Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Nov. 26, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

THE MERCY OF THE MASTER'S HAND

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Psalms 123:1-4

Text: Psalms 123:2

Psalms 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Introduction: As we consider our text tonight, Ps. 123:2, let us remember that our Master is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

The Master's hand means several things and performs several functions for His servant. The servant looks for the the motion of his master's hand. Likewise, the believer should look for his Master's hand. Although the hand of the Lord is referred to in some places in connection with wrath, for it is written

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

... in our text it is connected with MERCY.

Watch for the Master's hand and you will see

I. THE MERCY OF HIS PERCEPTION - THE HAND ON THE SHOULDER

Psalms 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

His MERCIFUL hand assures us that:

A. He perceives our problems

B. He perceives our persecutions

1. God said of Israel in Egypt, "... I know their sorrows ..."

C. He perceives our pain

1. He knew well of Paul's infirmity.

Watch for the Master's hand and you will see

II. THE MERCY OF HIS PROVISION - HIS HAND IN THE SILVER

Speaking of the animal creation, the Bible says:

Psalms 104:27-28 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.

In another place the scripture says:

Psalms 145:15-16 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

In MERCY:

A. His hand provides garments

1. In salvation He clothes us with His righteousness.
2. Daily He clothes us, even as He does the lily of the field.

B. His hand provides groceries

1. Spiritually, He has given us His precious word for our daily bread.
2. Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

C. His hand provides all good things

1. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Watch for the Master's hand and you will see

III. THE MERCY OF HIS PROTECTION - HIS HAND AS A SHIELD

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

His hands could SMASH us for our disobedience, but, praise God, in mercy His hands SHIELD us from danger!

"You're in GOOD hands with JESUS!"

A. His hands are strong hands of protection

1. His hands laid out the heavens.
2. Mahalia Jackson wrote the Negro spiritual, "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," declaring the power of the Lord's hands.

B. His hands are supporting hands of protection

C. His hands are surrounding hands of protection

I'm GLAD that the hands of the Lord shield us in mercy!

Watch for the Master's hand and you will see

IV. THE MERCY OF HIS PROMPTING - HIS HAND SHOWS THE WAY

Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

A. The Lord's hand leads us away from destruction

B. The Lord's hand leads us away from distraction

C. The Lord's hand leads us away from defilement

"My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow!
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow!
Strength for today is mine alway,
And all I need for tomorrow.
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow!"

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