still we rise

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Still We Rise Isaiah 40:21-31

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Page 1: Still We Rise

Still We RiseIsaiah 40:21-31

Page 2: Still We Rise

“The old one‟s remind us that slavery‟s chains / Have

paid for our freedom again and again.”

Page 3: Still We Rise

“The old one‟s remind us that slavery‟s chains / Have

paid for our freedom again and again.” Maya Angelou at the 1995 Million Man March.

Page 4: Still We Rise

“The old one‟s remind us that slavery‟s chains / Have

paid for our freedom again and again.” Maya Angelou at the 1995 Million Man March.

“The ancestors remind us, despite the history of pain, /

We are a going-on people who will rise again.”

Page 5: Still We Rise

“The old one‟s remind us that slavery‟s chains / Have

paid for our freedom again and again.” Maya Angelou at the 1995 Million Man March.

“The ancestors remind us, despite the history of pain, /

We are a going-on people who will rise again.”

Her closing line: “And still we rise.”

Page 6: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP.

Page 7: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to eradicate

“race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Page 8: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to eradicate

“race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday.

Page 9: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to eradicate

“race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth of

Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Page 10: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to eradicate

“race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth of

Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809.

Page 11: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to eradicate

“race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth of

Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809. Slavery was legal.

Page 12: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to eradicate

“race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth of

Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809. Slavery was legal.

The NAACP was founded.

Page 13: Still We Rise

February 12th is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Designed to “promote equality of rights” and to eradicate

“race prejudice among the citizens of the United States.”

Feb 12 was not an accidental birthday. It was picked because it was the centennial of the birth of

Abraham Lincoln, the President who emancipated the slaves.

Think about the progress since 1809. Slavery was legal.

The NAACP was founded.

We now have an African-American President.

Page 14: Still We Rise

We white folk can‟t really fathom the problems faced

by earlier generations of African-Americans.

Page 15: Still We Rise

We white folk can‟t really fathom the problems faced

by earlier generations of African-Americans. Being born after the Civil Rights Movement, I can‟t fathom

discrimination based on someone‟s skin color.

Page 16: Still We Rise

We white folk can‟t really fathom the problems faced

by earlier generations of African-Americans. Being born after the Civil Rights Movement, I can‟t fathom

discrimination based on someone‟s skin color.

But, the Israelites to whom Isaiah writes in tonight‟s text

knew those problems quite well.

Page 17: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts.

Page 18: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

Page 19: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon.

Page 20: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon to keep

a tight reign on them.

Page 21: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon to keep

a tight reign on them.

The exiles served as servants & slaves to the Babylonians.

Page 22: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon to keep

a tight reign on them.

The exiles served as servants & slaves to the Babylonians.

Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Page 23: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon to keep

a tight reign on them.

The exiles served as servants & slaves to the Babylonians.

Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple

(there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Page 24: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon to keep

a tight reign on them.

The exiles served as servants & slaves to the Babylonians.

Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple

(there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Can you imagine what the Jews must have been

thinking?

Page 25: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon to keep

a tight reign on them.

The exiles served as servants & slaves to the Babylonians.

Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple

(there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Can you imagine what the Jews must have been

thinking? Where are all the great promises of God?

Page 26: Still We Rise

Isaiah‟s prophecy easily divides into two parts. Chapters 1-39 were for his contemporaries & chapters

40-66 were for the Babylonian captives 200 years later.

The exiles had a difficult existence in Babylon. The Babylonians put the Israelites in the city of Babylon to keep

a tight reign on them.

The exiles served as servants & slaves to the Babylonians.

Princes & other well-to-do people were now doing menial tasks.

Everywhere the Jews looked, they could see a pagan temple

(there were 53 pagan temples in Babylon).

Can you imagine what the Jews must have been

thinking? Where are all the great promises of God?

It‟s against that background that Isaiah pens these words

to the exiles.

Page 27: Still We Rise

Isaiah 40:21-31

Page 28: Still We Rise

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.”

Page 29: Still We Rise

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might wonder

where God is.

Page 30: Still We Rise

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might wonder

where God is. The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall

Rise.”

