Hello my dear friends! Have you ever been on a journey and found the map you had was useless? Perhaps you had a state map, but you were trying to navigate in a large city where only the main roads were listed, leaving you to guess where the next turn would take you. Would it not be better to have someone with you who knew every turn, every street, every place you needed to go? This is what the Good Shepherd desires to do for you. He is our Guide, our Protector, our Instructor, our Counselor. This is the great lesson of Psalm 32: Jesus is all we need to navigate the challenges of this life.
Learning to trust Him,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #12
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:6-8
Core Value: Prayer
Perhaps you are familiar with the phrase, “Don’t get the cart before the horse.” Even as believers, it is an easy thing to do. When we find ourselves in a jam, in a really challenging circumstance, it is tempting to return to our default setting and place the weight of trust upon our limited ability to rescue ourselves. Yes, we do need rescuing. But, ironically, sometimes, we ignore the answer: the power of the Gospel. Is there a practical solution that will address the challenges of life for the believer?
I believe the solution is a proper understanding of “Provision and Obligation.” It means that for every obligation that God requires of His children, there is ALWAYS a provision from Him that allows us to do our part. For example, in this Psalm we see our “obligation” is to “pray to You” (vs. 6). We are to pray. That’s all. There is nothing there about us fixing our problems, of trying to deliver ourselves in our own strength.
On the other hand, notice what God has promised to provide: “He will be found . . . He protects us from the flood . . . He provides for us a hiding place . . . He preserves us from trouble . . . He surrounds us with songs of deliverance . . . He will instruct us and teach us in the way we should go . . . He will counsel us with His eye upon us.” Is it clear yet? His provision (grace) allows us to do our part (obedience: we believe and approach Him in faith). He always does His part. Will we do ours?
Principle #12 & Personal Application: The quality disciple finds refuge, instruction, and counsel in the Lord during life’s difficult challenges.
There are many great nuggets of truth that we can observe:
• The blessing: He will be found. The godly disciple of Jesus Christ is called to pray to the Lord.
• The blessing: He will be found, even during times of danger.
• The blessing: Our prayer is turned into praise for what He will do. He is our hiding place; He preserves us from trouble; He surrounds us with songs of deliverance; He will instruct us and teach us in the way we should go; He will counsel us with His eye upon us.
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
There is a relationship between prayer and what God does because of it. When am I most prone to pray—during times of crisis or when everything is calm around me?
When I am praying, do I sense His protection and presence?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, what a blessing it is to me that You want me to be godly and come pray to You. I thank You that You can be found as You invite me to come into Your presence, using Your Name. Your promises of protection, refuge, and utter joy gives great comfort to me. Your promise to teach me, guide me, and counsel me are priceless.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.
www.dennybates.com
http://thequalitydisciple.blogspot.com/
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