Is The Holy Spirit Finally Found Rest In You?

Genesis 8:6-12

 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:  And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.  Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;  But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.  And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;   And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.  And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

Introduction:

We can see in the passages that we have read the events that happened after the flood… Noah sent a raven and the raven went forth to and fro – very happy to see the things – dead and rotten bodies, foul smelly decomposing plants, beast and human beings… and the raven did not return.

Then after that Noah sent a dove – “… But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot…”

Rest means - quiet, a settled spot, or  a home, place of rest.

We can apply this truth in our world today. The dove represent the Holy Spirit - Matt. 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

The raven also can be represented as the evil spirit – that went forth to and fro upon seeing dead, decomposing and rotten bodies. The ministry of the devil is to went forth to and fro in the presence of God accusing the brethren.

Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.  And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Every Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit - 1Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

But the grave question today who really owns you? Is The Holy Spirit Finally Found Rest In You?

Or It is the raven – the evil spirit that went forth to and fro and the Holy Spirit is grieving? 

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Only a person who loves you so much will be grieved (if you did a wrongdoing or a bad thing.)

You can only feel sorry if somebody you know became a victim of tragedy or involve in any wrongdoing but if that somebody is your love one or you have a relationship to that person it grieves. The Bible says grieve not – not to feel sorry or condemning you but grieve every time you do wicked things simply because the Holy Spirit love you so much.

Is the Holy Spirit grieving? Because of the kind of living you are entangling with. Just like our Lord Jesus Christ the Bible says He came to His own but His own receives Him not. Today, every person who accepted Christ as His personal Lord and Savior was owned by the Holy Spirit but His own receives Him not.  Why? Because the owner of the body constantly grieves. 

And not unless you are dead in trespasses and sins, dead in selfishness and personal ambition, dead to praises and in vain glory in envying and in strife and pride the Holy Spirit can’t found rest in you.  But the devil will laugh at us and scorn – he went forth to and fro – very happy in the in the presence of the Lord – Job 1:6-7.

Ephesians 5:8-9,14-17 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Galasians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Is The Holy Spirit Finally Found Rest In You? There are some truths that we can claim today in the passages that we had read.

I.                    God Will Always Extends The Works of His Spirit in Us

We have read in our passages how many times the dove was sent forth.

An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.  Aiden Wilson Tozer

Did not you realize that God is constantly offering us the best gift? - Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Most of us neglect the best and perfect gift and we try to exchange it with dead and vain things. Things that will someday decompose. The dead and rotten things of this world.

That’s why the Holy Spirit found no rest in us because of the things that we value most are the dead and the vain things of this world. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

How many needs or it is just one need? – The only thing that you really need tonight is the power and presence of the God. And through the Holy Spirit you can have it even today. Luke 11:13

God will always extends the works of His Spirit in Us

God will gave you enough time to come unto him and surrender and yield and be filled with his power and might. No wonder that even if Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Ezekiel,  Paul – they were men past their youth when God used them.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, "Why do we need this 'Mr. Moody'? He's uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?" A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, "No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody."

Isa. 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The Holy Spirit will find rest upon us if we wait upon God-

II.                  Life Comes Only Through the Spirit

Gen. 8:11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

Olive leaf is a sign of life. - Gen. 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Revival, joy, enthusiasm, excitement, fruitfulness only comes as the spirit moves.

The energy – the wind, oil.

Just like Samson, David, and even the power of Christ and His apostle.

Our work and energy if it does not comes from God it is void and vain.

Isa. 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Just like the deeds of Pharisee and Sadducees.


III. The Holy Spirit Wants To Find Rest in Us

As a temple of the Holy Spirit it is but natural that He wants to have rest in us. It is but natural that the Holy Spirit will do His best to find rest upon us.

Illus. There will come a time in our life that even though we are here doing our job and ministry and other thing but we know our heart is not right with God – and what the Holy Spirit will do – give you right message in every possible way. Sometimes in your devotion, or in listening to preaching, music, in fellowship, etc. – That’s the work of the Holy Spirit because he wants to have rest in you –

The holy spirit is not happy as you live in the flesh,in sin and wickedness – he is grieve

Gen. 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

The devil will tell you do this small thing called sin but afterwards he will tell you how great you are a sinner before God.

