Trusting God: Finding Peace in His Presence
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth of knowing and trusting God. We began by acknowledging the peace and assurance that comes from resting in Him, free from fear and anxiety. This heavenly perspective allows us to trust God more than ourselves, knowing He is in control. We delved into Isaiah 52:6, where God promises that His people will know His name and recognize His presence. This promise is fulfilled in the story of Moses, who encountered God in the burning bush and learned to rely on divine intervention rather than his own strength.
Moses' journey teaches us that God meets us in our wilderness, away from comfort and familiarity, to reveal His power and purpose. When God called Moses, his response, "Here I am," signifies a readiness to be used by God. This phrase is echoed by other significant biblical figures, emphasizing the importance of being available to God's call. We also discussed how God hears the cries of the oppressed and responds with compassion, as seen in the stories of Abel, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Israelites in Egypt.
God's revelation of His name, "I AM," signifies His eternal presence and ability to meet every need. This revelation transforms Moses' life and mission, leading the Israelites out of Egypt. However, the Israelites quickly forgot God's deeds and compromised their calling by adopting the practices of surrounding nations. Despite their unfaithfulness, God continued to send prophets like Isaiah to remind them of His love and the right way to live.
In the New Testament, Jesus embodies the "I AM" statements, fulfilling God's promises and offering provision, guidance, and life. Jesus' teachings and miracles reveal God's kingdom and invite us to experience His presence intimately. He promises to be our provider, healer, victory, and light, meeting our deepest needs and guiding us through life's challenges. Ultimately, Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection open the door for us to inherit these promises and find hope and life in Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Trusting God more than ourselves brings peace and stability, even amidst external chaos. When we surrender control to Him, we gain a heavenly perspective that melts away fear and anxiety. This trust is rooted in knowing who God is and His unchanging nature. [54:51]
2. God Meets Us in Our Wilderness: Just as God met Moses in the wilderness, He meets us in our places of discomfort and uncertainty. These encounters are transformative, revealing God's power and purpose for our lives. Our response should be, "Here I am," ready to be used by Him. [59:38]
3. God Hears the Cries of the Oppressed: Throughout the Bible, God responds to the cries of those suffering under oppression. His compassion compels Him to act, bringing justice and deliverance. This truth assures us that God is attentive to our struggles and ready to intervene. [01:01:04]
4. The Significance of Knowing God's Name: Knowing God's name, "I AM," goes beyond intellectual understanding; it involves experiencing His presence and power. This experiential knowledge transforms our lives, as we recognize God's ability to meet every need and His eternal faithfulness. [01:04:06]
5. Jesus Fulfills God's Promises: Jesus' "I AM" statements in the New Testament reveal His divine nature and His role in fulfilling God's promises. He offers provision, guidance, and life, inviting us to find our deepest needs met in Him. His crucifixion and resurrection secure these promises for us. [01:16:39]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[54:51] - Trusting in God's Sovereignty
[56:41] - Introduction to Moses' Story
[57:37] - God Meets Moses in the Wilderness
[59:38] - Responding to God's Call
[01:01:04] - God Hears the Cries of the Oppressed
[01:04:06] - The Significance of Knowing God's Name
[01:16:39] - Jesus Fulfills God's Promises
[01:19:48] - Invitation to Respond
[01:22:49] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 52:6 - "Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I."
2. Exodus 3:2-6 - "There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.' When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.' 'Do not come any closer,' God said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.' Then he said, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."
