Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sad (07/26/07)
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TITLE: And Some | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nathan Perkins
07/31/07 -
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King David didn’t mind covering the subject. You can look at the book of Psalms in the bible for some great examples of how to proceed through difficult times.
Watch David. He is the man who was once a shepherd. His life was threatened by the king that he faithfully served. It was not only a threat. King Saul attempted to take David’s life on several occasions.
Watch David. He is the man who upon becoming king, as a prophecy once predicted he would, fell to temptation. He failed the God that he served and he failed the people that he served, by stealing another man’s wife. He even had that man killed to cover his sin.
Watch David. He trusted God when his life was threatened. He trusted to forgive him when he failed in great sin.
He acknowledged his sin and he turned away from it and God restored him as a foundation for the future salvation for all who would need forgiveness. David would pay direct consequences for his sin and a majority of his kingdom would be taken from his family but God allowed a remnant to remain.
From that remnant came Jesus the Savior of all mankind.
Consider David and his words on life, as quoted from the New Living Translation of Psalms 23. Apply them to the times when you might otherwise be sad:
“1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.”
We might be sad about what we don’t have. David recognizes that all of his needs are met.
“3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.”
We might be sad about what we are incapable of doing. David recognizes where the strength that he does possess has come from.
“4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,*
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.”
We may be sad because of those things that we fear. David recognizes that we are not alone and that God does provide us comfort in even the darkest of days.
“5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.”
We might be sad because of relationships that are falling apart. David recognizes that he has many blessings and many honors and those come from God.
“6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.”
We might be sad because we see only our hungers, our weaknesses, and the disrespect shown to us. David recognizes that God’s goodness and unfailing love go wherever he goes.
He also notices the bonus that, through being in a right relationship with God, he receives the bonus of living in God’s presence God forever.
It still works that way. God has made it possible for us to live in a right relationship with him through the forgiveness of sin. Philippians 3:9 tells us “…God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. And …as a result we can really know God and experience the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.”
It is O.K. to be sad but don’t forget that we have a great God in heaven who provides our every need, and some!
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