Facing the Giants: Coronavirus and Economic Calamity

Introduction

This Psalm was written at a time when the people of God needed to be reminded of God’s faithfulness so they might repent of their sin, obey God and have faith for His faithfulness in their present life.

They had turned from the one true God to other gods. We may think such a Psalm has little application to our life but what we define as a god has changed. But it actually is very pertinent for the times in which we are living…pertinent even to our present corona crisis.

Let’s begin today with a couple of definitions to set the table...

Idol — An idol is a false god and a false god is really just anything or anyone we have put above the one true God…Anything or anyone who takes precedence over Him.

So with this definition in mind a “god” could be a relationship, job, money, security, comfort…anything that takes our eyes off of God…anything which receives more attention or devotion from us than God.

Sin — Means to miss the mark. Sin is missing God’s will for our life. Anytime we miss the mark and confuse our priorities we are right where the original audience of this Psalm found themselves.

When we find ourselves going down the road of sin and misplaced priorities in life...We need a wake up call…a call to repentance and revival…a call to change...and that is exactly what the Psalm is...

And if we heed the call God responds…We see His response to repentance in a precious promise found in verse 10…the favorite verse of one of the greatest men of God to ever walk the earth in modern history…George Mueller.

Mueller understood a simple fact…If God is your God and you place faith in Him…the miracles you have read about God in the past can be your present experience.

The problem in the day this Psalm was written was simple…the people would again and again turn from the one true God and seek what they needed for their present crisis from one of the local idols.

Their crops would fail, rains wouldn’t come in a timely manner and life got hard so they would begin to believe Jehovah wasn’t enough…that they needed to find another way to have their needs met…so they sinned by trusting in themselves, things and even idols to meet their needs and wants.

In these uncertain days ahead we must be on guard that we not make the same mistake…It is so easy to look to the government with its seemingly endless supply of money to be our deliverer. It is so easy to look to modern science and medicine to be our savior from an untimely death.

Certainly God gives us knowledge and understanding of our world. Science isn’t evil nor is modern medicine…and God often uses both.

But, we can easily make an idol out of these things…trusting in them instead of our God who promised to meet all of our needs according to His riches in glory.

Our faith isn’t in the limited knowledge, power and resources of government, people or science…our faith is in the unlimited power, knowledge and resources of our God.

The Psalmist calls them to repent…stop looking for answers and deliverance from someone or something other than God. Instead remember how He came through for our people in the past and trust Him to do so again in your present!

As so often is the case…the past is the key to the present...

We want to live a life depending upon a God who always comes through for us.

This kind of life is available to everyone who admits they are sinner, turns from their sin and commits the life to God…that is where such a life begins…but in order to remain in the benefits of such a life we must always remember what made it possible in the first place…the cross.

We must always keep an eye on what God has done in the past and have faith for His continual activity in our present circumstance.

What

The Road to Living by Faith

The chapter begins with a command to sing and shout praise to God for His strength…for how He has come through for His people in their history…specifically, how He had delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt.

We need this reminder ourselves…and often. Praise God with passion, strength and emotion. Play our instruments, sing and celebrate…and if you have trouble singing just shout!

We very often need this reminder ourselves. We should praise God with passion, strength and emotion. Play our instruments, sing and celebrate…and if you have trouble singing just shout!

Memory is a vitally important part of our faith. God wants us to look back so we can live in the present with a certain set of expectations. And expectations are very important…expectation is the foundation of hope.

History is a vitally important part of a strong faith in the present. Some have a hard time with history…thinking it a boring subject and detached from the present.

Teacher: "Can you give me Lincoln's Gettysburg Address?" Fred: "No, but he used to live at the White House."

But God thinks differently on the subject of history…In God’s way of thinking it is of vital importance if we are going to live a life of faith for our present.

History is the record of an encounter between character and circumstance. — Donald Creighton

Donald Creighton

Creighton is right on a number of levels but perhaps most right when we consider the idea that history is a record of God’s character brought to bear on circumstance

God wants us to look at our present circumstances with great expectations because of the demonstration of His character and power in the past. Expectations are very important…expectation is the foundation of hope.

Hope — Expectation of good.

Hope — Expectation of good.

