Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand

Text: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11

 

I.         The world seems to be constantly changing.

            A.        The one constant seems to be the turmoil

            B.        The change is rarely beneficial

            C.        Early in the last century a blind poetess, Jennie Wilson, wrote a reminder to us that the world changes but God does not

II.        Men are unreliable guides

            A.        We are not able to direct our own steps - Jeremiah 10:23

            B.        It is God who directs our path - Proverbs 20:24

            C.        “Time is filled with swift transition – Naught of earth unmoved can stand – Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”

            D.        It is God’s teachings that remain steadfast and sure - I Peter 1:25

            E.        God has given us a map to guide us home.

III.       Life is short

            A.        James compares it to a morning fog - James 4:14

            B.        We can’t really plan because tomorrow is uncertain

            C.        “Trust in Him who will not leave you, Whatsoever years may bring, If by earthly friends forsaken, Still more closely to Him cling.”

            D.        God alone can give us the sense of safety - Psalms 4:8

            E.        Even the best of friends can, at times, prove to be unreliable. Consider Paul - II Timothy 4:16-18

            F.        Fanny Crosby wrote: “Hold Thou my hand: so weak I am, and helpless. I dare not take one step without Thine aid. Hold Thou my hand, for then O loving Savior, No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid.”

            G.        God cares about us - I Peter 5:7

            H.        God won’t let go of us, if we stay with Him - John 10:29

IV.      The world is temporary

            A.        Things decay - Matthew 6:19-21

            B.        Our stay in this world is temporary - Luke 12:15-21

            C.        A day is coming when nothing will be left - II Peter 3:10

            D.        “Covet not this world’s vain riches, That so rapidly decay, Seek to gain the heavn’ly treasures, They will never pass away!”

            E.        Put our trust in God, instead - Hebrews 13:5-6

V.        God’s promise is sure

            A.        God has offered you and I eternal life - Titus 1:1-3

            B.        His promise is a refuge and an anchor - Hebrews 6:17-19

            C.        “When your journey is completed, If to God you have been true, Fair and bright the home in glory Your enraptured soul will view.”

            D.        In God’s presence there will be joy - Psalms 16:11

            E.        We haven’t received the promise yet, but we take joy in knowing it is there - I Peter 1:8