Life is tough. God never promised this life would be free from trouble, but He did promise to walk with us every step of the way. With God on our side, we can stand strong.
Building Your Life On God's Promises
Lessons:
- God's Promise of Faithfulness - God is faithful in every circumstance.
- God's Promise of Eternal Life - You were created for eternal life in Christ.
- God's Promise of Provision - God provides for those who choose to live under His care.
- God's Promise of Answered Prayer
- God's Promise of Victory
- God's Promise of a New Home
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His
generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (MSG)
There is an amazing, incredible and all-encompassing promise in Philippians 4:19 (NIV) regarding provision: "... God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Note the first two words: "God will ...." It doesn't say, "He might meet your needs," it says, "He will meet your needs." It's written as a fact; God is staking His character and His reputation on it.
Then the Bible says, "God will meet all. ..." It doesn't say, "I'll meet some of your needs." It says all. Now, understand that it doesn't say, "I'll meet all your greeds." There's a big difference between needs and wants. As a parent, do you give your kids everything they want? I hope you don't. You don't do that because you love them. And your heavenly Father loves you. He's not going to give you everything you want because if He did, you'd be spoiled to death.
He won't give us everything we want, but He will give us what we need...I will finish this at the end.
How would you describe the Good Life?
God's Promise of Provision
The Bible Meets Life
The night a thunderstorm shook our house was certainly an unpleasant experience for our three-year-old son. A return to contentment came in the form of his father—that is to say, me.
“Daddy, can I sleep in here tonight?” Many nights when he was afraid, my son would make this request and then place a sleeping bag on the floor next to our bed. But before my son would drift off to sleep, he would ask me to hang my arm over the side of the bed. When I asked why, he said, “Just so I’ll know you’re there.”
Those nights with my son are a wonderful reminder of how God responds to our needs. David penned Psalm 34 because he knew this truth: whatever our needs—physical, emotional, or spiritual—our Father in heaven responds and provides. Just as my son found what he needed when he knew I was right by his side, our Heavenly Father promises to be by our side as well.
Let’s take a deeper look at how He provides.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Our text this week comes from David's Psalm 34:4-14.
With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, King David reflects in Psalm 34 on an event in his life where God had provided for his need of rescue. David speaks with confidence concerning how God provided for all of his needs.
Even though David had shown great strength and courage in his defeat of Goliath, David was still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. David had gotten into some trouble and fled from King Saul. Running away from Saul, David headed toward King Achish (Abimelech) of Gath. The story is recorded in more detail in I Samuel 21. David pretended to be insane in front of the King for protection.
King David, now an older and more experienced man of God, shares his testimony and gives advice like a mentor for those needing the Lord God to deliver them from the desperation that life can bring.
Psalm 34:4-14
4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles.
7 The Angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 You who are His holy ones, fear Yahweh, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
10 Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing.
11 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
14 Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.
Angel of the Lord (v. 7)—This angel is the messenger of God, who protects the righteous. At times within the Old Testament, this angel appears to be distinct from God; at other times, he appears to be the Lord Himself.
Fear (v. 11)—In this context, fear (of the Lord) is a positive reverence for God demonstrated by turning from and avoiding evil to walk with God in loving obedience.
Psalm 34:4-7
4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles.
7 The Angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
David began Psalm 34 by praising God, and He invited us to join him in proclaiming God’s greatness. Verses 4-7 show us why God’s greatness was on David’s mind: whatever need David experienced, God was there to meet it.
Look at the actions David mentioned and the subsequent responses from God:
- When we seek the Lord, He answers and delivers (v. 4).
- When we look to the Lord, He fills us with His joy (v. 5).
- When we cry to the Lord, He hears and saves us (v. 6).
- When we fear the Lord, He encamps around us (v. 7).
God never intended for us to navigate the challenges of life on our own. He wants to be by our side every step of the way. His desire is for us to be acutely aware of His presence. Of course, God will not force His presence and provision on us. But when we seek Him—look to Him, cry out to Him, fear Him—He will be there for us. Notice in verse 6 that no problem is too big for our God. God will deliver the one who calls to Him from “all of his troubles.”
The greatest comfort comes in verse 7. God doesn’t just provide what we need; He provides Himself! Throughout the Old Testament, appearances of the “Angel of the Lord” indicate the presence of God. He is always near. God is not an elusive Deity we have to search far and wide to find. Rather, He “encamps around those who fear Him.”
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 You who are His holy ones, fear Yahweh, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
10 Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing.
All of us want to find contentment in life, but our culture has put its own spin on what that contentment should look like. The world bases contentment and happiness on how much money a person has, the type of car he drives, the square footage of her house, or a myriad of other unimportant things.
As an alternative, consider what Jesus said about “the good life”:
- “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
- “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).
Don’t miss the distinction present in verse 8. God doesn’t simply provide good things for us; He is the ultimate good. “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” Only God can fill our lives with true joy.
