Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explore the themes of trusting in God, the power of prayer, and overcoming fear.
Good morning, beloved family. Today, we are going to delve deep into a powerful message from Psalms, a message about trusting in the Lord, the power of prayer, and overcoming fear. These are themes that touch every one of us, no matter where we find ourselves in life.
Max Lucado once said, "Fear may fill our world, but it doesn't have to fill our hearts." It's such a fitting quote, isn't it? It gestures towards what God wants for us - peace, trust, and freedom from fear.
Let's read together the Scripture passage we'll be focusing on today. Psalm 56:3-4 says, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God, I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
Now, isn't that a lifeline when the waves of life threaten to pull us under?
Let's bow our heads for a moment of prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for the gift of life, and for your word that continues to guide and enlighten us. As we delve into your word today, open our hearts and minds. May we learn to trust you fully, embrace the power of prayer, and overcome our fears. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
So, let's get started, shall we?
Trusting in the Lord is the bedrock of our faith, the anchor that keeps us steady amidst life's storms. Trusting in the Lord means believing in His promises, relying on His wisdom, and surrendering our lives to His will. It is a conscious decision to let go of our fears, doubts, and insecurities, and to place our complete confidence in God's ability to guide us through every situation.
Not a passive state of mind: It is an active choice to believe in God's sovereignty, even when our circumstances suggest otherwise. It is a declaration of faith that God is greater than our fears, stronger than our enemies, and more reliable than our own understanding.
Acknowledging our limitations and recognizing God's omnipotence: We are finite beings with limited knowledge and understanding. We cannot see the future, nor can we control the outcomes of our actions. But God, in His infinite wisdom and power, sees the end from the beginning. He knows what's best for us and has a perfect plan for our lives. Trusting in Him means surrendering our plans, our desires, and our understanding to His superior wisdom and guidance.
A lifelong journey of faith: It requires constant effort and commitment. Every day, we are faced with situations that challenge our trust in God. We encounter difficulties that shake our faith and cause us to question God's goodness and faithfulness. But trusting in God means choosing to believe in His promises, even when our circumstances are challenging. It means clinging to His word, even when our feelings tell us otherwise.
Waiting patiently for His timing: Often, we want things to happen according to our timeline. We want answers to our prayers right away. But God's timing is perfect. He knows when to give us what we need. Trusting in Him means waiting patiently for His answers, even when it seems like He is silent. It means believing that He is working behind the scenes, even when we can't see any evidence of His activity.
Brings peace: When we trust in God, we experience a sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. We are not anxious about the future because we know that God is in control. We are not afraid of what others can do to us because we know that God is our protector. We are not overwhelmed by our problems because we know that God is our provider. Trusting in God gives us the confidence to face any situation with courage and hope.
Prayer is our direct line of communication with God, a spiritual lifeline that connects us with our Creator ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO