Finding Strength and Deliverance in God's Power
Summary
### Summary
Psalm 18 is a powerful declaration of God's strength and deliverance. David, the author, praises God for being his rock, fortress, and deliverer. This Psalm is a vivid recount of how God rescued David from his enemies and from King Saul, who sought his life. David's experience is a testament to God's active and dynamic strength, which is not just a static attribute but a moving force that empowers and protects His people.
We live in a world filled with brokenness, sin, and a relentless enemy who seeks to destroy us. Yet, God’s strength is our refuge. He fights for us, with us, and equips us to fight. This divine strength is not just metaphorical but literal, providing us with the firm foundation we need to stand against life's challenges. David's life illustrates that God’s deliverance is not always gentle; sometimes it comes with the force of a storm, but it is always effective and purposeful.
David's deliverance was a result of his obedience and righteousness. He called upon the Lord in his distress, and God responded with overwhelming power. This teaches us that our strength and deliverance are directly connected to our relationship with God and our prayer life. When we cry out to Him, He hears us immediately because we are His temple, filled with His Holy Spirit.
The sermon challenges us to examine where our strength truly comes from. Is it from our own abilities, relationships, or resources, or is it from God? True strength comes from full surrender to Jesus Christ. God demands all of us, not just a part. He is jealous for us, not out of selfishness, but because He knows that in Him, we find our greatest fulfillment and strength. The call is to sign our lives over to Him, trusting that He will fill in the details and provide the strength we need.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Strength is Active and Dynamic: God's strength is not just a static attribute but a moving force that empowers and protects His people. He is our rock, fortress, and deliverer, actively involved in our lives to provide the strength we need to endure and overcome life's challenges. [21:47]
2. The Source of Our Strength: Our true strength must come from God, not from our own abilities, relationships, or resources. David's life illustrates that even a mighty warrior needs God's strength to overcome his enemies. We must examine where our strength truly comes from and ensure it is rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. [46:43]
3. The Importance of Obedience and Prayer: There is a direct connection between walking in the strength of God and living in obedience to Him. Our strength and deliverance are also directly connected to our prayer life. When we call and cry out to God, He hears us immediately because we are His temple, filled with His Holy Spirit. [54:58]
4. God's Deliverance May Look Different Than Expected: God's deliverance is not always gentle; sometimes it comes with the force of a storm. However, if we are walking in relationship with Him, we will have the discernment to understand His ways and see His deliverance even in the midst of chaos. [01:01:12]
5. Full Surrender to God: God demands all of us, not just a part. He is jealous for us because He knows that in Him, we find our greatest fulfillment and strength. We must fully surrender our lives to Him, trusting that He will provide the strength we need and fill in the details of our lives. [01:08:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:47] - Is God Your Strength?
[22:17] - Trusting God Fully
[33:04] - The Reality of a Broken World
[34:36] - God Desires a Relationship
[36:06] - You Are a Royal Priesthood
[37:57] - God Fights For, With, and Through Us
[39:23] - David's Experience of God's Strength
[40:41] - God's Powerful Response
[46:43] - Where Does Your Strength Come From?
[48:16] - The Deception of Self-Reliance
[49:55] - God as Our Rock and Fortress
[51:25] - The Dual Meaning of Rock
[53:12] - Seven Descriptions of God
[54:58] - The Importance of Prayer
[56:15] - God's Immediate Response
[58:19] - The Whole Counsel of God
[59:41] - God's Violent Deliverance
[01:01:12] - Understanding God's Deliverance
[01:02:50] - The Reason for God's Rescue
[01:04:24] - Obedience and Deliverance
[01:05:55] - Full Surrender to Jesus
[01:08:01] - Signing Your Life Over to God
[01:10:18] - God's Jealousy for Us
[01:11:46] - Invitation to Surrender
[01:13:38] - Call to Prayer and Support
[01:15:39] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 18:1-3 (ESV): "I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the different ways David describes God in Psalm 18:1-3?
