Setting the Lord Before Us: A Path to Resilience

 

Summary

In reflecting on Psalm 16:8, "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved," we find profound guidance for our lives as Christians, especially as we stand at the threshold of a new year. This verse, attributed to David, offers a glimpse into the secret of his resilience and steadfastness despite the tumultuous life he led. David, a man of many passions and troubles, found his strength in consistently placing God at the forefront of his life. This practice is not only a key to understanding David's life but also the life of Jesus Christ, who exemplified living in constant communion with God.

The essence of this teaching is the determination to live life in the conscious presence of God. It involves a deliberate act of setting God before us, which requires a decision, a commitment, and an active engagement of our will. This is not a passive waiting for divine intervention but an active pursuit of God's presence through prayer, scripture reading, and meditation. By setting the Lord before us, we align our lives with His will, finding stability and peace regardless of life's uncertainties.

As we embark on a new year, we are reminded that while we cannot predict what lies ahead, we can prepare ourselves spiritually. By setting the Lord always before us, we ensure that we are not swayed by the changing tides of life. This practice not only prepares us for trials and temptations but also enriches our daily walk with God, allowing us to experience His comfort and guidance continually.

Key Takeaways:

- Living in God's Presence: The determination to set the Lord always before us is a conscious decision to live in His presence. This involves a deliberate act of will, where we remind ourselves daily of our relationship with God and seek His presence through prayer and scripture. This practice anchors us, providing stability and peace in the face of life's uncertainties. [10:03]

- Active Engagement: Setting the Lord before us requires active engagement, not passive waiting. It involves taking ourselves in hand, disciplining ourselves to seek God diligently. This active pursuit of God is essential for spiritual growth and resilience, especially when we feel spiritually dry or distant. [18:40]

- The Art of Recollection: Practicing the presence of God involves the art of recollection, where we consciously remind ourselves of God's reality and our relationship with Him. This practice helps us to focus on God first thing in the morning, setting the tone for our day and aligning our thoughts and actions with His will. [20:12]

- Scripture and Prayer: Regular, systematic reading of the Bible and prayer are vital in setting the Lord before us. These practices deepen our understanding of God and draw us into His presence, equipping us to face life's challenges with faith and confidence. [22:34]

- Facing Trials with God: By setting the Lord always before us, we are prepared to face trials and temptations with His strength. This practice ensures that we are not alone in our struggles, as God's presence provides comfort and security, enabling us to stand firm in faith. [36:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Psalm 16:8
- [00:35] - Facing the New Year
- [01:55] - David's Life and Lessons
- [03:39] - The Secret of David's Life
- [05:13] - Jesus' Example
- [06:29] - Importance of Setting the Lord Before Us
- [08:00] - Preparing for the Unknown
- [09:33] - Practical Application
- [10:03] - Living in God's Presence
- [12:06] - Setting the Lord Before Us
- [14:08] - Determination and Willpower
- [16:36] - Active Engagement
- [19:45] - The Art of Recollection
- [22:34] - Scripture and Prayer
- [36:20] - Facing Trials with God
- [38:09] - The Unchanging Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 16:8: "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Psalm 16:8 reveal about David's approach to his relationship with God? How does this verse reflect his resilience? [00:10]

2. In the sermon, how is the life of Jesus Christ used as an example of setting the Lord always before oneself? [05:13]

3. What are some practical ways mentioned in the sermon that help us set the Lord before us daily? [22:34]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of active engagement in maintaining a relationship with God? [18:40]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "setting the Lord always before me" challenge the idea of passive spirituality? What does this imply about the nature of our relationship with God? [10:03]

2. The sermon mentions the "art of recollection." How might this practice influence a person's daily spiritual life and decision-making? [20:12]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that regular scripture reading and prayer equip believers to face life's challenges? [22:34]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of facing trials with God, and what impact does this have on a believer's faith journey? [36:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. How can you more deliberately set the Lord before you each day? What specific changes can you make to your routine to prioritize this? [10:03]

2. Consider a time when you felt spiritually dry or distant. How might actively engaging in prayer and scripture reading have changed that experience? What steps can you take to prevent spiritual dryness in the future? [18:40]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of starting the day with God. What morning routine can you establish to remind yourself of your relationship with God before anything else? [20:12]

