Guarded and Guided
God's supply and guidance are available to us through faith in His divine power and rich grace.
Miles J. Stanford preaches about the unwavering provision of God for His children, emphasizing the need for patience and trust in His perfect timing. He encourages believers to rely on God's divine power for all aspects of life and godliness, despite their pressing needs. Stanford reminds listeners that God's grace shines brightest in the midst of mistakes and failures, offering comfort and hope even in discouraging circumstances. He highlights the importance of trusting in God's eternal plans and finding refuge in His unfailing goodness and mercy.
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"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
How difficult it is for the hungry heart to adjust to the Father's pace. He is so deliberate and thorough, while our need is so pressing and paramount. Apart from never being behind time, our Father is an eternity ahead of time! We have but to see in the Word what He has accomplished on our behalf in the Lord Jesus, and then quietly rely upon Him, "according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).
"God will perfect that which concerns His own; and even where there are mistakes and failures, as alas! there are in abundance with all of us, the Lord's rich grace abounds over all, and actually takes occasion from our very mistakes to shine out all the more brightly-though, assuredly, the mistakes and failures must produce their own painful and humiliating results.
"It is the remembrance of this which alone can give calm repose in the midst of the most discouraging circumstances. If we take the eye of faith off God, our souls must soon be overwhelmed. It is our privilege to be able, in our little measure, to thank God in view of everything, and take refuge in His eternal counsels, which must be made good despite all the unbelief of man, and all the malice of Satan.
"May God give us to increasingly know Him! If we had one end."only to learn what we are, we should surely be cast down, and sink into despondency; but His object in giving us a knowledge of ourselves and of His grace, is to give us an expected end."
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:6).
Sermon Outline
- God's Supply and Guidance
- God's Perfection and Rich Grace
- Faith and Refuge in God's Counsels
- Knowing God and His Grace
- God's supply according to His riches in glory
- Relying on God's divine power
- God perfects what concerns Him
- Rich grace abounds over all
- Faith off God leads to discouragement
- Taking refuge in God's eternal counsels
- Knowing ourselves and God's grace
- God's object in giving us knowledge
Key Quotes
“Apart from never being behind time, our Father is an eternity ahead of time!” — Miles J. Stanford
“It is the remembrance of this which alone can give calm repose in the midst of the most discouraging circumstances.” — Miles J. Stanford
“May God give us to increasingly know Him!” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Rely on God's divine power to supply your needs.
- Take refuge in God's eternal counsels to stay calm in discouraging circumstances.
- Seek to increasingly know God and His grace.