The Heart of the Problem
The key to handling life's circumstances is to humble ourselves and let God work in us and through us.
Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the importance of surrendering control over life's circumstances to God, drawing from David's plea for God's intervention in the face of persecution and false accusations. He highlights the need to focus on ruling the kingdom within ourselves, allowing God to take over the throne room of our hearts to overcome external challenges. Wiersbe stresses that true humility involves acknowledging our limitations and relying on God's strength to work in and through us to handle life's trials.
Text
Read Psalm 10:12-18
David cried out and said, "God, You've got to take care of the situation." For several years Saul had been pursuing him. At one point David compared himself to a flea that was being chased. Saul's problem was that he was listening to liars in his court. Those who wanted Saul's favor were saying, "David wants your crown. He wants your throne. David said this, and David did that." They lied about him, and he could do nothing about it.
We have little control over the circumstances of life. We can't control the weather or the economy, and we can't control what other people say about or do to us. There is only one area where we have control--we can rule the kingdom inside. The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. Once we get to that throne room inside us and let God take over, we don't have to worry about others.
David prayed in verse 12, "Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble." The word humble is a key word. What is humility? Is it thinking poorly of ourselves? No, humility is simply not thinking of ourselves at all. Humility means admitting that I cannot handle my problem by myself. God is going to have to handle it by working in me and through me and for me. But before God can work for me or through me He has to work in me.
If you want to get on top of your circumstances, get beneath the feet of the Lord. Humble yourself, and He'll lift you up.
We cannot control the circumstances of life, nor can we avoid them. But we can take a humble attitude toward God. He takes a special interest in us and will help us handle our circumstances. Have you examined the throne room inside lately? Are you willing to let God work in you and through you to accomplish His purposes?
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Circumstances
- The Problem in the Heart
- The Solution of Humility
- The Result of Humility
- God will lift us up and help us handle our circumstances
- We must be willing to let God work in us and through us
Key Quotes
“The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart.” — Warren Wiersbe
“If you want to get on top of your circumstances, get beneath the feet of the Lord.” — Warren Wiersbe
“We must be willing to let God work in us and through us.” — Warren Wiersbe
Application Points
- We must be willing to let God work in us and through us to accomplish His purposes.
- Humbling ourselves is the first step to getting on top of our circumstances.
- We can't control the circumstances of life, but we can take a humble attitude toward God.