"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, oh Lord, will keep me safe" (Psalms 4:8 NLT).
God hears the prayers of His own. David called out to the Lord in distress knowing the Lord who rescues would hear his cry for help. The wicked do not fear God; therefore, they are already defeated and condemned.
David's son Absalom broke his heart as if plunging a sword straight through his father's heart. Why? Because Absalom was wicked. Like David, sometimes those close to us can be unreliable and cross hurtful barriers with words or actions.
When this happens, we feel deeply wounded. When someone pierces our heart, resting in Jesus unlocks the opportunity to understand the mind of God; resting in Him brings our will into line with God's purpose. It is humbling and reassuring to realize God's mercy extends to us (Psalms 4:1-8) and that the Lord has set apart the redeemed for Himself.
Therefore, God always listens and always answers when we call on Him (Psalms 4:3). Sometimes the answer is no, conceivable the answer is wait, the answer may be yes. Whatever His decision, it is always the right answer if our request is in God's will and we are willing to trust and rest in Him as He prepares us for victory.
Pondering:
I try to fight the good fight but someone or something seems to pierce my heart continually. Why can't I just live a normal life for Christ doing good work without all the drama and pain?
"But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him" (Psalms 4:3 NASB).
Coaching:
David was a righteous King, yet he lived a life of continual drama. He was not perfect; just a human being with defects like the rest of us. He made both good decisions and bad, but either way he received the consequence for each decision. However, David found a secret that encouraged him to endure all things; he studied the scriptures and realized there is a peaceful rest in trusting and praising God, no matter the situation.
Desiring to make right or wrong decisions knowingly is equal-to the outcome of those decisions. However, there are times when we have done nothing wrong, yet life tosses us like an angry undercurrent pulling us down drenching us in heartache. Is it realistic that God's people will rest in His peace and strength no matter what the circumstance? Without a doubt, if we believe in Christ and grow in the knowledge of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, the consequence is that He will protect and strengthen us in all things.
What happens to those of us who began strong in the power of the Holy Spirit, but later weaken in our spiritual life? In all probability, we are trying to perfect the work the Holy Spirit began by our own effort instead of resting in Christ through the power of His Spirit. Sometimes we do not recognizing His power given to us.
Through faith, diligently searching the scriptures, and volition, we begin to recognize spiritual power coming alive within us. There is a moment in every Christian life when we realize God's living power within us. We experience His power by witnessing a direction or purpose that results in life-changes for us and in the lives of others that did not seem possible. There are moments of little miracles we often do not remember. It is important to journal how God answers our prayers mainly because we forget the little things God does for us. If defeat overwhelms us, it is time to prepare for victory in all things.
Preparation for Victory
- Pray & Praise God during trials (James 1:2-5; 1 John 5:13-16)
- Prepare your heart (James 1:19-25)
- Plan to obey God's will (2 Chronicles 6:14)
- Peacefully rest in God (Psalms 4:8)
- Pave your will to align with God's plan (James 4:6-17)
- Practice sensitivity in discovering your purpose (Romans 9:11)
Everyone has the same Biblical information yet not all believe or act on it. Disobedience always brings defeat. Our faith expresses itself by understanding temptation, by preparing a faith that counts, and by praying in God's will.
"When the event you prayed for occurs, your prayer has always contributed to it. When the opposite event occurs your prayer has never been ignored it has been considered and refused for your ultimate good and the good of the whole universe" (C.S. Lewis).
Challenge:
I challenge you to let go and rest in God like David did. We have the opportunity to bring our will in line with God's purpose for us. If we rest in Him we are blessed by touching the mind of God as He sets in motion our purpose through Preparation for Victory.
"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, oh Lord, will keep me safe" (Psalms 4:8 NLT).
David's son Absalom broke his heart as if plunging a sword straight through his father's heart. Why? Because Absalom was wicked. Like David, sometimes those close to us can be unreliable and cross hurtful barriers with words or actions.
When this happens, we feel deeply wounded. When someone pierces our heart, resting in Jesus unlocks the opportunity to understand the mind of God; resting in Him brings our will into line with God's purpose. It is humbling and reassuring to realize God's mercy extends to us (Psalms 4:1-8) and that the Lord has set apart the redeemed for Himself.
Therefore, God always listens and always answers when we call on Him (Psalms 4:3). Sometimes the answer is no, conceivable the answer is wait, the answer may be yes. Whatever His decision, it is always the right answer if our request is in God's will and we are willing to trust and rest in Him as He prepares us for victory.
Pondering:
I try to fight the good fight but someone or something seems to pierce my heart continually. Why can't I just live a normal life for Christ doing good work without all the drama and pain?
"But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him" (Psalms 4:3 NASB).Coaching:
David was a righteous King, yet he lived a life of continual drama. He was not perfect; just a human being with defects like the rest of us. He made both good decisions and bad, but either way he received the consequence for each decision. However, David found a secret that encouraged him to endure all things; he studied the scriptures and realized there is a peaceful rest in trusting and praising God, no matter the situation.
Desiring to make right or wrong decisions knowingly is equal-to the outcome of those decisions. However, there are times when we have done nothing wrong, yet life tosses us like an angry undercurrent pulling us down drenching us in heartache. Is it realistic that God's people will rest in His peace and strength no matter what the circumstance? Without a doubt, if we believe in Christ and grow in the knowledge of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, the consequence is that He will protect and strengthen us in all things.
What happens to those of us who began strong in the power of the Holy Spirit, but later weaken in our spiritual life? In all probability, we are trying to perfect the work the Holy Spirit began by our own effort instead of resting in Christ through the power of His Spirit. Sometimes we do not recognizing His power given to us.
Through faith, diligently searching the scriptures, and volition, we begin to recognize spiritual power coming alive within us. There is a moment in every Christian life when we realize God's living power within us. We experience His power by witnessing a direction or purpose that results in life-changes for us and in the lives of others that did not seem possible. There are moments of little miracles we often do not remember. It is important to journal how God answers our prayers mainly because we forget the little things God does for us. If defeat overwhelms us, it is time to prepare for victory in all things.
Preparation for Victory
Everyone has the same Biblical information yet not all believe or act on it. Disobedience always brings defeat. Our faith expresses itself by understanding temptation, by preparing a faith that counts, and by praying in God's will.
"When the event you prayed for occurs, your prayer has always contributed to it. When the opposite event occurs your prayer has never been ignored it has been considered and refused for your ultimate good and the good of the whole universe" (C.S. Lewis).Challenge:
I challenge you to let go and rest in God like David did. We have the opportunity to bring our will in line with God's purpose for us. If we rest in Him we are blessed by touching the mind of God as He sets in motion our purpose through Preparation for Victory.