Saturday, July 26, 2014

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT NOT TO TRUST IN, AND WHO TO TRUST IN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT NOT TO TRUST IN, AND WHO TO TRUST IN"
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions, and a prayer:
This particular Psalm, as with the vast majority of the Psalms, was written by King David. And the simple theme of this Psalm is the assurance of God's Saving Work. As you read through the entire Psalm, you can see David singing of, and pointing his readers to the Lord, and encouraging them to put their trust in Him. He especially encourages trust in God during the days and times of trouble. And he states over and over again how God will help those who trust in God.
1. There are some things we should avoid trusting in.
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
David is not saying that we should not use the normal and appropriate means in life to protect ourselves, or to defend ourselves. But what David is saying is that these things that we may need to use in life, are not really what we should trust in to save us. We can use these things, but we do not need to trust in them is the point.
"Preparation for battle is necessary, but trust in God is priority one" David Jeremiah.
2. But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
David now clearly points to what we ought to remember, it's the name of the LORD our God.
Whenever the phrase "the name of the LORD" is used, it's a reference to the character, reputation, and the nature of God.
To remember the LORD means to call to mind, to think, to recall, or you could say to meditate on. When we call to mind who the LORD is, and we meditate on Him, we find Him giving us strength.
For example, David may have been remembering what happened when he fought Goliath. He did not use the weapons and armor provided for him, but rather he picked up 5 stones and used a sling, but he fought Goliath in the strength of God.
He slung that one stone at this over 9 foot tall giant and brought him down, and then went and cut his head off with the giants own sword. David did not win that fight on his own, but rather he won it by God's power and strength.
Some questions:
1. What is the first thing you normally default to when a real challenge comes your way?
2. Can you remember the last time you really called out to God when you were in trouble?
3. Can you compare the times of trusting in something other than God and the times of trusting in God?
4. Do you know that if you will think about the Lord, i.e meditate on Him, you will find strength coming into your soul?
5. Will you pause right now and ask God to help you deepen your trust in Him, and make God the one you turn to first?
A prayer:
Father thank You for Your Word. Thank You especially for the Psalms. They always seem to resonate with our lives and circumstances. They are so encouraging and instructive to us. They are filled with one testimony after another of both human weakness, and God's great strength and power in the lives of those who put their trust in You. May we be those people Lord.
May we learn to think about You more often, to really ponder You day by day. We thank You in advance for the grace, and the power, strength, and victory You will bring into our lives. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.