Is the Holy Spirit finally found rest in you? As you wake up this morning -  Is the Holy Spirit finally found rest in you? Or it is the Devil that went forth to and fro. I do believe the Holy Spirit found rest if you woke up praying and meditating upon the Word of God and you make Christ as the Lord of your life. 

"If you have the Word without the Spirit, you'll dry up.

 If you have the Spirit without the Word, you'll blow up.

 If you have both the Word and the Spirit, you'll grow up."  --Derek Prince

D.L Moody said, "I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled."

Not unless you are dead in trespasses and sins, dead in selfishness and personal ambition and in vain glory in envying and in strife and pride the Holy Spirit can’t found rest in you. 

Living A Contented Life

Heb. 13:5, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Psa. 84:11, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Contentment - a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1Ti 6:6; 2Co 9:8). It is opposed to envy (Jas 3:16), avarice (Heb. 13:5), ambition (Pr. 13:10), anxiety (Mt. 6:25,34), and repining (1Co. 10:10).

Many lives are ruined because they are seeking, money, and material things. Others are coveting position, power, and prestige. All of these things are based upon covetousness, which the Bible condemns many times. This lesson, if properly applied, will help the Christian to live a contented life.

I.                   Contentment is Christ Command

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Matt. 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

DO NOT COVET POSSESSIONS, BUT BE CONTENT.Heb. 13:5, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

DO NOT SEEK POVERTY NOR RICHES. Prov. 30:8-9, "8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."

DO NOT STRIVE TO BE RICH. Prov. 23:4-5, "4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Prov. 27:24, "For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?" (James 5:1-2)

Illustrative Story: Philip Parham tells the story of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. "Why aren't you out there fishing?" he asked.
"Because I've caught enough fish for today," said the fisherman. 
"Why don't you catch more fish than you need?' the rich man asked. 
"What would I do with them?"
"You could earn more money," came the impatient reply, "and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you'd have a fleet of boats and be rich like me."
The fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?" 
"You could sit down and enjoy life," said the industrialist. 
"What do you think I'm doing now?" the fisherman replied as he looked placidly out to sea.

 DO NOT SEEK TO BE THE GREATEST, AS THE DISCIPLES DID. Luke 22:24-26, "24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. (Luke 9:46-48)

 DO NOT ALLOW THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES TO CHOKE OUT THE WORD. Matt. 13:22, "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

WE ARE TO PUT COVETOUSNESS TO DEATH. Col. 3:5, "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:" "Mortify" means "to put to death." "Members" refers to "limb, a member of the human body."

Rom. 6:6, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."

 Gal. 5:24, "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."

CHRISTIANS ARE LAY UP HEAVENLY TREASURES, AND NOT EARTHLY TREASURES. Matt. 6:19-21, "19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND TREASURES AT THE SAME TIME. Matt. 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.""Mammon" refers to "money or treasure."

II.                 Contentment is Great Gain

“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty”

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. I Tim. 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

Psa. 37:16, "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked." Psa. 84:11, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

WE ARE TO BE CONTENT REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Phil. 4:11-13, "11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I Cor. 4:11-12, "11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:"

Illustration: A typical supermarket in the United States in 1976 stocked 9,000 articles; today it carries 30,000. How many of them are absolutely essential? How many superfluous?  

LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST OF WHAT ONE POSSESSES. Luke 12:15, "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

Psa. 62:10, "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."

LIFE IS MORE THAN MATERIAL RICHES. (Luke 12:16-21)

III.              Contentment Promotes Peace

 GODLY CONTENTMENT PROMOTES PEACE. Prov. 17:1, "Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife." Prov. 37:16, "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."

THE LOVE OF MONEY BRINGS RUIN AND DESTRUCTION. I Tim. 6:7-10, "7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (Gen. 13:10)

Job 1:21, "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Illustration: There was one poor shoe mender who used to earn not more than four pence from his daily shoemending and was very happy and rendered songs of praise to God daily. He was satisfied with the little he had and was always rejoicing. Closer to the poor man’s house lived a rich man. This rich man had for long time noticed the joy of the poor shoe mender and he thought that if the poor man was given more he will be happier than he was.

