I'm Still Unbothered

As a community of Black Christians we more than anyone know that just because you believe in Jesus does not exempt you from the harsh experiences of life. I have close friends who have forsaken the faith of their people because they’re lives didn’t turn out the way they felt it should have because of their expectation as a Christian. We churches teach a theology void of suffering the people will suffer a shipwreck of faith when life happens because they have not been equipped to handle hard times. So, again I say, the difference between our suffering and the world’s is that we have a God who can keep us in the storm. And when the troubles hit how will you react. It is my hope that you will be able to stand on God’s word and remain unbothered. Unbothered meaning that even though it hurts, you keep going; even though it sucks you keep pressing, even though it is depressing you can still fin joy in the Lord.

God Established my Steps

The steps of the man that are ordered is qualified by the second line. You see, the established steps by God are the steps that he delights in. This scripture is not some type of proof text of sovereign absolution of God predestining our every move. There is conversation for that possibility in other texts. Here David is telling us that the way in which we should walk are solidified by God. A life with God is a life that finds stability in life’s difficult and unstable circumstances. And it is good to know that wherever God may send you, not only is it ordained, but you know that because God established it, you can stand there.

Firm footing-Connor McGregor

God delights in this good persons way, because it is the way which God has established. And because the person goes the established way of God, then God will delight in his way. The ancient African Bishop Augustine in the fourth century wrote, “For if the Lord did not order the steps of man... they would always be going through crooked paths, and by pursuing crooked ways, would be unable to return again.”

following instructions

all other things are sinking sand.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,

God Maintains my Safety

You are not invincible or impervious to failure. You will fall. This is a matter of fact. Because of our human fragility it is inevitable that we are going to fall. This falling is a picture of a person holding on for dear life on a cliff while the other savior catches them before the plunge into the deep.

The popular movie trope we see time and time again is the all to common scene where a person is handing for a ledge, window, beam, mountain, with just enough strength to barely hold on, and then a hero is able to aid them and pull them to safety.

David doesn't even say “if” he falls, but though he fall. You will fall in life. You will sin, you will transgress, you will fall short, you will drop the ball in your relationships, you will make mistakes in parenting, you will get written up work, you will get caught doing 50 in the 35, you will eventually fall. (Elaborate) But the Good News is when we fall God already has your hand and will save you. Have you ever taught a child to walk?

(God’s contingency plans)

Adam sinned…Abraham to kill Issac…Moses to intercede...Israel and Ether…Daniel…3 Hebrew boys…Elijah...

God Keeps my Legacy Secure

“I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor he seed begging bread.” This is a principle and not a promise. Understand church that David is speaking from his own experiences and not the experience of everyone. We all know that there are countless millions of people who follow Jesus who are in poverty. But, the principle is that if you walk with the Lord in faith He will never abandon you. When you suffer God is always there. And their seed, their descendents, would not suffer lack because if Israel was faithful to God, God would bless them. But the enteral perspective for this scripture is that if you are in Christ Jesus you don’t have to worry about where the next meal is coming from because God will carry us home.

David now does what and child of God does when God shows them goodness. He begins to testify. In the face of persecution, injustice, unrighteousness, and the ongoing threat of Oppression, and the immanent danger of Israels enemies occupying the land David begins to tell his own story. And let me insert this here parenthetically and say that when you have experienced enough of God’s goodness in your life, you too should be ready to tell it.

Seen…I’ve seen a God choose a little boy over his older brothers to be king…I’ve seen giants fall at the hand of a kids slingshot…I’ve seen God provide for people