In this chapter, it shows the TOP Elements of Faith. TOP stands for: Trust, Obedience and Prayer. First of all is “T”. TRUST in God’s Power. You ought to know how great our God is. You ought to know what God can do. That He can do impossible things.
It says in Verse 1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” It simply means, He gives strength to those who are weak and He provides everything we need.
It says in Verse 4; “There is a river whose streams make glad…” River stands for “continual outpouring” and Streams stands for “Blessings.” Therefore, God’s grace is sufficient.
It says in Verse 7; “The Lord Almighty is with us…” Meaning, He gives shelter and comfort every time we face troubles. The Lord promised in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them”. God is with us, so our future is secure. As long as we gather in His name.
Next is “O”. OBEDIENCE to the Will of God. It says inVerse 10; “Be still…” Simply means, “be silent”, “enough” or “let go”. Meaning, stop murmuring and just obey. Turn away from sins and rebellion against God. Surrender the things that hold you back from giving God complete control of your life. Just allow the Holy Spirit to work in you. It’s be great to live in accordance to the Will of God. Keep in mind that Christ lives in us. We should no longer seek to fill our lives with earthly pleasures. Instead, we seek to serve God in all we do. When you think of what Jesus had done for you is this too much to ask? If we love Him, we will obey Him. If we obey God we have far more success than if we disobey Him. Victory depends upon obedience to God.
And then “P”. PRAYER. It says in Verse 10; “… and know that I am God.” GOD!!! He is the God that answers prayers. He is faithful and forgiving Father. There are two kinds of prayer in trusting and obeying God. First is the Full Cleansing Prayer. Meaning, to confess all your sins and ask for forgiveness in the name of Lord Jesus. Remember, the Lord is a faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Imagine, if you receive a message from God the Father & He told you that He is going to send Jesus down to visit you at your house on a specific date. What would be the first thing that you do? You would want to clean your house from top to bottom. Everything will be properly dusted; everything is nice, neat and orderly fashioned. Why? Because you would want Jesus coming into a “clean house”. That’s what we are going to do in our entire life.
Next is the Full Surrender Prayer. What to do? Ask God to control your life. You must be willing to make a full surrender of your entire life to the Lord. Be open to the changes God wants to make in you.
In CONCLUSION, it says in Verse 10, “… I will be exalted among the nations.” Remember, you are now a living sacrifice. A follower of Jesus. Let us now honor the Lord by obeying the Greatest Commandment and accomplishing our Great commission.
In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, “Surely, I am w/ you always, to the very end of the age.” All we need is Trust.
In Matthew 22:37, It says, “Love the Lord your God w/ all your heart and w/ all your soul and w/all your mind.”
And in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all Creation.” These are the great things to do if you are willing to obey God.
It says in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, & teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. That’s all!!! God Bless you all and may your Faith becomes Great Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