“How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (v. 8). We taste God’s goodness—all that He provides for us—when we take refuge in Him. Within the refuge of His presence, God has promised that we “will not lack any good thing” (v. 10). This promise is for all who “seek the LORD.”
Jesus stated this same truth in the Sermon on the Mount: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matt. 6:33). Whatever our needs, He “is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).
Psalm 34:11-14
11 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
14 Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.
11 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
14 Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.
We’ve already seen that when we fear God (v. 9) and seek Him (v. 10), He meets us in our need and provides abundantly. But what does it look like to seek and fear the Lord? The psalmist highlighted three important actions for us to follow:
- “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.” To fear the Lord, we first must acknowledge that He is just, right, and holy. Such an acknowledgement must be reflected in our desire to be just, right, and holy as well. “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16). One way we do that is through our speech.
- “Turn away from evil and do what is good.” God is holy, and He will have nothing to do with sin. We are to be like Him. But a holy lifestyle is not just about avoiding evil; it’s also about doing good. So how can we identify the evil we must avoid? How can we know the good to pursue? First, the Scriptures have been given for the purpose of revealing who God is and what His standards of righteousness are. God’s Word defines what is good and evil. Second, prayer allows us to approach God’s throne with boldness when we need answers or need to receive His grace (see Heb. 4:16). Third, our place as part of the church offers a community of disciples who both encourage us and keep us accountable.
- “Seek peace and pursue it.” Being a wholehearted follower of Christ does not mean we will live in trouble-free relationships or situations. But we are commanded to pursue peace: “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).
Respond to God with fear, reverence, and holy submission. When you do, you will begin to experience His grace and provision in all its abundance.
LIVE IT OUT
Express thanks. Make a list of all the ways God has provided for you. Be specific! Use that list as a reminder to thank God every day for His involvement in your life.
Confess your needs. David wrote, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me” (Ps. 34:4). God knows all of your needs, but His knowledge does not lessen your responsibility to pray. Speak with Him honestly this week about your deepest needs. Be sure to listen for His answers.
Be a conduit of God’s provision. One of the ways God has provided for you is through the love and generosity of others. Therefore, keep an eye open this week for situations and opportunities where God may want to use you in order to provide for someone else.
We can’t protect our children from the storms of life forever—nor will we be protected from every difficult circumstance. Yet we can live with our hearts at peace in the knowledge that God provides for those who choose to live under His care.
One prevalent philosophy of life is reflected in the boast, "I did it my way." While there is a place for personal ambition to replace lethargy and effort to replace laziness, any person who credits only himself for what he has accomplished is foolishly deceiving himself. Most of us would have to acknowledge other people in our lives who have contributed to what we have become. And even more than that, the ultimate truth is that the good and the fullness of life we enjoy is nothing short of the result of the blessing of God poured freely on us.
God cares about those who seek Him and honor Him. He responds when we call upon Him. We discover that only in Him are goodness and lasting satisfaction to be found. Our response back to Him is to be a life of holiness, which further positions us to experience even more of God's gracious provision, culminating in God's gracious provision of His Son, in whom we have our greatest needs met - the need for redemption and the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:7).
To finish my beginning point. Then why do you have financial needs? Did God fail? Did He lie? Did He exaggerate?
No! With every promise, there is a premise; there are conditions and requirements. When God makes a promise, He says, "I'll do My part and you do your part." God's wisdom, His financial principles are clearly laid out for us in His Word. The Bible discusses many aspects of financial health, including principles of saving, spending, giving, investing and stewardship.
Ask for His help - Jesus says, "Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy." (John 16:24, NLT) Here's a good rule: Before you pay for it, pray for it. Give God a chance to provide before you go out and charge it. You probably depend more on your charge card than you do Jesus Christ.
To finish my beginning point. Then why do you have financial needs? Did God fail? Did He lie? Did He exaggerate?
No! With every promise, there is a premise; there are conditions and requirements. When God makes a promise, He says, "I'll do My part and you do your part." God's wisdom, His financial principles are clearly laid out for us in His Word. The Bible discusses many aspects of financial health, including principles of saving, spending, giving, investing and stewardship.
Ask for His help - Jesus says, "Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy." (John 16:24, NLT) Here's a good rule: Before you pay for it, pray for it. Give God a chance to provide before you go out and charge it. You probably depend more on your charge card than you do Jesus Christ.
- Why does God want me to ask? So He can give.
- Why does He want to give? So I can receive.
- Why does He want me to receive? So I'll be full of joy.
- Why does He want me to be full of joy? Because it's a great testimony for Jesus Christ. Joyful Christians are a positive testimony.
Wasn't David a good testimony in this week's lesson for how God had provided for him? What's your testimony? Do you recognize how God has already provided for you all these years? Maybe you are on a spiritual deserted island.
Our lesson today:
When I think about this illustration, I am reminded of the many Christians who find themselves on a “spiritual” deserted island. They walk through life defeated and alone because of a particular circumstance or because of a stronghold in their life.
They feel helpless and fearful. They see no hope in the future.
All the while God’s provision is available to them if they would only seek His face. Much like the FedEx man, he had all that he needed to escape the island if he would have only opened the package.
I want us to open the scripture package this morning and study Psalm 34 to see God’s Promise of Provision to those who choose to live under His care.
Our lesson opens with this question, "How would you define the “good life”?"
- no financial worries
- snazzy car(s)
- smart kids, good looking kids
- successful profession
- lawn and landscaping envy of the neighbors
- beautiful house
- nice vacations each year
- taking an annual cruise
- good health
- good looking spouse
In John 10:10 Jesus says, 10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
I think it's important that we have a good understanding of what a "Good & Abundant" life really means.
Lesson Point: God provides for those who choose to live under His care.
Our text this week comes from David's Psalm 34:4-14.
Setting: With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, King David reflects in Psalm 34 on an event in his life where God had provided for his need of rescue. David speaks with confidence concerning how God provided for all of his needs. Even though David had shown great strength and courage in his defeat of Goliath, David was still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. David had gotten into some trouble and fled from King Saul. Running away from Saul, David headed toward King Achish (Abimelech) of Gath. The story is recorded in more detail in I Samuel 21. David pretended to be insane in front of the King for protection.
King David, now an older and more experienced man of God, shares his testimony and gives advice like a mentor for those needing the Lord God to deliver them from the desperation that life can bring. He tells us three things regarding God’s Promise of Provision:
1. When we call to God He does respond
2. He speaks of how we can lack for nothing with God’s blessings
3. He speaks of how we can experience a long and good life through reverence and holiness
David sought the Lord and was delivered & we can call on God and experience God’s full provision too.
I. We Call and God Responds
Listen for what happens when we call on God.
Psalm 34:4-7 (NIV)
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
From what did the Lord deliver David? Fears, troubles, shame
How did David describe those who trust in the Lord?
- radiant
- never shamed
- saved out of troubles
To whom does the Lord provide protection?
- those who seek Him
- when you call on Him
- those who fear the Lord … you are in awe of Him, reverence Him … high esteem, high regard, great respect, acclaim, admiration, appreciation, estimation, favor
How are angels involved in the lives of God’s people?
- we sometimes think of guardian angels
- God sends them as messengers
- often they intervene in our behalf
- protection
- deliverance
- maybe even show up visible as people
- other times as invisible helpers, protectors
When has God responded to your needs?
- finances
- wisdom to make right choices
- assurance and encouragement through His Word
- physical healing
- opportunities, “open doors”
- relieved fears
- enabling to do what needed to be done – better than “Power Milk Biscuits which give shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done”
I. A personal testimony.
A. David had personally experienced God’s provision.
1. This was written when David “changed his behavior” (1 Samuel 21:13).
a. Some people question whether David’s actions were moral or ethical, since he pretended to be crazy when he was not.
b. God often takes care of us in spite of our frailty and depravity.
2. God had seen him through some very difficult times.
a. He took care of David when he was fleeing from Saul. God also took care of him in later years when he fled from Absalom.
b. God does not always promise life will be easy, but He does promise to provide for us even during the hard times.
B. Few things are more powerful than one’s personal testimony.
1. History tells of many people that experienced God’s provision firsthand.
a. One of the great humanitarians of the 19th Century was George Muller, who founded several orphanages in England. Interesting, he never asked for money or went into debt to fund his work. He simply prayed and trusted God to provide, and God invariably did
so.
b. Brother Andrew, the author of God’s Smuggler, tells of his adventures smuggling Bibles into Communist countries during the Cold War. He not only depended on God to provide funds for the Bibles, but he also trusted God to enable him to get the Bibles past the border guards.
2. If God has seen you through some difficulty, or provided for your needs in a remarkable way, you have a duty to tell others about it.
II. God’s Blessings
Listen for how to lack nothing.
Psalm 34:8-10 (NIV)
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
According to these verses, what are the benefits of trusting in the Lord?
- He is good … “taste and see” this to be true
- we are blessed
- those that trust Him lack nothing
- those who seek him lack no good thing
How can we intentionally “taste” the goodness of God?
- claim His promises … trust Him, take notice of how He fulfills them
- be on the lookout for the blessings of God all around
- note the beauty of creation which surrounds us
- look for specific situations where you are quite sure that God has provided, protected, prevented, guided, blessed
How do we incorporate the fear/awe of God into our everyday lives?
- be aware of God’s greatness
- daily reading and meditating on God’s Truth found in His Word
- study the characteristics of God – holiness, righteousness/justice, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, love, sovereignty (God does as God pleases to do)
- learn to trust in those attributes of God
How do we reconcile these promises with the suffering of God’s people?
- consider Job’s experiences
- bad things happen to good people
- both good and bad things happen in life
- in those situations we learn to trust God’s sufficiency
- God enables us to rise above, to live through, to continue to praise Him … even in the midst of suffering
- we learn to minister to one another … the Body of Christ, the Church ministers
What does this passage reveal to us about prayer?
- David offered many prayers
- note that David expressed both joy and sorrow, both despair and praise
- whatever was happening, David talked to God about it
- God wants us to come to Him with all our feelings
- You cannot hide your feelings from God, better to voice them honestly
Why did David have such confidence in God’s attentiveness to his prayers?
- he had repeatedly experienced God’s provision and protection
- he was in the habit of communicating with God … not a bad idea for us also
- he focused on God’s greatness … on the attributes of God
- when he looked at the supreme authority and power of God, he was assured of God’s ability to meet his need
II. A personal invitation.
A. David invited others to experience God’s goodness.
1. In what ways have we experienced God’s goodness?
a. He has saved us from the penalty of sin.
b. He has adopted us into His family.
c. He provides for our daily needs.
d. He empowers us for His service.
2. Like David, we should invite others to experience God’s goodness.
a. When people are experiencing difficulty, it’s a great opportunity for us to point them to God.
b. We should especially invite others to experience God’s ultimate goodness: His redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
B. God’s care is shown to those that fear Him.
1. What does it mean to fear God?
a. Many people do not like to talk about “fearing” God. However, fear often helps us avoid doing foolish and dangerous things.
b. Our God is a loving Father, but like any good father, He disciplines us when we go astray (Hebrews 12:5-6; Revelation 3:19).
2. God has not promised to provide for those that defy Him, but He will provide for those that love and fear Him.
III. Holiness and Reverence
Listen for how to experience good and long life.
Psalm 34:11-14 (NIV)
11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
What specific instructions in these verses did David offer to God’s people?
- learn the fear/awe of God
- be impressed with Who He is, what He is doing
- don’t say (or think) bad things
- focus on communicating the truth
- turn away from evil (in your entertainment, in your actions, in your attitudes)
- focus on those things which are good … actions and attitudes
- seek, pursue peace … instead of arguing, complaining, accusing, nagging
What are some things to be avoided to live a life of excellence?
- taking God lightly (not in awe of Him)
- using God’s name loosely
- speaking evil
- the vocabulary you use
- the things you talk about (gossip, off color jokes)
- focusing on evil … accusing others, causing trouble, fomenting antagonism, getting thrills from dark or terrifying entertainment
So, what are some positive actions we can take?
- be respectful, in awe of God
- speak truthfully
- speak kindly
- have an attitude of peace and kindness
- be a peace maker
- help others, don’t agitate or make fun of them
Since God is our provider, what is our responsibility in experiencing His provision?
- trust Him
- obey Him
- submit to His rule in your life
- thank Him
- praise Him
- worship Him
- serve Him, minister in His Name
III. A personal challenge.
A. David offered to teach others “the fear of the Lord”.
1. This involves teaching people what God has commanded, and warning them of what happens when we disobey.
2. On the other hand, we should also remind people that God blesses those who do obey Him (Malachi 3:10-12).
B. How does fear of the Lord affect our behavior?
1. It affects your speech.
2. It affects your values.
3. It affects your relationships.
Are you experiencing a crisis in your life? The Bible says God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, so you can rest assured that He will provide for you (Matt. 6:24-34). That’s not to deny the importance of work (2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8), but even the hardest working people face financial difficulty. Because God loves us, we can trust Him to take care of us. If you have experienced God’s provision in your own life, you need to tell others about it. Your testimony will not only encourage your brothers and sisters that are facing crises, but they will also encourage unbelievers to “taste and see that the Lord is good”, and possibly bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Application
Express thanks
- Make a list of the ways God’s has provided for you – be specific.
- Use that list as a reminder to thank God every day for His involvement in your life
Confess your needs
- God knows your needs, but that doesn’t lessen your responsibility to pray
- Speak with Him honestly this week about your deepest needs
- Watch for His answers … His provisions
- Praise Him, thank Him for His answers
Be a conduit for God’s provision
- Remember that often God’s provision for you is through the love and generosity of others
- Keep an eye open for situations and opportunities where God might want to use you to provide for someone else
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Prayer of Commitment
Lord, I seek You, for only in You can I know life in all its fullness. Amen
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Our lesson today:
Click Here to Watch
When I think about this illustration, I am reminded of the many Christians who find themselves on a “spiritual” deserted island. They walk through life defeated and alone because of a particular circumstance or because of a stronghold in their life.
They feel helpless and fearful. They see no hope in the future.
All the while God’s provision is available to them if they would only seek His face. Much like the FedEx man, he had all that he needed to escape the island if he would have only opened the package.
I want us to open the scripture package this morning and study Psalm 34 to see God’s Promise of Provision to those who choose to live under His care.
Our lesson opens with this question, "How would you define the “good life”?"
- no financial worries
- snazzy car(s)
- smart kids, good looking kids
- successful profession
- lawn and landscaping envy of the neighbors
- beautiful house
- nice vacations each year
- taking an annual cruise
- good health
- good looking spouse
In John 10:10 Jesus says, 10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
I think it's important that we have a good understanding of what a "Good & Abundant" life really means.
- The Good Life?
