Good morning, all!
Father, we know there are many things in this life that just don’t make sense. Let us look to You continually through all that we face and pray we would always see Your providential care. Father, we ask that You remove all the confusion we feel and lead us to the Rock that is higher than I, Amen.
Psalm 44
15 My confusion [is] continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
My confusion is always on my mind and shame and humiliation is written on my face.
16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
All we hear is that we are a rotten Christian, and our enemies seek our hurt.
17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
We have taken the beating BUT we have NOT forgotten You Lord and we have NOT acted falsely concerning Your covenant.
18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
Our heart will NOT look to anything, but You and we will NOT live any other way but by Your faith.
Bottom line
Have you ever felt like what’s the point of having faith? What’s the point in serving God? This is what I believe David is expressing in this Psalm, he is past the point of frustration…he is totally confused. Remember God made him king of Israel and He said David was the apple of His eye and yet here he is expressing something completely different. Maybe we’re NOT as crazy as we think? David had been beaten down by the enemy, he didn’t understand what went wrong and why this happened and he was totally CONFUSED by it all. Not only confused but he also felt so defeated and ashamed that he wore it like coat, like the scarlet letter for all to see. His enemy rubbed his face in this defeat, they made fun of him and told him that they were avenged…translation…they wanted David to be humiliated, and they wanted paybacks. Is faith true and right if NOT tried? Tested? Revealed?
[1Pe 1:7 KJV] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I hope you can see it this morning, David wasn’t on trial and you’re NOT on trial even if the world tries to blame you and they will. Your FAITH is on trial. And so, we’re clear this ain’t NO misdemeanor…no, no, no, he said we would be tried with FIRE…yeah, the situation in your life is real hot, you don’t just pay the ticket and go home. When you’ve been outcasted and ridiculed for your faith or how you live your life, you might have even lost a battle that has left you feeling alone like David. What’s the verdict? Will faith prevail or will your response look like the world? Will you curse them and retaliate, wishing bad on them? Did you notice when faith availed
who appeared? Jesus Christ. When the world puts you on trial what will they see? And remember we are called a witness NOT a judge, will they witness Jesus in you? You see the bible says that faith without works is DEAD, when the world takes you to court will they see the works of faith? Or are you just like them…dead? Everybody claims to have faith but when the going gets tough will we be COMMITED to a life of faith and let the spirit of Christ in us prevail? Notice what David declared after all that he endured, he said ALL this has come on us BUT we have not forgotten THEE, neither have we dealt FLASLEY in Your covenant. What is God’s covenant?
[Isa 54:10 KJV] For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. This really is a powerful verse this morning especially in the context of this message, the mountains and the hills shall DEAPRT…these problems are so BIG we can’t move them BUT God can. Notice what remains, the covenant is PEACE and how do we KEEP this covenant? Retaliate with those that have rejected us, ridiculed us, wished the worst for us? Peace means the absence of conflict so I’m pretty sure you can’t KEEP God’s covenant by returning evil with evil. No, we keep the covenant of Peace that God has called us to live with KINDNESS, did you notice what makes it powerful? It will not DEPART from our life; you suppose maybe when our faith is tried with A fiery ordeal if we respond with KINDNESS, one could say that is faith with works…good works? You suppose that might look like the appearing of Christ? I mean when I read scripture, I can’t find one account where Jesus treated anyone CRUEL, you? I mean he told the thief on the cross good for ya, you got what you deserved, or did I get that verse wrong?
[Luk 23:43 KJV] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Hmm…that sounds like faith with works, the thief was guilty but that’s NOT what Jesus said, instead kindness prevailed and while He was in pain and death was eminent Jesus said you will be WITH me…NOT rejected…in PARADISE…I’m gonna give you the best I got to give you. Jesus was NEVER confused about His mission here on earth, it was for faith to arise and treat the world with kindness. So, if you’re confused today, you’re in good company just make sure your response is done with kindness then you can declare like David that your steps have NOT declined from HIS way.
Point to Ponder
Will you keep God’s covenant? [Isa 9:5 KJV] For every battle of the warrior [is] with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but [this] shall be with burning [and] fuel of fire. Did you notice how many of our battle’s start with confusion? EVERYONE!!! And what does God do to our battle garments? He BURNS them…hmm, maybe the best way to keep peace is to quit fighting with each other, what do you say?
Don’t be confused the call is unity, In Him Phil
Faith – Family – Friends
