Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

1 Samuel 1:10, “In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” NIV

1 Samuel 1:10, “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.” ESV

What causes you to be discouraged and distressed? Is it something you wished you had and don’t have? Or it could be someone you find yourself in competition with that you had not anticipated, and things are going in a different direction then you would have chosen. I am thankful that God’s Word supplies and teaches us how people felt the same emotions we all go through. Look at Hannah. Hannah had good reason to feel discouraged and resentful and was in misery. We read of her story in 1 Samuel 1. She was unable to have children and had a rival, who was a woman, as we read in verses six and seven, “And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. “Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.” Wow! I don’t know that I saw that before. “Her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.”1 Samuel 1:6. Do you have someone that is doing that to you or have had that done in the past? Hannah struggled with a delay in her outward circumstances. How I love how God’s Word speaks to me by His Holy Spirit, that gives me hope in reading this this week.

Hannah’s husband tried to console her, which he needed to do as a good husband should. He tried to get her to stop crying by saying, “Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8b. Elkanah, loved her but could not solve her problem, and Hannah was so discouraged that she didn’t even want to eat. But Hannah bravely did not give up hope; she prayed earnestly, was distraught, and brought her problem to God. After doing that, we read that Hannah – “her face was no longer downcast.” 1 Samuel 1:18. That is the way to pray. Give it all to God, every detail, every desire, every frustration, and then go in peace. Don’t listen to the taunts of the lies Satan is feeding you with. Those fears and doubts do not come from the Lord.

God answered Hannah’s prayer request, and Samuel was born (1 Samuel 1:18-20). Hannah felt ineffective, but her prayer opened her heart to God and opened how God would work. Hannah’s heart’s desire and request had a postponement in God’s sovereign plan that she could not yet see. Perhaps you are going through this same situation in receiving a delay in your prayer request to the Lord. Hannah did not give up on trusting God, and God blessed her with the birth of Samuel. “So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.” Yes, she earlier felt ineffective and without worth, but God honored and answered her prayer and her promise to Him to “give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” 1 Samuel 1:11.

Dear one, you have worth. God’s plan is for you to be of benefit and be effective where He has placed you despite any competitor, outward circumstances, and immediate restrictions in that affliction. “Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point.” Billy Graham. May Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 be yours:

• “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” 1 Samuel 2:1.

“Sometimes our prayers are so lofty that they hide our true emotions. To such prayers, I believe the Lord would say, “Tell Me what you’re really feeling. I can handle it. After all, I already know about it.” (Hebrews 4:13) Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, page 826. So, when you are feeling ineffective, give all of your frustrations, inadequacies, and perhaps words of taunting, over to the Lord. Then give glory to God because He has heard your prayers and will supply at just the right time, what is needed. He will bring things about as He has promised in Romans 8:28, for your good. To God be the glory!

Listen to Anne Wilson, Chris Tomlin – The Cross (Official Lyric Video).

Philippians 4:5-7, Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. And do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.”

In 2023, I did a Bible Study on endurance and perseverance. Have I improved in this area? It is a lifelong process and battle that I have not mastered, yet I persist in my endeavors to endure and persevere in applying God’s truths and promises to my life. Then this past year, I did a personal Bible Study on trusting God. It taught me I have so much more to learn in this area. For instance, it is difficult to trust in God when you see nothing happening. However, we have the example of Rachel not being able to get pregnant in Genesis 30:22-24. Eventually, God answered her prayers, but she had to live with her mistake of taking matters into her own hands with Leah, which was Rachel’s personal solution. How different Rachel’s life would have been had she had the patience and courage to trust in God and wait for His timing. The lesson for us is never to think God has forgotten us during our need.

