# Leaning on the Lord - TEXT: Job 8:15; Proverbs 3:5 > Job 8:15—_He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure_. > Proverbs 3:5—_Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding_. ## **INTRODUCTION** - HOW SHALL ENDURE TO THE END? (Mt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.) LEANING ON THE LORD. - ”You can’t break God’s promises by leaning on them.” > Psalm 18:18—_They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay._ > Psalm 37:23-24 Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. > Psalm 94:18—_When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up._ > Isaiah 26:3-4Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: > Phil. 4:6-7—_Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus._ > Hebrews 4:15-16 _For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need._ The name "Jesus" means "the LORD our Salvation," a further revelation of the magnitude of the LORD. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 Jesus’ seven I Am statements are: 1) I Am the Bread of Life. (John 6:35, 48, 51) 2) I Am the Light of the World. (John 8:12) 3) I Am the Door of the Sheep. (John 10:7, 9) 4) I Am the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11-14) 5) I Am the Resurrection and the Life. (John 11:25) 6) I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) 7) I Am the True Vine. (John 15:1, 5) ## 1. LEANING ON MY BELOVED - **Never act as though I am alone.** > **Song of Solomon 8:5**—_Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.<to **recline**:--**lean**.>_ The only means of enduring to the end is learning how to lean on God. Leaning on God requires us to get the relationship right with God. “He’s so much more than just a swear word, more than just an I don’t care word, How could we use his name so recklessly, Our only hope is in his one word, Whosoever will be come word, He’s more than just a swear word, He is the precious son of God.” –NIEL ENLOE, 1970’S => WHO IS HE TO YOU? (But Whom say ye that I am? Matt. 16:15) BELOVED – Song 8:5 ¶ Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee. Lean on God like HE Loves you and you love Him! He is my MASTER TEACHER-- Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. HE IS THE TEACHER, I AM THE STUDENT. NEVER Carry the Burden alone. * I **Must** Tell Jesus, I cannot bear these burdens alone” * Coming Out of the wilderness  Learn how to Lean * This is an intimate relationship * Walking Step by Step with Him * Let Him be the INFLUENCE over You. (Romans 12:2 “Be Not Conformed to this World”) * Not walking by her own strength, but leaning on his. * Is there anything more powerful than love? * Song 8:6 _Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned._ * “The Flame of Jehovah” * I desire your love, distance is painful! (_Jealousy for Him_) * God Must be more to me than my “buddy.” (Matt. 16:15,16) * “It would utterly be contemned” * We Lean on the Lord in Confession of Sin. By HIS **GRACE**, HIS **RIGHTEOUS** COVERING * We Lean on the Lord in Communion/Worship * Worship is our part in “Communion” * Revelation is God’s part in “Communion” Never act as though I am alone. – He is with me every step of the way through this wilderness. ## 2. LEANING ON MY MASTER - **Never act as though there is no answer.** **John 13:23**—_Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved._ Noah WEBSTER’s PREFACE to HIS 1828 DICTIONARY: _In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed.. .No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people._ * We Lean on the Lord in Prayer. (_You can do more than pray once you have prayed, but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed_.—A.J. Gordon) * Prayer is not talking to God, but is talking with God and the primary blessing of prayer s found in **LISTENING** to God. * Get in a position so you can hear Him. (_leaning on Jesus’ bosom_) * Prayer time is never wasted time. Charles Spurgeon taught, "Sometimes we think we are too busy to pray. That is a great mistake, for praying is a savings of time." –Charles Spurgeon Never act as though there is no answer. – He has the answer and is the answer to every problem. **LISTEN** * _When the student is ready, the teacher will appear_.—Buddhist Proverb * **Dwight L. Moody's advice**: "Spread out your petition before God and then say, 'Thy will, not mine, be done.' The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me." HE IS MY MASTER, TEACHER, GUIDE * John 16:13—_Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, **he will guide you into all truth**: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come._ ### 1. **THERE IS NO FAULT IN HIS COUNSEL.** HE IS THE MASTER TEACHER – He Knows HOW to teach us _(TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART_) **HIS instruction Can be trusted and He SHOULD be trusted -Kings, Priests, prophets, laborers, ** **Dwight L. Moody's advice**: "Spread out your petition before God and then say, 'Thy will, not mine, be done.' The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me." HE IS MY MASTER, TEACHER, GUIDE What is He teaching you? What has he taught you? Heb 2:1-4—_Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will_? Pr 6:23—_For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:_ John 16:13—_Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, **he will guide you into all truth**: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come._ 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: John 8:32—_And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free._ HE SHOULD BE MORE THAN A SOMETIMES SOLUTION. _There are Many sometimes, but God ALWAYS is!_ Where is your advice coming from? **Ps 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.** ### 2. **OUR REASONING IS FAULTY –** Lean not unto thine own understanding Whose trust shall be a SPIDER’S WEB _In comparison to God, I’m ignorant and dumb! –**You don’t learn anything the 2nd time your kicked by a mule**_ _BUT **HOW** do I not lean on my own understanding? We lean on the Lord in PRAYER._ ### 1. **_WAIT ON THE LORD, NOT IMPULSE_** **_Psalm 106:7-13 understood not…They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:_** _You can do more than pray once you have prayed, but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed_.—A.J. Gordon _"Sometimes we think we are too busy to pray. That is a great mistake, for praying is a savings of time."_ –Charles Spurgeon * You don’t have to pretend you know, when you don’t know God’s will. * Sometimes our greatest folly can be to _assume_ God’s will instead of seeking Him for it. JFK—_I killed my grandmother last night._ ### 2. **_Listen to the Lord_** * Prayer is not talking to God, but is talking with God and the primary blessing of prayer is found in **LISTENING** to God. **LISTEN SLOWLY** * God’s word is the instruction book. * Get in a position so you can hear Him. (_leaning on Jesus’ bosom_) ## 3. LEANING ON MY GOD - **Never act as though God is not well in control.** **Heb 11:21**—_By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff._ Ps 27:1—_The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid_? Luke 20:38—_For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him._ Jacob Leaned upon the Top of His staff. * This illustrates Jacobs own human frailty. He was “His Own Man” Young, Trickster * This also illustrates Jacobs endurance, frail but worshipping, frail but full of faith. * The staff is could be specifically the will & call of God, but generally speaking it is **HIS WORD**. * Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. * Correction & DirectionThe Staff Symbolizes * God’s will is so much bigger and greater than mine. (_Let this cup pass from me_) Never act as though God is not well in control. – God is not Dead. Ps 24:1—_The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein._ **“We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord”** We've come this far by faith, Leaning on the Lord \ Trusting in His Holy word, He never failed me yet \ Oh' Can't Turn Around, We've come this far by faith \ **“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”** What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; \ What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. _Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; \ Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms._ O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; \ O how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms; \ I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. **“I Must Tell Jesus”** I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone; \ In my distress He kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own. _I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone; \ I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone._ I must tell Jesus all of my troubles; He is a kind, compassionate friend; \ If I but ask Him, He will deliver, Make of my troubles quickly an end. Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior; One Who can help my burdens to bear; \ I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus; He all my cares and sorrows will share. O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin! \ I must tell Jesus, and He will help me Over the world the victory to win. ## READINGS: > Psalm 106:7-13 — Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. 8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. 9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. 12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. 13 ¶ They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: