Trusting God: Soaring Through Life's Storms

Summary

### Summary

This morning, we explored the profound imagery of being the "apple of God's eye" and how it relates to our lives through the lens of David's experiences and the metaphor of the eagle. We began by revisiting Psalm 17, where David pleads for God's help and is described as the apple of God's eye. This phrase is expanded in Deuteronomy, where Moses speaks of God caring for Israel like an eagle caring for its young. The mother eagle builds a secure nest but eventually stirs it up, nudging her young to the edge and pushing them out to teach them to soar. This unsettling process is necessary for the young eagles to realize their potential and learn to ride the storm currents.

Similarly, God sometimes pushes us out of our comfort zones, allowing us to face storms and challenges to teach us to trust Him and realize our potential. David's life exemplifies this. From his confrontation with Goliath to various trials, David learned to trust God beyond his comfort zones. The story of David and Goliath illustrates how David, despite his youth and inexperience, trusted God to deliver him from the giant, symbolizing the storms and giants we face in our lives.

We all experience storms—financial troubles, broken relationships, health issues—that unsettle us and make us question God's plan. However, these storms are opportunities for us to deepen our faith and trust in God. Just as the mother eagle's actions seem harsh but are ultimately for the good of her young, God's actions, though sometimes difficult to understand, are meant to help us soar above our challenges.

The key question is, to whom do we belong? Do we trust in our own strength or in God's? Until we settle this, we will struggle to make sense of our trials. But once we decide to belong to God, we can face our storms with confidence, knowing that we are the apple of His eye and that He will catch us and help us soar.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Care and Guidance: Just as a mother eagle cares for her young, God cares for us, often in ways we don't immediately understand. He may push us out of our comfort zones to teach us to trust Him and realize our potential. This process, though unsettling, is essential for our growth and faith. [26:14]

2. Facing Storms with Faith: Like eagles that learn to ride storm currents, we are meant to rise above our challenges. Storms in our lives—whether financial, relational, or health-related—are opportunities to deepen our trust in God. These trials teach us to rely on His strength rather than our own. [31:24]

3. David's Example of Trust: David's confrontation with Goliath is a powerful example of trusting God in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite his youth and inexperience, David trusted that God would deliver him. This story encourages us to face our giants with the same faith and confidence in God's power. [42:53]

4. Belonging to God: The key to navigating life's storms is knowing to whom we belong. When we decide to belong to God and trust Him fully, we gain the assurance that He is with us, even in the most challenging times. This decision is foundational to our faith and perspective on life's difficulties. [45:11]

5. Witnessing God's Faithfulness: Our experiences of God's faithfulness in the midst of trials become powerful testimonies. As we look back on how God has seen us through difficult times, we can inspire and encourage others. Our stories of God's provision and care can help others learn to trust Him as well. [49:46]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[25:06] - Revisiting Psalm 17
[26:14] - The Eagle's Nest
[28:12] - Stirring the Nest
[29:51] - Learning to Soar
[31:24] - Facing Life's Storms
[32:59] - David's Trials
[35:43] - David and Goliath
[42:53] - David's Declaration
[45:11] - Belonging to God
[49:46] - Witnessing God's Faithfulness
[51:31] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 17:8 - "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
2. Deuteronomy 32:10-11 - "In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft."
3. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - "David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does David mean when he refers to himself as the "apple of God's eye" in Psalm 17:8? How does this imagery reflect God's care for him? [25:06]
2. In Deuteronomy 32:10-11, how does the metaphor of the eagle caring for its young expand our understanding of God's care for Israel? [26:14]
3. Describe the process the mother eagle uses to teach her young to fly. How does this relate to God's method of teaching us to trust Him? [28:12]
4. What was David's declaration to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45-47, and how did it demonstrate his trust in God? [42:53]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the eagle pushing its young out of the nest help us understand the purpose of the challenges and storms we face in life? [29:51]
2. What can we learn from David's confrontation with Goliath about facing our own "giants" or challenges with faith? [35:43]
3. How does knowing that we are the "apple of God's eye" change our perspective on the difficulties we encounter? [44:29]
4. What does it mean to belong to God, and how does this belonging provide assurance during life's storms? [45:11]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pushed out of your comfort zone. How did that experience help you grow in your faith or trust in God? [29:51]
2. David faced Goliath with confidence in God's power. Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you approach it with the same faith and confidence? [42:53]
3. When storms come into your life, do you tend to rely on your own strength or turn to God? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God during these times? [31:24]
4. How does the knowledge that you are the "apple of God's eye" affect your daily life and decisions? [25:06]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust God more. What practical steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? [45:11]
6. Share a testimony of a time when you witnessed God's faithfulness during a difficult period. How can your story encourage others in their faith journey? [49:46]
7. Consider the metaphor of the eagle loving storms. How can you learn to embrace the challenges in your life as opportunities to soar higher in your faith? [31:24]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unseen Care and Guidance
God's care for us is often like that of a mother eagle for her young. In Deuteronomy, Moses describes how God cares for Israel, likening it to an eagle caring for its young. The mother eagle builds a secure nest but eventually stirs it up, nudging her young to the edge and pushing them out to teach them to soar. This unsettling process is necessary for the young eagles to realize their potential and learn to ride the storm currents. Similarly, God sometimes pushes us out of our comfort zones, allowing us to face storms and challenges to teach us to trust Him and realize our potential. This process, though unsettling, is essential for our growth and faith. [26:14]

Deuteronomy 32:11-12 (ESV): "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the Lord alone guided him, no foreign god was with him."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt pushed out of your comfort zone. How can you see God's hand guiding you through that experience?

