Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester
Audio will be posted on May 3.
When God Opens Doors
Ezra 1
Background
“This is what the Lord says, ‘When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place’.” Jeremiah 29:10
I. Open Opportunity (v.1-4)
• v.1 God’s promise fulfilled
• “Israel was waiting in Babylon, and God was watching the calendar.”
• v.2-3 God’s potentate
• “Israel was waiting in Babylon, and God was watching the calendar.”
• v.2-3 God’s potentate
Isaiah 44:28, 45:1, 3-5
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord…he turns it wherever he will.” Proverbs 21:1
“The throne of Persia looked dominant, but God was giving the orders.”
“All earthly authority is God’s delegated authority.”
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord…he turns it wherever he will.” Proverbs 21:1
“The throne of Persia looked dominant, but God was giving the orders.”
“All earthly authority is God’s delegated authority.”
• v.4 God’s provisions
• “When God ordains the journey, He arranges the baggage.”
• “When God ordains the journey, He arranges the baggage.”
God is sovereign over every detail of our lives.
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted”. Job 42:2
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted”. Job 42:2
II. Open Obedience (v.5-11)
• v.5-6 God’s prompting
• v.7-11 God’s property
• v.7-11 God’s property
Our sovereign God always fulfills his plan.
“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter…the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:1-3
“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter…the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:1-3
So what?
God is in control of our lives and opens doors to accomplish His plans.
“Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you. Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.” (Civilla Martin, “God Will Take Care of You”)