Sunday Worship Service (30th August, 2020)
TRUSTING THE LIVING GOD WITH THE WHOLE HEART
Psalms 16:1; 17:7; 18:2, 30; 19:7; 20:7; 21:7
The word “trust” in our texts is very important, interesting and instructive to believers. The central thought in the passages is trusting in the Lord completely and unreservedly. Therefore, in whatever situation or predicament we may find ourselves, in this time and at all times, we should trust the Lord with all our heart, soul and might to help us.
- THE PRESERVATION OF TRUSTING SAINTS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psalms 16:1,3; 17:15
The power of God changes and transforms sinners into saints. As trusting saints in His Kingdom, He grants us righteousness and all the provisions of Calvary, and preserves us in them. There are seven things to note:
(i). Personal Relationship with the Lord
Psalm 16:1-3; John 20:28,29; Psalm 50:5
Through salvation, our knowledge of Christ and faith in Him, we have personal relationship with the Lord. This makes us saints of God, even while we are here on earth.
(ii). Peculiar Resources as Our Lot
Psalms 16:5-8; 125:3,4; 2 Corinthians 9:8
As we come into the kingdom of God, He makes Himself and all His provisions our lot. He also grants us the unsearchable riches of the Kingdom. If we “set the LORD always before” us when we are at crossroads, during temptations, sicknesses and persecutions, we “shall not be moved.
(iii). Perpetual Rejoicing in the Path of Life
Psalm 16:9,11; Acts 2:28; Philippians 4:4-9
Trusting saints in righteousness will experience perpetual rejoicing in the path of life. “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
(iv). Predicted Resurrection of Our Liberator
Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27-31; 13:35-38
David, being a prophet, predicted the resurrection of Christ, our Liberator. “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.”
(v). Purposeful Restraint of Our Lips
Psalm 17:3-5; James 3:2-10; 1 Peter 3:10-12
As beneficiaries of God’s mercy and grace, believers must resolve in their heart that their “mouth shall not transgress” and restrain themselves consciously from the path of sin. “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile”.
(vi). Powerful Rescue from the Lions
Psalm 17:8-12; 2 Timothy 4:17,18; 1 Peter 5:8,9; Hebrews 11:33,39,40
The Lord promises to deliver us out of the hands of “deadly enemies”, which He already conquered on the cross at Calvary. As He delivered David and Paul the apostle “out of the mouth of the lion” so will He deliver us if we remain “sober” and “vigilant”.
(vii). Present Righteousness in His Likeness
Psalm 17:15; 1 John 2:28,29; 3:3,7,10
As long as we live in this world and Jesus tarries, we must continue to behold His face in righteousness. “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”
- THE PERCEPTION OF THE TRIUMPHANT STRENGTH OF OUR ROCK
Psalm 18:1,2
Christ is our Rock and Strength; and He builds us on that rock. There are three things to note:
(i). The Triumph of Our Mighty Deliverer
Psalm 18:1-3,9-14; Romans 11:26,27; Luke 1:74,75; Acts 26:17-19; 2 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 1:13,14
Psalm 18 verse 2 presents various descriptions of God, which give us assurance that He is the answer to our life challenges and situations. He is our Rock; we can hide in Him. He is our Fortress; no enemy can besiege Him. Therefore, our lives are secure in Him. He is our Deliverer; He is able to deliver us from the wicked. He is our God, the Creator of heavens and earth; He is able to recreate our lives. He is our Strength; we derive strength from Him when we are weak. He is our Buckler and Shield, and the Horn (power) of our salvation. As the psalmist spoke with confidence, so should we. “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies”.
(ii). The Testimony of Our Miraculous Deliverance
Psalm 18:6,16-21,32-35; Jeremiah 31:11,12; Luke 11:21,22; Acts 12:6-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3; Hebrews 2:14,15
The psalmist had testimony of miraculous deliverance because of his relationship with the Lord. He said, “For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.” If we keep obeying and serving the Lord faithfully, He will also deliver us from enemies that are “too strong for [us]” and grant us victory over life challenges. In spite of the trials of the moment, if we count our blessings, we would see reasons to praise God.
(iii). The Time of Our Marvellous Dispensation
Psalm 18:37,40; Ephesians 1:9-14; 3:2-6; Colossians 1:25-27; Matthew 5:43-45; Luke 6:35; Romans 12:20,21
The Lord wants us to recognise the dispensation in which we live. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the difference between the old covenant dispensation and ours. In the Old Testament dispensation, David and the patriarchs dealt with their enemies and crushed them. However, from the time of the cross, the coming of the Holy Ghost and the birth of the great commission, a new “dispensation of the grace of God” began. Therefore, we must obey the injunction to “Love [our] enemies, bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]”. As we show love to our enemies, we will overcome “evil with good” and the Lord will preserve us.
- THE PERFECTION OF OUR TRUSTWORTHY SAVIOUR AND REDEEMER
Psalms 19:7; 20:5; 21:4
Great, popular and influential people have imperfections in their lives. Thus, believers should not be controlled by their example. We must rely on the law of the Lord, which is perfect and converts the soul. God’s word directs, motivates, instructs, controls and makes us wise. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
(i). Our Purging through the Law of the Lord
Psalms 19:7-13; 119:9-11; Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Timothy 3:16,17
The word of God sets our friendship, relationship and fellowship right. It guides us in all we do. The Word gives us real assurance that we have the purging and preservation in the Lord. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
(ii). The Provision of Liberality by the Lord
Psalm 20:1-9; Matthew 6:33; John 14:13-15; 1 John 3:19-22
The Lord promises to remember and reward us for everything we do in His house to alleviate the suffering and poverty of others. According to our demand and desire, He will grant and fulfil “all [our] petitions” – spiritual, physical, educational and professional.
(iii). The Preservation of Life in the Lord
Psalms 21:4,1-7; 91:16; John 10:10; 1 John 5:12,13; Romans 5:17,21; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-4
The Lord has promised to preserve and satisfy us with long life. If we “set [our] affection on things above” and keep trusting Him with our whole heart, He will preserve our lives until the glorious, final day.
GHS: 170, 22 & 72