Bible Study Notes 3/5/2024

Word Alive! Bible Study ©2024

Winter Series: God Never Gives Up On You!

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tues., 5 Mar. Lesson 11, Part 1

Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up On You © 2024

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up, Pages 127-134

God Never Leaves – When the Israelite generation released from Exile were burdened with grief and dejection; their Governor, Nehemiah, told them, “Don’t be… sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10, NLT).  Nehemiah was really telling the faithful who had undergone hardship, that the “presence” of God was immediate. Our challenges often eclipse the awareness of God’s presence.  If not difficult circumstances, a person’s errant behavior, can also cause them to acknowledge God. This point is illustrated in the ancient biblical period, when civilization grew exponentially, and with that came a unified language. This mon0-language gave people the sense that they had powers equal to; if not greater than, the God who created them. In the quest for supremacy over the earth and God, the people endeavored to build a city, with a massive tower that would reach the heavens. Their conversation revealed their disregard for God; and their belief that they alone, could accomplish the feat. (Read, Genesis 11:1-4, NLT).  The notion that God was completely absent from this great enterprise, was a fallacy. God was aware of their thoughts; observed their ill-fated plans; and visited them. (Read, Genesis 11:7-9, NLT). While God brought judgment on the people of what came to be called, Babel (later, Babylon); the dispersion of the people throughout the earth was an act of mercy and grace. Their lives were spared, and they were turned away from the idolatry, brought about through ungodly self-ambition and pride. The people no longer be unified against God, collectively as a civilization. In his book, God Never Gives Up On You, author Max Lucado has a statement about being dismissive of God, which could apply here. He says, “It’s not that God was not present. It is that God was not sought.” God does not give up on us; because whether we acknowledge Him or not, God is ever present. The prophet Isaiah urged people to “Seek the Lord,” with immediacy. God is present, but we must exercise diligence, to find Him in life’s situations. (Read, Isaiah 55:6-7, NLT).  God’s judgment is always permeated with His compassion, mercy, love, and grace. God seeks to help, and not harm us. (Read, Psalm 86:15, NLT). Jacob was inwardly broken after his missteps in Shechem. God told Jacon to take his family and entourage; go directly to Bethel in the land of his ancestors, in Canaan. Jacob’s diversion to Shechem cost the rape of his daughter; the slaughter of many lives; and his banishment and disdain from other tribes. Yet, God spoke to Jacob again. He was told to return to Bethel, where he and his posterity would be blessed. Jacob led his family, the 20 miles to Bethel. It was then, Jacob said, “God has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Read, Genesis 35:2-3, NLT). Max Lucado says of God’s rich favor, “This was grace, all grace.”

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1. “God’s grace never quits.” – Max Lucado

Key Verses:

Genesis 11:1-4, NLT

“At one time all the people of the world spoke one language and used the same words. As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylon and settled there. They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar). Then they said, “Come let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”

Genesis 11:7-9 NLT

“Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.” In that way the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stop building the city. That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages, In this way, He scattered them all over the world.”

Isaiah 55:6-7, NLT

“Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them.”

Psalm 86:15, NLT

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Genesis 35:2-3, NLT

“So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”