Thursday, July 17, 2014

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MERCY OF THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MERCY OF THE LORD"
Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
David, as was often the case, was going through a time of great difficulty. And, as was also the case, he was crying out to God, which is the best thing we can do in times of trouble. And, as with many of David's Psalm's, they start out in the depths as it were, but end with a great sense of relief and confidence in God, and praise to God. Such is what happened in this Psalm.
You may want to read the first part of the Psalm, that lead up to these last two verses. The whole Ps is only 6 verses long.
1. We can trust in God's mercy.
Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
Here David tells us what he trusted in. It was God's mercy. The word mercy means kindness, lovingkindness, favor, pity, goodness, and faithfulness. These are all descriptions of our God. He is merciful.
Ps 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
La 3:23* They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Ps 27:13* I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
2. We can rejoice in God's salvation.
Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
So, not only did David trust in God's mercy, His goodness, but, his heart also rejoiced in God's salvation in his life.
Ps 37:39* But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
Ps 50:23* Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Hab 3:18* Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
3. We can sing to the Lord.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the LORD,
So, to review, David trusted in God's mercy, He rejoiced in God's Salvation, and what else could he do but sing to the Lord.
Ps 95:1* Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Ps 96:1* Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Ps 96:2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
4. We have a Savior who deals bountifully with us.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
David sums it all up for us. God had dealt bountifully with him.
And, such is the case with us.
God deals with us in the same way.
Like David, you may be going through a tough time right now, but, take David as an example of what to do, and You also will find the bountiful goodness of the Lord towards You.
Some questions:
1. Would you say that at this time in your life, you are being encouraged to trust in God?
2. Would you say that, in fact, You are seeking to trust in God, or to have faith in God and His Word?
3. Can you attest to the fact of God's great mercy towards You?
4. Do you rejoice in His salvation?
5. Do you know that You are the object of God's mercy, salvation, and grace?
A prayer:
Father, what can we say about Your mercy? Your mercies are new every morning, and You have been so good to us, and You are being good to us, and You will be good to us forever, and ever. Please help us to not look at the troubles we have, but rather to look to the one who helps us in our troubles. Help us Lord to keep our eyes on You, and give us Your power and strength in our inner man. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.