3. John 8:58 - "Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 52:6 promise about God's name and presence? How is this promise significant for believers today? [56:07]
2. In Exodus 3:2-6, how does God reveal Himself to Moses, and what is Moses' initial reaction? [58:22]
3. What is the significance of Jesus' statement in John 8:58, "before Abraham was born, I am"? How does this connect to the Old Testament revelation of God's name? [14:12]
4. How does the sermon describe the Israelites' response after being delivered from Egypt? What did they forget, and how did it affect their relationship with God? [05:40]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does knowing God's name, "I AM," impact a believer's understanding of God's nature and presence in their life? [04:06]
2. What does Moses' response, "Here I am," signify about his readiness to be used by God? How can this response be applied to our own lives? [59:38]
3. How does Jesus' fulfillment of the "I AM" statements in the New Testament provide assurance and hope for believers? [16:39]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God hears and responds to the cries of the oppressed? How does this shape our understanding of God's justice and compassion? [01:01:04]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a "wilderness" season. How did you experience God's presence and guidance during that time? [57:37]
2. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty in your daily life, especially when facing external chaos or personal challenges? [54:51]
3. When have you felt called by God to step out of your comfort zone? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [59:38]
4. In what ways can you be more attentive to the cries of the oppressed in your community? How can you be an instrument of God's justice and compassion? [01:01:04]
5. How can you make the knowledge of God's name, "I AM," more experiential in your life rather than just intellectual? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [04:06]
6. Jesus promises to be our provider, healer, and light. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely on one of these aspects of Jesus' character. How can you actively seek His provision, healing, or guidance this week? [16:39]
7. The Israelites quickly forgot God's deeds and compromised their calling. How can you ensure that you remember and live out God's faithfulness in your life? What practices can help you stay focused on His promises? [05:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
When we trust in God's sovereignty, we find peace and stability even in the midst of chaos. This trust is rooted in understanding who God is and His unchanging nature. By surrendering control to Him, we gain a heavenly perspective that melts away fear and anxiety. This perspective allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and rest in the assurance that God is in control. Trusting God more than ourselves brings a profound sense of peace and stability, even when external situations are tumultuous. [54:51]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 2: God Meets Us in Our Wilderness
Just as God met Moses in the wilderness, He meets us in our places of discomfort and uncertainty. These encounters are transformative, revealing God's power and purpose for our lives. When Moses responded to God's call with "Here I am," it signified his readiness to be used by God. This readiness is crucial for us as well. We must be open and willing to respond to God's call, even when it leads us into unfamiliar or challenging situations. In these moments, God reveals His power and purpose, guiding us towards His divine plan. [59:38]
Exodus 3:1-4 (ESV): "Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.' When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.'"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt like you were in a wilderness. How did you see God's presence and purpose in that situation? How can you be more open to His call in your current circumstances?
Day 3: God Hears the Cries of the Oppressed
Throughout the Bible, God responds to the cries of those suffering under oppression. His compassion compels Him to act, bringing justice and deliverance. This truth assures us that God is attentive to our struggles and ready to intervene. Whether it was the cries of Abel, the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah, or the groaning of the Israelites in Egypt, God hears and responds with compassion and justice. This assurance should encourage us to cry out to God in our times of need, knowing that He is attentive and ready to act on our behalf. [01:01:04]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel oppressed or burdened? How can you cry out to God today, trusting in His compassion and readiness to intervene?
Day 4: The Significance of Knowing God's Name
Knowing God's name, "I AM," goes beyond intellectual understanding; it involves experiencing His presence and power. This experiential knowledge transforms our lives, as we recognize God's ability to meet every need and His eternal faithfulness. When God revealed His name to Moses, it signified His eternal presence and His ability to meet every need. This revelation was transformative for Moses and can be transformative for us as well. By knowing and experiencing God's presence, we can trust in His eternal faithfulness and His power to meet our every need. [01:04:06]
Exodus 3:13-14 (ESV): "Then Moses said to God, 'If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?' God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’'"
Reflection: How can you move beyond intellectual knowledge of God to a deeper, experiential understanding of His presence and power in your life? What steps can you take to cultivate this deeper relationship with Him?
Day 5: Jesus Fulfills God's Promises
Jesus' "I AM" statements in the New Testament reveal His divine nature and His role in fulfilling God's promises. He offers provision, guidance, and life, inviting us to find our deepest needs met in Him. Jesus' teachings and miracles reveal God's kingdom and invite us to experience His presence intimately. His crucifixion and resurrection secure these promises for us, opening the door for us to inherit hope and life in Him. By embracing Jesus' fulfillment of God's promises, we can find provision, guidance, and life in Him. [01:16:39]
John 8:58 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.'"
