. Let me read you a verse please in the book of Exodus chapter number 19 and verse number 4 where the Lord told the Israelites, He said, Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bear you on eagles' wings. And we love to think about that, how God bore them on eagles' wings, and how He delivered them to the world. He brought them out of Egypt, and how wonderful that is. And it is wonderful. And then He added this. He said, I bear you on eagles' wings. And then He said, and brought you unto Myself." [46:56] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God's hand, this unseen hand, provides for us. The Bible reminds us, the Lord Jesus said, wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is, and tomorrow is, and tomorrow is, cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? If God gives the grass of the field all that it needs to grow and to prosper until you come along and mow it all down with your lawnmower, if God takes care of grass, do you believe God Almighty will provide for you too? And the answer is yes." [49:14] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "He leadeth me. He leadeth me. You know what you and I are called to do? Follow. Just follow. How simple that is. But just follow. Just follow. What did the Lord Jesus say? Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. But follow me is what He said. And the psalmist said, He leadeth me. Did you know tonight that you can discern the Lord will help you understand and see the leading of God in your life? I don't believe God's playing hide and go seek with His will and His plan and His purpose. I don't believe that." [52:06] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "He prepares us. How many of you remember the story of Joseph? What did God do for Joseph? Well, He let that young man be sold into slavery. He was ripped from his father that he loved so dearly. His brothers hated him. They sold him for 20 pieces of silver. He And he was ripped from his home. He was sent into slavery. He had to work and serve Potiphar. And then from there he was falsely accused. And then after a false accusation, Potiphar had him thrown into prison. He was put into prison. He had to languish there in prison." [54:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The unseen hand of God protects, protects us, protects us. Do you believe tonight that there are things perhaps the Lord has kept you from and shielded you from that you did not even know about? And you may never know about. Until someday you get to Heaven, maybe the Lord Jesus will let you in on it then. But things that you did not even know about and God protected you. You know something, beloved? Just think about this. How many times have you gotten into a car and driven 60 miles an hour, 70, 80 miles an hour down the road going someplace and God lets you get from where you were to where you were going and then from where you were when you were there get from there back home again and you got there safe and sound." [57:56] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The unseen hand of God will also comfort you. Go back to Psalm 23 again. What did he say? He said, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, what do they do? They comfort me. Have you ever had the Lord dry some tears from you? Have you ever had the Lord give you some joy when you were in sorrow? Have you ever had the Lord pick up the pieces that were broken and glue them back together again? Can I tell you tonight, beloved, that the hand of God, the unseen hand of God still knows how to comfort His people." [01:00:21] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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