2. According to the sermon, how does David's experience illustrate God's active and dynamic strength? [21:47]
3. What does the sermon say about the connection between David's deliverance and his obedience to God? [01:02:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the world's brokenness and the role of God's strength in our lives? [33:04]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that David calls God his "rock" and "fortress"? How do these terms relate to God's role in our lives? [49:55]
2. How does the sermon explain the importance of obedience and prayer in experiencing God's strength and deliverance? [54:58]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's deliverance, especially when it comes with the force of a storm? [01:01:12]
4. How does the sermon challenge us to examine the true source of our strength? What are some false sources of strength mentioned? [46:43]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's strength in your life. How did it compare to David's experience in Psalm 18? [21:47]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience and prayer. How can you improve your prayer life to better connect with God's strength? [54:58]
3. Have you ever experienced a situation where God's deliverance was not gentle but came with the force of a storm? How did you discern it was God's hand at work? [01:01:12]
4. The sermon challenges us to fully surrender to God. What areas of your life are you holding back from God, and how can you begin to surrender them? [01:08:01]
5. In what ways have you relied on your own abilities, relationships, or resources for strength? How can you shift your reliance to God? [46:43]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to ensure that your strength is rooted in Him and not in temporary or false sources? [34:36]
7. Think of a current struggle you are facing. How can you apply the lessons from Psalm 18 and the sermon to seek God's strength and deliverance in this situation? [01:02:50]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Strength is Active and Dynamic
God's strength is not just a static attribute but a moving force that empowers and protects His people. He is our rock, fortress, and deliverer, actively involved in our lives to provide the strength we need to endure and overcome life's challenges. David's life is a vivid illustration of this truth. When he was pursued by King Saul and surrounded by enemies, it was God's dynamic strength that delivered him. This strength is not passive; it is a powerful, active force that intervenes in our lives in real and tangible ways.
In our own lives, we may face various challenges and adversities that seem insurmountable. However, we can take comfort in knowing that God's strength is available to us. He is not distant or indifferent but is actively working on our behalf. When we rely on His strength, we can face any challenge with confidence, knowing that He is our rock and fortress. [21:47]
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2 ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively rely on God's strength to help you overcome it today?
Day 2: The Source of Our Strength
Our true strength must come from God, not from our own abilities, relationships, or resources. David's life illustrates that even a mighty warrior needs God's strength to overcome his enemies. We must examine where our strength truly comes from and ensure it is rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. David, despite his skills and resources, recognized that his victories were due to God's intervention and strength.
In our modern context, it is easy to rely on our own abilities, achievements, or the support of others. However, these sources of strength are limited and can fail us. True and lasting strength comes from a deep, abiding relationship with God. When we place our trust in Him, we tap into a source of strength that is infinite and unfailing. [46:43]
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you shift your trust to God in this area today?
Day 3: The Importance of Obedience and Prayer
There is a direct connection between walking in the strength of God and living in obedience to Him. Our strength and deliverance are also directly connected to our prayer life. When we call and cry out to God, He hears us immediately because we are His temple, filled with His Holy Spirit. David's deliverance was a result of his obedience and his fervent prayers to God.
In our spiritual journey, obedience and prayer are crucial. Obedience aligns us with God's will, making us receptive to His strength and guidance. Prayer is our lifeline to God, a means of communicating our needs, fears, and desires. When we live in obedience and maintain a robust prayer life, we position ourselves to receive God's strength and deliverance. [54:58]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)
Reflection: How can you improve your prayer life and obedience to God this week? What specific steps will you take to ensure you are aligned with His will?
Day 4: God's Deliverance May Look Different Than Expected
God's deliverance is not always gentle; sometimes it comes with the force of a storm. However, if we are walking in relationship with Him, we will have the discernment to understand His ways and see His deliverance even in the midst of chaos. David experienced God's deliverance in dramatic and powerful ways, often involving great upheaval and change.
In our lives, we may expect God's deliverance to come in a specific way, but His methods are often beyond our understanding. It is essential to trust in His wisdom and timing, even when His actions seem unexpected or overwhelming. By maintaining a close relationship with God, we can develop the discernment needed to recognize His hand at work, even in the midst of life's storms. [01:01:12]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8 ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when God's deliverance in your life was different from what you expected. How did you see His hand at work in that situation?
Day 5: Full Surrender to God
God demands all of us, not just a part. He is jealous for us because He knows that in Him, we find our greatest fulfillment and strength. We must fully surrender our lives to Him, trusting that He will provide the strength we need and fill in the details of our lives. David's life was marked by a total surrender to God, which allowed him to experience God's strength and deliverance fully.
