Trusting God's Care Through Life's Seasons
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God watches over us, just as He watches over the sparrows. This truth is not just an intellectual concept but one that deeply connects with our emotions, especially through the power of music. Music has a unique ability to embed theological truths into our hearts, making them resonate long after the words are spoken. We delved into Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches us not to worry about our lives, using the example of birds to illustrate God's meticulous care for even the smallest creatures. If God cares for the birds, how much more does He care for us?
We acknowledged that life is filled with seasons of discouragement, loneliness, and fear. These emotions are real and valid, and God does not ask us to ignore them. Instead, He invites us to be honest about our feelings and then to speak His truth over them. This is a practice seen throughout Scripture, from the Psalms of David to the prayers of Jesus. The hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow" beautifully captures this duality of lament and joy, teaching us that it is possible to experience deep joy even in the midst of suffering.
The key to this joy lies in two main principles: choosing trust over control and recognizing that Jesus is our portion. Trusting God means surrendering our need to control our circumstances and believing that He is watching over us. This trust allows us to experience a joy that is not dependent on our external situations. Furthermore, understanding that Jesus is our portion means that our ultimate satisfaction and joy come from Him, not from our circumstances. This truth liberates us from the roller coaster of emotions tied to life's ups and downs.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Music in Faith: Music uniquely embeds theological truths into our hearts, making them resonate deeply. It connects the intellect with the emotions, allowing us to carry these truths through various seasons of life. This is why hymns and spiritual songs often stay with us longer than spoken messages. [07:53]
2. God's Care for Us: Just as God cares for the birds, He cares for us even more. This truth from Matthew 6 reminds us of our immense value in God's eyes. When we face difficult seasons, we can find comfort in knowing that God sees us and provides for us. [09:10]
3. Honesty in Lament and Joy: Life is a mix of lament and joy, and it's important to be honest about our feelings. God does not ask us to ignore our emotions but to bring them to Him. By speaking God's truth over our circumstances, we allow His truth to lead our emotions, eventually aligning our feelings with His promises. [16:32]
4. Trust Over Control: The beginning of joy is choosing to trust God over trying to control our circumstances. Trusting God means surrendering our need to fix everything and believing that He is in control. This trust allows us to experience peace and joy, even when life is challenging. [28:56]
5. Jesus as Our Portion: The completion of joy is found in Jesus, not in our circumstances. When we understand that Jesus is our portion, we realize that our ultimate satisfaction and joy come from Him. This truth frees us from relying on external situations to determine our inner well-being. [37:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:53] - The Power of Music in Faith
[09:10] - God's Care for Us
[16:32] - Honesty in Lament and Joy
[28:56] - Trust Over Control
[37:02] - Jesus as Our Portion
[43:04] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV)
> "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
2. Psalm 42:5-6 (NIV)
> "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar."
3. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
> "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus use as an example to teach us not to worry in Matthew 6:25-26?
2. In Psalm 42:5-6, what does David do when he feels downcast and disturbed?
3. According to Romans 15:13, what is the result of trusting in God?
4. How does the sermon describe the role of music in embedding theological truths into our hearts? [07:53]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus compare our value to that of the birds in Matthew 6:25-26? How does this comparison help us understand God's care for us?
2. In Psalm 42:5-6, David speaks to his own soul. What does this teach us about handling our emotions and circumstances?
3. Romans 15:13 mentions joy and peace as a result of trust. How does this align with the sermon's message about choosing trust over control? [28:56]
4. The sermon mentions that life is a mix of lament and joy. How does this duality reflect in the hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow"? [12:39]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by worry. How can the example of God's care for the birds in Matthew 6:25-26 help you trust Him more in similar situations? [09:10]
2. David in Psalm 42:5-6 speaks God's truth over his feelings. How can you practice speaking God's truth over your own emotions and circumstances this week? [17:03]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing trust over control. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with control. What steps can you take to surrender this area to God? [28:56]
4. The hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow" combines lament and joy. Can you think of a song or hymn that has helped you through a difficult time? How did it impact your faith and emotions? [12:39]
5. Romans 15:13 speaks about being filled with joy and peace as we trust in God. What practical actions can you take to deepen your trust in God this week, especially in challenging circumstances? [29:54]
6. The sermon mentions that Jesus is our portion. How can you remind yourself daily that your ultimate satisfaction and joy come from Jesus, not your circumstances? [37:02]
7. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the principle of trusting God over trying to control the outcome in this specific situation? [28:56]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Music in Faith
Music has a unique ability to embed theological truths into our hearts, making them resonate deeply. It connects the intellect with the emotions, allowing us to carry these truths through various seasons of life. This is why hymns and spiritual songs often stay with us longer than spoken messages. Music can be a powerful tool for spiritual formation, helping us to internalize and remember God's promises and truths. When we sing hymns like "His Eye is on the Sparrow," we are reminded of God's care and presence in a way that words alone might not convey.
