Explores our dependence on God's deliverance, dedication to His direction, and delight in His devotion.
Good morning, beloved. As we gather today in this sacred space, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a grand and glorious truth, a truth that transcends our mortal understanding and reaches into the very heart of divine wisdom. It is a truth that has been whispered into the ears of the faithful, a truth that has been etched into the hearts of those who love the Lord. It is a truth that we will find in the beautiful poetry of the Psalms, specifically in Psalms 124:1-2.
Let me read it to you now:
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say—if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us."
What a powerful declaration of faith! What an incredible testament to the unwavering power of our God! This passage invites us to reflect on three significant aspects of our relationship with the Lord: our Dependence on Divine Deliverance, our Dedication to Divine Direction, and our Delight in Divine Devotion.
How often do we find ourselves in the throes of adversity, feeling as though the world is against us? How often do we feel lost, unsure of which path to take? And how often do we forget the joy and delight that comes from being in the presence of God, from knowing Him intimately and deeply? These are the questions that Psalms 124:1-2 encourages us to consider.
When we find ourselves in the midst of trials and tribulations, it is natural to feel overwhelmed, to feel as though the weight of the world is pressing down upon us. We may even feel as though we are alone in our struggles, as though no one understands the depth of our pain or the complexity of our situation. But the truth is, we are never alone. We have a God who is always with us, a God who is always ready to deliver us from our troubles.
In the face of adversity, it is easy to forget this: It is easy to lose sight of God's presence and to instead focus on our problems. But the Psalmist reminds us that it is God who is on our side, it is God who stands with us in the face of adversity. This is a powerful reminder of our need to rely on God, to trust in His divine deliverance.
The recognition of our own limitations: We are finite beings with finite resources. We cannot solve all of our problems on our own. We need help, and that help comes from God. He is our source of strength, our source of wisdom, our source of comfort. When we recognize our limitations and turn to God for help, we are demonstrating our dependence on His divine deliverance.
The acknowledgement of God's sovereignty: God is in control of all things. He is the creator of the universe, the ruler of all nations, the judge of all people. Nothing happens without His knowledge or permission. When we acknowledge God's sovereignty, we are affirming our trust in His divine deliverance.
The cultivation of a relationship with God: This is not a passive process. It requires active engagement, active communication, active participation. We must spend time in prayer, in worship, in study of the Scriptures. We must seek God's guidance, seek His wisdom, seek His presence. When we cultivate a relationship with God, we are deepening our dependence on His divine deliverance.
The expression of gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful force. It shifts our focus from our problems to our blessings. It reminds us of all the ways in which God has delivered us in the past, all the ways in which He is delivering us in the present, all the ways in which He will deliver us in the future. When we express gratitude, we are reinforcing our dependence on God's divine deliverance.
When we think about divine direction, we might imagine a compass pointing us in the right direction ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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