So the Psalmist is writing about the past to get us to the present…which we find in verse 10…but first things first…we aren’t just to take note of the past…we are to rehearse it, meditate upon it, celebrate it and praise God for His hand in it.

So the Psalmist writes about the past to get his readers to the present…a present described for us in verse 10…but first things first…

The Psalmist doesn’t want us to simply take note of the past…he wants us to rehearse it, meditate upon it, celebrate it and praise God for His faithfulness in it.

For the Israelites the high point of their collective spiritual memory was the deliverance from Egypt. Each Israelite would recite the deliverance as though it has happened in their own lifetime…as if they had personally been involved in the journey from Egypt.

The Psalmist calls his readers to meditate upon and praise God for the high point of their collective spiritual history…which was God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. Each Israelite would recite the deliverance as though it has happened in his or her own lifetime…as if they had personally been involved in the journey from Egypt.

They understood that the deliverance of the nation in the past was their own deliverance in the present…God’s faithfulness to their ancestors was His faithfulness to them in the present. This is why the Psalmist could use the present tense in verse 10…I brought you out of Egypt…as though it has happened to them personally only yesterday.

They understood that the deliverance of the nation in the past was their own deliverance in the present…God’s faithfulness to their ancestors was His faithfulness to them in the present.

For Christians the high point of our collective spiritual memory is the cross of Christ. And it is something personal for each of us as well. Though it happened in the past it happened with affect for each of us in our present.

For Christians the high point of our collective spiritual history is the cross of Christ…where we were delivered from the curse of sin and death...And the Cross is personal for each of us as well. Like the Israelites…an ancient deliverance is our deliverance too.

So in order for us to do what the Psalmist is encouraging His people to do 2900 years ago…we must reflect upon, celebrate and praise God for the cross. The memory of God’s faithfulness at the Cross changes us in the present.

In order for us to do what the Psalmist encouraged His people to do 2900 years ago…we must reflect upon, celebrate and praise God for the cross. The history of God’s faithfulness at the Cross changes us in the present.

We will never have faith in God for the present, nor have faith in God for our future, if we fail to reflect upon and praise Him for His faithfulness in the past.

Have you meditated upon the cross lately? Do you regularly sing songs and shout praise for God’s faithful deliverance from our sins? Have you lately let the knowledge of God’s deliverance change the way you see your present circumstance.

This is the game plan for facing present circumstances…for facing the coronavirus…for facing economic uncertainty…and any other fear, anxiety or overwhelming circumstance in our life…praise God for His past faithfulness so we might have faith in Him for our present.

The faithfulness of God in our past, for our present and future, should change the way we feel, think and act today.

‘The faithfulness of God in our past, for our present and future, should change the way we feel, think and act today.

Faith For A Present and Future

Verse 10 is one of the most powerful promises found in all of scripture. God makes very clear right here that if we will go to Him with our needs He will meet them.

The unwillingness of the human heart to rely on the promise of grace in Christ Jesus is well illustrated in the story of an eccentric Irish landlord on whose vast estates dwelt a number of very needy tenants. Upon becoming converted, this wealthy man was anxious to make clear to these people the marvelous provision God had made for their salvation. So he caused to be posted in prominent places on his wide domains, notices to the effect that, on a given day, he would be in his office down by the lodge gates, from ten o'clock in the morning until twelve noon. During that time, he would be prepared to pay the debts of all his tenantry who brought their unpaid bills with them.

The unwillingness of the human heart to rely on the promise of grace in Christ Jesus is well illustrated in the story of an eccentric Irish landlord on whose vast estates dwelt a number of very needy tenants. Upon becoming converted, this wealthy man was anxious to make clear to these people the marvelous provision God had made for their salvation. So he caused to be posted in prominent places on his wide domains, notices to the effect that, on a given day, he would be in his office down by the lodge gates, from ten o'clock in the morning until twelve noon. During that time, he would be prepared to pay the debts of all his tenantry who brought their unpaid bills with them.

For days the notices were the cause of much excitement. People talked of the strange offer and some declared it a hoax. Others were certain "there must be a catch somewhere." A few even thought it indicated that the landlord was going out of his mind, for "who had ever heard of any sane man making such an offer?"