Page 31: Still We Rise

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might wonder

where God is. The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall

Rise.”

How shall we rise?

Page 32: Still We Rise

The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall Rise.” As we look at this sinful world, we, too, might wonder

where God is. The message Isaiah gives: “We Shall

Rise.”

How shall we rise?

We shall rise through: THE PICTURE OF GOD.

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

THE POWER OF GOD.

THE PATIENCE OF GOD.

Page 33: Still We Rise

The Picture of God

v 21

Page 34: Still We Rise

“Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not

been told you from the beginning? Have you not

understood from the foundations of the earth?” (v 21,

ESV).

Page 35: Still We Rise

“Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not

been told you from the beginning? Have you not

understood from the foundations of the earth?” (v 21,

ESV).

God here tells his people to check their picture of

who he is.

Page 36: Still We Rise

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the

beginning.

Page 37: Still We Rise

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the

beginning. Their parents were to teach them.

Page 38: Still We Rise

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the

beginning. Their parents were to teach them.

“These words that I command you today shall be on your

heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,

and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and

when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and

when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

Page 39: Still We Rise

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the

beginning. Their parents were to teach them.

“These words that I command you today shall be on your

heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,

and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and

when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and

when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

God had done so very much for the Israelites.

Page 40: Still We Rise

Surely, these Israelites knew of God from the

beginning. Their parents were to teach them.

“These words that I command you today shall be on your

heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,

and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and

when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and

when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

God had done so very much for the Israelites. Was

it too much to expect that the same God still had

their best interests at heart?

Page 41: Still We Rise

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the

foundations of the earth?”

Page 42: Still We Rise

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the

foundations of the earth?” It was God who created the foundations of the earth.

Page 43: Still We Rise

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the

foundations of the earth?” It was God who created the foundations of the earth.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its

measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the

line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its

cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and

all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-6, ESV).

Page 44: Still We Rise

God also asks, “Have you not understood from the

foundations of the earth?” It was God who created the foundations of the earth.

Job 38:4-6.

Couldn‟t the God who made the world from nothing

“recreate” his people?

Page 45: Still We Rise

The Israelites in captivity had no reason for

despair—they simply needed to check their

PICTURE OF GOD.

Page 46: Still We Rise

The Israelites in captivity had no reason for

despair—they simply needed to check their

PICTURE OF GOD. How many times do we despair because we don‟t check

our PICTURE OF GOD?

Page 47: Still We Rise

The Israelites in captivity had no reason for

despair—they simply needed to check their

PICTURE OF GOD. How many times do we despair because we don‟t check

our PICTURE OF GOD?

Tonight, do we need to check our PICTURE OF GOD?

Page 48: Still We Rise

The Providence of God

vv 22-24

Page 49: Still We Rise

“It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its

inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out

the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a

tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and

makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely

has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows

on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries

them off like stubble” (vv 22-24, ESV).

Page 50: Still We Rise

The idea of God‟s sitting upon the circle of the earth is

that God sits high above the earth from whence he can

watch man.

Page 51: Still We Rise

The idea of God‟s sitting upon the circle of the earth is

that God sits high above the earth from whence he can

watch man.

Page 52: Still We Rise

The idea of God‟s sitting upon the circle of the earth is

that God sits high above the earth from whence he can

watch man.

In watching over man, God effortlessly rules over the

leaders of the world.

Page 53: Still We Rise

The idea of God‟s sitting upon the circle of the earth is

that God sits high above the earth from whence he can

watch man.

In watching over man, God effortlessly rules over the

leaders of the world. The point is that the Israelites in Babylon didn‟t need to fret

because of their captors, for God was ultimately in control.

Page 54: Still We Rise

The idea of God‟s sitting upon the circle of the earth is

that God sits high above the earth from whence he can

watch man.

In watching over man, God effortlessly rules over the

leaders of the world. The point is that the Israelites in Babylon didn‟t need to fret

because of their captors, for God was ultimately in control.

God, in his providence, allowed just the right rulers in

Babylon to serve his purposes.

Page 55: Still We Rise

God has always been in control of the rulers of the

world.

Page 56: Still We Rise

God has always been in control of the rulers of the

world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my

power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth”

(Ex 9:16, ESV).

