Psalm 31:1-8<\/p>\n\n\n\n
INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Good morning! It\u2019s great to be with you again today. Thanks for joining us \u2014 and for those watching online, thanks for tuning in this morning. I hope this message encourages you, inspires you, and ultimately transforms you (from the inside out) as you allow God\u2019s Word to shape your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our tradition has been to spend our summers studying and preaching the Psalms<\/strong> (because the Psalms<\/strong> tend to speak to where we are in life). And, I so love the Psalms<\/strong>. As a musician and a creative \u2014 I\u2019ve always had a love for the poetic nature of the psalms. But with the shift from our routines over the past several months (because of this strange COVID<\/strong> season<\/strong>), we turned our attention to other plans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But as SUMMER<\/strong> is coming to an end, I want to spend the next<\/strong> 3<\/strong> weeks<\/strong> exploring one single psalm \u2014 <\/em>PSALM 31<\/em><\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Its a psalm that speaks to the subject of trusting God<\/strong>, so I\u2019m calling this mini-series:<\/p>\n\n\n\n IN GOD WE TRUST! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no doubt we are living in unstable and turbulent times\u2014values are eroding, our moral culture is deteriorating, and there is an increasing pull away from godliness and the person of Christ<\/strong>. It\u2019s in just such a moment \u2014 that Psalm 31<\/strong> sounds forth a call for us to have great faith!<\/p>\n\n\n\n David<\/strong> wrote Psalm 31<\/strong> as a declaration<\/strong> of his faith and trust in his Lord <\/strong>in the midst of difficulty. In the middle of his trial, David<\/strong> especially trusted his God. It\u2019s within these unique times that we have an opportunity to live by faith, and not by sight. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, Psalm 31<\/strong>\u2014could be summed up asf: Possessing a deep trust in God, within the depths of difficulty. <\/strong>It’s a Psalm about declaring an absolute dependence upon God \u2014 regardless of our circumstances! While these days of our lives may be turbulent \u2014 Our<\/strong> God<\/strong> is trustworthy<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we begin, I want to draw your attention to this. I hold in my hand today \u2014 a single ONE DOLLAR BILL.\u00a0<\/strong>It first appears on our currency in 1864<\/strong>. First with our coins…but later added to our paper currency. During the Civil War,<\/strong> while the great difficulty and pain \u2014 faith began to increase in our nation. And there was an earnest desire to recognize that which was most important.\u00a0This came about to clarify that the United States would never forget that we are not a faithless people. And so, in 1861<\/strong>, Salmon P. Chase<\/strong> (the Secretary of the Treasury<\/strong>) had received many letters requesting a notion of our faith in God on our money. And so, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861: \u201cDear Sir, No nation can be strong except the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.\u201d In 1956 it was added to paper money and had remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, it was at this time that our great nation was struggling in great pain \u2014 and yet at that time, we were then a nation hearing to recognize God. And yet it seems that today, we are a nation yearning to eliminate God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our nation today seems to be headed in the wrong direction. There is an increasing rejection (almost daily) of our faith<\/strong> and trust in God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The question remains, during these days \u2014 where will you and I stand?<\/strong> When the dust settles on the chaos of our culture \u2014 where will we be found?<\/strong> How will we respond<\/strong> to the current pain and difficulties that we are facing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Will you choose to stand in faith and TRUST IN GOD \u2014 no matter what?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a critical question for us to answer today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it\u2019s in such a moment (a moment of tremendous pain and challenge) that David<\/strong> established his declaration and answer to this question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you have your Bible<\/strong> \u2014 turn their with me. We will spend the next few minutes considering the powerful words of Psalm 31.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/em><\/strong> In you, Lord, I have taken <\/em>refuge<\/em><\/strong>; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. <\/em>2<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of <\/em>refuge<\/em><\/strong>, a strong fortress to save me. <\/em>3<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. <\/em>4 <\/em><\/strong>Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my <\/em>refuge<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em>5 <\/em><\/strong>Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.<\/em> 6\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. <\/em>7<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0I will be glad and rejoice in your love,\u00a0for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.<\/em>8\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 31:1-8 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are 4 primary reasons<\/strong> (within this text) as to why we must put our trust in the Lord (today and always). First of all, David<\/strong> says\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. I CAN TRUST GOD TO BE MY REFUGE! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/em><\/strong> In you, Lord, I have taken <\/em>refuge<\/em><\/strong>; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. <\/em>2<\/em><\/strong> Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of <\/em>refuge<\/em><\/strong>, a strong fortress to save me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 31:1-2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trials were everywhere \u2014 yet David<\/strong> trust in God<\/strong> as his refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t know exactly when he faced this trouble (included in this psalm), but the truth is, all of his life was speckled with trouble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n God<\/strong> continues to allow troubles to come our way \u2014 because, it’s often in the midst of difficulty that God<\/strong> often calls us to stand the tallest for Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And here\u2019s David<\/strong>, under attack and feeling the pressures all around him. His anxiety was increasing. Uncertainty surrounded him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It reminds me of a story I heard some time ago about a National Geographic<\/em> <\/strong>photographer was assigned to get photos of a forest fire. There was too much smoke at the scene, so he called a local airport and asked to hire a plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “No problem,”<\/strong> they said. “Come here and we’ll have one waiting for you.