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P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736

501-787 -6026
Dr. Arnold Murray, ORE Newsletter #249 - July 1999
@ 1999 SCN

It is important for Christians to realize

Who is in charge. God is in control as .
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is witnessed by prophecy after prophecy ~iiiiiiiii____iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii"iJ. Those with a stiff neck might have their
that has come to pass exactly as He told us through His neck broken.
Word. Our Father moves people and changes their minds
to accomplish His will. For individuals to worry about how PSALMS 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the
...
they are going to change the world is a total waste of east, nor frC>l1l-lne- west,...fVeF frem the -seuth. -l'..f3utGod­
time. God changes the world; men don't change the world.
God utilizes those that are pliable to accomplish His plan.
Those that constantly worry become brittle, and when he is located. According to their works, some will be pro­
tries to shape them, they crumble. Peace of mind and moted, and some will be demoted.
happiness belong to His children that know God is in
control. Let's begin our study in Proverbs.
PROVERBS 21: 1 The king's heart is in the hand of the
LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever
He will.
The word heart in this verse should be translated
intellect or mind. When it is necessary, God changes the
minds of rulers and leaders to accomplish His will. We
are to be watchmen; however, for us to worry about
problems in the world is a waste of time. God is in control.
To worry is to doubt He is in control.
PROVERBS 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his
own eyes: But the LORD pondereth the hearts.
The word pondereth is translated from the Hebrew
word "takan" and means to measure, to equalize, or to
arrange. The same Hebrew word "takan" is utilized in
Psalms 75. Let's turn there as we gain knowledge con­
cerningGod's control. This Psalm concerns the time just
priOf"btfte-white throne judgment when GOO wtll,i".... ;,:!"
who goes into the lake of fire and who lives eternally.
PSALMS 75: 1-2 Unto Thee, 0 God, do we give thanks,
Unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near
Thy wondrous works declare. z When I shall receive the
congregation I will judge upright/yo
God will judge fair and right. Each will receive exactly
what they have coming to them. For some that will be
rewards, and for others that will be punishment.
PSALMS 75:3 The earth And all the inhabitants thereof
are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
A new, the third, world age begins. The words "bear
up" in this verse are from the Hebrew "takan". God will
measure, arrange and equalize the very foundation that
holds everything up.
PSALMS 75:4-5 I said unto the fools, "Deal not foolishly:"
And to the wicked, flUft not up the horn: 12 Lift not up
your horn on high: Speak not with a stiff neck.
I Horn is always symbolic of power. In
this case, it also means pride. Be pliable.
is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Promotion comes from the north where God's throne
PSALMS 75:8 For in the hand of the LORD there is
a cup, and the wine is red; It is full of mixture; and He
poureth out of the same: But the dregs thereof, al/ the
wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them."
The cup of God's wrath will be· poured out.
PSALMS 75:9-10 But I will declare for ever; I will sing
praises to the God of Jacob. 1Q All the horns of the
wicked also will I cut of(,' But the horns of the righteous
shall be exalted.
Again, you get what you deserve. You reap what you
sow. Repent of your sins, and ask God for forgiveness.
Serve God, and love Him. If you do these things, there
is no reason to fear judgment. Judgment will be rewards
and blessings for you. Let's return to Proverbs.
PROVERBS 21:3 To do justice and judgement Is more
acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
That is heavy! God would rather have you do right
-m--Itim.
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PROVERBS 21:4-5 An high look, and a proud heart, And
the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 12 The thoughts of the
diligent tend only to plenteousness; But every one that
is hasty only to want.
Excessive haste makes waste. The plowing, or work,
of the wicked is sin. Remember, God equalizes and arranges.
The wicked that lie in wait to rip someone off will get
what they deserve from God. Blessings or cursings, the
choice is yours.
PROVERBS 21:6-7 The getting of treasures by a lying
tongue Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek
death. I The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them;
Because they refuse to do judgment.
The wicked destroy themselves. They refuse to do that
which is right. You can always count on God to do right,
and He is in control. There are many examples in the
Bible which uocument that God changes minds. Let's look
------------ - - - - - _ ..... _ - _.._ . _ - - ­
at a few beginning in Daniel.
DANIEL 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar
lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understand­
ing returned unto me, and I blessed the MOST HIGH,
and I praised and honoured Him That liveth for ever,
Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His
kingdom is from generation to generation:
Nebuchadnezzar was the heathen king of Babylon
and a type for antichrisl. God certainly humbled
Nebuchadnezzar and ehanged his mind.
DANIEL 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will
in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of
the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto
Him, 'What doest Thou?'
The question is not whether God's plan will happen
just as it is written. The question is do you fit into His
plan?
-
DANIEL 4:36 At the same time my reason returned
unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour
and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers
and my lords sought unto me; and I was established
in my kingdom and excellent majesty was added unto
me.
You always do better with God on your side.
Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was restored to him.
DANIEL 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol
and honour the King of heaven, all Whose works are
truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in
pride He is able to abase."
God is completely capable and will bring down
tI:lose that get the "big head". Especially, if they are
hurting His children that love and serve Him. Let's look
to another example in Ezra.
EZRA 1: 1-2 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of
Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of
Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the
spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proc­
lamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in
writing, saying, g "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The
LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms
of the earth; and He hath charfjed me to build Him
an house at Jerusalem, which IS in Judah.
Was God in control of this heathen Persian king that
ruled over a large part of the world? You better believe
He was.
EZRA 1:3-4 Who is there among you of all His
People? his God be with him, and let him go up to
Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of
the LORD God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in
Jerusalem. '" And whosoever remaineth in any place
where He sojourneth, let the men of his place help him
with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with
beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God
that is in Jerusalem."
God provides the bricks to those that are willing
to do the work. This is where many ministries fal! short.
They believe they have to prod their members to help
with that building fund. They don't understand that men
don't get things done. God gets things done! He always
takes care of those that are teaching His Word. Let's
turn to Chapter 6 and king Darius.
--.-~ - -.. -.-~ ..... ...-
~ --­
EZRA 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread
seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them
joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto
them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the
house of God, the God of Israel.
God changed the mind of Darius to help the children
of Israel in the work of the house of God. Yes, we
should be watchmen and keep up with world events.
Yes, we should exercise our right to vote. But, why
would you want to worry about the problems of the
world when God is in control? In conclusion, let's go
to the New Testament. I want us to end this lesson with
a thought for those antigovernment cliches who think
they are going to change our government. Men don't
change governments; God changes governments.
ROMANS 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the
higher powers. For there IS no power but of God: the
powers that be are ordained of God.
The higher powers are governments. Is our govern­
ment perfect? No, but our government is ordained of
God and subject to His control. It is exactly the way
God wants it to be. Obey civil laws. They protect your
rights.
ROMANS 13:2-3 Whosoever therefore resisteth the
power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation. J For
rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.
Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which
is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rulers don't bother those that operate within the law.
There is no reason to fear them, if you aren't breaking
the law.
ROMANS 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee
for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid;
for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the
minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him
that doeth evil.
God has set up the rulers He wants to run our
government. Break the law, and God Himself supports
the rulers that will put you in jail. Obey civil law.
ROMANS 13:5-6 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,
not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Q For
for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are God's
ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Pay your taxes. Those taxes support those that protect
our rights and freedoms.
ROMANS 13:7-8 Render therefore to all their dues:
tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom;
fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8. Owe no
man any thing, but to love one another: for he that
loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
There isn't one government in the world that doesn't
have God's attention. You should keep up with world
events, but don't ever forget God controls world events.