 Do you know someone that is carefree? Spurgeon said it well, when he said, “– but as a cure for disagreements, the apostle says, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’ People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord.” I have had to think about that. Then the book, UNOFF-END-ABLE, which further writes about this subject, by Brant Hansen, on page 201, which I highly recommend, says, “We have to constantly be grateful for our own forgiveness. We start the day with it. We live the day with it. We end the day with it. It defines us.” This is a daily challenge and would help us all to be more carefree in not being distracted from offenses, wouldn’t it? Oh, that my mind would be more faithfully occupied with higher things. God is saying to us, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Write out what concerns you today. Commit it to the Lord. Tell Him what weighs you down. He is the God of peace. I have a stencil on the wall above my printer in my office that says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Then, in my bathroom, I have this verse written on a card helping me through a particular situation: “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” Can you become carefree? Can I? In the sense of lifting your cares and concerns to the God of peace, yes, you (I) can if you (I) have committed it all to Him and ask the Lord to help you see Him working it out for your good as He has promised in Romans 8:28.

Paul did not have all his prayers answered. “Paul says, “Pray with me – first that I may be delivered from my enemies in Jerusalem; second, that my service may be accepted by the Christians; and finally, that I may come to you at Rome with joy.” Romans 15:30-32. But what happened? Paul was captured by his enemies in Jerusalem. His ministry was not readily accepted by the saints. Ant the only way he made it to Rome was as a prisoner. Here’s the deal gang, God can say “Yes” to my prayers, or He can say “No.” Either way, it’s an answer.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, page 1296.

Paul’s instruction was to turn our worries into prayers. Remember, “the Lord is at hand.” That is the path to becoming carefree because God is holding your cares in His hands. Hope in God and praise Him for His provision before you can see it. Yes, we will have adversities. But they are being controlled by God’s sovereign love and wisdom for His glory and for our good. So, is being carefree possible? When put all together in this light in committing to God everything, trusting in God with endurance and patience, yes. But give it time. It takes practice by keeping God’s Word before you as much as possible, guarding your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.

Listen to Somebody Prayed (with Lyrics) – Crowder. 3 months ago.

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

When going through a trial or struggle, there are stages – the beginning, then in the middle, where it may get worse, and then eventually the ending. You may go through many emotions while working through the process, and then those thoughts of “what if” come creeping in. Yet, above all else, James 1:12 declares what we are to put on, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” There is a heavenly reward for those who endure with perseverance, staying steadfast in their hope in the Lord, “that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4b. Trust in Him.

I read recently that we are the most vulnerable when we are hurting. But we have the promise of God in Psalm 91-11:13 which states, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.” It is comforting to know that God watches over us even in times of great fear and stress, which gives us joy and peace. We abound in God’s protection over us. Meditate on that so you can abound in hope, in Jehovah Jireh – God will provide.

When thinking about the word “abound,” think of “abundantly.” Pray Ephesians 3:20, which declares, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”  Dwell on these promises of God. “Abound” means being abundant, plentiful, or highly successful. May your hope in God’s grace and mercy and provision be given to you as needed, in great quantity, so “that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13.

Remember the song you sang as a small child, “Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so . . .” Sing those words to yourself. Satan will do all he can to fill you with doubts, lies, and deception. Guard your heart and keep verses close at hand to dispel those weapons that try to steal, kill, and destroy your hope in God’s abundant, abounding love for you. Put on the promises of God to fill your mind over and above of God’s power, love for you, and goodness, and abound in hope that He will exceed your expectations of your heart’s desire and need, with joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the Scriptures, applying it to your heart and then giving you hope.

Romans 15:13 J.B. Phillips NT, “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.”

Listen to “Great I Am Can,” by Brandon Lake & Chris Brown (with lyrics).

Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

When going through a struggle, isn’t it easy to envy carefree people around you? They may appear to be healthy and strong and seem to be free of burdens. Don’t kid yourself. Everyone has their own struggles to deal with. No one is exempt. Their poker face may be hiding what is brewing underneath.

So then, when going through a trial, how do you worship God continually throughout your day despite your pain you are feeling? We all get so caught up in our daily responsibilities, tasks, and deadlines as people are counting on us. I must ask myself, how have I portrayed Christ living in me due to my worshipping Christ instead of giving in to these frustrations and irritations? Sometimes it takes more effort than other times, doesn’t it? What would or should I say differently? Don’t we all make excuses such as, “That’s my personality.” Or “I haven’t had my cup of coffee yet this morning.” Better yet, “I just had to get that off my chest.” Yet anger, let’s call it what it is, is an issue of the heart caused by external influences and internal influences and experiencing physical pain, an internal influence, can erupt and spew out, when not using self-control. I have been guilty.

