Little by Little
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· 13 viewsWhile we want God to work instantly and supernaturally, He often works in a rather-slow and methodical process, teaching his children to trust him in the day-to-day affairs of life.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Principle: God usually moves, provides, and intervenes progressively
We live in a world of instant gratification. We want a certain food? It’s ready in a matter of moments. Shopping, reading, paying bills, etc—with modern technology it all moves very fast.
While this may—or may not—work well in our physical world, God does not work this way.
Needs will always be a part of human life. Needs come in various forms:
— financial —physical —emotional —spiritual —familial —job-related
When we ask God to intervene, while we may not think about it, God rarely intervenes immediately.
But why?
God wants us—his people—to learn to trust him implicitly.
God wants us to live the faith, not just talk it.- KM
Daily provision
Daily provision
Movie premise — “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”
The Lord said he would feed them day-by-day
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction - Ex 16:4
I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’ ” - Ex 16:12
This is what the Lord has commanded, ‘Gather of it every man as much as he should eat; you shall take an omer apiece according to the number of persons each of you has in his tent.’ ” The sons of Israel did so, and some gathered much and some little. When they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat. - Ex 16:16-18
Solomon understood this as well. He writes--
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. - Prov 13:11 ESV
Notice God’s words in Ex 16: 4 “the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction”
As they walk in obedience, he provides for their needs
Progressive victory
Progressive victory
Louis L’Amour, famous western book author, is quoted as saying, “Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more.”
The Lord said he would drive out their enemies little-by-little
I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 30 I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. - Ex 23:28-30
The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you. 23 But the LORD your God will deliver them before you, and will throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed. - Deut 7:22
Perpetual mercy (compassion)
Perpetual mercy (compassion)
Old Faithful—the geyser in Yellowstone National Park—gets a lot of traffic. While not erupting every hour, Old Faithful spews hot water some 17 daily, and has for centuries. Every day, day in and day out, visitors expect—and are treated to—an incredible site.
The LORD provides new mercy, grace, and love daily
The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,For His compassions never fail.23 They are new every morning;Great is Your faithfulness. - Lam 3:22-23
Ubiquitous principle
Ubiquitous principle
Human growth /development
Humans are born as babies, mature to toddlers, then youth, then adults. They are not fully developed out of the womb!
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. -Acts 16:5
Spiritual growth - Eph 4:12-15
Church growth -
Conclusion
Conclusion
God is not in a hurry; we are
We want to skip the process for the prize, but often the process is the prize. For it is in the process that we encounter the blessing and power of God. - KM
God desires to use the events, trials, and pains of everyday life to teach us of his goodness and power
When we embrace the daily walk God has designed, we enjoy the daily power he imparts into our lives for his good, and ours!