One day, the rich man sent for the poor man and said, “Yes, I sent for you in order to give you some gifts”. He gave him a reasonable sum of money. They poor man collected the money with fear and thanked the rich man, and went back to his house. When he got back to his house, he kept the money at one corner of the house and sat down to think of what to do with it. Thoughts started flowing into his mind. The first thought that entered his mind was that he should build a better house which he saw as cardinal, but another thought also entered and suggested that he should marry a wife instead of building a house. Yet another thought suggested that he buy better clothes for himself. The fourth thought asked him to first go to the market and bring food stuff, cook and eat well before doing any thing. The poor men sat down thinking of what to do first with the money until it was night. He remained sitting at that point. He did not do anything that day, and he did not sing praise to God as was his tradition.

In the night, the poor man sat down and thought of whether he was going to keep the money under his bed but said no, thieves may find it. He dug a hole in the ground and buried it. Again he said no, thieves may find it when he is deep asleep. So he dug it out and kept it between his legs. Until dawn, he neither slept nor sang praises to God. The poor man became miserably sad and terribly uneasy. Very early in the morning, the poor man hurriedly took the money, went to the rich man’s house, knocked at the door and when the rich man opened the door, he threw the bag of money at his feet and said; “Please take back your money I do not want it, you have put me through so much trouble”. The poor man ran back to his house, feeling very free and resumed singing his songs of praise to God day and night according to his usual custom.

CONCLUSION:

I.                   Contentment is Christ Command

II.                 Contentment is Great Gain

III.              Contentment Promotes Peace

PRISONERS OF HOPE

Zec 9:9-12 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

INTRODUCTION:

The passage tells about God’s dealing to His chosen nation Israel:

That He will come unto them (in v.9) but the problem is Israel did not received Him - John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

And because of that they will became as prisoner out of the pit wherein is no water (v.11). They will suffer chastisement because of their hardheadedness and because they are (as God called them) a stiff neck people. But God still has wonderful promised to them – that’s why in the last verse that we read (v.12) it says Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

Hope is an anchor for our soul.

Without it, we'd be less than whole.

But with it, we can do all things

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.

Hope is a Heavenly treasure,

A gift from God above;

The helmet of our salvation

Inspired by His faith and love.

Even though we've never seen it,

We are prisoners of it, still.

It leads us to be patient

Until it is ready to fulfill.

Though the passage of scriptures we read is the promise of God to His chosen nation Israel – but thanks be to God because right now God’s dealing is not only to His chosen nation, but also to the redeemed and to the washed by His blood and to a person who received an imputed righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

One of the virtue that will keep us alive is hope – there are 3 Christian virtues or elements that the apostle Paul talk about in 1Cor. 13:13 and we know that the greatest of all is love or charity. But of course faith, hope, and charity is equally important. We always talk about love and faith – but tonight we  will talk about hope. – Prisoners of Hope.

Many people survive because of hope. People – maybe they don’t really know about faith – because we know that faith is the word of God and they know nothing about love because true love talks about sacrifice and commitment but why do people even the unbelieving one survive? Because of this one universal virtue – it is called HOPE!

Even animal knew something about it – the laboratory rats…

A number of years ago researchers performed an experiment:

"Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope! Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. "

If hope can have that kind of effect on an animal that lives solely by instinct, what kind of effect can it have on you and I whom God has gifted with intelligence?

Hope is an attitude, an expectant outlook on life. It is a gift that God has granted to every man. No one can take it from us. If we "lose hope," it is because we have given it away. How many times have we heard stories of people who have endured incredible hardships, overcoming "impossible" situations, simply because they refused to give up hope?

I have read about stories of the Holocaust survivors – One by the name of Victor Frankl and the other by the name of Elie Wiesel and in their books they always talk about this subject of Hope and that’s what keep them survive.

Victor Frankl one of the most distinguished holocaust survivor survived that terrible ordeal in one of the Nazi concentration camp by always expecting to see his beloved wife once again – although it did not happen because all of his love one’s were already murdered by the Nazi. Elie Wiesel a Nobel Peace Prize awardee also survived by always hoping to see again his father.

Our survival depends upon if we turn out instead of  being a prisoner out of the pit wherein is no water unto a stronghold and become a prisoner of hope…

"Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity"

In your struggle, chastisement, testing and trials and even in your temptations the elements that will keep you alive and survive – IS HOPE.

"Everything that is done in the world is done by the hopeful."

I.             THE CONDITION OF THE SORROWFUL

Prisoners in the pit wherein is no water.

Pit – describe it!

No Water!

One preacher illustrate that the most brutal and terrible experience in the training of the Navy Seal is when they are put in a cave or dungeon with total darkness in just 10-15 minutes!

Most of them screamed, some cried and some of them said they will lost their sanity if prolonged.

Brig. General Robinson Risner - he spent seven years as a POW in a North Viet Nam compound. He spent four and a half years of that time in isolation. He endured ten months of total darkness. Those ten months were the longest of his life. He was put into a little seven-by- seven foot cell, shutting out the light, he wondered if he was going to make it. He had already been under intense physical and mental pressure after years of confinement. And now, not a glimmer of light shone into his cell -- or into his soul.

Gen. Risner spent hours a day exercising and praying. But at times he felt he could nothing but scream. Not wanting to give his captors the satisfaction of knowing they'd broken him, he stuffed clothing into his mouth to muffle the noise as he screamed at the top of his lungs.

Although he did not lost his hope - One day Risner got down on the floor and crawled under his bunk. He located a vent that let in outside air. As he pressed against the vent, he saw a faint glimmer of light reflected on the inside wall of the opening. Robbie put his eye next to the cement wall and discovered a minute crack in the construction. Although the crack allowed him only a glimpse of the outside, he was able to see one blade of grass. A single blade of grass and a faint ray of light. But when he stared at the sight, he felt a surge of joy, excitement and gratitude like he hadn’t known in years. “It represented life, growth, and freedom,” he later said, “and I knew God had not forgotten me.”

The nation of Israel experienced and still experiencing great and terrible sufferings especially during the times of holocaust and will experience more during the tribulation period. Why? Because of their unbelief.

I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

And many Christians experience as such…

Chastised,  weary, living in doubt and fear, perplexed, discourage -

As if they are bound and freedom is gone.

Impossible to escape. Intolerable darkness. Terrible discomfort –

Prisoners in the pit wherein is no water.

Comfortless and likely to perish.

Prisoners in the pit wherein is no water.

Seems darkness – as in the hope of Abraham – Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Maybe, because of chastisement.  Maybe,  because you involved yourself in sinful and wicked ways and you became prisoner of our own or sad prisoner of Satan.

Don’t make yourself a stronghold of Satan!

Some sins cause you to become prisoner of Satan or let your body become his stronghold.

But don’t lose hope. Hope thou in God.

Apostle Paul experienced that. Job experienced that. David and Joseph and other Bible characters greatly used by God also experienced that. Jeremiah experienced that.

Jer 38:6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

And many Christians if you will just let them tell about their present situation they will tell you that they are somewhat a prisoner.

It seems total darkness no hope and no comfort and it seems nobody care and nobody understand you and nobody knows about it.

Just like the condition of the Prisoners in the pit wherein is no water.

Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

II.           THE COURSE COMMENDED

“Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope”  v.12

Don’t make yourself a stronghold of satan but rather turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Don’t turn to sin and wicked ways but turn to God.

Don’t turn to your self or others but rather turn to your Saviour.

Stronghold means a strong fortress, a place of refuge – our greatest and blessed and lively hope is on God. Wait upon God.

Frankl and Wiesel survived the holocaust concentration camp because they expect great things to come although it did not happen to them. Our hope – which is the greatest and the blessed and lively will certainly come -  the Lord Jesus Christ. Looking for that blessed hope. The anchor of our soul.

Make hope our character our attitude – trust God – Job said though he slay me yet I will trust in him. When you feel like prisoners, hope thou in God and so become “prisoners of hope”

Jeremiah sunk in the mire call upon God and God visited him and promised and felt an everlasting love.

