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Sermon #23 Exodus
Series Title: Ten Words of Comfort From Our Savior Text: Exodus
3:7-22 Subject: Comfort
in Affliction Date: Tuesday
Evening — August 22, 2006 Tape
# Exodus
23 Readings: Bob Poncer and
David Burge Introduction: When our hearts are heavy, sighing
beneath the weight of sorrow and care, we fly to our Savior for refuge. In
such times, how often we have opened to Book of God and found immediate
relief! As soon as I walked into my office this morning, I received a call
from my oldest sister. It appears that our father is dying. That, in itself,
is painful. But the sorrow is increased immeasurably by the fact that I fear
he is dying without Christ! — What a horrid, painful thought! You can
imagine the sorrow of my heart for him, the heaviness with which my day
began. I knew I had to try to put those
things out of my mind, at least for today, so that I could prepare to preach
to you tonight. So I turned to Exodus 3 and began to read. I read the same
chapter last night. I read the verses on the page. This morning it was
different. This morning, God the Holy Spirit read this portion of his Word to
my needy heart. I knew immediately that in graciously ministering to the
needs my own soul, the Lord had given me his message for you tonight. Turn with me to Exodus chapter
three, and I will show you ten
words of comfort from our Savior. Exodus 3 gives a brief account
of some of the circumstances that preceded GodÕs deliverance of the children
of Israel from their captivity and bondage in Egypt. But we must not
forget that these
things were written Òfor our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hopeÓ (Rom. 15:4). ÒThey are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are comeÓ (1 Cor. 10:11). We will begin in
verse 7. 1.
ÒI
have surely seen the affliction of my peopleÓ (v. 7). Deprived of liberty, the children
of Israel were slaves to the king of Egypt, in common with their other subjects; and they
were slaves to their fellow slaves. They were compelled to work in the open
air, beneath the burning rays of the desert sun, in one of the hottest
climates in the world. They were forced to make bricks without straw, having
to walk great distances each day to gather the straw (stubble) needed to make
the bricks. Their work was performed under the
eye of vigilant and rigorous task-masters, who constantly upbraided them and
beat them. Their food was meager and contained little nourishment. It consisted only of the leeks
and onions that grew like wild weeds in the land of Egypt, and the sheep they
raised. Painful and distressing as those thing
were, they were the smallest part of IsraelÕs misery. While the fields
resounded with their cries in the day, their huts echoed their lamentations
at night, because their sons were dragged from the arms of their mothers, and put to
death by drowning to prevent their increase. Degraded and oppressed, they had
been in bondage for four hundred years. Who can imagine the anguish of heart
caused by such sufferings? We cannot begin to understand their sorrows. á
To
them the morning
sun arose without hope; and the setting of the sun yielded no comfort. á
The beauties
of new life budding forth in the Spring had no charm for their eyes. á
The
bounties of harvest in the Fall only reminded them of their poverty and
emptiness. á
Even
the ordinary charms of domestic life were made bitter to them. — The
expectation of a child being born was heart-wrenching torture. To them everything was misery, grief
and despair! Though they knew it not, and would
not have believed it had they heard it, the Lord God says, ÒI have
surely seen the affliction of my people.Ó In their great sorrow, they had forgotten God, but they
were not forgotten of God. Though, for wise and gracious reasons, he delayed
to appear in their behalf for four hundred years, he was not indifferent to
their sufferings. á
He
saw their affliction and heard their cries. á
His
eye was upon them. á
His
ear was constantly open to their sobbing hearts. á
Every
tear they shed was observed by him. á
Every
groan they uttered he recorded. These words of our Savior, ÒI
have surely seen the affliction of my people,Ó might be read, ÒIn seeing, I have seen the
affliction of my people,Ó indicating much more than his omniscience. The
words express, the clear, distinct, and full sight he had of their
affliction, his sympathy toward them in their trouble, an affectionate
concern for them, and a fixed, settled, determination in his heart to deliver
them. He thoroughly
observed their affliction; and he was moved by what he saw. — ÒIn
all their afflictions, he was afflicted.Ó And he was bent upon delivering them from it. Child of God, ever remember
this. Our God
sees us. His eye is upon us. He watches over us, with all the affection of a
tender father, and all the goodness of his holy Being. — ÒThou
God seest meÓ
(Gen. 16:13). What a word of comfort that is to my soul! Though men oppress
me, though Satan assails me, though sorrows crush me, though my own heart
condemn me, ÒThou God seest me!Ó á
He
sees you. á
He
sees you perfectly. á
He
sees you always. á
He
sees you where you are. á
He
sees you with the eye of his perfect love. ÒWithin Thy circling power I
stand, On every side I find Thy hand; Awake, asleep, at home, abroad, I am surrounded still with God!Ó 2.
