Receiving From God's Hand
The sermon emphasizes the importance of approaching God's strength by refusing nothing He requires, taking faults humbly, and surrendering to His will.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the blessed strength found in God's power and might, emphasizing the importance of having a steadfast will to obey God's commands and to humbly accept our weaknesses as opportunities to trust in God more. She encourages believers not to be discouraged by their shortcomings but to rely on God's all-powerful nature to accomplish what He requires of them. Tileston echoes St. Augustine's words, urging the congregation to ask God for His commands and to be willing to do whatever He asks.
Text
In Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
CHRONICLES 29:12
WHEN I have nothing in my hand
Wherewith to serve my King,
When Thy commandment finds me weak
And wanting everything,
My soul, upon Thy greatness cast,
Shall rise divinely free;
Then will I serve with what Thou hast,
And gird myself with Thee.
ANNA L. WARING
HOW are we to approach such blessed strength? First of all, through a steadfast will to refuse nothing that God requires of us, and to do nothing deliberately which can displease Him. Next, we must learn to take our faults humbly, as proofs of our weakness, and use them to increase our trust in God, and our mistrust of self. Neither must we be discouraged at our own wretchedness, or give way to the thought that we cannot do or bear any special thing; our duty is, while confessing that of ourselves it is impossible, to remember that God is all-powerful, and that through Him we can do whatever He may require of us. We must learn to say with St. Augustine, "Give me what Thou commandest, and command what Thou wilt."
JEAN NICOLAS GROU
Sermon Outline
- Approaching God's Strength
- Taking Faults Humbly
- Overcoming Wretchedness
- Surrender to God's Will
- Give God what He commands
- Command what God wills
Key Quotes
“Give me what Thou commandest, and command what Thou wilt.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“When I have nothing in my hand wherewith to serve my King,” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- You can serve God with what He provides, even if it's not what you want.
- Your duty is to remember that God is all-powerful and that through Him you can do whatever He may require of you.
- Surrender to God's will by giving Him what He commands and commanding what He wills.