Embracing Intimacy and Courage in God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy Transforms Perception

In the journey of fasting and prayer, believers are invited to experience a profound intimacy with God. This period is not merely about abstaining from food but about drawing closer to God, understanding His heart, and experiencing His presence in a deeper way. The 23rd Psalm provides a vivid picture of this intimate relationship, where David declares, "The Lord is my shepherd," highlighting the constant, loving, and attentive care that God provides. This relationship is not about condemnation but about grace, mercy, and the assurance that God is our advocate, not our judge. As we approach God boldly, knowing that we are forgiven, our perception of Him transforms from a distant judge to a close friend and advocate. [01:45]

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your day today to experience God's grace and mercy, transforming your perception of Him from a judge to an advocate?

Day 2: The Shepherd's Guiding Presence

The 23rd Psalm illustrates God's attentive care as our shepherd, guiding us through life's valleys and leading us to peace and restoration. Even in the presence of enemies, His presence assures us of protection and provision. This assurance is not just a promise of physical safety but a deep spiritual peace that transcends circumstances. As we walk through life's valleys, even those as daunting as the shadow of death, we are assured of His presence and comfort. His rod and staff guide and protect us, leading us to greener pastures and still waters. [07:43]

Ezekiel 34:15-16 (ESV): "I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice."

Reflection: In what ways can you recognize and respond to God's guiding presence in your life today, especially in areas where you feel surrounded by challenges or adversaries?

Day 3: Courage Through Spiritual Discipline

Spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and worship build courage within us. This courage is essential for facing life's challenges and is a result of our trust and faith in God's promises. As we prepare our hearts, like Jehoshaphat, we build courage through these disciplines, equipping us to stand firm against the enemy. Courage is not just taught; it is caught through our relationship with God and our community of faith. It is undergirded by trust and faith, meeting fear with faith and enabling us to step out boldly. [14:50]

2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (ESV): "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."

Reflection: What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to today that will help build courage in your life, enabling you to face a current challenge with faith?

Day 4: Focus and Faith in Spiritual Battles

Keeping our eyes on God, as Jehoshaphat did, is crucial in spiritual battles. Our focus on Him strengthens our faith, enabling us to stand firm and courageous against the enemy's attacks. This focus is not passive but an active engagement with God's presence and promises. As we focus on God, we find that He is preparing a victory table for us in the presence of our enemies. Our courage is a testament to our faith, and as we continue to seek God, we will find that He is always pursuing us, ready to lead us into victory. [20:53]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What distractions are currently hindering your focus on God, and how can you actively redirect your attention to Him today to strengthen your faith?

Day 5: Victory Through Praise

Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon that brings victory. As we worship and trust in God's presence, we find that He prepares a victory table for us, even amidst our struggles and adversaries. This act of praise is not just a response to victory but a declaration of faith in God's promises and His ability to overcome any obstacle. As we lift our voices in praise, we align ourselves with God's purposes and invite His power into our circumstances. [28:47]

Psalm 149:5-6 (ESV): "Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands."

Reflection: How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine today, using it as a spiritual weapon to invite God's victory into your current struggles?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of fasting and prayer, we are reminded of the profound intimacy that God desires with each of us. This period of fasting is not just about abstaining from food but about drawing closer to God, understanding His heart, and experiencing His presence in a deeper way. As we delve into the 23rd Psalm, we see a vivid picture of what it means to have an intimate relationship with God. David's declaration, "The Lord is my shepherd," speaks of a constant, loving, and attentive care that God provides. This relationship is not about condemnation but about grace, mercy, and the assurance that God is our advocate, not our judge.

God's desire is for us to approach Him boldly, knowing that we are forgiven and that He is always ready to extend His grace and mercy. This understanding transforms our perception of God from a distant judge to a close friend and advocate. As we walk through life's valleys, even those as daunting as the shadow of death, we are assured of His presence and comfort. His rod and staff guide and protect us, leading us to greener pastures and still waters, even in the presence of our enemies.

The journey of intimacy with God also involves courage. As we prepare our hearts, like Jehoshaphat, we build courage through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, reading the Word, and worship. These practices prepare us for spiritual battles, equipping us to stand firm against the enemy. Courage is not just taught; it is caught through our relationship with God and our community of faith. It is undergirded by trust and faith, meeting fear with faith and enabling us to step out boldly.

In this season, let us focus our eyes on God, just as Jehoshaphat did, and trust that He is preparing a victory table for us in the presence of our enemies. Our courage is a testament to our faith, and as we continue to seek God, we will find that He is always pursuing us, ready to lead us into victory.

Key Takeaways

1. Intimacy with God: Fasting and prayer are pathways to deepen our intimacy with God, allowing us to experience His grace and mercy. This relationship transforms our view of God from a judge to an advocate, reminding us that we are forgiven and loved. [01:45]
2. The Shepherd's Care: The 23rd Psalm illustrates God's attentive care as our shepherd, guiding us through life's valleys and leading us to peace and restoration. Even in the presence of enemies, His presence assures us of protection and provision. [07:43]
3. Courage Through Discipline: Spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and worship build courage within us. This courage is essential for facing life's challenges and is a result of our trust and faith in God's promises. [14:50]
4. Focus and Faith: Keeping our eyes on God, as Jehoshaphat did, is crucial in spiritual battles. Our focus on Him strengthens our faith, enabling us to stand firm and courageous against the enemy's attacks. [20:53]
5. Victory in Praise: Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon that brings victory. As we worship and trust in God's presence, we find that He prepares a victory table for us, even amidst our struggles and adversaries. [28:47]
** [28:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - Intimacy with God
[03:30] - God's Grace and Mercy
[05:15] - The Shepherd's Care
[07:43] - Presence in the Valley
[09:20] - No Condemnation
[11:05] - Faith and Reward
[12:50] - Courage Through Discipline
[14:50] - Preparing for Battle
[16:55] - The Power of Focus
[18:30] - Spiritual Warfare
[20:53] - Victory in Praise
[23:14] - Trust and Faith
[24:32] - Courage in Action
[26:34] - Teaching Courage
[28:47] - Spiritual Weapons
[32:13] - God's Pursuit