- An Abundant Life?
- A Prosperity Gospel?
- Conditional Promises?
Lesson Point: God provides for those who choose to live under His care.
Our text this week comes from David's Psalm 34:4-14.
Setting: With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, King David reflects in Psalm 34 on an event in his life where God had provided for his need of rescue. David speaks with confidence concerning how God provided for all of his needs. Even though David had shown great strength and courage in his defeat of Goliath, David was still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. David had gotten into some trouble and fled from King Saul. Running away from Saul, David headed toward King Achish (Abimelech) of Gath. The story is recorded in more detail in I Samuel 21. David pretended to be insane in front of the King for protection.
King David, now an older and more experienced man of God, shares his testimony and gives advice like a mentor for those needing the Lord God to deliver them from the desperation that life can bring. He tells us three things regarding God’s Promise of Provision:
1. When we call to God He does respond
2. He speaks of how we can lack for nothing with God’s blessings
3. He speaks of how we can experience a long and good life through reverence and holiness
David sought the Lord and was delivered & we can call on God and experience God’s full provision too.
I. We Call and God Responds
Listen for what happens when we call on God.
Psalm 34:4-7 (NIV)
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
From what did the Lord deliver David? Fears, troubles, shame
How did David describe those who trust in the Lord?
- radiant
- never shamed
- saved out of troubles
To whom does the Lord provide protection?
- those who seek Him
- when you call on Him
- those who fear the Lord … you are in awe of Him, reverence Him … high esteem, high regard, great respect, acclaim, admiration, appreciation, estimation, favor
How are angels involved in the lives of God’s people?
- we sometimes think of guardian angels
- God sends them as messengers
- often they intervene in our behalf
- protection
- deliverance
- maybe even show up visible as people
- other times as invisible helpers, protectors
When has God responded to your needs?
- finances
- wisdom to make right choices
- assurance and encouragement through His Word
- physical healing
- opportunities, “open doors”
- relieved fears
- enabling to do what needed to be done – better than “Power Milk Biscuits which give shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done”
I. A personal testimony.
A. David had personally experienced God’s provision.
1. This was written when David “changed his behavior” (1 Samuel 21:13).
a. Some people question whether David’s actions were moral or ethical, since he pretended to be crazy when he was not.
b. God often takes care of us in spite of our frailty and depravity.
2. God had seen him through some very difficult times.
a. He took care of David when he was fleeing from Saul. God also took care of him in later years when he fled from Absalom.
b. God does not always promise life will be easy, but He does promise to provide for us even during the hard times.
B. Few things are more powerful than one’s personal testimony.
1. History tells of many people that experienced God’s provision firsthand.
a. One of the great humanitarians of the 19th Century was George Muller, who founded several orphanages in England. Interesting, he never asked for money or went into debt to fund his work. He simply prayed and trusted God to provide, and God invariably did
so.
b. Brother Andrew, the author of God’s Smuggler, tells of his adventures smuggling Bibles into Communist countries during the Cold War. He not only depended on God to provide funds for the Bibles, but he also trusted God to enable him to get the Bibles past the border guards.
2. If God has seen you through some difficulty, or provided for your needs in a remarkable way, you have a duty to tell others about it.
II. God’s Blessings
Listen for how to lack nothing.
Psalm 34:8-10 (NIV)
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
According to these verses, what are the benefits of trusting in the Lord?
- He is good … “taste and see” this to be true
- we are blessed
- those that trust Him lack nothing
- those who seek him lack no good thing
How can we intentionally “taste” the goodness of God?
- claim His promises … trust Him, take notice of how He fulfills them
- be on the lookout for the blessings of God all around
- note the beauty of creation which surrounds us
- look for specific situations where you are quite sure that God has provided, protected, prevented, guided, blessed
How do we incorporate the fear/awe of God into our everyday lives?
- be aware of God’s greatness
- daily reading and meditating on God’s Truth found in His Word
- study the characteristics of God – holiness, righteousness/justice, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, love, sovereignty (God does as God pleases to do)
- learn to trust in those attributes of God
How do we reconcile these promises with the suffering of God’s people?
- consider Job’s experiences
- bad things happen to good people
- both good and bad things happen in life
- in those situations we learn to trust God’s sufficiency
- God enables us to rise above, to live through, to continue to praise Him … even in the midst of suffering
- we learn to minister to one another … the Body of Christ, the Church ministers
What does this passage reveal to us about prayer?
- David offered many prayers
- note that David expressed both joy and sorrow, both despair and praise
- whatever was happening, David talked to God about it
- God wants us to come to Him with all our feelings
- You cannot hide your feelings from God, better to voice them honestly
Why did David have such confidence in God’s attentiveness to his prayers?
- he had repeatedly experienced God’s provision and protection
- he was in the habit of communicating with God … not a bad idea for us also
- he focused on God’s greatness … on the attributes of God
- when he looked at the supreme authority and power of God, he was assured of God’s ability to meet his need
II. A personal invitation.
A. David invited others to experience God’s goodness.
1. In what ways have we experienced God’s goodness?
a. He has saved us from the penalty of sin.
b. He has adopted us into His family.
c. He provides for our daily needs.
d. He empowers us for His service.