ÒI
have heard their cryÓ (v. 7). (Exodus
2:23-24) ÒAnd it came to pass in
process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel
sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto
God by reason of the bondage. (24) And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his
covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.Ó What
an indescribable blessing! When we cannot put our cries into words, our Savior hears the groans
of our hearts (Rom. 8:26). The time of affliction is the time for
supplication; and our extremity is GodÕs opportunity. The God of Glory hears the cries of our hearts (Ps. 18:6). (Psalms
18:6) In my distress I called
upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple,
and my cry came before him, even into his ears. The doors of mercy are always wide
open for our needy souls. The King of Heaven says to us, ÒLet me hear
thy voiceÓ
(Song 2:14; Heb. 4:16). (Hebrews
4:16) ÒLet us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.Ó Prayer is not eloquence, but
earnestness. It
is not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it. It is the
cry of faith to the ear of mercy. By the merit and efficacy of ChristÕs precious blood,
the cries and groans of our hearts penetrate the very heart of our God! Now, look a the last line of verse
7É 3.
ÒI
know their sorrowsÓ (v. 7). No man can truthfully make such a
statement. The tender feelings of anotherÕs heart no human sympathy can
touch. But our blessed Savior, the Prince of Sufferers, he who led the way in
the path of sorrow, Òknoweth our frameÓ and remembers that we are dust. When crushing sorrow
lies like ice on your heart, when the dearest earthly friend cannot enter
into the grief you bear, Christ can and does! He who once bore my sins also
carried my sorrows, is touched with the feeling of my infirmity. His tender
eyes were once dim with weeping too! ÒI know their sorrows!Ó — He may at times hide his
face, causing it to appear that he has forsaken us and forgotten us, causing
is to cry, ÒIs his mercy clean gone for ever? Hath God forgotten to be
gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?Ó (Ps. 77:8-9). — Even then,
he is bending over us in tender love. He often allows our needs to attain
their extremity, that he may stretch forth his omnipotent hand to help and
reveal the sufficiency of his grace! Our blessed Savior takes great care to comfort his
people in their many trials and sorrows in this world. He says to his preachers, ÒComfort
ye, comfort ye my people.Ó Here are three things described in the Word of God that
should be of great comfort to every believer. He has made a bag for our sins. Job said, ÒMy transgression is
sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquityÓ (Job 14:17). In ancient times,
when men died at sea, their bodies were placed in a weighted bag which was
sewn together and sealed. Then they were cast into the depths of the sea.
That is what God has done with our sins. They are cast Òinto the depths of
the sea.Ó When
Christ died, by his one sacrifice, he put away all our sins. They were buried
in the sea of GodÕs infinite forgiveness, put away, never to be brought up
again. God almighty will never charge us with sin, impute sin to us, remember
our sins against us, or treat us any the less graciously because of our sin.
That is forgiveness! — ÒBlessed is the man to whom the Lord will not
impute sin.Ó The Lord God has written a book for our names. Take heart, child of God. Your
name is written in the book of God! Before the worlds were made, the Lord God
inscribed the names of his elect in the LambÕs book of life. In that book,
God has recorded, not only the names of the chosen heirs of heaven, but also
all things pertaining to them. ÒIn thy book all my members were writtenÓ (Psa. 139:16; Phil. 4:3; Rev.
