Finding Peace in God's Sovereignty: Be Still
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Psalm 37 as part of our "Be Still" series, focusing on the profound importance of being still and knowing that God is sovereign. We began by acknowledging the trials and tribulations that often lead us to either fight or flee. However, the third and most crucial option is to be still and trust in God's sovereignty. This series is a call to embrace the peace that comes from abiding in Christ, which is only possible when we quiet the noise of disobedience and focus on Him.
We explored the Hebrew meanings of "be still" (rapach) and "know" (yada), emphasizing that being still involves relinquishing control and expressing our knowledge of God through worship and action. Psalm 37 provides a roadmap for this stillness, urging us not to fret over evil but to trust, delight, commit, and rest in the Lord. These actions are foundational to experiencing God's peace and understanding His will.
David's life serves as a testament to trusting God through various adversities, from being pursued by Saul to facing family betrayal. His experiences teach us that our battles are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. By trusting in God's deliverance, faithfulness, peace, guidance, and victory, we can be still and know that He is God.
The sermon concluded with a call to action: to trust, commit, be content, and find rest in God. This is not just about being involved in church but becoming the church, living out our faith daily. We were reminded that our ultimate inheritance is not material but the fulfillment of God's promises and the peace that comes from abiding in Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Sovereignty: Trusting God is foundational to being still. David's life exemplifies this trust through his experiences of divine deliverance and protection. Trusting God means acknowledging His control over every situation, even when we face trials and tribulations. This trust is built on a relationship with God, where we lean not on our understanding but on His wisdom and sovereignty. [42:34]
2. Contentment in the Lord: True contentment comes from delighting in the Lord and aligning our desires with His. This means abiding in Him, finding joy and satisfaction in His presence, and not in our circumstances. Contentment helps us avoid the trap of worry and fretting, allowing us to experience God's peace. [49:17]
3. Commitment to God's Ways: Commitment involves a sacrificial dedication to God's will and commands. It's about pledging ourselves to follow through on our promises to God, even when it's challenging. This commitment is a reflection of our covenant relationship with Him, mirroring the dedication seen in a Christian marriage. [52:56]
4. Resting in God's Presence: Resting in God requires letting go of control and trusting in His provision and guidance. It involves spiritual renewal through His Word and finding peace in His presence. This rest extinguishes the fires of worry and anxiety, allowing us to experience true stillness and communion with God. [56:48]
5. Understanding Spiritual Battles: Our battles are not against people but against spiritual forces. Recognizing this helps us focus on the real enemy and rely on God's strength rather than our own. By being still and knowing that He is God, we can face these battles with confidence, knowing that the victory belongs to the Lord. [32:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[19:47] - Opening Prayer
[20:14] - Introduction to Psalm 37
[20:44] - Series Overview: Be Still
[21:39] - The Struggle to Be Still
[22:07] - Foundation of Peace
[23:03] - Fight, Flight, or Be Still
[24:34] - Understanding "Be Still" and "Know"
[25:20] - Relinquishing Control
[27:16] - Spiritual Battles
[28:29] - Reading Psalm 37
[30:00] - Foundational Point: Willingness to Be Still
[31:00] - The Reality of Trials
[32:06] - The Battle Belongs to the Lord
[33:12] - Internal Battles
[34:54] - The Curse of Fighting
[36:23] - Disrespecting God's Battle
[37:15] - Do Not Fret
[42:34] - Trust in the Lord
[49:17] - Contentment in the Lord
[52:56] - Commitment to God's Ways
[56:48] - Resting in God's Presence
[01:00:04] - Final Exhortation
[01:08:36] - Invitation to Prayer
[01:13:35] - Introduction of New Leaders
[01:17:03] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 37:1-9 (NIV)
> Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 37:1-9 instruct us to do instead of fretting over evil? ([28:29])
2. How does the sermon define the Hebrew words "rapach" (be still) and "yada" (know)? ([24:56])
3. According to the sermon, what are the four conditions required to be still before the Lord? ([42:34])
4. What examples from David's life were given to illustrate trusting in God's sovereignty? ([44:21])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is trusting in God's sovereignty foundational to being still, according to the sermon? ([42:34])
2. How does contentment in the Lord help us avoid worry and fretting? ([49:17])
3. What does it mean to commit our ways to the Lord, and how is this similar to a covenant relationship? ([52:56])
4. How can recognizing that our battles are against spiritual forces, not flesh and blood, change our approach to conflicts? ([32:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or tribulation you faced. How did you respond, and how might you apply the principle of being still and trusting in God's sovereignty in a similar future situation? ([21:39])
2. What are some practical ways you can delight in the Lord and find contentment in His presence, rather than in your circumstances? ([49:17])
3. Think about a commitment you have made to God. How can you ensure that you follow through on this commitment, even when it becomes challenging? ([52:56])
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to relinquish control and trust in God's provision and guidance. What steps can you take to let go and rest in His presence? ([56:48])
5. How can you remind yourself that your battles are against spiritual forces and not against people? What practical steps can you take to focus on God's strength in these battles? ([32:06])
6. In what ways can you become more involved in living out your faith daily, beyond just attending church services? ([55:39])
7. Is there a specific distraction or source of worry in your life that you need to address to experience God's peace? How can you minimize or eliminate this distraction this week? ([59:32])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Trusting in God's sovereignty means acknowledging His control over every situation, even when we face trials and tribulations. David's life exemplifies this trust through his experiences of divine deliverance and protection. Trusting God is built on a relationship with Him, where we lean not on our understanding but on His wisdom and sovereignty. This trust is foundational to being still and knowing that He is God. When we trust in God's sovereignty, we can find peace amidst chaos and assurance in His ultimate plan for our lives. [42:34]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: Think of a current trial or challenge you are facing. How can you actively trust in God's sovereignty over this situation today?
