TEXT: 1 PETER 3: 12 READ vv 8-13
READING: PSALM 65
SUBJ: The omniscience of God as seen resulting in responsiveness to the cries of His people
AIM: That we might be encouraged and comforted by the knowledge of His constant attention.
1. The delineating of scriptural truth should be an important matter to us. It is reasonable and expecting that we should hear the scriptures concerning who God is and why and how He does what He does. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2. We are made to realize through the Word that what is revealed has a direct effect on God's dealing with His people.
3. Infinite truths are often brought to us in the simplest statements. Our text is just such a passage.
THESIS: God, in His Omniscience, has attended to every detail of redemption.
I. Divine Omniscience
1. This is a very difficult truth to comprehend.
2. Consider that it fits well with the other Omni's.
3. Consider as well, the eternal implication. God has always been omniscient.
4. It is important that we first deal with it as a fact.
1) 2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV) For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong on the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore, from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
2) Proverbs 15:3 (KJV) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
II. Omniscience and the Redeemed
1. Consider the omniscience of Christ - Example with Nathaniel and those in John 6.
2. The Lord's attention to the Land: Deuteronomy 11:12 (KJV) A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
3. The need for redemption exposed: Psalms 11:4 (KJV) The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
4. The divine sentry: Psalms 121:3-4 (KJV) 3 (KJV) He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5. Seeing small things: Zechariah 4:10 (KJV) For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
6. The ultimate sight: Isaiah 53:11 (KJV) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. - We should think here of the detail attended to in the matter of rendering proper punishment for out sins.
III. The Responsiveness of God (As a subtopic of Omniscience)
1. That He responds in ways that we do not conceive of: Exodus 3:9 (KJV) Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. - They were not necessarily crying to God, but they were crying.
2. In addressing the matter of divine sovereignty, we must not overlook the matter of the divine intent and experience. God experiences the needs of His people and delights to respond to them.
3. Consider the word of the man born blind: John 9:31 (KJV) Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
4. That in which He delights: Proverbs 15:8 (KJV) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. AND Proverbs 15:29 (KJV) The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. AND Psalms 65:2 (KJV) O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
5. Consider: James 5:16 (KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. - Why do such prayers avail much? Consider the delight of God to hear them.
6. The most important prayers ever heard:
1) Psalms 130:1 (KJV) Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2) Hebrews 5:7 (KJV) Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared...
