Honestly, it seemed a little trite: “Yeah yeah, David encouraged himself in the Lord…that’s nice. I don’t feel like encouraging myself in the Lord. I am not in a worshipful mood here. I don’t feel like singing. I don’t have the energy to sit and meditate on high and lofty things. All I can think about is what am I going to do now?!”
Listen as Pastor Rick transparently shares a message of encouragement based on the story of David and Ziklag from 1 Samuel chapter 30.
In the final and intimate message of this series, Pastor Rick challenges us to REALLY Trust in God.
"...as He calls you to trust He does not do so with a hand or voice upraised. He knows your lameness, your blindness, your weakness, your uncleanness, your paralysis. He knows your hurt, your pain, your loss, your strain. He knows about your broken friendship, your struggling marriage, your difficult time with your teenager, your grief over the loss of a loved one, or the sadness of a long goodbye. He knows your stressful work environment, your financial difficulties, your lack of self-control. He knows about your regrets and your sorrows. He knows about your failures. He knows about your sin. He knows about it all. And he understands. And without a shout or an upraised hand, He calls to you and me to trust in Him Who is always sufficient, Who never fails, Who created stars, Who bears scars, and wants to carry you. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” “Trust me.”"
I hope today that you are encouraged to anchor your faith in God and Christ. Do not succumb to the struggle of emotional doubt with a response of willful unbelief. Rather, go back to the truths you know. Cling to them. Grow in them. Find strength there and bridge the gap between your knowledge and your emotions with willing faith. Trust in the Lord. Then you can say with the Psalmist, “Ps 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”
Listen as Pastor Rick preaches to himself. Listen and maybe you will be challenged by the "splashover." :-) How strong is your faith? Do you trust God as much as you trust your pharmacist and the electric company?
Listen as Pastor Rick returns to Matthew chapter 6 to finish considering the truths of verse 33. If I seek first the Kingdom of God, what are all the "things" that will be "added unto me?"