2. Like David, we should invite others to experience God’s goodness.
a. When people are experiencing difficulty, it’s a great opportunity for us to point them to God.
b. We should especially invite others to experience God’s ultimate goodness: His redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
B. God’s care is shown to those that fear Him.
1. What does it mean to fear God?
a. Many people do not like to talk about “fearing” God. However, fear often helps us avoid doing foolish and dangerous things.
b. Our God is a loving Father, but like any good father, He disciplines us when we go astray (Hebrews 12:5-6; Revelation 3:19).
2. God has not promised to provide for those that defy Him, but He will provide for those that love and fear Him.
III. Holiness and Reverence
Listen for how to experience good and long life.
Psalm 34:11-14 (NIV)
11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
What specific instructions in these verses did David offer to God’s people?
- learn the fear/awe of God
- be impressed with Who He is, what He is doing
- don’t say (or think) bad things
- focus on communicating the truth
- turn away from evil (in your entertainment, in your actions, in your attitudes)
- focus on those things which are good … actions and attitudes
- seek, pursue peace … instead of arguing, complaining, accusing, nagging
What are some things to be avoided to live a life of excellence?
- taking God lightly (not in awe of Him)
- using God’s name loosely
- speaking evil
- the vocabulary you use
- the things you talk about (gossip, off color jokes)
- focusing on evil … accusing others, causing trouble, fomenting antagonism, getting thrills from dark or terrifying entertainment
So, what are some positive actions we can take?
- be respectful, in awe of God
- speak truthfully
- speak kindly
- have an attitude of peace and kindness
- be a peace maker
- help others, don’t agitate or make fun of them
Since God is our provider, what is our responsibility in experiencing His provision?
- trust Him
- obey Him
- submit to His rule in your life
- thank Him
- praise Him
- worship Him
- serve Him, minister in His Name
III. A personal challenge.
A. David offered to teach others “the fear of the Lord”.
1. This involves teaching people what God has commanded, and warning them of what happens when we disobey.
2. On the other hand, we should also remind people that God blesses those who do obey Him (Malachi 3:10-12).
B. How does fear of the Lord affect our behavior?
1. It affects your speech.
2. It affects your values.
3. It affects your relationships.
Are you experiencing a crisis in your life? The Bible says God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, so you can rest assured that He will provide for you (Matt. 6:24-34). That’s not to deny the importance of work (2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8), but even the hardest working people face financial difficulty. Because God loves us, we can trust Him to take care of us. If you have experienced God’s provision in your own life, you need to tell others about it. Your testimony will not only encourage your brothers and sisters that are facing crises, but they will also encourage unbelievers to “taste and see that the Lord is good”, and possibly bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Application
Express thanks
- Make a list of the ways God’s has provided for you – be specific.
- Use that list as a reminder to thank God every day for His involvement in your life
Confess your needs
- God knows your needs, but that doesn’t lessen your responsibility to pray
- Speak with Him honestly this week about your deepest needs
- Watch for His answers … His provisions
- Praise Him, thank Him for His answers
Be a conduit for God’s provision
- Remember that often God’s provision for you is through the love and generosity of others
- Keep an eye open for situations and opportunities where God might want to use you to provide for someone else
Are You Living the Abundant Life?
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Forerunner, "Ready Answer," July 2005
It is a common misconception among non-Christians that the Christian life is, frankly, boring. Christians of every stripe the world over are thought to be dull, humorless, austere people. For instance, Southern Baptists are ridiculed by the media because they preach against drinking, dancing, playing cards, and—how out of touch of them—premarital sex. When they inaugurated a boycott of Disney World for its annual Gay Day a few years ago, the media's coverage could not have done more to reinforce the world's image of intolerant, rigid, square, biblical Christians!
The cause is not advanced in the least by the stuck-in-time lifestyles of the Amish and related denominations. Dressed in their centuries-out-of-style clothing and forbidding the use of most modern devices, such people scream "archaic" and "austere" to the world. Most people, even other Christians, despite their tolerance for their beliefs, consider them crazy to adhere so inflexibly to a way of life half a millennium removed from the present!
Modern mainline Protestants have tried to shed this uncool image. In many churches, a contemporary service has replaced or been added to the traditional service. This modern, pop-culture service features live, upbeat music (read "Christian rock"), heavy use of pictures and computer graphics flashed on huge screens, and short sermons given by high-energy youth pastors, and the mostly young attendees wear casual clothes ranging from blue jeans and T-shirts to khakis and polo shirts. This change in format has been a conscious choice aimed at ridding Christianity of its dreary reputation among the "unchurched."
