Thursday, October 6, 2016

YOUR REACTIONS EXPOSE WHAT YOU REALLY BELIEVE














YOU NEED A REAL GOD AND A REAL FAITH!

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?”

Psalm 54
1 O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth

David had a real problem and real enemies! And on his own, he would have been in a real mess. But David also had a real God and a real faith in Him.

Dear friends, it is our reactions to difficulties that expose whom we believe in and what we believe. David’s trust was based on the name and power of God.

One of the questions we should ask ourselves (for our reactions will always expose this) is what we believe about the character of God and His power.

If asked, we all would state that we believe God is holy, loving, righteous, wise, meticulous, and caring. We would proclaim that He is all-powerful and that He has no limitations. Our reactions to our trials and difficulties will then show if we live with awareness that everything is channeled through God’s careful, sovereign work.

We are challenged in our beliefs continually. We know God is in control of every aspect of our lives, from the smallest to the greatest. When David wrote these songs, his purpose was to remind himself of these truths, though he lived confronted by harsh daily challenges.

3 For strangers have risen against me;
ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before themselves. Selah

David’s difficulties were real and present! There were those who desired to kill him. They were enemies of God, with no intention to submit to Him. It is difficult to deal with the sinfulness of the world. At times we are overwhelmed by the viciousness of the lies of those who seem to have no moral boundaries. Every believer, in every time of history, has had to deal with these realities and has had only one place to find refuge.

4 Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.

God is our helper. He is aware, He is capable, and He gives life and sustains life. His intentions are always marvelously perfect. He can only do what is good and perfect, according to His eternal purposes for us. And His purposes cannot be thwarted.

5 He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.

In God’s timing, He will make things right.

Romans 12:17-21
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Not only does God expect us to trust Him and to rely on Him for help, but as we wait on Him, our behavior needs to be driven by love. We should be extending to others the grace we have received from God and we should cherish the forgiveness He grants to us every time we sin and repent before Him.

6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. 

Our lives should be filled with thankfulness that we have a caring God whom we can rely upon. God will triumph; His justice will prevail. We know exactly what our eternal destiny is, and we know that the purposes of God are always good.


May our lives today reflect these truths, and may we be prepared, as we tackle whatever challenges the day brings.

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