\u201d <\/strong>When he arrived at the airport, he saw the plane warming up near the runway. He quickly ran across the tarmac and jumped in. He looked at the pilot and said, \u201cAlright, let’s go! Let’s go!”<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeing that the man was in a hurry, the young pilot swung the plane around \u2014 made his way down the runway. He positioned the plane into the wind. And soon enough, they were in the air and on their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the photographer looked out his window \u2014 he said, \u201cI\u2019d like you to fly over the north side of the fire and make three or four very low level passes.\u201d <\/strong>The pilot asked, “Why do you want to do that?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The photographer said, “Because I’m going to take pictures of the fire. That’s what I do \u2014 I’m a photographer.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At which point the young pilot gulped and said, “You mean, you’re not the flight instructor?”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, I can tell you (in that moment) BOTH OF THOSE GUYS <\/strong>knew what it meant to be filled with anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And no doubt, so do you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even so, God can be trusted <\/strong>to be a place of safety in the midst of storms of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although we haven\u2019t gotten there yet, look down with me at verse 13<\/strong>. Here David<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13<\/em><\/strong> For I hear many whispering, \u201cTerror on every side!\u201d They conspire against me and plot to take my life. <\/em>14<\/em><\/strong> But I trust in you, Lord; I say, \u201cYou are my God.\u201d <\/em>15<\/em><\/strong> My times are in your hands;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 31:13-15 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n David<\/strong> says, it seems as though \u201cTERROR on every side. But\u2026I trust in you, Lord\u2026and my times are in your hands!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I love that David<\/strong> uses the word REFUGE<\/strong> to define God\u2019s<\/strong> faithful<\/strong> care<\/strong>. In fact, he uses this word or word picture 3 time<\/strong>s! And when he does, he is describing the presence of God<\/strong> as the place of safety and security. For God<\/strong> to be his refuge, David<\/strong> is saying that he has made his dwelling place in God\u2019s<\/strong> presence<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a commitment to living in that place. He took cover in the permanence of God\u2019s<\/strong> closeness<\/strong> and companionship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three times in these opening verses he reveals his view of God. In verse 1<\/strong> he calls God his refuge<\/strong>. In verse 2 <\/strong>he calls God his refuge<\/strong>. And in verse 4 <\/strong>he calls God his refuge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The implication is that God<\/strong> was with him. God<\/strong> was able to protect him. And God<\/strong> was faithful to watch over him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This stands in great contrast to the idea that God is just the creator of life. But he is also the maintainer<\/strong> and sustainer<\/strong> and redeemer<\/strong> of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, David<\/strong> says \u2014 When life is the hardest I don\u2019t give up\u2026I look up! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we know the Lord is our refuge \u2014 our faith increases and our confidence rises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because, if you hide within the refuge of God \u2014 you know you cannot lose, no matter what comes your way or what challenges you face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what \u2014 you win, when you stand with the Lord<\/strong>! You win\u2026come what may. Life or death. Good or bad. No matter what \u2014 so trust Him and take your REFUGE in Him!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the second reason that David<\/strong> gives us to trust in God<\/strong>. He says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. I CAN TRUST GOD TO BE MY GUIDE! <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at verses 3-4<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3<\/em><\/strong> Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name l<\/em>ead and guide me<\/em>. <\/em>4 <\/em><\/strong>Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my <\/em>refuge<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 31:3-4 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notice how David<\/strong> repeats those same truths we just found in verses 1-2<\/strong>. This repetition is a declaration of faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n David<\/strong> says, as I remain protected in the fortress of your presence, and I am confident that you will lead and guide me. The request is that God<\/strong> would lead and guide David<\/strong> through life \u2014 around and over the traps<\/strong> and through the tricks<\/strong> of his enemies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This stands in such contrast to the contemporary idea that God (if He exists) <\/strong>is nothing more than the great creator of life. And that somehow, He then stepped aside or moved along \u2014 uninterested in us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s Deism<\/strong> \u2014 which accepts the existence of a creator <\/strong>on the basis of reason, but rejects the belief in a supernatural deity <\/strong>who interacts with humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But know this, we reject Deism<\/strong> \u2014 and instead embrace the Biblical truth<\/strong> of Theism<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Which declares that God is not only the creator of the universe<\/strong>, but He is also the maintainer<\/strong> and sustainer<\/strong> and redeemer<\/strong> of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s is the GOSPEL OF CHIRST <\/strong>in a nut-shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God created the world, <\/p>\n\n\n\n and then entered into it to save us from sin <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 redeeming us for His glory!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And so, when David<\/strong> prays \u2014 \u201c\u2026for the sake of your name lead and guide me\u201d<\/em>\u2014 He is declaring His faith in God<\/strong>, His trust in God<\/strong> \u2014 to guide his steps each and every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n More than that, David<\/strong> is reminding us that God will guide us through the trials and temptations as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because, here\u2019s the deal \u2014 this life is filled with traps and tricks from the enemy of our souls.