Even so, if the world considers unrestrained hedonism the norm in terms of "fun" and "living large," biblical Christianity will indeed be considered lackluster and unyielding by comparison. The Bible is clear in its calls for Christians to cease behaving as most in the world do:
[A Christian] no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. (I Peter 4:2-4)Yet, just because a Christian exercises self-control does not mean his life is boring, underprivileged, and unrewarding. In fact, lived properly, a Christian life is ultimately more exciting, successful, and satisfying than most human beings can imagine! Certainly, the lives of Christians are full of responsibility and self-restraint, but the rewards and blessings that accrue over a lifetime of pleasing God and living His way of life simply overwhelm the seemingly onerous duties and strictures. There is no comparison!
Most people are not aware that this is a primary reason Christ came as a man to this earth—to teach us how to live abundant, fulfilled lives. Notice His plain statement in John 10:10: "I have come that they [His sheep, Christians] may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." According to the very Founder of Christianity, His disciples, if they follow His teachings, will live enviable, full lives! They will have lives worth living!
But, specifically, what does He mean by "life . . . more abundantly"?
Delineating Abundant and Life
A problem arises when discussing this concept due to the apparent subjectivity of the term "abundant." What is abundant living for one person may be absolutely unsatisfying for another. A hard-charging, A-type businessman—into exotic vacations, sports cars, and rock climbing—would not consider a rocking chair on the porch, a vegetable garden out back, and a weekly round of golf at the local course to be fulfilling, yet they would probably suit a retired senior citizen just fine. One person's bowl of cherries is another's bowl of cherry pits.
The Greek word Jesus uses in John 10:10 to describe the kind of life He came to teach His disciples is perissón, meaning "superabundant," "superfluous," "overflowing," "over and above a certain quantity," "a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate." In short, He promises us a life far better than we could ever envision, reminiscent of I Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (see Isaiah 64:4). Paul informs us that God "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).
However, before we begin to have visions of palatial homes, classic automobiles, around-the-world trips, and wads of pocket money, we need to step back and consider what God says comprises "life." Once we determine His view of living, we will have a better grasp of what kind of blessings we can expect as Christ's disciples. All we need to do is glance around at our and our brethren's situations to know that wealth, prestige, position, and power in this world are not high-priority items on God's list of blessings (I Corinthians 1:26-29). In terms of economic, academic, and social strata, most of us come from the lower and middle classes, and we tend to remain in a situation similar to the one in which we were called (compare I Corinthians 7:20-24).
Perhaps the most telling biblical definition of life—particularly eternal life—is uttered by Jesus Himself in John 17:3: "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." Note that this definition makes no mention of length of days, health, prosperity, family, occupation—in fact, the only thing it does mention is knowing God!
What can we take from this?
» God is not overly concerned with the physical circumstances of our lives. It is enough that He assures us that we need not worry about what we will eat or wear (Matthew 6:25-32; Philippians 4:19).As humans, we are naturally oriented toward material things, but as Christians, our perspective must change. Paul admonishes, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died [in baptism], and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:2-3). To us, life—and our perception of abundant life—is a whole new ballgame!
» Eternal life, the kind of life in which a Christian is truly interested, is not determined by duration but by a relationship with God. This is why, once we are converted and impregnated with the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are said to have eternal life already (I John 5:11-13), though not, of course, in its fullness.
» Eternal life—the life God offers us through Jesus Christ and His teaching—is thus about quality, not quantity. Put another way, the abundant life is life as God lives it (Ezekiel 33:10-11; I Peter 2:21; I John 2:6), for once we truly come to know God, we will desire to emulate Him.
» Physical blessings, then, may or may not be byproducts of God's way of life; neither our wealth nor our poverty is a sure indication of our standing with God. Certainly, God desires that we "prosper in all things and be in health" (III John 2), but the bottom line is "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (verse 4), not that we live like royalty.
» Finally, a Christian's life revolves around, as Peter puts it, "grow[ing] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). This suggests that the abundant life is a process of learning, practicing, and maturing, as well as failing, recovering, adjusting, enduring, and overcoming because, in our present state, "we see in a mirror, dimly" (I Corinthians 13:12).
Promises, Promises
But what about God's promises of physical blessings?
Most successful televangelists preach what is called "the Prosperity Gospel." Using select Scriptures, they teach that if one gives his life to Jesus, and if he follows certain biblical principles, God is obligated to fulfill His promises of wealth, health, and well-being. In the end, God becomes little more than a genie-in-a-bottle, granting wishes out of sheer compulsion. To these preachers, this is the abundant life God promises, and hundreds of thousands of people agree with them.
It is true that the Bible is full of promises. It is also true that Jesus tells us several times in John 14-16, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:14; see also 14:13; 15:7, 16; 16:23-24, 26). Psalm 37:4 pledges, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." These sound like absolute promises, and if God is to be true to His Word, He must fulfill them, right?
This is what the televangelists have concluded, but in the end, it is a facile conclusion. Very few of God's promises in the Bible are absolute in nature; they are, instead, conditional promises, governed not only by our responses to God, fulfilling certain requirements, but also by the perfect judgment of God. As James 1:17 says, He gives only good and perfect gifts; He will never give one of His children a "blessing" that would ultimately derail His purpose for him or that would be too much for him to handle.
