Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explores the themes of dependence, dedication, and delight in our relationship with God.
Welcome, beloved. Gather close, for we are here to share in the profound joy of God's Word and its unending wisdom. There's a warmth in this fellowship, a comfort in our collective pursuit of understanding, that can only be found in the shared love of our Savior. We are not here merely to listen, but to absorb, to let the words of Scripture permeate our hearts and minds, to allow them to shape us, guide us, and bring us closer to the divine truth they hold.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the Psalms, that beautiful collection of prayers and praises that echo through the ages, connecting us with the faithful of old and reminding us of our shared bond in God's love. Specifically, we'll be looking at Psalms 34:1-8, a passage that sings with hope, faith, and the steadfast love of our Lord.
When we read the Psalms, we are reminded of the importance of looking to the Lord in times of trouble. The psalmist writes, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." This is a clear demonstration of the psalmist's reliance on God for deliverance. He doesn't turn to his own strength or wisdom, but instead, he turns to the Lord. He seeks God's help, and God answers him.
A reminder for us in our own lives: When we face difficulties, it can be tempting to rely on our own abilities. We might think that we can handle things on our own, that we don't need help. But the psalmist's words remind us that our strength comes from the Lord. We are dependent on Him for deliverance. We need His help, His guidance, His strength.
The psalmist's dependence on God isn’t a sign of weakness: On the contrary, it is a sign of his faith. He trusts in God's power and goodness. He knows that God is able to deliver him from his fears. This is a faith that we should strive to emulate. We should seek the Lord in times of trouble, trusting in His power and goodness to deliver us.
The psalmist's dependence on God is a sign of his humility: He recognizes his own limitations. He knows that he can't handle things on his own. He needs God's help. This humility is something that we should strive to emulate. We should recognize our own limitations and turn to God for help.
God’s sovereignty: The psalmist's dependence on God isn’t just about seeking help in times of trouble. It's also about recognizing God's sovereignty. The psalmist writes, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them." This is a powerful image of God's protective presence. The psalmist recognizes that God is in control, that He is watching over His people and protecting them. This recognition of God's sovereignty is something that we should strive to emulate. We should remember that God is in control, even when things seem chaotic. We should trust in His protective presence, knowing that He is watching over us and will deliver us.
Verse 8: The psalmist's dependence on God is about finding joy in God's goodness. The psalmist writes, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" This is a call to delight in God's goodness, to find joy in His presence. The psalmist finds joy in his dependence on God, in his relationship with God. This joy is something that we should strive to emulate. We should find joy in our dependence on God, in our relationship with Him. We should delight in His goodness, knowing that He is our refuge and our strength.
In the light of the divine deliverance we've just discussed, we naturally find ourselves drawn to a deeper commitment to our faith ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO