Carried by the Creator (Psalm 68)
Life inevitably presents seasons that feel too heavy to bear, leaving us overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. This sermon explores the profound truth that God Himself promises to carry us through every challenge.
This sermon encourages listeners to trust that God is actively carrying them through life's difficulties, providing supernatural strength and peace. It highlights how recognizing God's ongoing support can bring freedom from worry and lead to destiny.
Overview
The sermon introduces the theme that God carries individuals through challenging seasons, drawing on Psalm 68:19 which states, “Each day, God carries us in his arms.” The preacher shares personal examples from his own life, including navigating an unfair childhood, challenges with a child, and stepping into ministry after his father's sudden passing. These experiences illustrate that what seemed impossible was made possible through God’s supernatural strength and grace.
Biblical narratives are used to further illustrate God's carrying nature. The Israelites, sustained for 40 years in the wilderness, are presented as an example of God carrying his people “as a father carries his son” (Deuteronomy 1:31) and on “eagle's wings” (Exodus 19:4). This imagery emphasizes that God not only helps people make it through hardship but also elevates them higher than they could achieve on their own.
A key application of the sermon is the invitation to release burdens to God. The preacher contrasts the ancient practice of carrying heavy idols with the modern tendency to carry worries and anxieties in one's own strength. He encourages listeners to cast their burdens on the Lord, asserting that God will step back if we insist on carrying things ourselves, but will sustain us if we depend on Him.
The sermon concludes with the story of Mephibosheth, who was crippled and living in a poor city, yet was carried to the king's palace by David's men. This story symbolizes how God carries individuals into their purpose and destiny, even after setbacks and disappointments. The message reassures that God's carrying hand has been present throughout life's trials and will continue to lead to victory.
Key points
- God carries people through difficult seasons, providing supernatural strength, peace, and favor.
- Personal experiences demonstrate how God's carrying hand has been evident throughout life's challenges, even when unrecognized at the time.
- Biblical accounts, like the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, show God sustaining His people and carrying them on 'eagle's wings'.
- God carries us like a loving father carries his child, sustaining us even into old age (Isaiah 46:4).
- Instead of carrying our own burdens and worries, we are called to release them to God, allowing Him to carry us.
- The analogy of the cross carrying us suggests that life's challenges, when embraced by faith, can become sources of strength.
- The story of Mephibosheth illustrates that God carries individuals into their destiny and purpose, despite past disappointments or circumstances.
In Joel Osteen's words
“Each day, God carries us in his arms.”
“Even to your old age, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.”
“When you should be overwhelmed, you'll feel the cross start to carry you.”
Outline
- I. God Carries Us Through Difficult Seasons
- A. Experiencing Overwhelm and Worry
- B. David's Declaration: God Carries Us (Psalm 68)
- C. Recognizing Past Carrying in Your Life
- 1. Through unfair childhoods
- 2. Through challenges with children
- 3. Through personal grief and new callings
- 4. Through sickness, loss, and legal battles
- II. Biblical Examples of God Carrying
- A. The Israelites Carried on Eagle's Wings (Exodus 19)
- 1. Rising higher, further than imagined
- 2. Coming out promoted and increased
- B. God Carries as a Father Carries His Son (Deuteronomy 1)
- 1. Sustained for 40 years in the wilderness
- 2. Carried to the promised land despite detours
- III. Letting God Carry You
- A. Never Too Old for God to Carry (Isaiah 46)
- B. You are Close to His Heart (Isaiah 40)
- C. The Danger of Carrying Our Own Burdens
- 1. Ancient idols vs. modern worries
- 2. Casting burdens on the Lord
- IV. The Cross Will Carry You
- A. Not a Heavy Burden, but a Light One
- B. It Sustains and Takes You Through
- V. Carried to Your Destiny (The Story of Mephibosheth)
- A. Crippled and Left in Loabar
- B. David's Kindness and God's Remembrance
- C. Carried to the Palace and Purpose
- VI. Conclusion: God is Still Carrying You
- A. Strength, Peace, and Favor for Today
- B. Carried into Abundance and Victory
Scripture references
1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
1 These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
2 (There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh–barnea.)
4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Insights
God's presence sustains us even when we are unaware of it.
The weight of life can be released into a greater strength.
Grace is available to carry us through every difficult season.
Questions & answers
What does it mean to be 'carried by the Creator'?
To be 'carried by the Creator' means that God actively supports and sustains individuals through life's difficulties, providing supernatural strength, peace, and favor. It implies that challenges that seem insurmountable are not too much for God to handle, and He is with us every step of the way.
How does the sermon explain God carrying us through difficulties?
The sermon explains that God's carrying manifests as supernatural strength, peace that passes understanding, and favor that causes things to fall into place. It's the reason we don't fall apart during loss, overcome sickness, or are defeated by trouble, even when we don't consciously realize His assistance.
What is the significance of 'eagle's wings' in the sermon's argument?
The 'eagle's wings' analogy, from Exodus 19, signifies that God will not only carry us through tough times but also lift us to new heights. Just as eagles soar higher than other birds, God will take us further than we imagine, causing us to come out of difficulties promoted, increased, and better than before.
What does the story of Mephibosheth illustrate in this sermon?
The story of Mephibosheth illustrates that despite unfair circumstances, setbacks, or feelings of being forgotten, God will carry individuals into their destiny and purpose. Mephibosheth, though crippled and living in poverty, was remembered and carried to the king's palace, symbolizing God's faithfulness to elevate us.
How can we let God carry us, according to the sermon?
To let God carry us, we must release our burdens, stop trying to fix everything in our own strength, and cast our worries on Him. This involves depending on God, saying, 'God, I need you. I trust you,' and living in faith rather than stress and worry, thereby tapping into His strength and peace.
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