Isaiah 40:28
God's unlimited strength is available to all, but it requires us to first despair of our own resource and power and then wait upon Him.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that life is filled with stresses and challenges, highlighting the frailty of human strength and the breaking point we all face. He contrasts our limitations with the unlimited strength of God, who is infinitely powerful and wise, capable of holding us up in our times of need. Smith encourages believers to recognize their own weaknesses and to wait upon the Lord for help, as true strength comes from surrendering to God rather than relying on our own resources. He reassures that God is always willing to provide guidance and support when we feel overwhelmed. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep trust in God's unfathomable mystery and strength.
Text
"THE PLACE OF STRENGTH"
I. LIFE IS FILLED WITH STRESSES.
A. Man's capacity to endure phenomenal.
1. Tests that have been conducted.
2. "We are fearfully and wonderfully made."
B. There seems to be inequities here.
1. Some seem to float along with no problems .
2. Others seem to have more than their share.
(30) C. There does seem to be a breaking point.
1. The day I am forced to confess "I can't" can be the greatest day of
victory or calamity, depending upon what I do or where I turn.
D. Man is very frail. Life hangs on a thin thread.
II. THE UNLIMITED INFINITE STRENGTH OF GOD.
A. How big is God? vs. 12.
1. "Measured the waters in the hollow of His hand."
2. "Meted out the heavens with a span."
3. To Him nations like a drop in a bucket, small dust in the scales.
B. Isaiah's disdain for men trying to mold or carve out likenesses of God.
1. This is a perennial problem.
2. Confine God to a shape.
a. Put Him in a mold or box.
3. We always end up making Him less than He is.
C. The wisdom of God.
(13. 1. "Who has been His counselor or directed Him."
(26. 2. Look up at the stars who created them?
a. He not only created, but calls them by name.
b. It is estimated over a billion stars in Milky Way Galaxy, over
a billion Galaxies.
1. You who have trouble remem-Sering which one is
Sagittarius-Arcturus - Alpha proxim and Beltequese.
(28. 3. There is no searching of His understanding.
II. THE UNFATHOMABLE MYSTERY.
A. God is willing to make these resources available to you.
1. When you get weary and begin to faint, He is willing to hold you up.
2. When the temptation gets heavy and you start to fail, He will
deliver you.
3. When your future is confused and you don't know where to turn,
He will guide you.
4. When your problems overwhelm you, He will counsel.
5. When there seems to be no way out, you are tired of fighting the tide
and you begin to sink, you put the traditional last hand up as you go
under, He will grab that hand.
III. HOW CAN YOU EXPERIENCE GOD'S HELP AND AID?
A. You must despair of your own resource and power.
1. God doesn't help those who help themselves.
2. He will often bring you to despair by allowing you to exhaust
every avenue.
a. Why?
B. "Wait upon the Lord."
1. Hardest advise to take that I know.
2. Test of faith.
3. Satan will constantly challenge it.
4. Friends will challenge it.
a. "Well what are you doing-about it?"
C. My greatest place of peril.
1. When I think I can handle the situation.
2. "Watch me take care of this one God."
D. My greatest place of strength.
1. When I know I am beat, to weak to try anything else, when I have given
up, and just waiting now upon the Lord. (192.
Sermon Outline
- I. LIFE IS FILLED WITH STRESSES
- A. Man's capacity to endure phenomenal.
- B. There seems to be inequities here.
- C. There does seem to be a breaking point.
- D. Man is very frail. Life hangs on a thin thread.
- II. THE UNLIMITED INFINITE STRENGTH OF GOD
- A. How big is God? vs. 12.
- B. Isaiah's disdain for men trying to mold or carve out likenesses of God.
- C. The wisdom of God.
- III. HOW CAN YOU EXPERIENCE GOD'S HELP AND AID?
- A. You must despair of your own resource and power.
- B. 'Wait upon the Lord'.
- C. My greatest place of peril.
- D. My greatest place of strength.
Key Quotes
“Measured the waters in the hollow of His hand.” — Chuck Smith
“Meted out the heavens with a span.” — Chuck Smith
“There is no searching of His understanding.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize your own limitations and frailty, and turn to God for help.
- Wait upon the Lord, even when it's hard, and trust in His wisdom and strength.
- Despair of your own resource and power, and let God take control.