13:8; 17:8). The LambÕs book of life is the book of GodÕs eternal purpose of
grace, predestination and election. The fact that our names are written in
that book means that our salvation is a matter of absolute certainty and that
all things work together for our good by GodÕs arrangement to secure our
predestined end, which is perfect conformity to Christ (Rom. 8:28-30). When
our Lord says, ÒRejoice because your names are written in heaven,Ó he is telling us that we have
nothing to fear. All is well for those whose names are written in heaven. Moreover, the Lord God keeps a bottle for our tears (Ps. 56:8-9). (Psalms
56:8-9) ÒThou tellest my
wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? (9) When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back:
this I know; for God is for me.Ó It was customary at ancient Egyptian funerals for mourners
to have a small cloth or sponge to wipe away their tears. Then, they were
squeezed into a small vial, a tear bottle, and placed in the tomb with the
dead, symbolizing the care the mourners had for the one who had died. Even
so, the Lord our God, our heavenly Father, our almighty Savior, and our holy
Comforter tenderly cares for us. In all our afflictions he is afflicted. We
are the very apple of his eye. Could anything be more comforting
in this world of sin, sorrow, and death? The Lord our God has put our sins in
a bag and buried them, our names in a book to remember them, and our tears
into a bottle to show his tender care for us. Each one is counted, drop by
drop, tear by tear. They are sacred things among the treasures of God! Sorrow
may have entered deep into our souls, yet we have reason to rejoice! Great is
our honor. We are partakers with Christ in his sufferings. Our tender,
sympathizing Savior, knows our sorrows. Our heavenly Father knows. John
Trapp said, ÒThat
is a sweet support to a sinking soul, that God knows all, and bears a part.Ó —
My Father knows. — That is enough! IÕm a pilgrim and a stranger, Rough and stormy is my road, Often in the midst of danger; But it leads it leads me to my God. Clouds and darkness oft distress
me: Great and many are my foes; Anxious cares and thoughts oppress
me: But my heavÕnly Father knows. Oh, how sweet is this assurance, ÔMidst the conflict and the
strife! Although sorrows past endurance, Follow me throughout my life. Home in prospect still can cheer
me; Yes, and give me sweet repose, While I feel His presence near me: For my heavÕnly Father knows. Yes, He sees and knows me daily, Watches over me in love; Sends me help when foes assail me, Bids me look to Him above. Soon my journey will be ended, Life is drawing to a close; I shall then be well attended: This my heavÕnly Father knows. I shall then with joy behold Him, Face to face my Savior see; Fall with rapture and adore Him For His boundless love to me. Nothing more shall then distress
me In the land of sweet repose; Jesus stands engaged to bless me: This my heavÕnly Father knows. 4.
ÒAnd
I am come down to deliver themÓ (v. 8). He who sees our affliction, hears
our cries and knows our sorrows rises from his throne, not to command the
armies of angels that surround his throne to fly to the relief of his suffering
children, but to come down from heaven, in his own Person to deliver us! á
In
His Incarnation! á
In
His Saving Grace! á
In
His Good Providence! ÒClouds and darkness are round
about him,Ó but
Òrighteousness
and judgment are the habitation of his throneÓ (Ps. 97:2; 98:1-6). (Psalms
98:1-6) ÒO sing unto the LORD a
new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy
arm, hath gotten him the victory. (2) The LORD hath made known his salvation: his
righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. (3) He hath remembered his mercy and
his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the
salvation of our God. (4) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a
loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. (5) Sing unto the LORD with the harp;
with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. (6) With trumpets and sound of cornet
make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.Ó Look at verse 12É 5.
Our
blessed Savior declares, ÒCertainly, I will be with theeÓ (v. 12). á
To
encourage you. á
To
protect you. á
To
strengthen you. á
To
help you (Isa. 41:10; 43:1-5; Heb. 13:5). (Isaiah
41:10) ÒFear thou not; for I am
with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will
uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Ó (Isaiah
43:1-5) ÒBut now thus saith the
LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not:
for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the
waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when
thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the
flame kindle upon thee. (3) For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I
gave Egypt for thy
ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. (4) Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast
been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee,
and people for thy life.Ó (Hebrews
13:5) ÒLet your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye
have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Ó This is GodÕs promise to every
believing sinner in this world. ― ÒI will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee.Ó It is given to us that we may, as Isaiah puts it, ÒSuck, and be
satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be
delighted with the abundance of her gloryÓ (Isa. 66:11). 6.
