Title: Divine Settlement
Text: 1 Pet. 5:6-11
[1Pe 5:6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
[1Pe 5:7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
[1Pe 5:8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
[1Pe 5:9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
[1Pe 5:10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
[1Pe 5:11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Introduction
- In order to understand and appreciate the gravity of being settled, one must understand what it means to be unsettled.
- Unsettled situations of life can be chaotic
- Unsettled situations of life can be dramatic
- Unsettled situations of life can be stressful
- Unsettled situations of life can be depressing
Main Topic
Marriage
- Unsettled
- Husband and wife can’t agree on anything, not even what to eat for dinner
- There will be arguments and fights every day
- There is no peace in the house
- No amount of counseling has worked
- They back-stab and backbite each other
- Going home from work causes their blood pressure to rise
- They can’t stand each other.
- Individually, they are wonderful people. The moment they come together, they bring the worse out of each other.
- Settled
- They give in to each other’s wants and desires
- They share love instead of slaps
- Peace and joy are always in the home
- Their home is a place of safety
- They always look forward to coming home and seeing each other
- They support each other and protect each other
- They bring the best out of each other
- May the Lord settle all the marriages in this house in Jesus mighty name
Hannah
- Hannah was unsettled in her home because she had no children
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[1Sa 1:6] And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
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- Peninnah, the other wife, provoked her sore. If you grew up in a polygamous home, you will understand
- This went on for years. When Hannah could no longer take it, she prayed:
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[1Sa 1:10] And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
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[1Sa 1:11] And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
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- God needed a prophet, Hannah needed a child. Both of their needs were met with that prayer.
- As many that are mothers in waiting, I pray that God will settle you with children of your own in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Prophet’s Widow
- [2Ki 4:1] Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
- This woman had lost her husband, and she was about to lose her sons.
- The family was unsettled.
- Finances was in disarray
- The husband, who was a prophet, owed certain creditors and they were coming to take her sons away as payment
- She cried out for help from Elisha and God settled her.
- What God needs to use to settle you may be in your hands.
- Borrowing got them into trouble
- God used borrowing to get them out of trouble
Other Examples
- Naaman was settled – He was miraculously healed
- David was settled – 2 Sam. 30 – The battle at Ziklag, and he recovered all.
- Joseph was settled – He went from being a slave to being a prisoner, and God did not forget about him.
- Naomi was settled – Young lady that lost her husband. She remained faithful. God settled her with Boaz and she became part of the history of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
[Php 4:6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[Php 4:7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
If you find yourself in an unsettled situation:
- Know that God does not want you in an unsettled situation – Jer. 29:11, 3 Jn 2.
- Cry out unto God. Don’t suffer in silence.
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