For days the notices were the cause of much excitement. People talked of the strange offer and some declared it a hoax. Others were certain "there must be a catch somewhere." A few even thought it indicated that the landlord was going out of his mind, for "who had ever heard of any sane man making such an offer?"

When the announced day came, many of the people could be seen making their way to the office, and as the time approached a great crowd had gathered about the door. Promptly at ten the landlord and his secretary drove to the gate, left the carriage and, without a word to anyone, entered the office and closed the door. Outside a great discussion had begun; it became more vehement every minute. Was there anything to it? Did he really mean it? Would he only make a fool of one who brought the evi­dence of his indebtedness? Some insisted that it was his actual signature at the foot of the notices, and surely he would not dishonor his name. But an hour passed and no one had gone in to present his claim. If one suggested to someone else to venture, he would be met by the angry response, "I don't owe so very much. I have no need to go in. Let someone else try it first—someone who owes more than I do!" And so the precious moments slipped away.

When the announced day came, many of the people could be seen making their way to the office, and as the time approached a great crowd had gathered about the door. Promptly at ten the landlord and his secretary drove to the gate, left the carriage and, without a word to anyone, entered the office and closed the door. Outside a great discussion had begun; it became more vehement every minute. Was there anything to it? Did he really mean it? Would he only make a fool of one who brought the evi­dence of his indebtedness? Some insisted that it was his actual signature at the foot of the notices, and surely he would not dishonor his name. But an hour passed and no one had gone in to present his claim. If one suggested to someone else to venture, he would be met by the angry response, "I don't owe so very much. I have no need to go in. Let someone else try it first—someone who owes more than I do!" And so the precious moments slipped away.

When the announced day came, many of the people could be seen making their way to the office, and as the time approached a great crowd had gathered about the door. Promptly at ten the landlord and his secretary drove to the gate, left the carriage and, without a word to anyone, entered the office and closed the door. Outside a great discussion had begun; it became more vehement every minute. Was there anything to it? Did he really mean it? Would he only make a fool of one who brought the evi­dence of his indebtedness? Some insisted that it was his actual signature at the foot of the notices, and surely he would not dishonor his name. But an hour passed and no one had gone in to present his claim. If one suggested to someone else to venture, he would be met by the angry response, "I don't owe so very much. I have no need to go in. Let someone else try it first—someone who owes more than I do!" And so the precious moments slipped away.

Finally, when it was nearing twelve o'clock, an aged couple from the farthest bounds of the estate came hobbling along arm in arm; the old man had a bundle of bills clutched tightly in one hand. In quavering tones he inquired. "Is it true, neighbor, that the landlord be paying the debts of all who come today?"

Finally, when it was nearing twelve o'clock, an aged couple from the farthest bounds of the estate came hobbling along arm in arm; the old man had a bundle of bills clutched tightly in one hand. In quavering tones he inquired. "Is it true, neighbor, that the landlord be paying the debts of all who come today?"

"He ain't paid none yet," said one.

"He ain't paid none yet," said one...."We think it is just a cruel joke," said another....The old couple's eyes filled with tears. "Is it all a mistake? We hoped it was true and thought how good it would be to be able to die free of debt."...They were turning disconsolately away, when somebody said, "No one has tried him yet. Why not go in? If he pays your bills, come out quickly and tell us and we'll go in, too."

"We think it is just a cruel joke," said another.

The old couple's eyes filled with tears. "Is it all a mistake? We hoped it was true and thought how good it would be to be able to die free of debt."

To this the old folks agreed and timidly opened the door and entered the office, where a cordial welcome awaited them. In answer to their question as to whether the notice was true, the secretary said: "Do you think the landlord would deceive you? Let me see your bills." They were all presented, carefully tabulated, and a check made out to cover them. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the old man and his wife arose to leave, but the secretary said: "Just be seated. You must remain here till the office closes at noon."

They were turning disconsolately away, when somebody said, "No one has tried him yet. Why not go in? If he pays your bills, come out quickly and tell us and we'll go in, too."

To this the old folks agreed and timidly opened the door and entered the office, where a cordial welcome awaited them. In answer to their question as to whether the notice was true, the secretary said:

"Do you think the landlord would deceive you? Let me see your bills."

