God Knows
The sermon emphasizes God's intimate knowledge of our lives and His guiding presence through trials, encouraging unwavering faith like that of Job.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the comforting assurance that God knows the way His people take, even in the midst of trials and challenges. He highlights the image of God as an Almighty Guide, leading His people through both difficult and joyful paths, refining them like gold in the process. The sermon emphasizes the nearness of God in times of overwhelming distress, reminding believers of His infinite tenderness and compassion that follows them every step of the way.
Text
"He knoweth the way that I take" (Job 23:10).
Believer! What a glorious assurance! This way of thine--this, it may be, a crooked, mysterious, tangled way--this way of trial and tears. "He knoweth it." The furnace seven times heated--He lighted it. There is an Almighty Guide knowing and directing our footsteps, whether it be to the bitter Marah pool, or to the joy and refreshment of Elim.
That way, dark to the Egyptians, has its pillar of cloud and fire for His own Israel. The furnace is hot; but not only can we trust the hand that kindles it, but we have the assurance that the fires are lighted not to consume, but to refine; and that when the refining process is completed (no sooner--no later) He brings His people forth as gold.
When they think Him least near, He is often nearest. "When my spirit was overwhelmed, then thou knewest my path."
Do we know of ONE brighter than the brightest radiance of the visible sun, visiting our chamber with the first waking beam of the morning; an eye of infinite tenderness and compassion following us throughout the day, knowing the way that we take?
The world, in its cold vocabulary in the hour of adversity, speaks of "Providence"--"the will of Providence"--"the strokes of Providence." PROVIDENCE! what is that?
Why dethrone a living, directing God from the sovereignty of His own earth? Why substitute an inanimate, death-like abstraction, in place of an acting, controlling, personal Jehovah?
How it would take the sting from many a goading trial, to see what Job saw (in his hour of aggravated woe, when every earthly hope lay prostrate at his feet)--no hand but the Divine. He saw that hand behind the gleaming swords of the Sabeans--he saw it behind the lightning flash--he saw it giving wings to the careening tempest--he saw it in the awful silence of his rifled home.
"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!"
Thus seeing God in everything, his faith reached its climax when this once powerful prince of the desert, seated on his bed of ashes, could say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." --Macduff
Sermon Outline
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I
- God's Knowledge of Our Path
- The Assurance of His Guidance
- Understanding Trials as Refinement
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II
- The Presence of God in Adversity
- God's Sovereignty Over Providence
- Seeing God's Hand in Our Trials
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III
- Job's Example of Faith
- Trusting God in Difficult Times
- The Blessing of Recognizing God's Control
Key Quotes
“He knoweth the way that I take.” — Charles E. Cowman
“The furnace is hot; but not only can we trust the hand that kindles it, but we have the assurance that the fires are lighted not to consume, but to refine.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Recognize that God is aware of your struggles and is guiding you through them.
- Embrace trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and refinement.
- Cultivate a faith that trusts God completely, even in the face of adversity.