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Sermon #2318[i] — Miscellaneous Sermons
Title: ÒThe Hand of God Hath Touched Me.Ó
Text: Job 19:21 Subject: The Effects of GodÕs Touch Reading: Job 19:1-29 Introduction:
Job was once a man greatly admired by his friends and neighbors. He was a man of great happiness, prosperity, and peace. He enjoyed physical health, material wealth, and domestic tranquility. He was both loved and respected by all who knew him.
Now he is poor, friendless, and alone. His body, which was once a palace of strength, is now a house of disease. His children, who once cheered his soul, are now dead. His wealth, which once brought him all that he could desire, is now gone. His friends, who once sought his counsel, now mock and deride him. His wife, who once was a beloved and faithful companion, was now a stranger to him.
What happened to this great man? What brought him down to such a low estate? Listen, and Job himself will tell you. — ÒHave pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me.Ó That is my subject —– ÒThe Hand of God Hath Touched Me.Ó
God himself had touched Job with the omnipotent hand of his grace; and Job would never be the same again. When God touches something, things happen. The touch of God is always effectual. á God touched the clouds of heaven and flooded the earth with the waters of His wrath. á God touched Jacob in the hollow of his thigh, and he walked with a limp the rest of his life (Genesis 32:25). á During the days of Joshua, God touched the sun, and it stood still (Joshua 10:12-14). á God touched the Red Sea and delivered the children of Israel from the hands of the Egyptians (Exodus 15:6). á When it seemed certain that Daniel would be devoured by the lions, GodÕs hand touched their mouths and sealed them shut (Daniel 6:22). á Our Lord touched the leper, and immediately he was cleansed (Matthew 8: 2-3). á Our Lord touched a deaf manÕs ear, and he began to hear. He touched a dumb manÕs tongue, and he began to speak. And he touched a blind manÕs eyes, and made him see (Mark 7:31-35; Matthew 9:29-30). In fact, as many as he touched were made perfectly whole. á Our Lord once touched the coffin of a young man, who was about to be buried, and immediately his life returned to him (Luke 7:14). á One day the hand of God touched his own well-beloved Son, caused him to be made sin for us, and the Lord Jesus Christ was bruised for our iniquities (Lamentations 1:12).
(Lamentations 1:12) ÒIs it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger.Ó
Has the hand of God touched you? I pray that God will stretch forth his hand of grace today, and touch you.
Proposition: You can be sure of this — If ever the hand of God touches you, you will never be the same again.
Divisions: What happens when God touches a sinner with the hand of His grace? LetÕs take Job for our example. Here are five things that are sure to happen if God touches you.
Revealing
1st — The touch of GodÕs hand is revealing. When the hand of God is upon a man, the first thing that touch of divine grace does is this: — It reveals the character of God.
When God touched Job, he found out that there was a vast difference between himself and God. He said, ÒIf I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgmentÓ (Job 9:30-32).
The only way anyone will ever know God is if God is pleased to reveal himself and make himself known. — When the Lord God touched Job, he found out who God is. My friend, if ever you are saved by the grace of God, you are going to have to find out who God is. An unknown God cannot be worshipped or trusted.
Job found out that God is absolutely sovereign in all things (Job 23:13-17).
(Job 23:13-17) ÒBut he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. {14} For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. {15} Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. {16} For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: {17} Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.Ó
Job found out that God made all things, controls all things, and disposes of all things according to his own sovereign will (Job 37-39; Psalms 115:3; 135:5-6; Isaiah 46:9-11).
(Psalm 115:3) ÒBut our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.Ó
(Psalm 135:5-6) ÒFor I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. {6} Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.Ó
(Isaiah 46:9-11) ÒRemember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, {10} Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: {11} Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.Ó
á God is sovereign in predestination (Ephesians 1:11). á God is sovereign in creation (Isaiah 45:12). á God is sovereign in providence (Romans 11:36). á God is sovereign in redemption (Isaiah 53). á God is sovereign in salvation (Romans 9:11-18).
ÒKeep silence all created things, And wait your MakerÕs nod, My soul stands trembling while she sings, The honors of her God.
He sits on no precarious throne, Nor borrows leave to be: Life, death, and hell, and worlds unknown, Hang on His firm decree.