It works similarly among mere mortals. A human parent would not send his son to vocational school if he really wanted him to be a doctor, even though tuition to the vocational school would be a "good thing." Likewise, the same parent would not entrust his child with thousands of dollars in cash at Toys 'R Us, despite the fact that such sums of money would be considered a wonderful gift. If human parents have enough wisdom to give goal- and maturity-dependent gifts to their children, how much more does God (Romans 11:33)?
The faithful Abraham and Sarah are good examples of this aspect of God's promises. In Genesis 12:2, God tells Abraham, age 75 at the time (verse 4), that He would make of him "a great nation," implying that he would have children. God makes this promise again in verse 7: "The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your descendants I will give this land.'" Yet, He does not give Abraham the promised child when he is 76 or 78 or 80!
After his rescue of Lot from the confederation of kings, Abraham pleads with God in Genesis 15:2-3—he is now 80 years old—for an heir. God repeats the promise, and Abraham believes Him (verses 4-6), yet Sarah does not become pregnant any time soon. Later, after Ishmael is born of Hagar when Abraham is 86 years old (Genesis 16:16), the patriarch wonders if this is the promised seed, but when the boy is thirteen—Abraham is now 99!—God reiterates, "No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son" (Genesis 17:19).
Finally,
. . . the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. . . . Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. (Genesis 21:1-2, 5)Evidently, a great deal had to happen in the lives of Abraham and Sarah—predominantly in terms of spiritual maturity—before God felt the right time had come to give them their promised baby boy. Twenty-five years passed before God fulfilled His promise. Notice that Scripture itself informs us that God performed the miracle to allow Sarah to conceive "at the set time." There was one perfect time for this promise to be fulfilled, and God fulfilled it when all the conditions were right.
And we can thank Him profusely for doing the same for us (II Corinthians 4:15).
Shining the Light on Our Lives
Despite our humble, modest circumstances, are we living abundant lives? Despite our lack of toys, a mansion on the lake, or a Rolls-Royce on our driveway, are our lives better than we ever expected? Or do we feel that life has passed us by, serving us the dregs instead of the wine? If so, could it be that we need a change of perspective?
J. Paul Getty, at the time perhaps the richest man in the world, said, "I hate and regret the failure of my marriages. I would gladly give all my millions for just one lasting marital success." He possessed the money to live whatever lifestyle gave him the most satisfaction, but at the end of his life, he came to realize that a good, enduring marriage meant more to him than riches. He died feeling like a failure at what life is really all about.
King Solomon lived a similar life of wealth, power, and privilege. The book of Ecclesiastes chronicles his lifelong experimentation with various lifestyles, projects, possessions, hobbies, and creature comforts. What does he ultimately conclude about how humanity should live?
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come. . . . Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13-14)His conclusion is totally compatible with Jesus' statement in John 10:10. Jesus did not come promising us wealth, prestige, and authority on earth (although He does promise us these things in the world to come), but He came with good news from His Father about how to attain eternal life (John 6:40). Like Solomon's, His message is very clear, ". . . if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).
The big "secret" is that the abundant life is contained in the keeping of God's commandments, in tandem with the grace supplied through Jesus Christ. John writes, "And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:16-17, ESV). Jesus came to give man the means by which he could properly keep God's commandments; His grace puts commandment-keeping in its proper place. Once a person is living this way—what Paul calls "walk[ing] in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-25)—his life is naturally going to be abundant because he is no longer under the penalties and curses that breaking the law exacts (see verse 18). His life will be pleasing to God, and He will bless him, now and in the life to come (Psalm 19:11; Proverbs 11:18;Matthew 6:33; Revelation 11:18; 22:12)!
Are our lives abundant? Are we reaping the rewards of following God's way of life? Have we begun to enjoy the benefits of keeping God's commandments?
Every Sabbath, we enjoy the benefits of keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8-11), including physical rest, time with our families, fellowship with our brethren, and communion with and instruction from God. It may not be "exciting," but it is living as He wants us to live.
The same is true of keeping the other commandments. If we have happy families and marriages, we are reaping the benefits of keeping the fifth and seventh commandments (verses 12, 14). If people find us trustworthy and honest, we are being rewarded for keeping the eighth and ninth commandments (verses 15-16). If we are content in our circumstances, our peace of mind derives from practicing the tenth commandment (verse 17).
Moreover, if we see spiritual growth taking place, and if we are producing good fruit in our lives, we are experiencing the results of a strengthening relationship with God, encapsulated in the first four commandments (verses 2-11; Matthew 22:37-38). Such a relationship with our Creator is the key to abundant living, for there is no greater, more satisfying accomplishment than that among men!
When we reach this point, we will have learned the godly perspective, and we will know that the life of God we live is definitely abundant living—no matter what our circumstance (Philippians 4:11)!
Prayer of Commitment
Lord, I seek You, for only in You can I know life in all its fullness. Amen
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
