Faithfulness, Deliverance, and Joy in God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Faithfulness Over Growth

Our church's focus is on being faithful stewards of the people God brings to us, rather than chasing numerical growth. This approach ensures that we prioritize spiritual health and community over mere numbers. We are exploring various options to accommodate growth, including building expansions and potentially planting a new church. This commitment to faithfulness over growth means that we are more concerned with the quality of our spiritual lives and relationships than with the quantity of attendees. It is a reminder that God values our faithfulness and obedience more than our achievements or numbers.

[13:16]

1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize faithfulness in your own life over seeking success or recognition? How can you apply this principle in your daily interactions and responsibilities?

Day 2: Praying for Leaders

In light of recent events, we are reminded of the importance of praying for our leaders, as instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. This is crucial for maintaining peace and enabling us to live godly lives. Our prayers should extend to all in authority, asking for wisdom and salvation for them. By praying for our leaders, we acknowledge God's sovereignty and seek His guidance and intervention in the affairs of our nation and its leaders. This practice not only aligns us with God's will but also fosters a spirit of peace and unity within our community.

[18:30]

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: Take a moment to pray for a specific leader in your community or nation. What specific qualities or decisions do you want to lift up to God in prayer for this leader?

Day 3: God's Momentary Anger and Lasting Favor

Psalm 30 teaches us that God's anger is but for a moment, while His favor lasts a lifetime. This perspective helps us endure temporary hardships, knowing that joy will ultimately prevail. Even in the darkest nights of weeping, we can look forward to the morning of joy that God promises. This understanding of God's character provides comfort and hope, reminding us that our trials are temporary and that His favor and love are enduring. It encourages us to trust in His timing and to hold on to the promise of joy that comes after the storm.

[36:00]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent hardship you have faced. How can you see God's lasting favor and mercy in the midst of that situation? What promises of God can you hold on to during difficult times?

Day 4: Gratitude in Deliverance

David's psalm encourages us to remember and thank God for His deliverances. Just as David praised God for lifting him out of a near-death experience, we should also look back with gratitude for the ways God has rescued us. This practice strengthens our faith and prepares us for future challenges. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we acknowledge God's faithfulness and build a foundation of trust that can sustain us through future trials. It is a powerful reminder to continually give thanks and to recognize God's hand in our lives.

[49:23]

Psalm 107:1-2 (ESV): "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble."

Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific instances where you have experienced God's deliverance. How can you express your gratitude to God for these moments today?

Day 5: Ultimate Joy in God's Presence

While we may face prolonged periods of hardship, the ultimate promise for believers is eternal joy in God's presence. This long-term perspective helps us endure present trials with hope, knowing that our final destination is a place of no more tears, pain, or death. This promise of eternal joy provides a powerful source of hope and encouragement, reminding us that our current sufferings are temporary and that a glorious future awaits us in God's presence. It encourages us to persevere and to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal joy that lies ahead.

[54:43]

Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal joy in God's presence influence your perspective on current hardships? What steps can you take to keep this eternal perspective at the forefront of your mind?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we discussed the growth and future plans for our church, emphasizing our commitment to faithfulness over numerical growth. We have seen significant growth in our first service and are considering various options to accommodate this, including potential building expansions and even planting a new church. We are in a good financial position, having paid off our building and saving for future projects, but we ask for your prayers and input as we move forward.

We also reflected on the recent attempted assassination of former President Trump, praying for peace and wisdom for our nation and its leaders. We read from 1 Timothy 2:1-4, urging prayers for all in authority so that we may lead tranquil lives and share the gospel effectively.

Our main focus was on Psalm 30, a psalm of David written after a period of crisis. David praises God for lifting him out of a dire situation, likely a severe illness, and calls others to join in this praise. The psalm teaches us that God's anger is momentary, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. This psalm offers hope for those in the midst of crisis, reminding us that God can turn our mourning into dancing and our weeping into joy.

David's experience teaches us to trust in God's deliverance, whether it comes in this life or the next. We are encouraged to look back with gratitude for God's past deliverances and to look forward with hope, knowing that ultimate joy awaits us in His presence.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 4. This is crucial for maintaining peace and enabling us to live godly lives. Our prayers should extend to all in authority, asking for wisdom and salvation for them. [18:30]
3. God's Momentary Anger and Lasting Favor: Psalm 30 teaches us that God's anger is but for a moment, while His favor lasts a lifetime. This perspective helps us endure temporary hardships, knowing that joy will ultimately prevail. Even in the darkest nights of weeping, we can look forward to the morning of joy that God promises.