Yes, my physical body may be weak right now, and my courage may fail, but God’s strength needs to be put on. The psalmist confessed to God in Psalm 73:21-22, “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.” Then he acknowledged God’s continual presence and counsel.

I made a list of all the things that are struggles currently causing me anxiety. I had five things on my list in my prayer journal. What would you write down on your list? But at the bottom, I wrote, “Give me a clearer perspective through Your eyes, dear God.” The following verses have been helpful to me, and I pray they will be to you as well:

• Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 
• Psalm 73:23-24a, “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel.”
• Psalm 73:28, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

I am learning how pain affects what people say and do at times. Worry, fear, doubt, and unclear thinking get in the way and affect what we do and say while undergoing pain. However, there is a safe place found in our hope in God’s grace, mercy, presence, and promises found in His Word. Be careful not to be guided by one’s feelings, circumstances, or experiences, but seek to be guided by God’s counsel.

Pray through Psalm 150, which is a hymn of praise. Verse 2 declares, “Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his surpassing greatness.” Twenty-four-seven, cling to His promises. That is where our hope is secure. Look to your eternal perspective. Put that future in your thinking today.

Listen to Leanna Crawford – Still Waters (Psalm 23) (LYRICS) You Tube 3 months ago.

Psalm 42:5, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of his presence.” NASB1995

Psalm 42:5-6, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! NLT.

We all have various kinds and types of struggles we will go through during our lifetime. One of them is dealing with pain in a medical illness or one’s lumbar findings. Paul in the New Testament had a known “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. It was a constant source of irritation to him, but it is not clearly stated what it was. Some say it was a chronic eye problem. One source listed migraines. But we do know it was a source of real pain that he had to endure, and we are told it was to keep him humble. Yet God did not take it away but told him, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Dear one, we may not know the reason behind our difficulty, be it physical, emotional, or financial, but we can be assured by the hope we have in the promises of God that He has a purpose and that His grace is all-sufficient in the middle of the struggle. I recommend using these verses as your prayer as they have been mine this past week:

• Lamentations 3:24-25, “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
• Psalm 27:13-14, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
• Psalm 37:7, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourselves over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”
• Hebrews 10:36-37, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay.”
• Psalm 34:18, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

When you are in the middle of your struggle, think about how the works of God might be displayed in you, as Christ used in healing a blind man, to teach about faith and glorifying God, in John 9:1-3. Ask God for His vision for your life and a clearer perspective. Turn from the attention of all the pain onto what God is doing in your (in my) life instead. There is hope. There is victory despite what your body is going through. Seek out proper medical answers and be your own advocate as needed. Then, when you fall into those emotional swings of discouragement when undergoing shooting pain, because that is a pattern that happens, and most commonly at 3:00 AM, recite Psalm 42:5 and stay strong in the hope of answers coming from God. Remember, you are in His presence right in the middle of your struggle.

Listen to Ride the Storm (featuring Jane Evelyn), Judah Collective. Written by Jane Evelyn and LeAnn Squier, 2024, Judah Collective.

Deuteronomy 9:23, “And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, he said, “Go up and take possession of the land I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You did not trust him or obey him.”

What do you do when you feel lost and in need of direction? Moses had to go to God numerous times in intercession for the people of Israel to show them mercy as they complained about numerous things and sinned against God. “When they came to the boundary of the Promised Land, the Lord said, “Take It.” The people however refused. Why? There were giants in the land.” Jon Courson Application Commentary, page 565. Their sin was due to lack of faith in God and disobedience. Got some giants in your land right now? Keep in mind Deuteronomy 9:3 which was part of Moses’s speech to the people, “Know therefore today that he who goes before you as a consuming fire is the LORD your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you will drive them out and make them perish quickly as the LORD has promised you.”

