Empowered by Faith: Trusting God's Deliverance and Provision

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound truths found in Psalm 18, a passage that vividly depicts God's might and faithfulness in the midst of our struggles. I began by expressing my love for the Lord, acknowledging Him as my rock, fortress, and deliverer. I shared how, in times of distress, I have called upon the Lord and have been saved from my enemies. The psalmist's words resonate with our own experiences of feeling overwhelmed by life's torrents, yet in our cries for help, God hears us and acts with fierce protection and deliverance.

I recounted a personal story of protection, likening God's intervention to a father rushing to defend his child from a bully. This image captures the essence of God's passionate care for us. I emphasized that God rescues us because He delights in us, regardless of our past actions or continued struggles. This truth should wash over us, reminding us that we are His beloved children.

However, the psalm doesn't end with rescue alone. It goes on to describe the empowerment we receive through God's help. With God, we can advance against a troop and scale walls. His way is perfect, His word is flawless, and He shields all who take refuge in Him. This empowerment is not about independence from God but about recognizing the strength He provides for us to stand in battle.

I shared testimonies of God's faithfulness in my life and the lives of those around me, including the challenges faced when taking over a children's village. Despite financial difficulties and daunting responsibilities, God's faithfulness was evident as He provided for our needs and taught us to trust Him more deeply. These experiences were like training, strengthening us to bend a bow of bronze, symbolizing the growing faith required to face life's battles.

I also shared the miraculous story of God's provision when we lacked food and money, and how He met our needs in precise and personal ways. This journey of faith prepared us for even greater challenges, such as the desire to move our children's village to a better location and the personal goal of buying a house. In each situation, we learned to trust in God's timing and provision.

As I concluded, I encouraged the congregation to consider trials as opportunities for growth, as described in James 1:2-4. I prayed for strength and perseverance for all of us, that we might trust in God's unwavering faithfulness and be equipped for the work He has for us.

Key Takeaways:

- God's intervention in our lives is not merely about rescue; it is also about empowerment. He equips us with strength for battle, not so we can become independent, but so we can actively participate in the victory He has already secured. This empowerment is a process, requiring us to engage with our faith and trust in His perfect timing. [01:18:22 ]

- Our experiences of God's faithfulness in the past serve as anchors for our faith in the present and future. When we recall how God has provided in seemingly impossible situations, it bolsters our confidence to trust Him with current challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem. [01:29:22 ]

- The concept of "bending a bow of bronze" symbolizes the development of spiritual resilience. Just as physical strength is built through repeated effort, so our spiritual strength is honed through the trials we face. Each challenge is an opportunity to exercise our faith, growing stronger and more adept in our spiritual battles. [01:30:34 ]

- God's provision is often precise and personal, demonstrating His intimate knowledge of our needs. The story of the thermometer and calculators is a testament to God's attention to detail and His desire to meet our needs in specific ways that affirm His word and promises to us. [01:32:58 ]

- Trusting in God's faithfulness means taking bold steps of faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. As we step out, we do so with the assurance that God has prepared us for what lies ahead, and that He will provide for our needs according to His riches and glory. [01:41:29 ]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 18:1-19 - This passage vividly depicts God's might and faithfulness in the midst of our struggles.
2. Psalm 18:29-39 - This section describes the empowerment we receive through God's help.
3. James 1:2-4 - This passage encourages us to consider trials as opportunities for growth.

#### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 18, how does the psalmist describe his relationship with God? What metaphors does he use to depict God’s protection? ([01:12:04])
2. What actions does God take in response to the psalmist’s cries for help in Psalm 18:6-19? ([01:14:07])
3. According to Psalm 18:29-39, what kind of empowerment does God provide to the psalmist? How is this empowerment described? ([01:17:39])
4. In James 1:2-4, what are believers encouraged to do when they face trials, and what is the intended outcome of these trials? ([01:43:28])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of God as a rock, fortress, and deliverer in Psalm 18 help us understand His role in our lives during times of distress? ([01:12:04])
2. What does the psalmist mean when he says, "He rescued me because he delighted in me"? How does this reflect God's character and our relationship with Him? ([01:14:47])
3. How can the concept of "bending a bow of bronze" in Psalm 18:34 be applied to our spiritual growth and resilience? ([01:30:34])
4. In what ways does James 1:2-4 challenge our natural response to trials? How can this perspective change the way we view difficult situations? ([01:43:28])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you experience God's protection and deliverance during that time? ([01:12:49])
2. The sermon mentioned that God rescues us because He delights in us, regardless of our past actions or continued struggles. How does this truth impact your view of God's love for you? ([01:16:14])
3. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you rely on God's strength and empowerment to advance against this "troop" or scale this "wall"? ([01:17:39])
4. The pastor shared personal stories of God's provision in precise and personal ways. Can you recall a time when God met your needs in a specific way? How did this experience strengthen your faith? ([01:32:58])
5. How can you apply the concept of "bending a bow of bronze" to your spiritual life? What practical steps can you take to build spiritual resilience through your current trials? ([01:30:34])
6. James 1:2-4 encourages us to consider trials as opportunities for growth. How can you shift your perspective to see your current struggles as a way to develop perseverance and maturity? ([01:43:28])
7. The sermon emphasized trusting in God's timing and provision. What is one area of your life where you need to take a bold step of faith, trusting that God has prepared you and will provide for your needs? ([01:41:29])

