My LIght and Salvation
Notes
Transcript
I want to open this morning with two points.
Trying to minster to the homeless in Knoxville. You often come into serving with this sense of, “what can I share with them? How can I point them to God?” And I remember walking up to one guy in line, and after talking to him for a moment, I tried to encourage Him to trust in God. And I realized, that this homeless man, who was quite happy, had, and was living with more faith than I was. And it was like God told me, you are not the teacher here..he is. Listen to him.
As a nation who has suffered very little, and as a person who has suffered very little in my life, this is all very new to me.
I say all that to say, sometimes when we think we know the answers, God reminds us that He is still teaching us something. And let me be upfront that God is still teaching me much in the midst of this crisis. I don’t want to be as arrogant to say that my relatively comfortable life can speak to the weight of what is a global pandemic. Even now, I can go home and have food in the pantry, a car that works, home, money in my account, family. television, electricity. So, as we go through one of the more trying times in my own personal life, from a global standpoint, let us all be humble enough to say that there are things that God is teaching us, and we don’t have all the answers.
I was watching a movie this week called, “A HIdden Life” it is the story of an unsung hero, Franz Jägerstätter, who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. When the Austrian peasant farmer is faced with the threat of execution for treason, he stands by his faith and convictions. And in the movie, he talks to this painter who portrays these pictures of Jesus in thier churches, angels, disciples, all over the wall and ceilings. The pictures of a happy, comfortable Jesus. And he makes the comment that, “ I paint this comfortable Jesus, and we create admirers not followers. I can’t paint suffering because I have never been in it.”I think preachers can be guilty of doing the same. When we don’t suffer and our life is so comfortable, our view of Jesus is awfully one sided. We offer shallow answers to hard questions, and can’t really speak to what we have not experienced. So let us also recognize how comfortable our life has been, and how even now, we can sit in quarantine with great comfort. So I pray that God would offer us comfort in this time, through this message, and that I wouldn't try and offer easy answers or cliche, “bible belt” statements, and that those who are really hurting, worrying, in fear, God would speak to us. And where my experience is limited, he would provide the needed color and clarity to bring a full answer to a very trying time we are.
Of David. 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
I turn to a man now who is known for his courage, and had a master class on suffering. A man who from a boy could stand up to a giant, was hated and resented by the king, and spent years on the run from those who were out to take his life. I want to look at a Psalm David wrote, which I think gives us insight into where and what this courage came from. Turn with me to .
It is impossible to know the date of this Psalm from the title, Psalm of David, because so many Psalms have this title, but whatever the event or context, we can sense the raw nature of his emotions. And he is either reflecting on a very difficult situation, or is in the middle of one.
It is impossible to know the date of this Psalm from the title, Psalm of David, because so many Psalms have this title, but whatever the event or context, we can sense the raw nature of his emotions. And he is either reflecting on a very difficult situation, or is in the middle of one.
It is impossible to know the date of this Psalm from the title, Psalm of David, because so many Psalms have this title, but whatever the event or context, we can sense the raw nature of his emotions. And he is either reflecting on a very difficult situation, or is in the middle of one.
It is impossible to know the date of this Psalm from the title, Psalm of David, because so many Psalms have this title, but whatever the event or context, we can sense the raw nature of his emotions. And he is either reflecting on a very difficult situation, or is in the middle of one.
Read
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
To me I can’t help but turn to what He is going through in , running from Saul.
26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them,
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Stillness that Helps You See Clearly
Stillness that Helps You See Clearly
And in the midst of this running, trying to escape..this song comes almost like a revelation. Like a light has flipped on, and he is able to see.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Stillness will Help You See God Clearly, Even In Your Tears
Stillness will Help You See God Clearly, Even In Your Tears
Though God does not orchestrate evil, He will use, in his sovereignty, suffering and trials to bring revelation of who He is to HIs people. And one thing this season has forced us to do, is slow down! Be still. No movies, restaurants, barbers, parties, even church gatherings, and in this stillness, there is a gift. Like how the air in busy cities now has gone from a fog to clean and clear as the cars and companies shut down..so too, the fog of our mind, that slowly will kill and distract us, lifts, and we can see clearly!
Praise God that the fog has begun to clear, and we can start to see those things that are most important.
What is it, God is trying to help us to see? Well, listen to David, sing as these truths begin to settle in His heart.
What Must We See?
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
LORD—> Yahweh- His name
“Yahweh,” and we can see at the end of the passage that it is the name by which God has chosen to be remembered throughout all generations.
When we see LORD written in all caps, this a reference to Yahweh, the name for God’s true and complete “to be” nature, both sovereign and divine. This word expresses God in His fullness, Lord and Creator. This is the closest rendering to the original Hebrew Old Testament.
“When we see LORD written in all caps, this a reference to Yahweh, the name for God’s true and complete “to be” nature, both sovereign and divine. This word expresses God in His fullness, Lord and Creator. This is the closest rendering to the original Hebrew Old Testament.”
