"In Command"

Today we are going to wrap up our time in the Psalms…Next week we will Be Starting a new series called The Salt Life…what does it mean to be Salt and Light to the world.

Today we are going to wrap up our time in the Psalms…Next week we will Be Starting a new series called The Salt Life…what does it mean to be Salt and Light to the world.

Prayer

What do you do when you are in situation where you were simply terrified because you are not in control of your future?

Jet Ski story…I can’t swim, I was great as long as I was in control…yet it came across as selfishness so this girl broke up with me.

I have to admit that I would rather be in control of things that I am a part of. My number one strength on the Strength finders test is Command. So when I am part of a project or in the midst of a group that is trying to find its way my natural inclination is to take control of the group.

This can be a great strength but it can also be the source of a lot of anxiety.

If I am not careful I can come to the conclusion that things cannot function without me being “In Command” so when I am away or if someone else is in charge instead of being filled with peace there can be a sense of terror inside.

So sometimes I just do not let others lead…When it comes to letting God lead the same thing can be true for me.

If I am not careful I can come to the conclusion that things cannot function without me so when I am away or if someone else is in charge instead of being filled with peace there can be a sense of terror inside.

When I have no choice but to let God lead my life it terrifies me. I don’t understand why because Jesus has never let me down. He may not have done things the way I would.

He may not have done what I thought should be done. But when I have no choice but toe let God be in command of my life. He always does something that is wonderful.

Sometimes life has the ability to shut down any hope or any peace of mind that we have and the result is a mediocre living out of the mission that God has for us.

This is something we all have to deal with from time to time. The things that have control of us because of our own efforts to control life can be damaging to our souls.

Things like an addiction that drives us to depression, some may have financial problems that require us to merely survive instead of thrive, Some of us are oppressed by bad choices and bad relationships.

All of the things that keep us from thriving spiritually are usually an attempt by us to be in command of our own life.

Things like an addiction that drives us to depression, some may have financial problems that require us to merely survive instead of thrive, Some of us are overwhelmed by bad choices and bad relationships.

Some of us just can’t seem to let God Command our life so we unintentional sabotage the rest of our life by thinking we must control everything in our life including others…this always leads to an unhealthy life.

Things like an addiction that drives us to depression, some may have financial problems that require us to merely survive instead of thrive, Some of us are oppressed by bad choices and bad relationships.

As Christians we have a God that tells us if we will trust in Him He will do the heavy lifting…So How can we move through life in the midst of what we may call oppression or suffering?

Trust God Completely in the midst of trouble.

Trust God Completely in the midst of trouble.

9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

10 Those who know your name trust in you,

for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem.

Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.

12 For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless.

He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.

13 Lord, have mercy on me.

See how my enemies torment me.

Snatch me back from the jaws of death.

It may feel at times that the world has your number…but even in these moments God must be trusted

no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

Isaiah 54:7 ESV

For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.

and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord

Isaiah says

no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

Praise God regardless of how it’s going.

14 Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates,

so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.

When we praise God we are making our dependence on Him public. This is not a sign of weakness or fear but it is a sign of courage and strength.

Too many Christians have adopted such a secular mindset the our fear of secular judgment is keeps us holding on the illusion of self sufficiency.

God did not create you and I to cower in a corner while evil reigns…created us to overcome evil with good…He created you and I to be the very presence of God in the world.

When we publically acknowledge the goodness of our God we will be accused of all kinds of things…but when God overcomes it will bring more glory and honor to Him.

Leave the Consequence to God

15 The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others.

Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set.

16 The Lord is known for his justice.

The wicked are trapped by their own deeds.

17 The wicked will go down to the grave.

This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.

18 But the needy will not be ignored forever;

the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.

19 Arise, O Lord!

Do not let mere mortals defy you!

Judge the nations!

20 Make them tremble in fear, O Lord.

Let the nations know they are merely human.

Leave eternal judgment and punishment of those cause your grief or your uncomfortableness to God. When you and I hold grudges or dream about people “Getting Theirs” we block God’s ability to make us who He wants us to be.

I have know people that are so eaten up by their problems or the people that caused their problems the only inner voice the can hear is the one that is crying out for vengeance…

When we live this way we are never acting more like the world.

The words are pretty straightforward in this poem. The Psalmist isn’t mincing words.

God is on the side of the oppressed. God despises the wickedness of the nations. God desires life. God will avenge. The peoples that forget God will depart to Sheol. 

So at the end of the day our decision to let God be in Command will lead us to eternal life with Jesus…

The result of making decision to overcome by trusting God is not so much accomplishing what God wants us to accomplish but becoming who God created us to become.

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO BECOME

I cannot think of a better illustration of what it looks like to become men and women of faith in the face of opposition than

Mark 2:1–12 NLT

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

Take people to get their sins forgiven by God

Take people to get healed by God

Be the voice for those who are in more need and you and I will not be so focused on the need to be in control.

If God is on the side of the oppressed than we need to be as well.

Are you on the Side of the oppressed? Are you involved in leading people Closer to God or are you paralyzed by your circumstance?

Have you allowed Jesus to truly be IN COMMAND?

As we come to the table answer those questions before we partake together.