June 8, 2008
“When we lose our Way”
I Samuel 27:1-12
Intro:
Review story and comment about David being in a spiritual ‘slump’
Bible heroes had spiritual “slump”
We have spiritual “slump”
What do we do when we are spiritually “slumped”?
I. Faith isn’t based on feelings
Habakkuk 2:4
Habakkuk was angry with God. God was allowing awful circumstances in the lives of His chosen people. In the first chapter he is complaining to God and vividly describes what he considers to be atrocious behavior.
In chapter 2 God responds telling Habakkuk that He knows what is happening and then summarizes His thoughts with verse 4 “...but the righteous will live by his faith”
So the first thing when we are in a slump is to remember that faith is not based on the way we feel. Faith is not based on the circumstances we are in. No matter what is going on in our lives we can fall back on the salvation experience. When we accept Christ, He is present and we can depend on Him.
Sometimes that means to just ‘lean into the pain’ and acknowledge that it is too much and that feelings are on the rampage. In the midst of all the pain is the “faith” that God is holding on.
I recall a very painful time in my life when everything seemed to be crashing down on me. I couldn’t seem to muster up faith or hope no matter what I did. I remember sitting at the piano. I’d been trying to muster some faith feelings and it just would not come. I buried my face I
In my hands and called out to God, ‘please don’t leave me, please hold on to me.’ Nothing happened in those next moments but when I look back to that time I can see how God was at work in my life and that He did accomplish His work in me.
We will experience dry times, we will be plagued with doubts and satan will at times be rampaging in the circumstances of our lives. However we can know with certainty that God is in all that is happening in our lives.
II Corinthians 1:21-22; 24b
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” These verses remind us that it is God, Himself, Who makes it the truth that we are standing firm in Christ. His anointing, His seal, unbreakable, is upholding us and His Spirit lives within assuring us that He is in control and will rule in our lives. Nothing can stop God from doing what He has planned in our lives as long as we are depending upon Him. Verse 24 sums it up:
…”because it is by faith you stand firm.”
Secondly when in a slump I can be assured that He is not going to leave me. That even if I am in sinking sand, He is there with me.
II. We remember that He never leaves us
A. Isaiah 41:16
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 54:10-15 assures us that even though I am sure the way is too rough and that I am surely losing out, His loving ways and His righteousness is making my way smooth and safe.
We “have” Peace. His peace is ours when we claim it. Again Scripture says it so clearly. Isaiah 26:3-4; 7-9; 12 simply says that we place our thoughts upon Him we have His peace. Standing at the casket of my father several years ago, I was in so much turmoil. I had not had the chance to talk to my dad before he died and I was grieving. I remember saying to God, ‘I need Your peace, Father.’ Heaven seemed to just come down and stand there with me as I felt His divine presence and peace.
Lastly, when we are in a quandary about life, we can rest in the fact that in Christ we are made complete. We have all we need to face the trial and to come through it stronger and more like Christ. Christ has made us complete
I Corinthians 1:4-9 tell us that Christ is deep-rooted in us. We are truly given everything we need. God is faithful and I am safe.