Adonai. When you see Lord in lower case, it is referring to this name of God. It is a representation of an aspect of God, yet it is not a word representing the fullness and completion of God, or Yahweh
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
When you see Lord in lower case, it is referring to this name of God. It is a representation of an aspect of God, yet it is not a word representing the fullness and completion of God, or Yahweh
David opens up using not simply Adonai, or master, but referring to the name God has chosen to be remembered by. Yahweh—>The fulness of his being, all knowing, all powerful, ever present, covenant keeping, righteous, Yahweh!
This should show us the reality of our God! The fulness of our God, and failings of the things which we have allowed to take His place.
We fear because we fail to behold God, and we fail to let go of those things which have taken God’s place in our life. To remember the true God.
Is—> HIs Faithfulness
He says this is who my God is! Not was, not would be, not has been, but is! Still! He has kept his promise and will keep His promise! Because thats who he is! God doesn’t choose to be faithful, God is faithful! God doesn’t choose to be righteous, he IS righteous. He is, and can’t be anything else!
Light and Salvation—> HIs Promises
LIght
Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary Whom Shall I Fear? (27:1–3)
Light is a natural figure for almost everything that is positive, from truth and goodness to joy and vitality
God is the one who will lead me through! God has promised to those who trust in Him, He will see them through and save them in their trouble.
God is the one who will lead me through! God has promised to those who trust in Him, He will see them through and save them in their trouble.
19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them,
21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Salvation
God doesn’t just promise to see you through, but to save you in them.
37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
Saved from Egypt
29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus promises, I will see you through, and save you from this world. He says, follow me..the way through, is to me!
My—> His relationship with Me
Now we know that God is a light and salvation, but is He yours?
Have you trusted in Him? Can you say that, He is to me a light and salvation!
Light refers to what is good, and right, and pure.
Salvation pointing to his protection, his sovereignty, and his hand upon his people. He saves!
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
There is a knowing that only comes from being still! Perhaps God has ordained this season to slow us down to see what really matters! To see and know Him better!
BEHOLD GOD!
Stronghold of my life—> A place of defence. That we run to in times of trouble!
The Question:
That Clarity Will Help You Speak Boldly, Even to your Fears
That Clarity Will Help You Speak Boldly, Even to your Fears
What Should I Speak?
Whom should I fear? Of what should I be afraid of?
David boldly proclaims to His accusers, his enemies, his persecutors…Who are you to my God?
Speak In Faith
Commentary on the Book of Psalms Psalm 27
Weighing, as it were, in scales the whole power of earth and hell, David accounts it all lighter than a feather, and considers God alone as far outweighing the whole.
God is the same God, today as he was yesterday, or a month ago. He is just as faithful in this season as any season. If God is the same, but our courage dwindles, its because we have trusted in something temporary!
Speak to Your Fears!
55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
Something that this virus has done is revealed how much of our lives we have built trusting in sinking foundations.
We fear because we feel closer to death, that this virus could strike at any moment and take our life or a family members. But church have always been this close to death. We are not nearer to death today, God has just revealed how near we always are! Think about it, in months, a virus has shut down an entire country! We have always been fragile, life has always been fleeting, but the same God who has kept you this far, is the same God who will keep us moving forward.
14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Tomorrow is not promised! Never has been!
We worry because our plans for the near future have been shifted, but church, what control did we ever have? You have not lost control, you are just getting a good glimpse of the fact that you never had control.
Financially we fear because we can’t work the way we want to, we may be laid off..but church it was never your job that provided your needs! It was always God!
Spectrum
Fear<----------->Arrogance
We panic and scramble to this self preservation mode. Worried and anxious.
On the opposite side, we have become arrogant. Thinking, its no big deal.
God has offered us an answer for both of these extremed. We don’t need to fear, but we also must humbly recognize we are fragile..and look at what a virus can do to the world! And speak boldly, in our faith, and to our fears, about our God..who has not changed!
That Boldness will Help You Trust God joyfully, and even begin to draw near
That Boldness will Help You Trust God joyfully, and even begin to draw near
Boldness, not arrogance
Speaking Boldly Until You Trust Fully
Speaking Boldly Until You Trust Fully
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Seek Him! Draw near to Him! Rest in his presence! Trust Him!
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Its going to take courage to draw near to God in this season!
41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41
Now fear and courage are not on two opposite sides of the spectrum. I have found that in seasons of greatest fear and trials, it also has brought me to moments of the greatest courage.
Allow this season to help you be bold enough to seek what truly matters? Seek Him church! Fear and worry is going to come! But its just an opportunity to trust! We don’t know what is going to happen, but I do believe it will get worse.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
As surely as you have suffering, you will just as surely have peace! As surely as this world is a mess, his children are blessed.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
He will hide me! He will conceal me! Allow that to give you peace church!
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
I am not here to minimize this situation, my aim is to remind you to allow the stillness to see and know God clearly, allow what you know about God to transform the words in your mouth, and begin to speak and trust. And allow that to settle to your heart..be bold enough to seek God, in your fear and anxiety..and let Him show you that He is still faithful..and His promises are still true!