Constant Praise: Trusting God Through Life's Trials
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound message of holding onto our praise despite life's challenges, drawing inspiration from Psalm 34. The scripture reminds us to bless the Lord at all times, emphasizing that our praise should be constant, regardless of our circumstances. David, a man after God's own heart, exemplifies this through his life. Despite being anointed as king, David faced numerous trials, including being on the run and feeling isolated. Yet, he maintained his praise, understanding that God's presence was with him even in the darkest moments.
David's story teaches us that being anointed does not exempt us from life's difficulties. Instead, it equips us to face them with God's strength. His journey from shepherd to king was marked by obedience and faithfulness, even when he was not yet in the position God had promised him. This teaches us the importance of patience and trust in God's timing. David's encounter with Goliath further illustrates that God equips us with what we need to overcome our giants, and we should not rely on others' methods or tools but trust in what God has given us.
Moreover, David's ability to praise God in the cave of Adullam, despite his dire circumstances, is a powerful testament to the resilience of faith. It challenges us to maintain our praise, not just when things are going well, but especially when we feel alone and abandoned. Our praise is not dependent on our feelings or situations but on the unchanging nature of God.
Finally, the call to action is clear: to taste and see that the Lord is good by inviting Jesus into our lives, whether for the first time or through rededication. The doors of the church are open for those seeking a spiritual home, emphasizing that our community is one of praise and support, regardless of life's trials.
Key Takeaways:
- Unchanging Praise: Our praise should be constant, rooted in the unchanging nature of God, not our fluctuating circumstances. This steadfastness in worship reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. [01:27:42]
- Anointing and Obedience: Being anointed by God does not exempt us from challenges but calls us to obedience and patience. Trusting in God's timing is crucial, as He prepares us for the roles He has set for us. [01:09:51]
- Equipped for Battle: God equips us with what we need to face our giants. We must trust in the unique tools and gifts He has given us, rather than relying on others' methods or resources. [01:19:38]
- Praise in Isolation: Even in isolation and trials, maintaining our praise is vital. It is a testament to our faith and trust in God's presence and provision, regardless of how we feel. [01:32:51]
- Invitation to Faith: The invitation to taste and see God's goodness is open to all. Whether it's a first-time commitment or a rededication, God's love and grace are available to everyone, just as they are. [01:43:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:07:39] - Introduction to Praise
- [01:09:51] - David's Anointing and Obedience
- [01:17:47] - Facing Giants with God's Strength
- [01:19:38] - Equipped for Battle
- [01:21:08] - Anointing and Timing
- [01:23:13] - Trials and Isolation
- [01:27:42] - Maintaining Praise in Trials
- [01:32:51] - True Praise from the Heart
- [01:33:36] - Magnifying the Lord Together
- [01:35:31] - Personal Testimony of God's Goodness
- [01:42:16] - Praise Beyond Feelings
- [01:43:15] - Invitation to Faith
- [01:45:25] - Open Doors for Community
- [01:55:16] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 34:1-8
Observation Questions:
1. What does David declare about his praise in Psalm 34:1, and how does this reflect his attitude towards God despite his circumstances? [01:27:42]
2. How does the sermon describe David's life after being anointed, and what challenges did he face? [01:09:51]
3. What tools did David use to defeat Goliath, and why did he choose them over Saul's armor? [01:19:38]
4. In what way did David maintain his praise while in the cave of Adullam, according to the sermon? [01:32:51]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does David's ability to praise God in difficult times challenge our understanding of worship and praise? [01:27:42]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between anointing and obedience in David's life? [01:09:51]
3. How does the story of David and Goliath illustrate the importance of trusting in God's provision rather than relying on others' methods? [01:19:38]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of community and support in maintaining one's faith and praise during trials? [01:43:15]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did you maintain your praise during that period, and what can you learn from David's example? [01:27:42]
2. In what areas of your life do you feel anointed but are still waiting for God's timing? How can you practice patience and obedience like David? [01:09:51]
3. Identify a "giant" in your life that you are currently facing. What unique tools or gifts has God given you to overcome it, and how can you trust in His provision? [01:19:38]
4. When you feel isolated or abandoned, how can you remind yourself of God's presence and maintain your praise? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith during these times? [01:32:51]
5. How can you invite others to "taste and see that the Lord is good" in your community? What specific actions can you take to share your faith with someone this week? [01:43:15]
6. Consider the role of your church community in your spiritual journey. How can you contribute to creating a supportive environment for others facing trials? [01:45:25]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to action. How can you personally respond to the invitation to deepen your faith or rededicate your life to Christ? [01:43:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Unwavering Praise in All Circumstances
In life, circumstances often fluctuate, bringing both joy and challenges. However, the call to praise God remains constant. This unwavering praise is not dependent on our feelings or situations but is rooted in the unchanging nature of God. David's life exemplifies this steadfastness. Despite facing numerous trials, including isolation and danger, he continued to bless the Lord at all times. This teaches us that true worship is an act of faith, reflecting a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. By maintaining our praise, we acknowledge God's presence and provision, even in the darkest moments. [01:27:42]
Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you intentionally choose to praise God in the midst of it today?
