1. This morning we studied 3 great lessons revealed in this verse. 2. This evening we are taking an extended look at the 2nd lesson -- "The Lord knows those who are His." 3. In our lesson we are examining several of God's servants who questioned God's knowledge of them. 4. We are especially interested in how they overcame the trials that caused them to question God's knowledge of them. Discussion: I. JOB QUESTIONED GOD'S KNOWLEDGE OF HIM
A. Even though Job was a righteous man, he suffered great trials (Job 1-2). B. When Satan afflicted Job, he did not immediately curse God. C. He eventually expressed his feelings (Job 3:1-6, 25), indicating that he had concerns about God's knowledge of him. D. Job never learned why he suffered such great trials, but he eventually regained his confidence in God's knowledge of him (Job 42:1-2, 12-13). II. ELIJAH QUESTIONED GOD'S KNOWLEDGE OF HIM
A. After Elijah destroyed the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), Jezebel threatened to take his life (1 Kings 19:1-2). B. We learn from 1 Kings 19:3-4 that Elijah went into the wilderness and wanted to die. C. Elijah's comments [in 1 Kings 19:9-10] indicate that he questioned God's knowledge of him. D. Elijah learned in 1 Kings 19:18 that there was no need to question God's knowledge. E. Elijah survived His trials, he continued serving God faithfully, and he was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). III. DAVID QUESTIONED GOD'S KNOWLEDGE OF HIM
A. David had great confidence in God's knowledge of him (Psalm 21:1-4; 23:1). B. David's statements [in Psalm 22:1-2] indicate that he questioned God's knowledge of him. C. We must keep in mind that Saul tried to kill David several times, and David avoided Saul a long time. D. According to Psalm 22:3-5, David had a change of mind. IV. JEREMIAH QUESTIONED GOD'S KNOWLEDGE OF HIM
A. Jeremiah had great confidence in God's knowledge of him (Jeremiah 1:4-10). B. However, his comments [in Jeremiah 20:7-9a] indicate that he questioned God's knowledge of him. C. According to Jeremiah 20:9b-11, Jeremiah had a change of mind. V. APPLICATION
A. The Bible emphasizes that fact that God knows those who are His and that He will provide what we need to bear up under difficulties. B. What can we learn from Job, Elijah, David, and Jeremiah? 1. We learn from Job that we sometimes just have to hang on, even though we may not understand why a certain trial has come our way (James 5:11). 2. We learn from Elijah that we must communicate effectively with God. 3. We learn from David to reflect upon God's goodness from the past. 4. We learn from Jeremiah about the value of hiding God's Word in the heart. Conclusion:
1. Let us always remember that "God knows those who are His." 2. Let us also remember that He will provide the blessings we need so we can remain faithful to Him (1 Corinthians 10:13).