Devotional

Day 1: Empowerment Through Divine Strength
God's intervention in our lives extends beyond rescue to empowerment. This empowerment is a divine strength that enables us to face battles with confidence, not to become independent of God, but to actively participate in the victories He secures for us. It is a process that involves engaging with our faith and trusting in His perfect timing. As we encounter various trials, we are equipped with the strength to advance against a troop and scale walls, as the psalmist describes. This strength is not of our own making; it is a gift from God that requires us to lean into our dependence on Him, even as we grow in our ability to stand firm in the face of adversity.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Reflection: How can you actively seek God's strength in a current challenge you are facing, and what practical steps can you take to demonstrate your trust in His empowerment? [07:40]

Day 2: Anchored by Past Faithfulness
Recalling God's faithfulness in past circumstances is crucial for sustaining our faith in the present and future. When we remember how God has provided in seemingly impossible situations, it strengthens our trust in Him for the challenges we currently face. These memories serve as anchors, preventing us from being swept away by doubt or fear. They remind us that the same God who has been faithful before will continue to be faithful now and in the days to come. By reflecting on these past experiences, we can face daunting challenges with a renewed sense of confidence and hope.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

Reflection: Can you recall a specific instance where God's faithfulness was evident in your life, and how can that memory encourage you in a current situation you find challenging? [01:29:22]

Day 3: Spiritual Resilience Through Trials
The concept of "bending a bow of bronze" symbolizes the development of spiritual resilience. Just as physical strength is built through repeated effort, our spiritual strength is honed through the trials we face. Each challenge is an opportunity to exercise our faith, growing stronger and more adept in our spiritual battles. This process of spiritual conditioning prepares us to withstand future challenges with greater fortitude and trust in God. It is through these experiences that we learn to rely not on our own understanding but on the strength and wisdom that God provides.

"For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance." (Psalm 66:10-12)

Reflection: What recent trial has God used to strengthen your faith, and how can you apply the resilience you've gained to a current struggle in your life? [01:30:34]

Day 4: Precision and Personalization in God's Provision
God's provision is not a broad stroke of benevolence but a precise and personal demonstration of His intimate knowledge of our needs. The story of the thermometer and calculators is a testament to God's attention to detail and His desire to meet our needs in specific ways that affirm His word and promises to us. This precision in provision is a powerful reminder that God is deeply involved in the intricacies of our lives, caring for us in ways that may seem small but are incredibly significant in the grand scheme of His plan for us.

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

Reflection: How has God provided for a specific need in your life in a way that was particularly meaningful or timely, and how does this shape your view of His care for you? [01:32:58]

Day 5: Bold Faith Steps in Uncertainty
Trusting in God's faithfulness means taking bold steps of faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. It involves stepping out with the assurance that God has prepared us for what lies ahead and that He will provide for our needs according to His riches and glory. This trust is not passive; it requires action and a willingness to move forward despite not seeing the entire path. As we take these steps, we do so with the confidence that God is with us, guiding us, and equipping us for the journey.

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)

Reflection: What is one step of faith you feel called to take in your life right now, and what is holding you back from taking it? How can you overcome this obstacle with God's help? [01:41:29]

Quotes

1) "God does rescue us but sometimes he allows us to stay in that place because he wants us to be strengthened. He wants us to realize you know what, you're actually not that scared little child that's sitting in the corner and crying Daddy help. You have that strength within you, you can fight this battle." [01:18:22 ] ( | | )

2) "We knew that he was faithful, we knew that he came through for us, we'd seen his provision, we'd seen how great he was and that he would do the same for eell. So we weren't trusting for four people anymore, we were now trusting for 48 children and our staff and our family, and everything." [01:29:22 ] ( | | )

3) "My arms can bend a bow of bronze. Think about bronze, a bow of bronze, that is basically a stick of metal. You can't just bend that, it's not just going to bend. You're going to have to get some strength in those arms. The first time you bend that, you're not going to bend it. You're going to have to keep doing that, you're going to have to get stamina, you're going to have to learn how to do that and then still do it in the battle." [01:30:34 ] ( | | )

4) "Sometimes those little miracles are even more exciting than the big ones because it's like you can see God working exactly as he told you he's going to work. You know, 1,500 and 100 left over, it's 100 left over for who knows what, but God has given us more than enough." [01:32:58 ] ( | | )

5) "We are just trusting that this is our farm, this is a place where our children are going to be able to get whole, healed up, just really experience God. And we know because of what he took us through before, because of having to trust him and believe for that house, he's going to do the same here." [01:40:44 ] ( | | )

6) "God is faithful and we need to remember that when we're going through it, he is strengthening us. He knows what we can handle, he knows he's watching, he's not far off, he's not ignoring us, he's not sitting somewhere and busy with everything else, he's watching us and he's like, come on my boy, come on my girl, you can do it." [01:42:48 ] ( | | )

7) "He rescued me because he delighted in me. We really need to let that kind of wash over us because as soon as we said yes to Jesus, that's the place that we find ourselves. He rescues us because he Delights in us. It doesn't matter what we've done, what we haven't done, the bad that we might have continued doing long after we were his children, it doesn't matter, he Delights in us and he's like you're my child and I'm going to rescue you." [01:16:53 ] ( | | )

8) "With your help I can Advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the Lord's word is Flawless; he Shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is The Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my ways secure." [01:17:39 ] ( | | )

9) "You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. We don't do this on our own, it's not that we suddenly become independent. God is right there with us and without him we cannot do it. So we cannot start thinking that we're all that, because we're not, we still need him desperately, but we need to realize that he is right beside us and he's helping us fight that battle." [01:19:48 ] ( | | )

10) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face Trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." [01:43:28 ] ( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?