Day 2: Rising Above Life's Storms
Just as eagles learn to ride storm currents, we are meant to rise above our challenges. Storms in our lives—whether financial, relational, or health-related—are opportunities to deepen our trust in God. These trials teach us to rely on His strength rather than our own. When we face these storms, it is crucial to remember that God is with us, guiding us through the turbulence and helping us to soar above our difficulties. [31:24]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: Identify a current storm in your life. How can you shift your focus from the storm itself to trusting in God's strength to carry you through it?

Day 3: Trusting God Like David
David's confrontation with Goliath is a powerful example of trusting God in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite his youth and inexperience, David trusted that God would deliver him from the giant. This story encourages us to face our giants with the same faith and confidence in God's power. David's life exemplifies how trusting God beyond our comfort zones can lead to victory over seemingly insurmountable challenges. [42:53]

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV): "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head.'"

Reflection: What "giant" are you facing today? How can you emulate David's trust in God to overcome this challenge?

Day 4: Knowing to Whom We Belong
The key to navigating life's storms is knowing to whom we belong. When we decide to belong to God and trust Him fully, we gain the assurance that He is with us, even in the most challenging times. This decision is foundational to our faith and perspective on life's difficulties. Understanding that we are the apple of God's eye gives us the confidence to face our trials with the knowledge that He will catch us and help us soar. [45:11]

Isaiah 43:1 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your sense of belonging to God. How does knowing you are His change the way you approach your current struggles?

Day 5: Witnessing God's Faithfulness
Our experiences of God's faithfulness in the midst of trials become powerful testimonies. As we look back on how God has seen us through difficult times, we can inspire and encourage others. Our stories of God's provision and care can help others learn to trust Him as well. Sharing these testimonies not only strengthens our faith but also builds up the faith of those around us. [49:46]

Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."

Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced God's faithfulness during a trial. How can you share this testimony to encourage someone else today?

Quotes

### Quotes for outreach

1. "And then we begin to realize that it's not the mother going crazy. It's not her trying to get rid of the chicks. She's trying to teach them that they were meant to soar, and that's something that they would not know if they stayed in that nest. It's something that they couldn't possibly conceive if they stayed there in that comfort and care, and so she pushes them out little by little until eventually she eliminates that world in which they knew. Only to give them a better world, a world in which they're able to soar." [29:51] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so often it means that God just wants us to trust him. To know that we who call ourselves followers of Christ are meant for so much more. Fear in these times can overtake us. And we can sometimes just turn our backs on the things that we believe and know. Fear is a terrible thing." [33:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You know, storms come in many different forms and fashions in our life. But I can assure you of one thing. We all experience them. We all experience those moments in which we become afraid. Maybe we don't show it. Maybe it's not obvious. But deep within, we long to know. We long to know that we can survive these things." [35:43] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And David takes offense of that. And he says, now, wait a minute. He says, I'm a shepherd boy, but I fought a bear once. And Saul says, it's probably that big black dog. And he says, you know, I killed a lion, too. And I'm going to kill the guy in the gorge. Goliath of Gath. Besides, he says, I don't intend to do it alone. And Saul kind of perks up. He says, what do you mean? Who's going with you into that gorge? He says, what do you mean? God is going with me." [40:13] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And David's walking out of that tent with a confidence and heading towards the gorge. And they're probably whispering to each other, he's going to die. And David enters this gorge. And on the other side, Goliath, he comes from the Philistine armies. And he begins to climb down into the gorge. He has his shield bearer with him. And as the shield bearer is beginning to prep Goliath for this battle, young David climbs down on his shield. And on his side, he picks up five stones and puts them in a pouch." [40:49] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "What that means for us is that there is a point for David and for us in which the Lord began to push them into a world that seemed difficult. There were times that God pushed David beyond his comfort, the things that he were used to, the life patterns that he enjoyed. And sometimes where he fell into, it was difficult, and the storms were tough. But each time, the Lord was trying to teach David that he was meant for more, that he was meant to know the power of God and to represent the people of Israel and to soar." [31:24] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And then David, with the best, the best voice he could muster, he makes this statement. He says to this guy, he says, you have come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the army of Israel, whom you have defiled. This day, the Lord will hand you over to me and I will strike you down and cut off your head. Today, I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. And the whole world will know there is a God in Israel." [42:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So until you settle that, until you decide, for all time, that you belong to God, nothing else will ever come into focus and make sense because you will face storms. You will experience uncertainties in your life. There'll be times where you'll feel like you're falling and no one's there to catch you. But God's people know something different. God's people are assured of his help, his presence, his care, that he will catch us." [45:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Maybe God desires that each of us as Christians deepen our faith as we go through this life. More and more, we will face the storms and the giants and he doesn't want us to be afraid. We, as followers of Christ, have a sense of being fearless, knowing that we belong to him. And as he sometimes pushes us out of the nest, we may not understand it in the moment, but it is his way, his way of loving us, of showing us that we are meant for more than just fear." [47:58] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And David discovered that fully. He had plenty of ups and downs. He made mistakes just like we all do. But the one thing that he longed in his heart he wanted to belong to God. He wanted to know that everything between he and the Lord was okay. That there wasn't anything that stood between him and the Lord. And if there was, he wanted it removed." [48:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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