In Touch - March 4, 2006

Saturday March 4, 2006

On the Bottom Looking Up

1 Samuel 27:1-7

 

David was tired of being chased. For eight years Saul had relentlessly pursued him. With no indication that things would change, David began to despair about his future. God’s anointed leader experienced a failure of faith. Though God had promised to prosper him, his trust faltered. He could not wait any longer.

 

Isn’t that how we feel sometimes? We know that God has promised good things for those who wait on Him and every one of His promises is “yes” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV), but our faith, like David’s, wavers.

 

Israel’s future king assessed his options and chose the “best” one — to form an alliance with the godless Philistines. By moving from faith to human reasoning, he stepped out of God’s will. David joined with the enemies of God’s people. In doing so, he compromised the very thing to which he had committed himself — being Israel’s leader.

 

Fortunately, when you hit bottom as David did, there is a way back. Focusing upon the Lord can lead you out of discouragement and back into His presence. The initial step is repentance: Confess your lack of faith, receive God’s forgiveness, and pledge to follow Him. Next, strengthen yourself in the Lord: Recall His past faithfulness, reflect upon His power, and remember His promises. That way, you can center attention upon Him instead of your troubles. Finally, resolve to trust God for the future, and ask His Holy Spirit for help (Mark 9:24). Repentance. Recall. Reflection. Remembrance. Resolve. Won’t you walk upon the road that leads upward to the Father?

 

Take the next step in your spiritual walk today! Enroll for free in the Charles Stanley Institute for Christian Living and learn biblical truth under Dr. Charles Stanley.

 

Visit In Touch for the latest radio and television sermons from Dr. Stanley, plus much more!