Music also has the power to bring comfort and peace during difficult times. It can lift our spirits and help us to focus on God's goodness and faithfulness. By incorporating music into our daily spiritual practices, we can create a deeper connection with God and allow His truths to permeate our hearts and minds. [07:53]
Psalm 40:3 (ESV): "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
Reflection: Think of a hymn or spiritual song that has deeply impacted you. How can you incorporate this song into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's truths?
Day 2: God's Care for Us
Just as God cares for the birds, He cares for us even more. This truth from Matthew 6 reminds us of our immense value in God's eyes. When we face difficult seasons, we can find comfort in knowing that God sees us and provides for us. Jesus uses the example of birds to illustrate God's meticulous care for even the smallest creatures, emphasizing that we are of much greater value to Him.
Understanding God's care for us can help alleviate our worries and anxieties. When we trust that God is watching over us and providing for our needs, we can find peace and rest in His care. This truth encourages us to rely on God's provision and to trust that He knows what is best for us, even when we cannot see the bigger picture. [09:10]
Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV): "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's care and provision in your life. How can this memory help you trust Him more in your current circumstances?
Day 3: Honesty in Lament and Joy
Life is a mix of lament and joy, and it's important to be honest about our feelings. God does not ask us to ignore our emotions but to bring them to Him. By speaking God's truth over our circumstances, we allow His truth to lead our emotions, eventually aligning our feelings with His promises. This practice is seen throughout Scripture, from the Psalms of David to the prayers of Jesus.
Being honest with God about our struggles and joys allows us to experience His comfort and guidance. It also helps us to develop a deeper relationship with Him, as we learn to trust Him with our innermost thoughts and feelings. By acknowledging our emotions and bringing them to God, we can find healing and strength in His presence. [16:32]
Psalm 62:8 (ESV): "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."
Reflection: What emotions are you currently experiencing that you need to bring to God? How can you speak His truth over these emotions today?
Day 4: Trust Over Control
The beginning of joy is choosing to trust God over trying to control our circumstances. Trusting God means surrendering our need to fix everything and believing that He is in control. This trust allows us to experience peace and joy, even when life is challenging. When we let go of our need to control and trust in God's plan, we can find rest and assurance in His sovereignty.
Trusting God requires us to have faith in His goodness and His ability to work all things for our good. It means believing that He knows what is best for us, even when we do not understand His ways. By choosing to trust God, we can experience a deeper sense of joy and contentment, knowing that He is in control and that He cares for us. [28:56]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God? What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 5: Jesus as Our Portion
The completion of joy is found in Jesus, not in our circumstances. When we understand that Jesus is our portion, we realize that our ultimate satisfaction and joy come from Him. This truth frees us from relying on external situations to determine our inner well-being. Jesus is our source of true and lasting joy, and when we find our satisfaction in Him, we can experience a deep sense of contentment and peace.
Recognizing Jesus as our portion means that we look to Him for our fulfillment and happiness, rather than seeking it in the things of this world. It means that we prioritize our relationship with Him above all else and find our identity and purpose in Him. By focusing on Jesus and His love for us, we can experience a joy that transcends our circumstances and remains steadfast through all of life's ups and downs. [37:02]
Lamentations 3:24 (ESV): "The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your circumstances to Jesus as your portion? What practical steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with Him today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Because there's a God who sees all things, and is over all things, and He has something for us and for our church today. Because one of the major ways that God passes faith down from one generation to the next is through music." [07:53] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There's power in music because when you combine the truth of God with beautiful song, when you take theology and truth about who God is and connect it to the emotions and feelings of our heart, it hits different." [07:53] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The beginning of joy is choosing trust over control. See, it's hard live in this life with less than perfect circumstances and not have your first reaction be control it." [28:56] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The completion of joy is found in Jesus, not circumstances. My favorite lines in all of hymnitude, all the hymns. Hymnitude, is that a word? We'll go with it. In all of hymnitude is Jesus is my portion." [37:02] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If Jesus is your portion, then you don't need circumstances to deliver something that only your savior can. And I watch it play out, and I've watched it play out in the mirror, where I need, I need the things out there to deliver something that only Jesus can resolve in here." [39:45] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And here's the aim of the teaching. It's, it's to help us rediscover the lost art of having joy, no matter the circumstances." [14:15] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God is not asking you to ignore your circumstances or how they make you feel. God's not saying, ignore them. He's saying, no, this is how it plays out sometimes. Be honest about it." [16:32] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And there's something of a, of a roadmap of how we get back to a place where we can have joy, no matter our circumstances. And this is a lost art that I think God wants to help us discover." [19:46] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And people, when they hit seasons that are dark or heavy or whatever, they ask the question, does God even see me? Because let's be honest, when you hit stuff, it's like, God, do you even notice that I'm in this season?" [33:48] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So maybe God brought you here today for this things like you might need to find freedom from requiring your circumstances to bring you joy. God might want to help you find freedom from having to create your own portion for yourself." [40:58] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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