Apostle Paul turns to God during his prison cell experienced and wrote almost half of the NT while he was in prison.

Apostle John relies on the guidance of the Holy Spirit while imprisoned in the island of Patmos and wrote one of the most important book of the Bible - the Book of Revelation.

John Bunyan depend on God while he was imprisoned in Bedford Jail that conceived his allegorical novel: The Pilgrim's Progress. Most read Christian book next only to the Bible.

In the place of Doubting Castle which Giant Despair owns and in the place called Valley of the shadow of Death the only course of action is get the key of HOPE in order to get back to the Heavenly Road. That’s one of the truth presented on that book called The Pilgrim's Progress

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Our greatest hope is in Christ second coming -  Zech. 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

This promise was fulfilled on Christ first coming – and if Jesus literally fulfilled His first coming He will also literally fulfilled His second coming -   Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

We are not looking for a small god, nor a perfect man that become God as some cults teaches – but a great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

While Zech 9:9 was for Christ first coming for the Jews Titus 2:13 is a promised, a blessed hope for Christ second coming for His saints. 

What is the course of action commended when you fell you become a prisoner out of the pit wherein is no water - Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope:

Don’t turn to others for rescue – but turn to God. Make Him your creator God and Saviour your Father which is in Heaven – He is constantly longing to have a fellowship with you.

Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

For the Laboratory rats – their hope is someone would reach down and rescue them.

For Victor Frankl – it was hope to see his beloved wife.

For Elie Wiesel – it was his expectation to see again his father

For Gen. Risner - It was that tiny glimmer of hope that sustained through an unbearable ordeal.

But for us Christians it is turning our eyes upon our Creator God and on our Savior Jesus Christ - we know that our hope is eternal, secure, blessed and lively.

Christ is our Advocate and Anchor of our Hope.

"Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

To move forward in life, hope is essential. Hope is the means of keeping your goals and dreams alive. The essential oil blend “Hope” helps you to reconnect with a feeling of strength and grounding, restoring hope for tomorrow.

The blend of ingredients found in “Hope” will calm and balance your emotions, release emotional blocks, elevate spiritual awareness, and create a feeling of love and peace to keep hope truly alive in your life.

III. THE COMFORT GIVEN TO THOSE WHO TURN TO THE STRONGHOLD

“Even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.” V.12

1. God is steady in His comforts to those who turn to Jesus. -  Even today do I declare.
2. God is abundant in His mercy: - I will render double unto thee.

-          The double of your trouble Job 42:10  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

-          The double of your expectation (Isa. 61:7)

-          The double of your attainments

3. God is consoling in His promises; for it is:

Plain: “I declare”

Present: “Even today do I declare”

Positive: “I will declare that I will”

Personal: “I will render unto thee”

THE COMFORT GIVEN TO THOSE WHO TURN TO THE STRONGHOLD - Even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.

CONCLUSION:

God never:

·         Said He’d pay all the debts we incur

·         Promised to heal every disease by which we are stricken

·         Guaranteed that we would be surrounded by friends or showered upon with success.

But He did promise:

·         To meet your every need

·         To comfort you in all your afflictions

·         To be with you in every trial

·         To display His strength through your weakness

And when you are fully persuaded that God is able to do that which He has promised, then you can "against hope believe in hope."

So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God’s hands because in God’s hand everything will become beautiful.

Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

Don’t let your body become a stronghold of Satan but rather go to the stronghold and he will deliver you..

Questions today:

1. Are you chastised? Ps 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
2. Are your weary? Matt 11:28, Gal. 6:9
3. Are you in doubt and fear? Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
4. Are you perplexed? Rom. 8:28

Job said thou he slay me yet I will trust in him…

Hope thou in God…

Zech. 9:11-12 I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

It is God who sent you there and he can also set you free – and more than free indeed for He promised that I will render double unto thee.

Are you a prisoner tonight? Then make yourself a PRISONER of HOPE!


Rey Sandoval Dalde
reydalde@gmail.com
Ark Bible Way Baptist Mission
San Rafael, Cararayan, Naga City, Camsur