4. Gratitude in Deliverance: David's psalm encourages us to remember and thank God for His deliverances. Just as David praised God for lifting him out of a near-death experience, we should also look back with gratitude for the ways God has rescued us. This practice strengthens our faith and prepares us for future challenges.

5. Ultimate Joy in God's Presence: While we may face prolonged periods of hardship, the ultimate promise for believers is eternal joy in God's presence. This long-term perspective helps us endure present trials with hope, knowing that our final destination is a place of no more tears, pain, or death.

### [18:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:16] - Church Growth and Building Plans
[18:30] - Praying for Leaders and Nation
[23:14] - Introduction to Psalm 30
[27:36] - Reading Psalm 30
[30:09] - God Heals and Lifts Us Up
[36:00] - God's Momentary Anger and Lasting Favor
[49:23] - Gratitude in Deliverance
[54:43] - Ultimate Joy in God's Presence
[55:23] - Application and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the different ways David describes God's deliverance in Psalm 30?
According to Psalm 30, how does David describe the duration of God's anger compared to His favor?
What does David say about his own confidence during times of prosperity in Psalm 30?
How does David invite others to respond to God's deliverance in Psalm 30?

Interpretation Questions

What does David's experience in Psalm 30 teach us about the nature of God's discipline and favor?
How can the imagery of "weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning" be applied to personal crises?
In what ways does David's call for communal praise in Psalm 30 reflect the importance of gratitude in the life of a believer?
How does the concept of ultimate joy in God's presence, as discussed in the sermon, provide hope during prolonged periods of hardship?

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant crisis. How did you see God's deliverance in that situation, and how did you respond?
How can you practice gratitude for God's past deliverances in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to remember and thank God regularly?
In light of the sermon, how can you prioritize faithfulness over numerical growth in your personal ministry or involvement in the church?
Considering the recent events mentioned in the sermon, how can you incorporate praying for leaders and authorities into your regular prayer life?
How can the promise of ultimate joy in God's presence help you endure current or future hardships? What practical steps can you take to maintain this long-term perspective?
David's psalm encourages communal praise. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to join in praising God for His deliverances?
Identify one area in your life where you feel God's favor has been evident. How can you share this testimony with others to encourage their faith?

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We recognize that we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven as those who've trusted in Christ and yet we're also earthly citizens. You've planted us in a particular country at a particular place in a particular time and we want to be good stewards of that. We want to be faithful citizens where we're at. We want to be, want to be wise in that." [20:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We know that we stand on the rock that is Christ Jesus. We stand on an immovable foundation. We have a, a hope that is beyond this, this life. And we have something to offer. And so we pray that we would both stand firm on the, the rock that is Christ even as the world swirls around us and we would faithfully communicate that to others." [21:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, I will never be moved. O Lord, by your favor, you have made my mountain to stand strong. You hid your face. I was dismayed. To you, O Lord, I called, and to the Lord, I made supplication." [28:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You have turned from me my mourning into dancing. You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness that my soul may sing praise to you and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever." [29:16] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Weeping may last for the night. Don't skip over that too quick to the shout of joy that comes in the morning. If you have a night. All night long. Of weeping. That is hard. That is really hard. But he says, but joy comes in the morning. And sometimes it's as simple as that." [38:20] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We want to make room as much as we can. We want to not neglect the shepherding of new people, but put things in place to adequately, not just house, but care for those that are your own that you've brought near. What we do pray for wisdom is we consider building options. What would be wise to spend?" [22:01] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. Life can only be understood backwards, meaning we go through something and we look back and we see how God used it. We see ways that he's shaped us. Not always. Sometimes it still seems murky, but often we can. And we can look back with gratitude." [40:20] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Uninterrupted good fortune is a peril to our souls. Because when there's uninterrupted good fortune, we can maybe say like David, I will never be moved. I will never get sick. I will never have financial need. All my relationships will be perfect. Until they're not anymore, right? And so at times we need this same perspective, and affliction can bring that." [44:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you're still going through crisis, or you do go through times of crisis in the future, in times of crisis, turn to the Lord and look ahead in faith. This is written on the other side of the crisis. But while you're in it, Psalm 30 ought to give you hope. It ought to remind you that you can cry out to God, that that weeping that is going all night long, will not be forever." [55:59] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "For those that can look back and they can see what maybe a year ago seemed really hard, or 20 years ago seemed really hard, and they can see the way that you brought them through it, would they continue to thank you for that and remember that? And would that equip them for the next hardship?" [57:34] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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