INTRODUCTION
Read Psalm 11
Max Lucado calls them `doubt storms', bringing with them `gale force winds of fear'. Fortunately He reminds us `soon after the storm a light shines through'.
I am sitting here this morning looking out my window at the beautiful sun shining over the mountains. Last night , where there was thunder, lightning and grey skies of a storm and I couldn't even see what lay ahead, now all I can see is the LIGHT.
In this Psalm, we find David facing one of these `doubt storms'. It seemed for a moment, his life was falling apart. He had just killed a giant and the Philistines, his enemy were running away. Shouldn't King Saul have been happy with him. Instead, David had arrows being thrown at him from all directions. The wicked seemed to have the `upper hand' again.
It looked liked there might be `turbulent days' ahead. It seemed this new enemy was just `too big, too great, and his future too bleak'. Still, although it looked dark through the storm and he couldn't see his future, he knew there was a LIGHT and he trusted that LIGHT. That LIGHT of love, mercy and justice. That LIGHT that sat upon a throne in Heaven, and that LIGHT who would always be watching over and taking care of Him.
1. a) Do you know the LIGHT I am talking about? If not, I would like to help you find Him.
b) Are you going through one of these `doubt storms'? Maybe David's story this week might be of help to you. I know it has helped me.
DAVID'S STORY.
Read 1 Samuel 18:1-16, 1 Samuel 19:1-10; Psalm 11:1-3
It is believed this Psalm was written when David discovered Saul's jealousy towards him. Most of us know how David had killed Goliath and how when he returned from the battle, everyone thought he was wonderful. (1 Samuel 17). Unfortunately, Saul had become jealous of David and it seemed God was totally out of the picture.
As David was struggling in fear for His life, he was also fighting the temptation to lose faith in God. Yet, as the arrows were being thrown at him, he stood his ground, "No", he said, "I am trusting in God".
David was determined to make God His confidence, when the arrows and words of discouragement were being thrown at him. He wanted to stand tall with the Lord, to face Saul and his enemies. David knew that whatever happened he would stand under God's protection.
2. Are their any `arrows' of temptation being thrown at you? How can you stand with stand, like David, in confidence of God's protection?
DAVID'S FAITH STRENGTHENED
Read Psalm 11:4-7
The attempt of David's enemies to shake His confidence just made his faith stronger. He pronounced:
* THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN.
"The Lord is in His holy heaven. The Lord sits on His throne in Heaven." V4a
*HE KNOWS EVERYONES' TRUE CHARACTER
"He sees what people do. He keeps His eye on them." V4b
*PERSECUTORS MAY PROSPER FOR A WHILE, BUT THEY WILL EVENTUALLY PERISH.
"He will send hot coals and burning sulfur on the wicked. A whirlwind is what they will get." V6
* HE IS A MERCIFUL, JUST & COMPASSIONATE GOD
"The Lord does what is right and He loves justice; so honest people will see His face." V7
David was a righteous, honest young man who wanted to live in the LIGHT. He trusted God and wanted to give his life in service to the Lord. God was like a tender Father who looked down on Him in love and compassion, and this strengthened David's faith. God will look down on all of us who walk in the LIGHT OF THE LORD, and will continue to strengthen our faith, if we continue to see Him.
3. How can people's attempts to shake our confidence make our faith stronger?
CONCLUSION
When I woke this morning to see the sun, I was filled with joy. For many weeks these `doubt storms' and `gale force winds of fear' have been keeping me overwhelmed by darkness. But reading David's story of faith and praying with him his prayer of TRUST, has brought me back to the LIGHT.
My prayer this week is that you will pray this prayer with me, and be reminded that the TRUE LIGHT, that comes through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, is YOURS, and that like David, you can truly TRUST HIM with your WHOLE LIFE.
*The Devotional Bible, New Century Version,(1987) Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson
*The New Matthew Henry Commentary (2002), Martin H Manser, Zondervan
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