Steadfast Faith: Resting in God's Presence
Summary
Taking a day of rest is essential, but it should not be a day solely focused on self-indulgence. True rest, akin to a Sabbath, involves dedicating time to God, engaging in worship, prayer, and reflection. This realization led me to transform my Mondays from self-centered days to days of fasting and seeking God. During this time, God impressed upon me the importance of being steadfast, a theme I felt compelled to share with the church.
Being steadfast means being firm, secure, and unwavering in our faith, especially during trials and temptations. Temptations are not limited to obvious sins but include hardships and persecutions that challenge our faith. The enemy uses these to tempt us to forsake God. To remain steadfast, we must anchor ourselves in trust, as exemplified by the Hebrew word "nakon," which signifies being confirmed and determined by God. Joseph's story in Genesis illustrates this, where God's determination is unchangeable and unstoppable.
Our steadfastness is tested by life's storms, but it is crucial to have a made-up mind, a firm decision to remain faithful to God regardless of circumstances. This is not about perfection but about our response to sin and imperfection. David's plea in Psalm 51 for a steadfast spirit after his sin with Bathsheba shows the importance of a firm commitment to God. Steadfastness is not passive; it requires active trust and a decision to remain anchored in God.
Trusting God involves believing in His promises and His ability to deliver us, even when we haven't yet experienced that deliverance. David's trust in God, even while hiding from Saul, exemplifies this. He found refuge in God, confident that his trials would pass. This trust is rooted in a deep knowledge of God, which comes from engaging with His Word.
In a world full of temptations and challenges, we must take inventory of our lives and commit to being steadfast in our faith. This involves proactive prayer and seeking God not just for relief from our problems but out of genuine devotion to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- True Rest and Sabbath: Rest should not be self-centered but should include time dedicated to God. A Sabbath rest involves worship, prayer, and reflection, aligning our rest with God's presence and purpose. [03:24]
- Understanding Steadfastness: Being steadfast means having a firm and secure faith, especially during trials. It involves a made-up mind to remain faithful to God, regardless of circumstances. [09:53]
- Active Trust in God: Trusting God requires an active decision to remain anchored in Him, even when deliverance is not yet visible. This trust is rooted in a deep knowledge of God and His promises. [20:00]
- Response to Sin and Imperfection: Our response to sin should be one of repentance and a desire for a steadfast spirit. It's not about perfection but about how we respond to our imperfections and seek God's heart. [17:46]
- Proactive Faith and Devotion: We must be proactive in our faith, seeking God out of genuine devotion rather than just for relief from problems. This involves taking inventory of our lives and committing to steadfastness. [39:33]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [03:24] - Transforming Rest Days
- [09:53] - The Meaning of Steadfastness
- [11:57] - The Battle Within
- [13:26] - Divine Power and Choice
- [15:27] - David's Example of Steadfastness
- [17:46] - Responding to Sin
- [20:00] - Trusting God in Trials
- [21:48] - The Conflict of Natures
- [23:54] - Deliverance from Sin's Power
- [25:56] - The Power of Steadfastness
- [27:52] - Illustration of Steadfastness
- [30:28] - Trustworthiness of Faithfulness
- [39:33] - Genuine Devotion to God
- [41:43] - Real Conversations with God
- [47:00] - Resisting Temptation
- [56:27] - Declaring God's Power
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 41:32
2. Psalm 51:10
3. Colossians 1:23
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 41:32, what does Joseph say about the dreams of Pharaoh, and how does this relate to the concept of steadfastness? [09:53]
2. How does Psalm 51:10 reflect David's understanding of steadfastness after his sin with Bathsheba? [17:46]
3. According to Colossians 1:23, what is required for believers to receive the promises of God? [09:53]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of trials and temptations, and how they are used by the enemy? [09:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Hebrew word "nakon" in Genesis 41:32 help us understand the nature of God's determination and our need for steadfastness? [09:53]
2. In Psalm 51:10, why does David ask for a "steadfast spirit," and what does this reveal about his relationship with God? [17:46]
3. What does Colossians 1:23 imply about the importance of being "firmly established and steadfast" in the faith, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message? [09:53]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between being tempted and giving in to temptation, and what role does steadfastness play in this? [26:53]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current day of rest. How can you transform it into a true Sabbath that includes worship, prayer, and reflection? [03:24]
2. Think about a recent trial or temptation you faced. How did you respond, and what would it look like to have a "made-up mind" to remain steadfast in such situations? [09:53]
3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God fully. What steps can you take to deepen your knowledge of God and His promises to strengthen your trust? [20:00]
4. Consider a time when you were aware of your sin. How did you respond, and what can you learn from David's plea for a steadfast spirit in Psalm 51? [17:46]
5. How can you proactively seek God out of genuine devotion rather than just for relief from problems? What changes can you make in your prayer life to reflect this? [39:33]
6. Evaluate your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you are being "dewy" in your loyalty to God? How can you work towards a more consistent and trustworthy faithfulness? [30:28]
7. In what ways can you anchor yourself more firmly in God’s truth to withstand the storms of life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to strengthen your steadfastness. [56:27]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Aligning Rest with Divine Purpose
True rest is not merely about physical relaxation or self-indulgence; it is about aligning oneself with God's presence and purpose. A Sabbath rest involves dedicating time to worship, prayer, and reflection, allowing individuals to reconnect with God and find spiritual rejuvenation. This kind of rest transforms ordinary days into sacred moments, where one can seek God earnestly and find peace in His presence. By setting aside time for God, believers can experience a deeper sense of rest that goes beyond the physical and touches the soul. [03:24]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate worship and reflection into your day of rest this week to align it more closely with God's purpose for you?
