SESSION 2 THE SHELTER OF GODS SALVATION PSALM 27:2-3 (2) When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. (3) Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. God does not just deal with the negative and remove our fear; He also does something positive: Gods salvation gives us confidence. David highlighted the wicked, his enemies and...foes, and an host encamped against him. Even in the middle of this great deployment of enemy forces, David chose to not fear; he chose the Lord as the source of his confidence. On its face, we read a statement like this and think David must have been naive or delusional. Weve likely been in circumstances when we felt the weight of the world and the results of our sin resting on our shoulders. This breeds everything but confidence. Even so, David had Someone else in whom to place his trust. This great hoard of enemies confronting David stumbled and fell. The only way such a thing was possible was because a greater Hero was on Davids side. David took delight in the Lord. * David was the powerful king of an empire, but he refused to fight the battle on his own. * David was wealthy, but he did not try to buy his way out of the fight. * David was artistic, intelligent, and popular, but he did not try to charm his way through the battle. Instead, David trusted in God; the Lords power is so much greater than evil. David trusted in his God, and the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went (2 Sam.8:14). David always had opposition around him. Animosity arose over lands, politics, economics, and relationships. But all of these enemies were temporary. We deal with adversaries that are fairly similar to those David faced - and similarly temporary. Financial problems, family challenges, cultural craziness, and even wars around the world plague us. But like David, we can gain confidence from God, knowing our enemies cannot overcome the victory God brings to us. Our confidence in Christ doesnt mean we should lightly dismiss our foes. A quick trip through the Bible reminds us we have a spiritual enemy who is real and must be dealt with. But a review of the whole of Scripture also shows us God is not just the main Character of A story, but He is the main Character of THE story. And His story is also our story. So we see throughout Gods story in His Word that He is active in saving us. We continue to go our own way, yet God continues to reach out to us - and He continues to rescue us. Our Father wants us to enjoy a renewed relationship with Him. So while we have enemies and should not treat them lightly, when we look to God as our salvation and stronghold, we will not be defeated. We have a sure confidence when we stand in Christ, our salvation. We have to choose where we will place our confidence. In spite of the enemies of Gods kingdom and our own sin nature, we can have confidence because of who our Hero is. Jesus has shown up, and He is our Advocate. The victory Jesus gives enables us to have confidence that will endure when it is based on what Christ gives and not on what we have achieved.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:33:53 +0000
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