Day 2: Anointing Calls for Obedience and Patience
Being anointed by God does not exempt us from life's difficulties. Instead, it calls us to obedience and patience, trusting in God's timing. David was anointed as king long before he ascended to the throne. During this period, he faced numerous challenges, yet he remained faithful and obedient. This journey from shepherd to king teaches us the importance of trusting God's process and timing. It reminds us that God is preparing us for the roles He has set for us, even when we are not yet in the position He has promised. [01:09:51]
1 Samuel 16:12-13 (ESV): "And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you practice patience and obedience in this area today?
Day 3: Trusting God's Unique Equipping
God equips us with what we need to face our giants. David's encounter with Goliath illustrates this truth. Instead of relying on Saul's armor, David trusted in the unique tools God had given him—a sling and stones. This teaches us to trust in the gifts and resources God has provided us, rather than relying on others' methods or tools. By doing so, we can face our challenges with confidence, knowing that God has equipped us for the battles we encounter. [01:19:38]
1 Samuel 17:38-40 (ESV): "Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, 'I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.' So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine."
Reflection: What unique gifts or tools has God given you to face your current challenges? How can you use them today instead of relying on others' methods?
Day 4: Praise in Isolation and Trials
Even in isolation and trials, maintaining our praise is vital. David's ability to praise God in the cave of Adullam, despite his dire circumstances, is a powerful testament to the resilience of faith. It challenges us to maintain our praise, not just when things are going well, but especially when we feel alone and abandoned. Our praise is a testament to our faith and trust in God's presence and provision, regardless of how we feel. [01:32:51]
1 Samuel 22:1-2 (ESV): "David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men."
Reflection: When you feel isolated or abandoned, how can you remind yourself of God's presence and choose to praise Him?
Day 5: Invitation to Experience God's Goodness
The invitation to taste and see that the Lord is good is open to all. Whether it's a first-time commitment or a rededication, God's love and grace are available to everyone, just as they are. This call to action encourages us to invite Jesus into our lives and experience His goodness firsthand. It also emphasizes the importance of being part of a community of praise and support, regardless of life's trials. [01:43:15]
Psalm 34:8-9 (ESV): "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!"
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to invite Jesus in and experience His goodness? How can you take a step towards that today?
Quotes
1. "No matter what you're going through No matter what you've been through You gotta hold on I don't have no choice I gotta hold on To God's Unchanging hand Cause when I hold to his unchanging hand Even though everything around me is changing He never changes And I keep holding To his unchanging hand." [01:07:39] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "David is declared by God To be a man After his own heart There was no doubt that God Loved David And David loved God God's hand was on David's life And no matter where David went Or what David did God was still with him through it all." [01:09:51] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you are obedient to your heavenly father he will place you in the right places at the right times so that he can get glory out of your life that you cannot be anointed and not be obedient." [01:17:47] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Stop trying to use other people's stuff to do what God has called you to do. Stop trying to walk in other people's shoes and just do what God has called you to do." [01:19:38] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "David said, I will bless the Lord at all times this word bless means I will adore and I will thank the Lord at all times so when I'm going through my challenging situation I'm going to have my praise." [01:27:42] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Because true praise doesn't come just from your mouth. It comes from your heart." [01:33:36] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God has been so good to me. That I am amazed. At how God keeps blessing me. In spite of me. This is real bad English. Don't nobody. Know me like me." [01:35:31] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Your feelings should never dictate your praise. Because even when I don't feel good, God is still God. Even when I don't feel like it, he's still good. So I still, I still got my praise." [01:43:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When you have the anointing on your life, there will be those who will try to take you out, knock you out, try to discredit you and put your name out there as evil, and anything else they can do. To try to stop and block the anointing on your life." [01:23:13] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I want to invite somebody to taste and see that the Lord is good. How do you do that, pastor? I do that by inviting you to Jesus Christ. I do that by inviting you to Jesus Christ. That you can come and give your life to Christ. He loves you just the way you are." [01:44:31] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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