Trusting God When Life is Tough
Psalm 27 New Living Translation…The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.
7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. 11 Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Introduction: It’s not necessary to know the context of trouble, for you to connect with the harsh reality that trouble exists and that we all experience it without you having to look for it. We don’t know when it was written, and we don’t know the circumstances or conditions it was written under.
Transition: L-I-F-E is tough. It is filled with variables that will leave you vulnerable when you aren’t in tune with the divine constant.
Exposition:
–Affirmation of confidence. verses 1-3
To be confident, evokes assurance of power, certainty of character, and faith in spite of facts.
Reference… Hebrews 13:8, Philippians 1:6
–Supplication for presence. verses 4-6
Supplication is desperate desire. David prays with a passionate push, because he’s aware that just the presence of God alone is powerful.
–Supplication for presents. verses 7-12
Mercy is a present. Mercy is when God doesn’t give us what we deserved.
–Exhortation for confidence. verses 13-14
Be confident that God is working on your behalf!
Conclusion: “Living in the presence of God, is greater than living in the absence of trouble”. ~Dr. Howard John Wesley
Antonie E. Walker Ministries 