Page 57: Still We Rise

God has always been in control of the rulers of the

world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my

power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth”

(Ex 9:16, ESV).

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom

for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV).

Page 58: Still We Rise

God has always been in control of the rulers of the

world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my

power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth”

(Ex 9:16, ESV).

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom

for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV). The Book of Esther well demonstrates God‟s providence.

Page 59: Still We Rise

God has always been in control of the rulers of the

world. “For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my

power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth”

(Ex 9:16, ESV).

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom

for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV). The Book of Esther well demonstrates God‟s providence.

The word “God” does not appear in the Book, but it is he who is the

“invisible Worker” to bring about his purpose.

Page 60: Still We Rise

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the

Captivity.

Page 61: Still We Rise

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the

Captivity. The Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar into the fields when he was

puffed up with pride (Dan 4:28-33).

Page 62: Still We Rise

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the

Captivity. The Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar into the fields when he was

puffed up with pride (Dan 4:28-33).

“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing

was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed:

Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of

the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your

kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been

weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your

kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians”

(Dan 5:24-28, ESV).

Page 63: Still We Rise

God controlled the leaders of Babylon during the

Captivity. The Lord sent Nebuchadnezzar into the fields when he was

puffed up with pride (Dan 4:28-33).

“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing

was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed:

Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of

the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your

kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been

weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your

kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians”

(Dan 5:24-28, ESV).

That very night Darius took the kingdom from Belshazzar

(Dan 5:30).

Page 64: Still We Rise

3 or 4 different rulers

reigned in Babylon

during the Israelites

were there.

Page 65: Still We Rise

God is ultimately in

control!

Page 66: Still We Rise

The Power of God

vv 25-28

Page 67: Still We Rise

“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be

like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high

and see: who created these? He who brings out their

host by number, calling them all by name, by the

greatness of his might, and because he is strong in

power not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob,

and speak, O Israel, „My way is hidden from the Lord,

and my right is disregarded by my God‟? Have you not

known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the

everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is

unsearchable” (vv 25-28, ESV).

Page 68: Still We Rise

In the Babylonian Captivity, it would have been

tempting for the Jews to compare God to the other

gods around them.

Page 69: Still We Rise

In the Babylonian Captivity, it would have been

tempting for the Jews to compare God to the other

gods around them. The other gods hadn‟t lead their people into captivity; the

other gods weren‟t impotent to help their people against

foreign invaders.

Page 70: Still We Rise

In the Babylonian Captivity, it would have been

tempting for the Jews to compare God to the other

gods around them. The other gods hadn‟t lead their people into captivity; the

other gods weren‟t impotent to help their people against

foreign invaders.

Surely, the Israelites were tempted to think that God wasn‟t

all that powerful.

Page 71: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.”

Page 72: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing.

Page 73: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Page 74: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Page 75: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn‟t supposed to be!

Page 76: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn‟t supposed to be!

The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the earth.

Page 77: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn‟t supposed to be!

The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of idols the

Israelites saw in captivity.

Page 78: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn‟t supposed to be!

The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of idols the

Israelites saw in captivity. All of those idols had a beginning.

Page 79: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn‟t supposed to be!

The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of idols the

Israelites saw in captivity. All of those idols had a beginning.

All of those idols had an end.

Page 80: Still We Rise

God says, “Wait just a minute! You want to compare me

to these lifeless idols?! Look at the greatness of

the creation.” God brings out the hosts of heaven, calls them by name, &

knows that not one is missing. God named all the stars. That feat alone demonstrates God‟s great power.

Scientists believe there are 10 billion trillion stars!!!

Not a single star is where it isn‟t supposed to be!

The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. The “everlasting God” juxtaposes God with the hosts of idols the

Israelites saw in captivity. All of those idols had a beginning.

All of those idols had an end.

God made the earth, but idols are made out of the earth!

Page 81: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary.

Page 82: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

Page 83: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

“All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do

not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be

put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable

for nothing? Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and

the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them

stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame

together. The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the

coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong

arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water

and is faint” (Is 44:9-12, ESV).