Day 2: Contentment in the Lord
True contentment comes from delighting in the Lord and aligning our desires with His. This means abiding in Him, finding joy and satisfaction in His presence, and not in our circumstances. Contentment helps us avoid the trap of worry and fretting, allowing us to experience God's peace. When we delight in the Lord, we shift our focus from our problems to His greatness, which brings a profound sense of peace and fulfillment. This contentment is a testament to our faith and trust in God's provision and timing. [49:17]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle with contentment. How can you shift your focus to delight in the Lord in this area today?
Day 3: Commitment to God's Ways
Commitment involves a sacrificial dedication to God's will and commands. It's about pledging ourselves to follow through on our promises to God, even when it's challenging. This commitment is a reflection of our covenant relationship with Him, mirroring the dedication seen in a Christian marriage. By committing to God's ways, we demonstrate our love and loyalty to Him, which strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with Him. This commitment requires daily choices to prioritize God's will over our own desires. [52:56]
Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate your commitment to God's ways today, even if it requires sacrifice?
Day 4: Resting in God's Presence
Resting in God requires letting go of control and trusting in His provision and guidance. It involves spiritual renewal through His Word and finding peace in His presence. This rest extinguishes the fires of worry and anxiety, allowing us to experience true stillness and communion with God. By resting in God's presence, we acknowledge that He is our refuge and strength, and we can find solace in His unwavering love and care for us. This rest is essential for our spiritual well-being and growth. [56:48]
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to rest in God's presence and let go of control?
Day 5: Understanding Spiritual Battles
Our battles are not against people but against spiritual forces. Recognizing this helps us focus on the real enemy and rely on God's strength rather than our own. By being still and knowing that He is God, we can face these battles with confidence, knowing that the victory belongs to the Lord. Understanding spiritual battles shifts our perspective from physical confrontations to spiritual warfare, where prayer and faith become our primary weapons. This understanding empowers us to stand firm in God's strength and trust in His ultimate victory. [32:06]
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conflict or challenge. How can you approach it as a spiritual battle and rely on God's strength for victory?
Quotes
1. "We are called and commanded to be still so we can quiet the noise of everything that influences us to disobedience. And I'm telling you, if you are living a life of disobedience, you don't have any peace in your life. But if you are living a life of obedience, man, that leads to that peace beyond all understanding because that is a life that has lived abiding in Christ." [22:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's the third option is to just be still. And I want you to know that being still, what's cool about it is it is not reactive. It is simply proactive. It's something that in advance that we can train our hearts to do is to be still and know that He is God. And this third option is not to fight, not to flight, but just the first thing that we do is we acknowledge the sovereign power of God who is alive and present in our lives." [23:27] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to know that He is in control. We need to know that we can trust Him in all circumstances, in all situations. We need to know and we need to remember that He is sovereign. We need to know and remember that He works all things together for good. We need to know that He will never leave us. He will never forsake us, no matter how bad the trials and tribulations are." [24:11] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "A willingness to be still requires us to embrace the conditions of being still so we can find peace in our covenant relationship with the Lord. You see, everything comes down to a covenant relationship and I've shared this so much with people that we counsel with pre-marriage counseling that God invented the marriage. And we know that a marriage, a Christian marriage, is a covenant marriage. And it's a beautiful picture of the relationship that Christ has with the church." [30:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I can't take this. This is indeed too much for me. Good, you've graduated. You got to the point that realized that it is too much for you because the battle belongs to the Lord. You see, that's why it's so important is because you are not equipped to fight the devil. You can withstand the devil. You can withstand all sorts of things, but the battle belongs to the Lord. And that's what we're going to see today is in this battle, the greatest thing that God has called you to do is to simply be still and know that he is God." [32:06] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Every battle that you encounter within yourself, anybody have any battles inside their own heart tonight, their own minds, and we struggle? We have division in our heart. Can I tell you something? It's not a battle of you versus you. It's a battle between good and evil. It's a battle between righteousness and unrighteousness. It's a battle between darkness and light. It is a battle. It's a battle between the spirit and the flesh." [33:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When we try to enter into a battle, and we try to fight a battle that doesn't belong to you, you know what we're doing is we're disrespecting, we're dishonoring, and ultimately, we're stealing from God something that never belongs to each one of us. And the human nature inside of us is that we want to be God. We want to win that battle. We want to win that battle because we want to get the glory. Can I tell you something? Nobody will steal the glory from God. He says, it is mine." [36:23] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Being still before the Lord will require a new level of faith. A new level of trust in the Lord. Being still before the Lord will require a new level of trust in the Lord. Molly, you got that one right. Molly filled these things out beforehand. She did good, but she didn't get 100, but she did good. Listen to this, verse three, trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." [42:34] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Being still before the Lord will require a new level of contentment in the Lord. Contentment. We've got to be content. You see, when you're not content with the Lord, you know what we do is we fret. We worry, and what we do is we just throw more worry wood on the fire. We go around the shed, and we fill our wheelbarrow up, and we sit by the fire, and we worry about things when they're not going our way." [49:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Being still before the Lord will require a new level of commitment to the Lord. We need to commit our ways to the Lord. Verse five says, but very simply, commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him and he will do this. So what does it mean to make a commitment? I've been thinking about that. I've been thinking about commitments to a church, commitment to a family, commitment to your wife, commitment to a football team, commitment to a government, commitments." [52:24] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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