Keep Your Hands Off
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting God by keeping our hands off His work and allowing Him to act in His own timing and way.
Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the importance of trusting God completely and letting Him take control of our lives. Just like the tragic incident with the ark of God, trying to intervene in God's work with good intentions can lead to disastrous consequences. Cowman highlights the need for believers to rest in the Lord, wait patiently, and refrain from fretting over the actions of others. Trusting God means surrendering our concerns to Him, allowing Him to work in His perfect timing and way, even when things seem to be going wrong.
Text
"Neither know we what to do; but our eyes are, upon thee" (2 Chron. 20:12).
A life was lost in Israel because a pair of human hands were laid unbidden upon the ark of God. They were placed upon it with the best intent, to steady it when trembling and shaking as the oxen drew it along the rough way; but they touched God's work presumptuously, and they fell paralyzed and lifeless. Much of the life of faith consists in letting things alone.
If we wholly trust an interest to God, we must keep our hands off it; and He will guard it for us better than we can help Him. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
Things may seem to be going all wrong, but He knows as well as we; and He will arise in the right moment if we are really trusting Him so fully as to let Him work in His own way and time. There is nothing so masterly as inactivity in some things, and there is nothing so hurtful as restless working, for God has undertaken to work His sovereign will. --A. B. Simpson
"Being perplexed, I say,
'Lord, make it right!
Night is as day to Thee,
Darkness as light.
I am afraid to touch
Things that involve so much;
My trembling hand may shake,
My skilless hand may break;
Thine can make no mistake.'
"Being in doubt I say,
'Lord, make it plain;
Which is the true, safe way?
Which would be gain?
I am not wise to know,
Nor sure of foot to go;
What is so clear to Thee,
Lord, make it clear to me!'"
It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God's hands and leave them there.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to trusting God - The danger of presumptuous actions - Biblical example from 2 Chronicles 20:12
- II points: - The importance of inactivity in faith - God's timing and sovereignty - Quotes from A. B. Simpson
- III points: - The comfort of surrendering control - Trusting God with life's complexities - Encouragement to let go
Key Quotes
“Neither know we what to do; but our eyes are, upon thee.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.” — Charles E. Cowman
“It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God's hands and leave them there.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Practice letting go of control in situations that cause anxiety.
- Trust that God knows the best path forward, even when circumstances seem dire.
- Find comfort in surrendering your worries to God and allowing Him to handle them.