Page 84: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

“All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do

not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be

put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable

for nothing? Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and

the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them

stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame

together. The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the

coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong

arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water

and is faint” (Is 44:9-12, ESV).

If those who made idols became weary, how much good could the

idols be??!!

Page 85: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

On the other hand, this references God‟s people.

Page 86: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

On the other hand, this references God‟s people. A theme in this chapter is how easily people become weary.

Page 87: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

On the other hand, this references God‟s people. A theme in this chapter is how easily people become weary: “Even

youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall

exhausted” (v 30, ESV).

Page 88: Still We Rise

God does not faint or grow weary. This likely references those who made the idols.

On the other hand, this references God‟s people. A theme in this chapter is how easily people become weary: “Even

youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall

exhausted” (v 30, ESV).

But, their God never becomes weary!

Page 89: Still We Rise

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had

no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon.

Page 90: Still We Rise

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had

no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, „My way is

hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my

God‟?” (v 27, ESV).

Page 91: Still We Rise

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had

no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, „My way is

hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my

God‟?” (v 27, ESV).

Because of God‟s power, he knew about the plight of the

captives in Babylon & it was all part of his plan.

Page 92: Still We Rise

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had

no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, „My way is

hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my

God‟?” (v 27, ESV).

Because of God‟s power, he knew about the plight of the

captives in Babylon & it was all part of his plan. Before the Babylonian Captivity, the Israelites struggled greatly with

idolatry.

Page 93: Still We Rise

Because God is so powerful, the children of Israel had

no reason to worry about their plight in Babylon. “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, „My way is

hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my

God‟?” (v 27, ESV).

Because of God‟s power, he knew about the plight of the

captives in Babylon & it was all part of his plan. Before the Babylonian Captivity, the Israelites struggled greatly with

idolatry.

But, after this captivity, idolatry is no longer a problem.

Page 94: Still We Rise

“We know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called according to

his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV).

Page 95: Still We Rise

“We know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called according to

his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to the

image of Jesus.

Page 96: Still We Rise

“We know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called according to

his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to the

image of Jesus.

This text serves as an example of that.

Page 97: Still We Rise

“We know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called according to

his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to the

image of Jesus.

This text serves as an example of that. The captivity wasn‟t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it

moved them closer to God.

Page 98: Still We Rise

“We know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called according to

his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to the

image of Jesus.

This text serves as an example of that. The captivity wasn‟t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it

moved them closer to God.

God did so through his great power.

Page 99: Still We Rise

“We know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called according to

his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to the

image of Jesus.

This text serves as an example of that. The captivity wasn‟t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it

moved them closer to God.

God did so through his great power.

Shall we rise through the great POWER OF GOD?

Page 100: Still We Rise

“We know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called according to

his purpose” (Rm 8:28, ESV). The “good” is explained in v 29—to be conformed to the

image of Jesus.

This text serves as an example of that. The captivity wasn‟t a pleasant experience for the Israelites, but it

moved them closer to God.

God did so through his great power.

Shall we rise through the great POWER OF GOD?

Shall we trust the POWER OF GOD to providentially

mold us into Jesus‟ image?

Page 101: Still We Rise

The Patience of God

vv 30-31

Page 102: Still We Rise

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men

shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall

renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings

like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall

walk and not faint” (vv 30-31, ESV).

Page 103: Still We Rise

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord.

Page 104: Still We Rise

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that God will

act on his schedule.

Page 105: Still We Rise

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that God will

act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of

Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV).

Page 106: Still We Rise

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that God will

act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of

Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV).

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and

set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Ps 40:1-2,

ESV).

Page 107: Still We Rise

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that God will

act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of

Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV).

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and

set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Ps 40:1-2,

ESV).

The point is that God doesn‟t always use our timeline to do

what he thinks is best.

Page 108: Still We Rise

The Israelites needed to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is the confident expectation that God will

act on his schedule. “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of

Jacob, and I will hope in him” (Is 8:17, ESV).

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and

set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Ps 40:1-2,

ESV).

The point is that God doesn‟t always use our timeline to do

what he thinks is best.

Shall we rise through the PATIENCE OF GOD?