Look
at the last line of verse 12. Our Savior declares, ÒYe shall serve God
upon this mountain.Ó The Lord God promised Moses that
he and the children of Israel would serve him upon Mount Horeb, or Sinai, as
they did at the giving of the law. There they built an altar upon a hill and
offered burnt offerings and peace offerings (Ex 24:4-5). So it shall be with you, my
brother, and with you, my sister. The high mountain of sorrow and trouble
that rises before you shall be made a mountain of praise upon which you shall
offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise to your God. 7.
In
verse 14 we have the most powerful incentive possible to believe that it
shall be so. — He who made these promises declares, ÒI Am That I Am.Ó That is his name. He is the
eternal, self-existent, self-sufficient God, the Being of beings. He
comprehends the past, the present and the future. I do not merely mean that
he knows the past, present and future. I mean he comprehends it. It all
exists in him! — Yet, there is more. This name, by which our God
reveals himself, ÒI Am That I Am,Ó means, not only I am what I am
at present, but I am what I have been, and I am what I shall be, and shall be
what I am. In a word, it declares he is the constant, invariable, immutable,
faithful God. Our Savior here declares that his name, ÒI Am That I Am,Ó is the sure foundation upon which we may rely. — The
mighty I AM will do all that he has said! Look at verse 17É 8.
ÒI
will bring you up out of the affliction.Ó He purposed it. He promises it.
And he will do it. And when he does, he will bring you into Òa land
flowing with milk and honey.Ó He squeezes milk and honey out of every hard rock of
adversity and causes the milk and honey to flow with such abundance into our
souls that the rock of adversity from which it flows is soon forgotten. Skip down to verse 21É 9.
God
promises to give his people favor, even among the Egyptians, and he says, ÒYe
shall not go empty..Ó You know how the Egyptians loaded
the sons of Jacob with everything they would need in the wilderness, when the
Israelites fled from them. So it shall be, children of God, with you, when
the Lord God delivers you from any trial by which he may momentarily crush
your heart. You shall not go out empty, but enriched by the experience (2
Cor. 4:17-18; 1 Pet. 1:3-9; James 1:12). (2
Corinthians 4:17-18) ÒFor our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal
weight of glory; (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are
not seen are eternal.Ó (1 Peter 1:3-9) ÒBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible,
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though
now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold
temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and
honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (8) Whom having not seen, ye love; in
whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory: (9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.Ó (James
1:12) ÒBlessed is the man that endureth temptation:
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him.Ó ÒAll things are for your sakes,
that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the
glory of GodÓ (2
Cor. 2:10). — ÒFor all things are yours: the world, life, death,
things present, things to come; all are yours; and ye are ChristÕs; and
Christ is GodÕsÓ
(1 Cor. 3:21-23). There is one more word of comfort
I want you to see in the last line of verse 22É 10.
God
our Savior says, ÒAnd ye shall spoil the Egyptians.Ó Just as Israel took everything
worth having out of Egypt, so it shall be with us at last. In that great day
that knows no night, when God our Savior has made all things new, when all
his elect have at last been made possessors of their heavenly Canaan, they
shall come from all the nations of the earth, bringing the spoils of the
nations with them (Rev. 21:22-27; Zec. 14:1, 9, 20-21). (Revelation
21:22-27) ÒAnd I saw no temple
therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (23)
And the city had
no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God
did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (24) And the nations of them which are
saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring
their glory and honour into it. (25) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by
day: for there shall be no night there. (26) And they shall bring the glory and
honour of the nations into it. (27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing
that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written
in the LambÕs book of life.Ó (Zechariah
14:1) ÒBehold, the day of the
LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.Ó (Zechariah
14:9) ÒAnd the LORD shall be
king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name
one.Ó (Zechariah
14:20-21) ÒIn that day shall
there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots
in the LORDÕS house shall be like the bowls before the altar. (21) Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in
Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice
shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall
be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.Ó Amen. |
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