4. Identify a trial or temptation you are currently facing. How can setting the Lord before you provide strength and comfort in this situation? What practical steps will you take to seek God's presence during this time? [36:20]

5. The sermon suggests that reading the lives of godly people can inspire us. Is there a biography or story of a Christian figure you can read this month to encourage your faith? How will you incorporate this into your schedule? [24:09]

6. Reflect on the past year. How often did you consciously set the Lord before you in both good times and bad? What can you do differently in the coming year to ensure that God remains at the forefront of your life? [29:20]

7. Think about a specific area of your life where you feel uncertain or anxious about the future. How can you apply the principle of setting the Lord before you to find peace and stability in that area? [08:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in God's Presence
The determination to set the Lord always before us is a conscious decision to live in His presence. This involves a deliberate act of will, where we remind ourselves daily of our relationship with God and seek His presence through prayer and scripture. This practice anchors us, providing stability and peace in the face of life's uncertainties. [10:03]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to remind yourself of God's presence throughout your day?


Day 2: Active Engagement
Setting the Lord before us requires active engagement, not passive waiting. It involves taking ourselves in hand, disciplining ourselves to seek God diligently. This active pursuit of God is essential for spiritual growth and resilience, especially when we feel spiritually dry or distant. [18:40]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: Identify a specific time in your day when you can actively engage with God through prayer or scripture. How can you make this a consistent habit?


Day 3: The Art of Recollection
Practicing the presence of God involves the art of recollection, where we consciously remind ourselves of God's reality and our relationship with Him. This practice helps us to focus on God first thing in the morning, setting the tone for our day and aligning our thoughts and actions with His will. [20:12]

Psalm 63:6 (ESV): "When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night."

Reflection: What is one way you can incorporate the art of recollection into your morning routine to set a God-focused tone for your day?


Day 4: Scripture and Prayer
Regular, systematic reading of the Bible and prayer are vital in setting the Lord before us. These practices deepen our understanding of God and draw us into His presence, equipping us to face life's challenges with faith and confidence. [22:34]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Choose a specific passage of scripture to meditate on this week. How can you let this passage dwell richly in your heart and mind?


Day 5: Facing Trials with God
By setting the Lord always before us, we are prepared to face trials and temptations with His strength. This practice ensures that we are not alone in our struggles, as God's presence provides comfort and security, enabling us to stand firm in faith. [36:20]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Think of a current trial or challenge you are facing. How can you invite God's presence into this situation to find strength and comfort?

Quotes


I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved I called your attention to this verse this morning in order that through it and by means of it and it's teaching we may consider our lives together in this world as Christian people and we may find guidance and help as we approach and face the beginning of a new year. [00:00:18]

David was a man of like passions with ourselves he had many troubles he had to face many problems he brought many of them upon himself as we do but many came in spite of him just as the result of the world in which he lived because there were other sinners like himself in the world you read his story and you'll find that he lived a very tempestuous kind of life and yet through it all with all his sins and faults and failures and all the various calamities that came to meet him you find this men going steadily forward a man who was well pleasing in God's sight. [00:01:10]

Observe his life of Prayer observe him getting up before dawn to pray observe him spending a whole night in prayer what's he doing he is setting the Lord always before him that was how heal him it's perfectly clear isn't it from the Gospels that our Lord when he was here in the flesh lived in that way why did he pray so much well just the answer he kept the Lord always before him he looked unto Him he lived for him and by him very well then we see here that we have a most important ruling and principle with regard to our lives in this world. [00:06:29]

The principles are here of course and we spent a great deal of our time here with principles and with doctrines because they are absolutely essential but of course they've got to be applied and therefore it's not a bad thing that occasionally like this we should pause and be essentially practical and come down to the application of the things which we have seen together and which we must surely believe let us I say approach the whole teaching in a practical manner what is it well it is the determination to live life in the conscious presence of God. [00:09:33]

It involves determination and of course determination involves thought doesn't it it involves meditation it involves consideration this is the end of an argument this it's it's the outcome of a great process of reasoning it's the implementation of a point of view with regard to himself and with regard to the whole of life I've having considered everything this is the way I am going to live he's determined to it and you and I my friends must determine we must define we must exercise our willpower. [00:13:04]

