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Two Days God Changed The Clock Introduction: Twice a year we change our clocks. Why? I have heard it was adopted to save energy in the winter and make it safer for school children in the mornings. If this is true I don’t really know but every year we go through the same process. Twice in the Bible God intervened at the request of a faithful servant and actually did the impossible. Reminds us that God is infinite in His power, Daniel 2.21. I) God Made The Sun Stand Still, Joshua 10 A) Israel is in the process of taking the land of Canaan. 1. An alliance forms to stop the Jews, v. 3. a. These five kings realized that individually they would be conquered, so they come together so as to stand against Israel. b. The Gibeonites in chapter 9 had tricked the Jews into a treaty with them. They promised to serve Israel and in return they would not be attacked. 2. The five kings attack Gibeon, v. 4-5 B) Joshua and the mighty men of valor enter the battle, v. 7 1. God promises them the victory, v. 8 a. The Lord…routed them…killed them…chased them…struck them, v. 10 b. God cast large hailstones, v. 11 2. God killed more than the Israelites, v. 11b. 3. Joshua asked for more time, v. 12-14 C) The Extra Time Was to Give Israel the victory 1. Our success is because of God, without Him we can nothing. 2 God requires us to do our part. a. We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2.12-13 b. We have to obey His laws 2. Success often leads to more work and problems a. Jerusalem was a growing congregation—had needy saints (Acts 4), had a problem with sin (Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5), neglected widows (Acts 6), persecution (Acts 8.1ff). b. How would we react if we really converted a lot more people? Needed more classes, did not have enough parking spaces, needed more teachers, etc. 3. We need to be like those might men of valor, 1 Chronicles 4.10. II) God Turned Back the Clock, 2 Kings 20 A) Hezekiah was sick and about to die, v. 1 1. He prays to God for more time, v. 2-3 2. God answers his prayer (v. 6) and gives Hezekiah a sign (v. 9-11). B) During those 15 years some bad things happened 1. Hezekiah became prideful, 2 Chronicles 32.24-26 2. Did some things that were foolish, 2 Kings 20.13,17-18 3. Showed little concern for the next generation, v. 19 C) Hezekiah asked for more time but… 1. More time by itself is not the answer. a. How often we say "If I had just another hour" or "I wish I more time so I could…" or "I just don’t have the time to…" b. The problem really isn’t time but what we do with what we have. 2. It is better off dying young and faithful then old and unfaithful, 2 Kings 18.3ff. 3. Why should God grant us more time? 4. Hezekiah should have thought more of the next generation, his influence after his life was over. 5. We need to see our influence after our life is over. 6. Hezekiah knew his time of departure, we don’t bet we know it is coming, Hebrews 9.27 Conclusion: Time is one thing we all have in common. Yesterday is what we have done, tomorrow is what we may do, and today is ours to do with, 2 Corinthians 6.2. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 03.11.07 |