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Recently, Pastor Matt Gardner’s sermon resonated with a powerful message about trusting and loving God and how that trust invites us to have faith for the future. Pastor Matt is the Next Gen Pastor at the Church at Severn Run. Using personal experiences, biblical stories, and practical applications, Pastor Matt challenged us to evaluate the voices we listen to and the influences we allow to shape our lives. Through the narrative of 2 Kings 3, Pastor Matt illustrated the difference between human ambition and divine guidance, emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in every situation.
In 2 Kings 3, King Jehoram of Israel joins forces with the kings of Judah and Edom to confront the Moabites. Instead of seeking God’s direction from the start, they rely on their own plans and human alliances, which leads them into a perilous situation—running out of water in the desert. This story reveals a critical point: human effort, without God’s guidance, can quickly lead to failure. Proverbs 3:5-6 echoes this, reminding us to:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Pastor Matt encourages us to reflect on our own lives: Are we making decisions based on popular opinions or God’s wisdom? Just because others support our choices doesn’t mean they align with God’s will. In today’s world of social media and endless influencers, it’s easy to equate likes and followers with validation, but that doesn’t mean those ideas are godly. Like Jehoshaphat, who finally sought out the prophet Elisha for guidance, we, too, must be discerning in whose voices we trust.
The story also teaches us that God’s provision often comes in unexpected ways. Elisha, after being called upon, asked the kings to dig ditches in the desert, even though they were already desperate for water. This strange instruction required faith—faith that God would provide water without rain or wind, as 2 Kings 3:16-17 describes. It serves as a reminder that sometimes God asks us to prepare for His blessings before they appear. Just as the kings had to dig in anticipation of water, we also ar to act in faith, trusting that God will provide even when we cannot see how. Philippians 4:19 affirms this:
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Pastor Matt also discusses the importance of the right influences in our lives, especially for the next generation. He urges parents, teachers, and leaders to ensure that the voices influencing young people are godly ones, not merely popular or pervasive. The rise of conspiracy theories and questionable content online underscores the need for discernment, as Paul emphasizes in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, warning that some will turn away from the truth to listen to what pleases them. Truth, Pastor Matt argues, is foundational to a life rooted in God’s will.
The practical takeaway from this sermon is clear: We are to trust in God’s provision, seek His guidance above our own plans, and prepare ourselves for the future with faith. Our role is to dig the ditches—to put in the effort, prepare for the blessings, and believe in God’s promises. Whether it’s in our relationships, careers, or spiritual journeys, God calls us to act in faith, even when the outcome isn’t immediately visible.
For today’s Christians, this message challenges us to examine where we place our trust and how we align our actions with our faith.
- Are we preparing for the future with confidence in God’s promises?
- Are we surrounding ourselves with voices that speak truth and godliness?
Pastor Matt’s sermon invites us to pause, reflect, and realign our lives with God’s will, trusting that when we dig in faith, God will provide the water, just as He did for the kings in the desert. As Matthew 6:33 reminds us:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
This practical message from Pastor Matt’s sermon is one of active faith. Loving and trusting God means having faith for the future, preparing for God’s provision even when it seems unlikely, and ensuring that the voices influencing our lives are leading us closer to Him. Like Elisha’s call to dig ditches in the desert, we are invited to act in faith and trust that God’s blessings will follow.
JG