In our own lives, partial surrender is not enough. God desires complete devotion and trust. When we hold back areas of our lives, we limit what God can do through us. Full surrender means trusting God with every aspect of our lives, believing that He knows what is best for us and will provide for our needs. [01:08:01]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We have a tendency, we have a propensity, we have a default posture and position to look to just about anything and everything else around us for our shield and our protection. And we miss the one who won't fail. And so this is what I want to say to you today. We're going to sing at least this bridge and this part. He won't fail. And maybe you haven't really trusted Him with everything today. Maybe in your life you've never really trusted Him. You've trusted Him a little bit. Listen, God is not a part of the way God. He's in all of the way God. And He wants, He demands all of you. And when you give Him all of you, you will experience all of Him you can handle. And He won't fail." [22:17] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Listen, we live in a lost, hurting, broken, and dying world, do we not? Lost, hurting, broken, and dying. And that is the result of sin. It's the result of being in a sinful world. And sometimes the result of the lostness that we experience, the brokenness that we experience, the dying that we experience is a direct result of our sin, our disobedience, our rebellion against God. Our actions have consequences." [33:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We serve a God who desires to not just pick you up and rescue you but to hold you close and have a relationship with you. And we see that the personal affection that God has for us is on display in David's life in Psalm chapter 18." [34:36] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You are not King David, but you, if you surrendered your life to Jesus, you are a child of the king. And what we see described here is a loving father who comes to the rescue of a child in danger. But that child, in this case, has not been placed in that danger because of his sin, because of his rebellion, and because of his disobedience. That child is in danger because he is living out in obedience to the Lord." [44:59] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There are false teachers that will tell you that if you endure any sort of suffering or hardship whatsoever, then there's sin in your life or you are walking in the result of somebody else's sin. That is also false doctrine because primarily in the New Testament, Jesus, as well as all of the epistles, all the letters tell us that when we give our lives to Jesus, we will experience hardships. We will experience trials. We will experience suffering. We will be oppressed for our faith." [01:02:50] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We serve a God that fights for us. Here's the thing. Secondly, we serve a God that fights with us. It's not just this picture of us fighting or God fighting for us and we sit back over here and we're like, hope he comes out on top. No, it's he's fighting and we're fighting with him. We're fighting with him. But thirdly, he enables us to fight for you, us to fight. He enables us to fight." [37:57] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Your strength from the Lord will be directly connected with your prayer life. It will be directly connected with your prayer life. You can be filled with a lot of good information about how to fight the fight. We can, we can look at it. What Paul said about, man, I want to fight the good fight. I want to finish my race. Those are all great things. And we can have coffee cup mug, coffee cup and coffee mug inscriptions that we can read every day. But let me tell you something. Your ability to fight in the strength of the Lord is directly related to your prayer life with the person of the Lord. You must be in prayer." [54:58] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is a direct connection between walking in the strength of God and living in obedience to God. So again, there's a direct connection between walking in the strength of God and receiving the strength from God and living in obedience to God. And they are directly proportionate. God doesn't, God doesn't want your following chiefly or primarily to be of another person, of yourself, even of a church. I might shock you that I would say that as a pastor on a stage at a church. I'm telling you, Jesus chiefly wants your and supremely. Primarily, wholly wants your surrender to him and your obedience to him. He demands not part of you, but all of you." [01:05:55] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You won't experience the whole strength of God until you give your whole self to God. And if I could beg you to do anything today, it would be just to surrender. And sign your name at the bottom of the paper and go, Jesus, you fill the rest of it in because I trust in your promise. You will come through. David experienced it. Paul experienced it. Peter experienced it. James and John experienced it. I've experienced it. He comes through every time. Gives you the strength that you need. Gives you more strength." [01:10:18] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He is jealous for you. He's not jealous for you because he's an egoist. He's not jealous for you because he's selfish. He's not jealous for you because he's a megalomaniac. He's not jealous for you because he is, he's, he's just, so self-centered that he doesn't want any, anything else to have a part of you or be a part of you. He is jealous for you because he knows that in him, you will find your, your greatest fulfillment. He will find, you will find everything you're looking for, everything you're lacking, everything you're missing, every struggle. It doesn't mean it won't go away, but he will give you a peace in the midst of chaos and a joy in the midst of pain that is indescribable, inexplicable, that only comes from full surrender in Jesus." [01:10:18] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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