Day 2: The Firmness of Faith in Trials
Steadfastness in faith means having a firm and unwavering commitment to God, especially during trials and temptations. It is about making a conscious decision to remain faithful, regardless of the circumstances. This steadfastness is not passive; it requires active trust and a determination to stay anchored in God. The Hebrew word "nakon" signifies being confirmed and determined by God, illustrating the strength and security that come from a steadfast faith. By anchoring oneself in God's promises, believers can withstand life's storms and remain faithful. [09:53]
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one trial you are currently facing, and how can you actively choose to remain steadfast in your faith during this time?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Unseen Deliverance
Trusting God involves believing in His promises and His ability to deliver, even when that deliverance is not yet visible. This trust is rooted in a deep knowledge of God and His character, which comes from engaging with His Word. Like David, who found refuge in God while hiding from Saul, believers can find confidence in God's faithfulness, knowing that their trials will pass. Trusting God requires an active decision to remain anchored in Him, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. [20:00]
"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." (Isaiah 26:4, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God more deeply, even though you haven't yet seen His deliverance?
Day 4: Responding to Sin with a Steadfast Spirit
Our response to sin should be one of repentance and a desire for a steadfast spirit. It is not about achieving perfection but about how we respond to our imperfections and seek God's heart. David's plea in Psalm 51 for a steadfast spirit after his sin with Bathsheba highlights the importance of a firm commitment to God. By seeking God's forgiveness and strength, believers can cultivate a steadfast spirit that remains faithful despite their shortcomings. [17:46]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of sin or imperfection in your life that you need to bring before God in repentance, asking for a steadfast spirit?
Day 5: Proactive Faith and Genuine Devotion
Being proactive in faith involves seeking God out of genuine devotion rather than just for relief from problems. It requires taking inventory of one's life and committing to steadfastness in faith. This proactive approach to faith involves regular prayer, study of God's Word, and a sincere desire to know Him more deeply. By cultivating a genuine devotion to God, believers can strengthen their faith and remain steadfast in the face of life's challenges. [39:33]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you take a proactive step today to deepen your devotion to God, beyond seeking Him only in times of need?
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Quotes
1. "And so today's message, we're going to talk about, so over this time, we're going to talk about what it means to be steadfast. And then we're going to talk about three, maybe four, but three for sure different things that are, we need to be steadfast in, in order to persevere through trials, tribulations, and temptations, right? And, and, and it's not always the temptation of the, of the natural sins that we understand when we talk about temptations. We got to understand that suffering and persecution and hardship is a temptation, right? The enemy is placing it on you to tempt you to forsake God, to tempt you to go outside of who God is and add, maybe it's God and something. So even the things we go through are still temptations. The enemy's using it to try to get you to forsake God." [03:24] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so when we see this word show up, Joseph uses this word to talk about the sureness of what it is that God is has determined. And so what that means, when we look at what this word means, then, then to be steadfast means to be firm and secure. It means to be established. It means to be sure, right? And so as followers of Christ, it is going to be imperative in our life. It is going to be imperative in our walk that we be people that are firm, established in our faith, secure in our faith, knowing that at any given time, we can be hit with a storm. Knowing that at any given time, we can be tempted. Knowing that at any given time, we can start battling the mind fights that tempt us and cause us to want to shift away from the Lord." [09:53] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And this is important, because we need to be prepared. We need to be prepared. We need to be prepared. We need to know that ultimately, whatever our mind is made up to do, we will do. I don't care what we say. That's why I always talk about sin. At the end of the day, we sin because we made up our mind that we wanted to. We made up our mind that I don't want to fight no more. We made up our mind that this thing was too hard to resist. We made up our mind that this thing was too hard, and I don't want to feel it no more. We made up our mind, made up our mind that I don't want to feel this grief, so let me turn it." [11:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so, all he's simply doing is he's tempting the things that are desires of yours in the first place. And what happens when he tempts us so much? Eventually, we go and we give in to it. And what does James say in verse 14? He says, I mean, verse 15. He said, then when lust has conceived or been seized, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. What did he say? He says, the devil tempts you. He says, and then when lust, where were the lusts at? Whose lusts were they? So, then when our own lust is seized, meaning we take hold of our lust, we are tempted, and instead of fighting, we seize that thing that is the lust of ours. We do it. The devil don't grab your hand and handcuff you to your sin." [13:26] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so David says, well, if a lack of a steadfast spirit created in me unfaithfulness, then Lord, when you created me a new heart, I need you to do something else. Completely transform my spirit, my innermost desires, my inner man, the thing that guides my actions. I need you to completely transform it and make that steadfast. Make my devotion to you steadfast. Make my love for you steadfast. Make my resistance to sin steadfast. I need you to help me. Why? Because I am going to be under temptation again. I am going to go through another storm. I am going to deal with something another day. That means it's not good enough just to get through that one. I need you to continue to make me firm. That's it. And no matter what comes my way, it is you, Lord, that I remain faithful to." [20:00] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And here's the thing that David understood, and y 'all understand it because I say it all the time. If you've been around here for any amount of time, you've always heard me say this cool little statement that sucks, right? To be a Christian is to be in constant conflict with yourself. To be a Christian is to be in constant conflict with yourself. To be in constant conflict with yourself. Right? And hopefully those of you who were in the peacemaking class yesterday, you apply some of those principles that you have conflict with other people to when you have conflict with yourself because of your desires not matching up with God's desires for you." [21:48] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so when we talk about, okay, we're talking about being steadfast, but what does it mean to be steadfast? It means to be a person who is rooted in trusting in the Lord. And here's the thing about steadfast trust. It precedes deliverance while being certain that it will come. What does it mean to be trusting in the Lord? It precedes the deliverance from that thing you're in while being certain that it will come. And that's the thing we struggle with because we got to believe that something is coming that we don't see yet. We got to believe that the Lord will do something that he ain't done yet in our life. And we got to keep trusting him in the midst of it, and it makes it hard. But that's what's going to be required." [48:05] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And being steadfast gives endurance, gives us the endurance to stay in God instead of turning to other things when it gets hard. David says, I'm in the midst of my threat. This is David. Even at the time that he was on the run from Saul, he had more prestige and popularity than Saul. He could have chose to fight back, and he would have won. But instead of turning to his own abilities, instead of turning to what he believed he had the power to do, he said, No, no, no. I take refuge in you, God. I hide in the shadow or the protection of your wings. And here's the thing that's super dope. He says, I'm going to stay there until, say until, until destruction passes me by." [50:09] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so the reason he was able to stay there was because he had a truth and a knowledge of God that he believed that he was capable. He was able and able to keep him. And some of us got to begin to declare that in the midst of our hardships. We got to start declaring that God is powerful above all other things to protect us and to deliver us. And I love what he said. He said, he said, he said, he will accomplish all things for me. And that word accomplish just means put an end to. He will put an end to all things for me. That's his threats. That's his tribulations. That's his trials. In other words, he is confident. That because God is the most high, he will be able to endure his threats. He will send from heaven and save me. He rebukes the one who tramples on me. He trusts in all this, even though he hasn't experienced a deliverance yet." [56:27] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so if we want to place our trust in God, we have to have a knowledge of God. And so knowledge of God should produce what? Trust in him. And yet the enemy, this is one of the reasons why, how do we get knowledge of God? Self -revelation of who God is disclosed to us. The secret things of the Lord belong to the Lord, but those things which have been revealed are for us that we, they do them. This is the knowledge of God. Cognizant knowledge of God. And yet we let the enemy tell us that it's legalism to stress reading this. All these little weird content creators. Like this is religion and legalism. Sounds like the enemy to me. Sounds like demons to me. Because only one person wants to keep you from the knowledge of God. And it ain't the spirit of God who, gave us the knowledge of God." [01:03:57] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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