I wrote this back on 12-12-2014. There was a lot going on at that time, yet I think it is so very appropriate for this day and time, also. I feel led to share this today as much as I felt led to share it years ago. The message is timeless.
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I feel led to share this topic instead of continuing in the Prayer series today. This is very appropriate these days with all that is going on in the world. We are bombarded by negative media, negative comments and negative situations that surround us almost daily. God offers hope in a hopeless world and peace in the midst of turmoil. This time of the year seems so hustle bustle and we barely take time out of our busy day to even breathe the name of Jesus, much less ask Him for help when we feel overwhelmed. However, He is waiting to help us with anything during the day, week or month. Being bombarded every day, all day – sometimes – is a sure sign that we need help… we need a Savior to help us through the negative, hopeless, and hapless world. We need Jesus.
I have read a lot of devotionals lately about trusting God and having faith that He can work things out for our good. It seems that the writers of the devotionals have heard all the same thing in their hearts. Maybe it is because it is so tough these days in this world to have that strong faith that it takes to make it through each day. We are bombarded on every side of our life with things in this world trying to get our attention. It seems every time we turn around there is something else to pull our attention away from what we know to be true and right. We must remain focused on Jesus and what He can do for us and not let the world overwhelm us and blot out our faith in Jesus. Even when we can’t see what God is doing in our live, we must walk by faith and not by sight.
I have the honor of teaching my Sunday School class this coming Sunday and I am in the process of studying Psalm 27. This is a Psalm of David, and he tells how he trusts his God to take care of him in any situation. The heading of the Psalm on the website I use (Bible Gateway) reads: “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith”. I love that word “Exuberant”. It just feels exciting when you say it. Exuberant! Here is what Merriam Webster has to say about that word:
“Exuberant: very lively, happy, or energetic: filled with energy and enthusiasm”
The picture here shows two lambs showing some exuberance and David was that for sure when writing about his God! He loved the Lord and if you remember, God called him a man “after His own heart”.
This is the scripture that speaks to that.
14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.
My lesson for Sunday only covers the first six verses. However, the rest of the Psalm is wonderful. Here are the first six verses though.
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?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
David had plenty to fear and it was real fear. However, he always relied on his God to protect him and bring him through any adversity. Just as we can. We may not have a king out to kill us, or armies of soldiers after us or lions trying to grab one of our sheep, however, we have our own set of problems that any given day can bring. The daily grind will wear us down if we don’t stay in the Word and talk to God about all that bothers us and all that excites us. He really does want to hear from you. He loves you and wants that kind of relationship with you. He is waiting for you to share anything with Him.
He is also waiting for you to pick up that Bible or open that Bible app on your phone and begin learning about His Word and all of the wonderful things that He has to share. His Word is filled with wonderful, ordinary people called to do extraordinary things for God. It is an exciting journey from Genesis to Revelation! I have learned so much since I have read (or listened) to God’s Word. As some of you know, I had a goal to read – or listen – to the entire Bible and I started listening to my Bible app on my phone around March of 2013. I started at Genesis and finished Revelation around October. It is such an exciting love story from God to us. I have read the Bible all my life but listening to it brought all those stories to life and it brought a whole new life to it for me. I recommend the YouVersion App and you can choose to listen to many of the different versions or just read it. It is a wonderful way to pass time in the car or working around the house.
You may ask … “Why is it so important to stay in the Word daily?” Because it will build your faith! Really! The more I read and study the Word, the deeper my faith grows. I have heard these stories all my life, but they are “real” to me now. It’s almost like I have experienced the stories in the Bible firsthand. They came to life and sunk deep into my soul. The Word of God is living and breathing and sharper than any two-edged sword… Here is the scripture that explains that exactly…
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
King Saul’s son and eventually David’s best friend, Jonathan had such faith in God and believed and knew God could do anything. David had that same faith. That is one of the things, I think, that drew Jonathan and David together and cemented their friendship. Do you have that kind of faith? Do you have a friend that helps you deepen your faith by sharing the love of God and His Word? I tell you it is wonderful to have a friend to share the love of God and His Word with. It makes a lot of difference to be able to share with someone. Yes, it’s good to enjoy it in your quiet time, alone. However, when you share with a friend, it deepens and grows into something beautiful! Seek out a friend, if you don’t have one already, to share with. Read (or listen) and build on your faith.
When you feel bombarded on every side, remember God is there and can help you with any situation that seems so overwhelming to you. He is your strength and your stronghold. He will protect! He will deliver! If you can remember just the first verse… memorize and use it daily! You have no reason to “fear”! God is on your side, and He loves you so very much! He calls you His beloved!
Abiding In Him,
Leah
le**@My*******.com
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?
The Song – My Heart’s Already There is – New Song.
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