Reflection: Which of Jesus' "I AM" statements resonates most with you today? How can you embrace this aspect of Jesus' character and allow it to transform your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I'm so glad to know the God that I serve. I'm so glad to know that I can rest in him. That I don't have to be afraid. I don't have to be worried. All I have to do is turn my eyes on the things that are above. And when I begin to dwell on those things, the fear, the doubt, the anxiety all begins to melt away because I have a heavenly perspective. And I know who my leader is. I know who my God is. And I trust in him above anything and everything." [54:51] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It doesn't matter what your priorities have been. It doesn't matter what you did last night. God has a message for you here today. He wants you to know. That he has brought you here this morning. And he wants you to know. That he is God. He is your savior. He is your deliverer. Nothing else. Can change you. Nothing else is going to fill. That emptiness that's inside. There's no relationship. There's no job. There's no amount of money. There's no high. Only the I am can fill that within you." [01:08:43] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you are unsatisfied. In your life. And there is that hunger within. That gnawing feeling. Jesus' promise still rings true today. In him you can find provision. For your soul. When we are weary and downtrodden. The bread of life gives us hope. And strength to carry on. And if you feel lost. In this darkness. And there is no joy. Jesus spoke to them again. And he said. I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me. Will never walk in the darkness. But will have the light of life." [01:16:09] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you are looking for purpose. And meaning in your life. And it feels like there is just no way forward. Jesus is that way. Jesus is that answer. He can help you. He can lead you. He can guide you. And if all hope is gone. And you feel like life is over. Jesus said to us. I am the resurrection and the life. We can find hope. In him here today. We can find life. In him here today. When we feel like there is just no chance. There is nothing more that I can do." [01:17:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He wants to care for you. He wants to be there for you. He wants to provide for you. And so often. We just get hung up. On what appears to be. This list of things that we have to do. To give up. And this heavy yoke that we perceive. This heavy burden. That we see. But God told us. He promised us. Come to me. All of you who are weary and burdened. And I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. Because I am lowly and humble in heart. And you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy. And my burden light." [01:21:19] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You can't. Lead somebody. Somewhere you haven't already been. If you're wanting to bring your children. Further along with Jesus. You have to be a disciple of Jesus first. You have to model that behavior. If you want your friends to know. Your co-workers to know. That you love God. And you're wanting them to be saved. You have to be saved yourself. Everywhere that you go. You have to show up. Who you're hoping they will become. Because you can't lead somebody. Somewhere you haven't already been." [01:03:07] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "From this point forward. The whole story changes. Because God reveals. Who he is. In every vessel. He reveals that he is present. And able. To help. Because in this moment right here. God writes a blank check. Whatever you need to see. Whatever needs you are suffering from. Whatever I can do to help you. I am. I am the answer. I am who I was. Who I am right now. And who I will be. God is the same yesterday. And never changed. It is the I am. Who I am." [01:04:06] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When God promises. That his people were going to. Yadah his name. They were going to know his name. It's so much more than just knowing. The letters. It's so much more than just knowing. How to pronounce it correctly. It's more than knowing. Just his favorite color. Or knowing the rules about how to approach his presence. Instead. It's that his people were going to fully understand. And experience. His name. They were going to experience his purpose. They were going to know his power. And they were going to know. How truly near he was." [01:12:13] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And those listening to him. Understood exactly what he meant. They picked up rocks. To kill him. But that never stopped Jesus. You see the I am had showed up. In human flesh. And he just couldn't help himself. He saw the desperate. Need surrounding him. And compassion took hold. They needed hope. They needed a deliverer. And so the I am stepped forward. And began to promise again. Yes I am Jehovah Jireh. I am your provider. I am Jehovah Rapha your healer. I am Jehovah Nisi your victory." [01:15:12] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "All that stands. All that stands. All that stands between you. And the answers that Jesus holds. Is you. That is all that stands. Between everything that you need. And your questions. Is you. You have to make the decision. To stop trying to figure it out for yourself. Just like Moses. Moses thought he had it figured out. He was going to kill. All of the Egyptians. And allow his people to go forward free. That was his plan. And it makes just about as much sense. As a lot of our plans for our life." [01:18:10] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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