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does David mean when he says, "The Lord is my shepherd" in Psalm 23? How does this imagery reflect God's care for us? [07:43]
According to Hebrews 4:16, how are we encouraged to approach God, and what can we expect to find when we do?
In 2 Chronicles 20:12, what was Jehoshaphat's response to the threat from his enemies, and how did he demonstrate his trust in God? [20:53]
How does the sermon describe the role of spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting in building courage? [14:50]

Interpretation Questions

How does the imagery of God as a shepherd in Psalm 23 help us understand the nature of our relationship with Him? What does this suggest about His role in our lives?
The sermon mentions that God is our advocate, not our judge. How does this understanding change the way we approach God in prayer and fasting? [01:45]
Jehoshaphat set his eyes on the Lord during a time of crisis. What does this teach us about maintaining focus on God during our own challenges? [20:53]
The sermon suggests that courage is "caught" rather than taught. How does being part of a faith community help us develop courage? [23:14]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God's shepherd-like care in your life. How did it impact your trust in Him, and how can you seek to experience this care more regularly?
The sermon emphasizes approaching God boldly, knowing we are forgiven. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you feel condemned or distant from God? [01:45]
What specific spiritual discipline (prayer, fasting, reading the Word, worship) can you focus on this week to build courage in your life? How will you incorporate it into your daily routine? [14:50]
Jehoshaphat's focus on God led to victory. Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you shift your focus to God in this situation, and what steps will you take to do so? [20:53]
The sermon mentions that praise is a powerful spiritual weapon. How can you incorporate more praise into your daily life, especially during difficult times? [28:47]
Consider the role of community in building courage. How can you engage more deeply with your faith community to support and be supported in your spiritual journey? [23:14]
The sermon talks about God preparing a victory table for us. What does this mean for you personally, and how can you live with the confidence that God is leading you to victory? [07:43]

Sermon Clips

"And I want to talk a little bit about intimacy with God. If we're fasting and praying, which we have been, it's obviously we are getting intimate with God, or I hope you are, especially during your fasting and during the time of getting your word and reading your word and just getting closer to God. And a lot of things happens. And whenever we do that, we have to realize that God cares for us. And he wants a genuine, intimate relationship with us. That's what he wants. That's why we pray. That's why we fast. That's why we read his word. That's why we worship. We do the things that draws us closer to him, get to know him more than we could before." [00:00:37] (48 seconds)

"We don't need to, we don't need to fear him. There's lions and bears and all kinds of stuff in the spiritual realm, so to speak, because the Bible says that we place our trust in Jesus and allow him to be our shepherd. We discovered also that he's our shepherd, that we have enemies. And the Bible says in Ephesians chapter number six that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but we wrestle against the powers and principalities and spiritual weaknesses and rules of darkness of this world. But we understand that no matter what we're going against, that God gives us courage. We were singing a song a while ago about courage. I want to tell you this morning that intimacy with God would give you courage and give you courage that you need to do what God has called you to do. We must be courageous. And I believe, I'm believing with this. I'm believing with the beginning of this year. If you're going to see anything with God, if you're going to be intimate with God, it's time for us to get courageous. The Bible told us in Joshua, he told Joshua, he said, Joshua, Moses, thy servant is dead. This was a new season for Joshua. He said, now, Joshua, I want you to be strong and I want you to be courageous. I want you to be strong and I want you to be courageous. And that's why I want us to be in 2025." [00:11:05] (80 seconds)

"And this is what prayer does. This is what reading your word does. This is what fasting does. This is what worshiping does. This is what not forsaken to assume yourself together does. It makes you be prepared to fight so the enemy comes in like a flood. You're not trying to... to be prepared, you already are prepared. You're not trying to get courage. You already have courage because he's already prepared a table before you in the presence of his enemy. That means that's a victory table, that the victory has already, it's not going to be won. It's already been won. You go through that sickness, but there's going to be victory. You go through that anxiety, but there's going to be victory. You go through that trouble. You go through that struggle. You go through that fight, but you take courage and you hold on to that courage because you realize that you pray. You realize that you've read your word. You realize that you, that you've been worshiping. You've been coming to church. You've been doing the thing that God has called you to do. And now you're going to fight the way you're prepared to fight and no weapon formed against you is going to prosper because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. I want to tell the church today that you fight the way you prepare and God has prepared you. He's preparing this church and God is preparing some mamas and some daddies and some children and some teenagers and, and never some pastors and, and some church workers that the enemy comes in like a flood. God's going to lift up a standard against us because we're going to fight the way we prepared. I mean, it's thankful today that God is preparing you for something. He prepared a table before us." [00:15:01] (98 seconds)

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