They explained that the crowd outside was waiting for verification from them of the strange offer. But the landlord said, "No, you took me at my word. They must do the same if they want their debts paid." And so the minutes passed. Outside, the people moved restlessly about, watching the closed door, but none lifted the latch. At high noon the door opened and the old folks came out first.

They were all presented, carefully tabulated, and a check made out to cover them. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the old man and his wife arose to leave, but the secretary said:

"Just be seated. You must remain here till the office closes at noon."

They explained that the crowd outside was waiting for verification from them of the strange offer.

"Did he keep his word?" the throng asked..."Yes, neighbors. Here is his check and it's good as gold."..."Why didn't you come out and tell us ?" angrily asked many...."He said we must wait inside and you must come as we did and take him at his word."

But the landlord said, "No, you took me at my word. They must do the same if they want their debts paid."

And so the minutes passed. Outside, the people moved restlessly about, watching the closed door, but none lifted the latch. At high noon the door opened and the old folks came out first.

"Did he keep his word?" the throng asked.

"Yes, neighbors. Here is his check and it's good as gold."

A moment later the landlord and his secretary came out and hurried to the carriage—the crowd pressing about them, holding out hands full of personal bills, and crying, "Won't you do for us as you did for those folks?" But rising in his carriage, the landlord said, "It is too late now. I gave you every opportunity. I would have paid for you all, but you would not believe me."

"Why didn't you come out and tell us ?" angrily asked many.

"He said we must wait inside and you must come as we did and take him at his word."

Then he likened the events of the morning to the way men treat God's offer to free the sinner of all that divine justice has against him. Solemnly he warned them of the folly of passing up so great salvation until the day of grace was over and it was too late to be saved.

A moment later the landlord and his secretary came out and hurried to the carriage—the crowd pressing about them, holding out hands full of personal bills, and crying, "Won't you do for us as you did for those folks?" But rising in his carriage, the landlord said, "It is too late now. I gave you every opportunity. I would have paid for you all, but you would not believe me."

Then he likened the events of the morning to the way men treat God's offer to free the sinner of all that divine justice has against him. Solemnly he warned them of the folly of passing up so great salvation until the day of grace was over and it was too late to be saved.

After the Psalmist commands his readers to sing praise for God’s past faithfulness, he shares with them a prophetic word from God…a word God gives to those who choose to obey the message of the first nine verses of his Psalm…Open wide your mouth…make known to God your every need and then wait for Him to meet them in the best way ever possible.

God makes it clear…In light of His past faithfulness it is more than reasonable to open our mouth wide in the present and expect God to meet our every need…God wants us to come to Him with a set of expectations built upon His past faithfulness.

God wants us to come to Him with a set of expectations built upon His past faithfulness. In light of the Cross…how might God provide for our needs of the present?

In light of the Cross…how might God provide for our needs of the present?

God has provided for our eternity…He has freed us from the slavery of sin…the curse of eternal death…eternal separation from Him…in light of the cross how might God deliver us from sickness, anxiety, worry, fear and economic uncertainty?

When you put it that way our problems seem small next to what He has already done.

Conclusions

How to Face the Giants in Our Life...

Look at what God has done for us in the past. Praise Him for the cross with all of your strength and might…sing, shout and cry out in praise to Him. Celebrate His faithfulness and the relief, hope and joy His faithfulness has brought to our life.

Then cry to God with your every need in the present…a need for security…a need for healing…a need for assurance…a need…fill in the blank…what is your need today? Go to God…open wide your mouth and have faith He will meet your need.

Remember there are three kinds of faith…

Intellectual Faith — Don’t go to God just believing He can do something…that is what every peasant did in the story I shared earlier…they all knew the landlord could pay their bills…this is simple

Emotional Faith — Don’t just go to God wanting Him to pay for your bills…every peasant wanted the landlord to pay their bills.

Volitional Faith — Go to God believing He can meet your need, wanting Him to do so…and believing He will do it because He said in His word that He would. The answer may come in unexpected ways but the need will be met if we have faith enough to go to Him expecting it to be so.

Faith is believing it is so when it is not so because it is so because God says it is so…open wide your mouth.

One final word — Open your mouth wide. Expect God to do big things and answer your prayers in extraordinary fashion…It doesn’t take more faith to believe God to do something big than it does to believe Him to do something small…have big faith in God.

Live Faith —