Introduction:

In a world filled with pressures, stressors, and trials, we need reassurance that things will eventually work in our favor in order to keep going.

Proposition:

Only God promises that all things will work together for our good. Oddly enough, the world promises nothing. So choose Christ Jesus and choose life!

Body:

Last week we discussed the desire of God to protect his children prior to, during, and after conflict of any sort.

Today we will look at the promise God makes to encourage his children!

Let us recap why we are focused on the Spiritual Harvesting. God promised His children that after they consecrate themselves, set themselves apart for God’s service, that after they repent in heart, that upon their own personal decisions to choose God above all else he would, indeed, reward them with spiritual harvest!

The Spiritual Harvesting God is bringing about is coming because of cultivating, treating, grooming, nurturing, watering, and protecting the soil of our hearts!

This process represents the sowing of seed prior to reaping the harvest!

Joel 2 outlays God’s promises during the sowing process, to:

1. Comfort v21-22
2. Protect v20
3. Encourage v22, 27
4. Provide for v19, 22-26
5. Give Grace & Mercy to v18
6. Give Joy to v23
7. Bless v28-30
8. And Restore Repentant, Obedient children v25

Does anyone want more of God? Does anyone want to just be free to bask in the presence of God fully, without interference from outside distraction?

In the text here in verse 22 God shows that as you do as he asks, he will take care of your needs! He encourages his children to trust that he will take care of them.

He encourages them by saying your needs will be met, you just need to meet me!

Today’s sermon is not long at all. You have but to make up your mind.

Try God! You have tried everything else, and it didn’t work! You have tried Man’s, so called, conventional wisdom with failed results!

Now, when your options are exhausted when you see no way out! Try God!

Try the one person that won’t forget you, betray you, leave you, or fail you!

Joel 2:22, 27 state:

²² Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

²⁷ And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

People who were abandoned, forgotten, left, or betrayed are ashamed because they are left without!

God emphasizes in v27 this will never happen to “Obedient Children”.

While he doesn’t mention the distinction of obedience, it is implied as it follows he command to consecrate themselves prior to this verse.

What am I trying to say?

I am saying, that if you have made the decision to follow Christ, to “Get Into/ Stay In Position”, then you have nothing to fear except fear itself as a distraction.

God is guaranteeing his provision for you, if you repent, and consecrate, if you only believe!

Philip 4:19 - My God shall supply all you need according to his riches in glory

Jesus reminds us in Matthew the 6^th chap that if God takes care of flowers, birds, and all sorts of animals, “How much more will he care for your needs”

Fear is a distraction meant to take our focus off of the Judge and place it on the trial!

The trial will be decided in your favor if you remain close to the Judge!!!! He who can overturn any decision!

Every Segment of the Series

As Yahweh pours out his Spirit among us, we become equipped w/ greater Faith which brings:

• Trust in God
• Change of Focus
• Change of Heart
• Change of Mind
• Greater Peace through Trust
• Greater Joy through Peace
• Greater Contentment through Joy
• Greater fulfillment through relationship

We must “Get Into/Stay In Position”, so God is free to do His Will in our lives!

How do we do this?

1. Self-introspection
   1. Be willing to look at ourselves truthfully
2. Self-Character Analysis
   1. Am I truly obedient to God?
      1. Am I willingly or reluctantly obedient? (Cain)
   2. Do I seek to know God’s Will, or do mine?
   3. Am I willing to surrender all?
      1. Am I holding something back that I haven’t let go of?

Surrender to God is the goal! Only then can God be free, with our interference, to work in our lives.

Perfection doesn't work inside of imperfection!

Conclusion:

Obedient children who learn to simply trust in God have an opportunity to live a more peaceful life!

Many places in God’s Word we are encouraged to simply trust God and know that he will see to our life circumstances.

The agreement is this, we give our troubles to God the Father, and he gives us nothing but peace in return!

We must be assured that God truly has everything under control, and no matter how things appear at the time, God will make sure that they don’t destroy us!

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