One Look From the Lord!
God's look can give us the strength and bravery we need to face our challenges and accomplish our tasks.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the transformative power of the Lord's gaze in his sermon 'One Look From the Lord!', illustrating how God's look at Gideon turned his discouragement into courage. Spurgeon encourages believers to recognize that if their look to the Lord can save them, then the Lord's look at them can empower them for their tasks. He stresses the importance of acting in faith and strength, as God has equipped each believer for their mission. The call to 'Go' signifies that believers should not hesitate but trust in the strength given by God to fulfill their purpose. Ultimately, Spurgeon reassures that with God's command and empowerment, victory is assured in their endeavors.
Text
And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? (Judges 6:14)
What a look was that which the Lord gave to Gideon! He looked him out of his discouragement into a holy bravery. If our look to the Lord saves us, what will not His look at us do? Lord, look on me this day and nerve me for its duties and conflicts.
What a word was this which Jehovah spoke to Gideon! "Go." He must not hesitate. He might have answered, "What, go in all this weakness?" But the Lord put that word out of court by saying, "Go in this thy might." The Lord had looked might into him, and he had now nothing to do but to use it and save Israel by smiting the Midianites.
It may be that the Lord has more to do by me than I ever dreamed of. If He has looked upon me, He has made me strong. Let me by faith exercise the power with which He has entrusted me. He never bids me "idle away my time in this my might." Far from it. I must "go" because He strengthens me. What a question is that which the Lord puts to me even as He put it to Gideon! "Have not I sent thee!" Yes, Lord, Thou hast sent me, and I will go in Thy strength. At Thy command I go, and, going, I am assured that Thou wilt conquer by me.
Sermon Outline
- The Power of God's Look
- God's Word to Us
- Our Response to God's Call
- We must exercise the power God has given us
- We must trust in God's strength, not our own
Key Quotes
“If our look to the Lord saves us, what will not His look at us do?” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He must not hesitate. He might have answered, 'What, go in all this weakness?'” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Let me by faith exercise the power with which He has entrusted me.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must trust in God's strength, not our own, to accomplish our tasks and face our challenges.
- Faith is the key to exercising the power God has given us.
- We must not hesitate or doubt when God calls us to action, but instead, we must exercise the power He has given us.