We must I say arouse ourselves and bring ourselves to this now here is the point which to me a tenor it is a very great interest there are two sides to this Christian life in which we find ourselves there is the divine initiative without which nothing happens at all but as the result of the divine initiative you and I are meant to initiate things when we are dead in trespasses and sins we can do nothing but when we are given life we can and we must and the under scriptures appeal to us to do so set here evictions you've got to take yourselves in hand and you've got to make yourselves do this you've got to compel yourselves you've got to be a rigid with yourself you must discipline yourself it involves I say a very definite activity on our part. [00:16:36]

It means that I trained and school myself in what the Masters of the spiritual life have called the art of recollection it means that I consciously deliberately objectively speak to myself about myself and about my relationship to God it means that when I wake up in the morning before I allow myself to think about anything else I say to myself again you are a child of God and an air of eternity you belong to God God knows you and you were a child of God recollection reminder of that now you've got to do this you've got to do it for simply because the moment you wake up force will come crowding at your mind perhaps temptations perhaps doubts all sorts of things you brush them all aside and you deliberately remind yourself of these things of God and yourself and your relationship to God. [00:20:12]

The Bible God as he revealed himself to us so as we read this word we are deriving knowledge about God and God is speaking to us through the word about himself and about ourselves so that the more we know this and read this the more it will take us into the presence of God so if you want to set the Lord always before you spend much of your time with this and as it's the time when men are given to making and taking resolutions I do trust that this is one of yours on this first of January my friend regular daily reading of the Bible and systematic reading not picking it up at random turning are a favorite Psalm and then somewhere in the gospel known of Genesis to Revelation go through the book hereby yeah I think any Christian should be ashamed who doesn't go through the Bible once again go through it systematically. [00:22:34]

The secret of the Saints in the past was that they read the word themselves and prayed and meditated and read good books not snippets not mere devotional commentaries they got down to the doctrine to the depths and they lived in these depths and not merely in the shallows and the result was their glorious lives set I have set the Lord always before me that's what the setting means or that we all may resolve to do so together this morning don't let life control you don't let any organization control you don't let the thing to do control you and when I say the thing to do I don't mean the thing to do only in the world I mean the thing to do evening in evangelical circles set the Lord always before you he himself not merely activities in his kingdom because finally if you don't set the Lord before you you'll become very dry in all your ex activism and your heart will become cold and in the time of need and of trouble and of trial you won't know where you are and you'll be rather a poor witness to the faith and to the grace which you have received in which you hope set the Lord yes and do it always as I say I have set the Lord always self this men not only when he feels like it still more in a sense when you don't feel like it when the Lord is visiting you you needn't set him before you even though he's there and you are but to respond all the time to do it is when you don't feel it and when you feel dry and barren and arid set in before me. [00:25:50]

We don't know but they may come they will come sooner or later in some form and then you know there's only one thing that is available and that is that we shall not be alone that he will be with us the Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples the hour cometh and now is when all shall leave me and forsake me nevertheless I am NOT alone for the father is with me that's how he went through when his disciples ran away the father is with me and he went through and that is the only way in which you and I can face it we can say this his oath his covenant his blood support me in the whelming flood when all around my soul gives way he only is my strength and stay on Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking SEM ah yes and when even death itself shall come it's all right he will be with us he will not leave us nor forsake us we can apply this on Christ has conquered death and the grave he's gone through he's an anchor within the veil because he's there I shall be there even death is vanquished I have set the Lord always for me because he is at my right hand I shall not move. [00:36:20]

He Christ is the same yesterday today and forever therefore I say whatever it may be I have better set him always before me and to look at him I see him and I asked him to abide with me and therefore I can say things like this abide with me fast Falls the Eventide the darkness deepens Lord with me abide when other helpers fail and comforts flee help of the helpless o abide with me Swift to its closed em shout life's little day its Joy's grow dim its glories pass away change and decay in all around I see although who changes not abide with me I need thy presence every passing hour what but thy grace can foil the tempters power who like myself my guide and stay can be throw cloud and sunshine o abide with me I fear no foe with the attenti bless yells have no weight and tears no bitterness where is testing where grave thy victory I triumph still if thou abide with me although thy cross before my closing eyes shine through the gloom me to the skies heaven's morning breaks and us very shadow flee in life in death Oh Lord abide with me keep me Oh keep me King of Kings beneath thine own almighty wings beloved people set the Lord always before you and then because he is at your right hand you shall not be moved. [00:38:09]

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Transcript
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