Trusting God

Rev. James Brown of Evangeline Baptist Church in Louisiana shares an interesting lesson he learned on the subject of trust. He tells it this way:

“There is no situation I can get into that God cannot get me out. Some years ago when I was learning to fly, my instructor told me to put the plane into a steep and extended dive. I was quite unprepared for what was about to happen. After a brief time the engine stalled, and the plane began to plunge out-of-control.

It soon became evident that the instructor was not going to help me at all. After a few seconds (which seemed like eternity), my mind began to function again. I quickly corrected the situation.

Immediately I turned to the instructor and began to vent my fearful frustrations on him. He very calmly said to me, "There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again."

At that moment God seemed to be saying to me, "Remember this. As you serve me, there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right."

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Rev. Brown’s experience is an important lesson in trust. God can rescue us from any situation, regardless how bleak or frightening it may be.

2. David understood the value of trust in God as well as anyone. He experienced God’s deliverance first-hand, and made it a point to share his testimony with all of Israel.

3. 1 Samuel 21 records the account of David at Gath (one of five major towns of the Philistines) as he fled (for fear of his life) from Saul. David hoped to maintain a low profile while he was there, but his hopes quickly sank.

A. The servants of Achish (king of Gath) recognize David and point him out to others, touting his impressive battle record.

B. David knows this is not good, and fears his fate when Achish finds him out, so he pretends to be insane in their midst.

C. God intervenes. Achish is unnerved by David’s behavior, chastises the servants for allowing him in his court, and David is allowed to flee with his life.

4. As the result of his incredible experience, David writes a psalm [1] to praise God for his deliverance, [2] share his testimony on trusting God, and [3] encourage all of Israel to do the same. Turn with me to Psalm 34.

II. DAVID PRAISES GOD FOR HIS DELIVERANCE (vv.1-3)

1. Extol (v.1) means to praise someone or something with great enthusiasm and admiration. David says, “I will praise him enthusiastically – his praise will always be on my lips”.

2. David is moved by God’s deliverance; so much that he will boast in the Lord so that the afflicted hear and rejoice. He wants others who are suffering to know of God’s goodness to him, and rejoice in God’s power to deliver them.

3. He calls others to join him in praise; let the nation rejoice and exalt (lift up; esteem) god together with David. He understands the power of corporate praise.

III. DAVID’S TESTIMONY (vv.4-7)

1. I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

A. Aside from personal experience, there is nothing more powerful than an eyewitness account of God responding to someone in need. David shares his experience with those around him so that his lesson in trust might become their lesson, too.

B. We often find comfort in the testimony of other Christians. When we face sickness, tragedy, loss or distress, God uses the experience and testimony of those around us bring us relief.

C. When was the last time you offered your testimony as a comfort to someone else? God can use your experiences, too; if you bear witness to his deliverance!

2. He delivered me from all my fears

A. Human beings share a common bond – we all succumb to fear. David was afraid that Achish would discover his identity and kill him. That would be quite a prize for a Philistine king, given David’s slaying of Goliath (Gath was Goliath’s hometown, cf. 1 Sam 17:4). It is safe to say the people of Gath would enjoy retribution!

B. David’s fear was real and powerful, yet when he called, God answered and took away his fear – all of his fears.

01. God did not remove only the worst one, or the worst two fears; he removed his fear entirely so that he could think clearly and respond to the opportunity God opened for him.

3. He saved me from my troubles

A. Notice that the troubles didn’t disappear; instead, God saved him from them. The Philistines would continue to despise the Israelites; Achish, given the opportunity, would lash out at David at another time.