Chained to His throne a volume lies, With all the fates of men, With every angelÕs form and size Drawn by the eternal pen.Ó
The first thing God teaches men, when HE is about to show them mercy is that he is sovereign. He does not have to show them mercy. When God touches a person, he says, ÒLook here. Be sure you understand this, I am the Lord; and beside me there is no God.Ó
Job found out that God is sovereign, and he found out that God knows all things (Job 42:2).
(Job 42:2) ÒI know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.Ó
God looks beyond our words and actions, which so greatly impress men. He knows us. He knows all that we are, all that we think, and all that we do. God knows the secret thoughts and imaginations of our hearts. He knows our secret motives and most hidden lusts. Nothing can be hidden from the Lord. — Hypocrisy and self-righteousness are the most foolish things in the world. God knows me; and God knows you.
As God knows all things, God almighty can do all things — ÒIs there anything too hard for the Lord?Ó
And Job found out that this all-knowing, almighty, sovereign God is perfectly holy, righteous, and just. — ÒBehold, the heavens are not clean in his sight!Ó (15:15). — ÒAnd his angels he charged with follyÓ (4:18). á God is holy. á God requires holiness. á A holy God must punish sin.
GodÕs touch is revealing. If the hand of God ever touches you, you will find out who God is. á God is sovereign. á God is omniscient. á God is omnipotent. á God is holy.
Humbling
2nd — The touch of GodÕs hand is humbling. If the hand of GodÕs grace ever touches you, he will show you who you are and what you are. — You will be humbled by his touch.
Before God exalts a sinner with his saving grace, he humbles the sinner in the dust of repentance. Before God washes you in the blood of Christ, he will make you see your filth. Before God clothes you with the righteousness of Christ, he will strip you of all your pretentious self-righteousness.
God always brings sinners down in repentance before he lifts them up by his grace. It is the hand of grace that brings them down and the hand of grace that lifts them up. This business of being brought down by the hand of God is a painful experience. But it is necessary. God touched Job; and it was a painful touch. But it was a touch of mercy, love, and grace. (See Hosea 2:6-23).
(Hosea 2:6-23) ÒTherefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. {7} And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now. {8} For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. {9} Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. {10} And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand. {11} I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. {12} And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them. {13} And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD. {14} Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. {15} And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor (The Valley of Trouble) for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. {16} And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi (my husband); and shalt call me no more Baali (my lord). {17} For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. {18} And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. {19} And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. {20} I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. {21} And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; {22} And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. {23} And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.Ó
How does God bring his chosen people down? á Providence (The Prodigal – Onesimus). á Holy Spirit Conviction — By the Work of the Law (Romans 3:19) and by the Work of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:6). á The Revelation of Christ (Zechariah 12:10).
(Zechariah 12:10) ÒAnd I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.Ó
When the hand of God touched Job, he saw himself in the light of GodÕs holiness. Once Job had boasted of his own righteousness (Job 10:7; 33:8-12). Then God laid the mighty hand of his retrieving grace upon Job, and stripped him of his glory and took the crown off his head (19:9). Then, Job began to loathe and abhor himself (40:3-5; 42:5-6).
(Job 19:9) ÒHe hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.Ó
(Job 40:3-5) ÒThen Job answered the LORD, and said, {4} Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. {5} Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.Ó
(Job 42:5-6) ÒI have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. {6} Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.Ó
What happened when God touched Job?
(Job 9:20) ÒIf I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.Ó
Now there is hope. When a man sees that he is utterly lost, there is hope, for Christ came to seek and save that which is lost. Is there a lost sinner here? If you truly know yourself to be a lost sinner, that is the touch of GodÕs hand. There is mercy for lost sinners! No one ever gets saved until he gets lost.
EnLightening
3rd — The touch of God is enlightening. When the Lord God touches you with the hand of his grace, you will begin to see all things in their true light.
When the hand of God touched Job, he began to clearly see the brevity of his life and sureness of death. He began to realize that he would soon stand before God in judgment. He said, ÒMan that is born of woman is of few days, and full of troubleÓ (14:1). — ÒMy days are swifter than a weaverÕs shuttle, and are spent without hope. O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am notÓ (7:6-8).
If the hand of God touches you, you will begin to think to yourself, ÒWhat shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?Ó (See 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:1, 10-11).
(2 Corinthians 4:18) ÒWhile we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.Ó
(2 Corinthians 5:1) ÒFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.Ó
(2 Corinthians 5:10-11) ÒFor we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. {11} Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.Ó
These four facts have a constantly increasing influence over me and my life in this world. á I have one life to live. á I have one death to die. á I have one judgment to face. á I have one eternity to spend. I live in a world where all things are temporal. I am going to a world where all things are eternal. And I know that the same is true of you.
Mercy Needed
4th — If the Lord is pleased to touch you with the hand of his grace, you will begin to seek his saving mercy.
When the Lord laid his hand on Job, he began to seek someone to stand between him and God. When the hand of God touched him, Job began to ask, ÒHow should a man be just with God?Ó (9:2). He sought a daysman, a mediator, one who could lay hold of a holy God and sinful man, and satisfy the needs of both (9:33).
(Job 9:33) ÒNeither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.Ó
Illustration: Moses (Exodus 20:19-21).
(Exodus 20:19-21) ÒAnd they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. {20} And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. {21} And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.Ó
(1 Timothy 2:5) ÒFor there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.Ó
(Romans 3:23-26) ÒFor all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.Ó
Saving
5th — The touch of GodÕs hand is effectual and irresistible. It is a saving touch. — If the Lord God is pleased now to touch you by the hand of his grace –you will be saved by his grace.
Job was made to see that his only hope, and righteousness, and acceptance with God was in an all-sufficient Redeemer. When the hand of God touched Job, it caused him to embrace a Substitute. The hand that wounded him, the hand that showed him his sin, showed him the righteousness of Christ.
Job was humbled in submission to the sovereign Lord God (40:3-5).
(Job 40:3-5) ÒThen Job answered the LORD, and said, {4} Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. {5} Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.Ó
Job was made to experience the grace of God. God sent a messenger to Job and made him to see GodÕs purpose of grace in Christ (33: 22-33; Ephesians 2:1-10).
(Job 33:22-33) ÒYea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. {23} If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness: {24} Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. {25} His flesh shall be fresher than a childÕs: he shall return to the days of his youth: {26} He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. {27} He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; {28} He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. {29} Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, {30} To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. {31} Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. {32} If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. {33} If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.Ó
(Ephesians 2:1-10) ÒAnd you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: {2} Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: {3} Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. {4} But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, {5} Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) {6} And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: {7} That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. {8} For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ó
When God touched Job with the hand of his grace, Job was given faith and hope in Christ (19:25-27).
(Job 19:25-27) ÒFor I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: {26} And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: {27} Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.Ó
Application
The touch of GodÕs hand is always effectual. It is a powerful, life-giving, life changing touch (Psalm 65:4). Has the hand of God touched you?
ÒThe Touch of the MasterÕs HandÓ
`Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile. ÒWhat am I bidden, good folks,Ó he cried, ÒWhoÕll start the bidding for me?Ó ÒA dollar, a dollar;Ó then, ÒTwo! Only two? Two dollars and whoÕll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice; Going for three—Ó But no, From the room, far back, a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening the loose strings, He played a melody pure and sweet As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low, Said, ÒWhat am I bid for the old violin?Ó And he held it up with the bow. ÒA thousand dollars, and whoÕll make it two? Two thousand! And whoÕll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand twice, And going, and gone,Ó said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried, ÒWe do not quite understand What changed its worth.Ó Swift came the reply: ÒThe touch of a masterÕs hand.Ó And many a man with life out of tune, And battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin.
Ruined and running from God he goes, In madness, to hell, headlong! He is ÒgoingÓ once, and ÒgoingÓ twice, HeÕs ÒgoingÓ and almost Ògone.Ó But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand The worth of a soul and the change thatÕs wrought By the touch of the MasterÕs hand.
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ÒHe Touched MeÓ
Shackled by a heavy burden Neath a load of guilt and shame Then the hand of Jesus touched me And now I am no longer the same
He touched me, Oh, He touched me; And, Oh, the joy that floods my soul! Something happened and now I know He touched me and made me whole!
Since I met this blessed Savior, Since He cleansed and made me whole, I will never cease to praise Him, IÕll shout it while eternity rolls —
He touched me, Oh, He touched me; And, Oh, the joy that floods my soul: Something happened and now I know He touched me and made me whole!
Amen.
Don Fortner
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Pastor FortnerÕs
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