March 29, 2016
All of us face times of difficulty and stress. That's not our greatest problem. What you DO and WHY YOU DO IT in the midst of those problems are what creates the greatest difficulty.
King David faced intense difficulties—more than most. What sustained him in the midst of his problems? What put him in the right posture for God's help?
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.” But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay. (Psalm 70:4-5)
#1 SEEK GOD
""Let all who seek You...""
Don't merely seek deliverance. Seek God in the midst of the trouble. He and He alone can give you what you need.
#2 GIVE THANKS
""Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You.""
We are commanded to give thanks in everything. This is the highest form of trust because it indicates that, although we do not see the outcome, we believe in the One who does.
Notice the object of our rejoicing though: ""Rejoice and be glad IN YOU."" We are not glad in the problem, but in the God above the problem.
#3 SEEK GOD'S GLORY
""Let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified.'""
Often the reason we are so troubled in difficulty is that it is interrupting our plans for life. But the greatest are those who have died to self-promotion, self-protection, and self-honor and who live for one goal: that God will be magnified.
When this is your true heart, you are above the problem because you realize the greater the darkness the more God 's light can be seen. You are willing to accept and embrace God’s sovereignty for a greater good.
#4 CRY OUT IN FAITH
""Hasten to me, O God, You are my help and my deliverer!""
With this rejoicing heart and God-glorifying motive, then you are in the best position to cry out for deliverance. Pleading for help is not wrong. You are God’s child if you know Him. What concerns you concerns Him! And He loves to deliver His children to bless them and illustrate to a watching world the value of coming to Him.
But you must cry out in faith at whatever level you possess it, believing that He, and He alone, is your “Help and deliverer.” He is well able to save you and save you in His perfect time and perfect way.
March 11, 2025
God knows what He is about. Always include in your request the greatest prayer—the prayer of surrender. “Lord, Your will be done.” This is the prayer, when humbly prayed, that will always be answered and yield the most valuable result from the God who loves us best ... even if the answer is hard.
March 05, 2025
Every created man or woman must make their choice. What will you do with God? Will you embrace or reject Him? Draw near or run away? Trust and serve Him or doubt God and serve yourself? This foundational choice determines everything.
March 04, 2025
As you evaluate your faith, is it “God and?” God and others. God and the world’s ideas. God and my best thoughts thrown in. God and some money. God and a clear path. Or simply: God. Are you vainly clinging to the idea that you need more than Him?
