Learning To Lean

Not a single crutch that David leaned on so heavily was able to protect him. He learned the priceless, eternal truth that God, and God alone, preserves His people.  

Psalm 61:2, From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

There are plenty of times I leaned on this thing or that person instead of the Lord. 

I learned that God will systematically bring me to the place where I lean on Him. That’s where He plans to bring each of us. 

Love the words of this song written by John Stallings. 

Sad, broken-hearted, At an altar I knelt, I found a peace so serene.

All that He asked was a child-like trust, And a heart that is learning to lean.

Learning to Lean, Learning to Lean. I'm learning to lean on Jesus. 

Finding more power then I've ever dreamed. I'm learning to lean on Jesus. 

God Never Forgets You

As far as Israel was concerned, God had forgotten them. Their nation had been destroyed; their capital, Jerusalem, lay in ruins; their precious Temple had been utterly demolished and many were taken captive. They were a broken people.             

But God lets them know that He has not forsaken them and all of nature is called upon to worship. 

Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Are there times when we feel forgotten by the Lord—when we wonder why circumstances in our lives are stormy?

God can’t and will not forget or forsake you. His love is perfect, permanent, unconditional and eternal. 

Trust the Lord with all your heart no matter what you are going through. He cares for you. 

Dynamic Contentment

There’s a secret to satisfaction and Paul knew it.  

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

He said “I can…through Christ”.  That’s the language of POWER.  That’s dynamic contentment—a dynamic Christian life.  

Even in jail, Paul was content. He faced many difficulties. 

Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

What does it take to satisfy you— gadgets, cars, recreation, clothes? 1 Tim. 6:7-8 tells us to be satisfied with what we have. 

An “I can through Christ” attitude means victory over every temptation—grace for every trouble—strength for every task. 

When we trust Jesus for all things, He gives us power with contentment to face anything that comes our way. 

Beyond The Here And Now

Job has been kind of a gloomy guy, having his little pity parties, but then he gets his eyes off his pain and misery and on the big picture.  

He begins to look beyond the here and now to things that will never change—things he can rejoice in. 

Job knew that one day his body would change and he would see Jesus. 

Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

I find a lot of comfort, hope and strength in the thought of having a perfect body and seeing Jesus. 

When life is rough and you feel defeated, look beyond the here and now and rejoice. 

Casting All Your Care Upon Him

When we are burdened, it touches the heart of God and He is moved on our behalf. 

Thank God, we don’t have to bear our burdens alone. There is One who is stronger than we are and willing to carry our load.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

We are told to “cast all our care”— give it all to Jesus. Don’t hold back the smallest part of a burden. 

How can we do this? With the absolute confidence that He cares for us, Heb. 4:15. 

Worship

True worship isn’t coerced but naturally flows from a heart that’s right with the Lord. 

As David pondered the awesome power and gracious mercies of God, he was compelled to worship.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

One of the greatest ways to obtain worship is to consider the mighty works of God—have a sense of His awesome power and presence. Surely He has been good to us.

Much worship today is shallow and lacking because many lives are shallow and lacking. 

If we are to worship on Sunday, we must be committed to walk with the Lord on Monday and throughout the week.

God’s Sovereignty And Glory

Isaiah saw God in His sovereignty and all His glory, and it had a profound impact on his life. 

Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

God’s main characteristic is His holiness. We are to honor His holy nature by living holy lives before Him. 

During the downtimes of life, we need to remember Who is working all things out of His holiness and for the glory of His Name

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.