What has been the root of the problems you have had to go through this week? Is it needing God’s provision in multiple situations? Or possibly asking for physical healing in answer to a medical problem, as you must endure waiting for further tests and appointments. It could also be handling conflict with someone you interact with, and you need wisdom in your words in responses to be correct. Maybe you repeated something you now wished you would have not said. It could be all of these. We all have burdens to bear and work through with God’s help in fully trusting in His provision in growing and changing us (called sanctification) in needing God’s grace, as Psalm 119:34 states, “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” It all starts within our heart.

Have you had to trust in God for direction and answers currently, that He divinely provided you in the past? Take heart; He will do it again. You may feel lost and need direction from God’s council and seek His compassion. Are you afraid of bad news? It promises us in Psalm 112:4, “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.” Then verse 7 declares, “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”

When you feel lost and need direction, trust in God and obey Him. He is your hope, renewing your thoughts and mind from reading God’s Word. Take possession of what God has given you in your place at work, within your family, and those who rely on you. Ignore the giants around you. Grow and stretch in the Lord’s will for your life. Remember Jesus Christ is interceding for you (Hebrews 7:25). You are not alone. March on!

Listen to Casting Crowns – East To West (Live at The Ryman) 2 weeks ago.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

“Be happy in your faith at all times. Never stop praying. Be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be. If you follow this advice you will be working out the will of God expressed to you in Jesus Christ.” J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

Are you able to remain cheerful no matter what happens when you are facing a predicament you have not chosen or didn’t expect to be in? Those times when you are struggling to keep on going and your frustrations are spilling into your day. We all have been there! The truth and concept that God is working in us to be more holy doesn’t typically, humanly speaking, come into my thoughts during a trial. Is it yours? Paul taught the Thessalonian Christians in their faith and in their mental attitude in 1 Thess. 5:23-24, to be thankful, as he challenged them, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may our whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.”. It takes endurance and searching upward instead of inward when facing uncomfortable, irritating circumstances, calamity and adversity. It takes steadfast trust in the God who holds tomorrow. Christ’s return gives us hope.

David said in Psalm 119:

• 92, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”
• 133, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”
• 143-144, “Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.”
• 153, “Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.”
• 165, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”
• 173-174, “Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.”

What would you assign yourself as homework when undergoing a difficulty that is out of your control? Mine this week is memorizing 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Next would-be rereading Psalm 119 and highlighting the words, “affliction, keep steady my steps, commandments are my delight, deliver me, great peace, nothing can make them stumble, help me, and your law is my delight.”

What about spending time in prayer? I admit I need to do more of that. God commands us to pray. As it states in Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer is our expression of our trust in God. It is our dialogue with our great Shepherd. It needs to be the first thing we do every morning. “But I suggest that if you learn to pause and listen in prayer, the Lord will show you how to pray on behalf of another, and how to pray specifically concerning any situation.” Jon Courson, Application Commentary, page 1292, Philippians 4:7.

Circumstances change but God does not. Shut out distractions and recognize God’s sovereign hand is not neglecting you or the world we live in as you commit to Him what is on your mind and heart. He is in charge and someday soon every knee will bow before Him.

OK, God, now what do I do? I trust in You.

Listen to Mix – Aware Worship Trust In God (Featuring Mark Gutierrez) (12/30/2023)

Daniel 3:28, “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him, and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

What do you do when you are in an unfavorable situation, need courage, and do not know the outcome? Things will come up to bring your focus off God and on your problem. It could be a health issue, unexpected financial shortcomings, relationship conflicts, or employment issues. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary on Daniel 3, page 712, stated: “We must understand that the Lord sends His trials most frequently not when we’re stumbling and struggling but when He sees that we’re doing well. After all, Jesus said it’s the branch that’s already bearing fruit that is pruned in order that it, might bring forth even more fruit (John 15:2) . . . it means the Father sees something in us worth building upon and improving.” I had never thought of it in this light before.

So, how do you face the day in first trusting God before anything else? Jesus taught the disciples in Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” God is in control of all things, as he was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who survived the fiery furnace. They are a great example of their profile of trusting in God no matter what the outcome. They refused to compromise their convictions with courage. God rewarded their faithfulness to Him, as they trusted God to deliver them. It is recorded that there was no smell of fire on them, which was noted by King Nebuchadnezzar’s advisers. Now, that was a total miracle of God’s almighty protection and caused this king who had set out to have them burned alive, and they were not even scorched. He admitted, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego., who has sent his angel and rescued his servants.” Daniel 3:28.

The Holy Spirit will speak to you in what you read in God’s Word. Ask Him, “What do you want me to know here? What truth do you want me to know to apply in my situation?

Are you walking through a new situation where 2 Corinthians 5:7 may have new meaning for you, which says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Then 2 Corinthians 4:18 admonishes us, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” This very moment is just a moment in time and is temporary. We have the hope of seeing Jesus soon. That is what to cling to when you don’t know the outcome. Trust God, ask for wisdom and guidance in direct steps needed to pursue, and walk by faith and trust in the one who holds tomorrow, even when you do not know the outcome. “He’ll allow them [trials] to come into our lives to reveal Himself to us and to the bunch of Nebuchadnezzars who are watching us.” Jon Courson.

Listen to Casting Crowns, Oh My Soul.

2 Samuel 12:1, 7, & 12, 13, “The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. Then Nathan said to David. “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: “I anointed you king over Israel and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight, before all Israel.” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

In my NIV Application Bible, it lists Nathan as one of those that had a profile, of example of a godly man who trusted in God in the Old Testament. He was a court prophet, a trusted advisor of David, a friend, a fearless but discerning confronter, and David’s Biblical counselor, and God’s messenger. We read in 2 Samuel 7, “That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says . . .” When Nathan confronted David of his sins in coveting, theft, adultery, and murder, in stealing Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, in 2 Samuel 12, it took great discernment of the right words with compassion but tact, skill, and courage, in his delivery to a king in rebuking him. Nathan pointed out to David his sin and delivered God’s message to him. Nathan’s role was to confront sin. How the message is presented is critical backed up with the truth found in God’s Word. James 1:14-15 is truth, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This is literally what happened to David in that situation in 2 Samuel 12. David repented and wrote Psalm 51, David’s plea for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. Then Psalm 32, which he wrote, talks about forgiveness bringing great joy, as verse one states, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” In both, David confesses his sin to God, and God forgave him.

What about our words? Proverbs 16:1 states, “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.” We read in verses 16, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Nathan confronted David tactfully, directly, and skillfully. He got his point across succinctly, by pointing out to David that he would not have tolerated such behavior, and David repented. “David didn’t defend himself or try to blame Bathsheba. He simply and succinctly said, “I’ve sinned against the Lord. Period.” No amplification and honest confession.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament, page 928.

Life is often times brutal and miserable. Even if we don’t get everything we want, we still have God’s Word of truthful promises, such as Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” NLT. And Romans 8:28-29 ESV declares, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” If the OT prophet, Nathan, came to my house today, I believe that is what God would tell him to say to me, and then would remind me to take hope and trust in God’s sovereign plan. The profile of Nathan is an example of trusting God and coming alongside someone who needs God’s words in their life at a specific time, even if the truth is painful. We all need to judge our own actions alongside Scripture, so as to have the right words at the right time.

Listen to Only For A Moment by Danny Gokey YouTube Video.

1 Samuel 17:45, “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

When you are going through a trial, be it physical, financial, relationships, or being wrongly judged, think of David’s profile of trust in God, in the Old Testament, who had enormous courage, faith, and trust in the power of God as his shield to protect him. Criticism never stopped him, as his oldest brother Eliab, in 1 Samuel 17:28, wrongly and harshly accused David of being conceited and wicked in heart and abandoning his job at home as a shepherd, guarding their sheep. David didn’t argue with his brother and took the high road in carrying on his complete faith, courage, and trust in God to be there with him to fight his battle against the giant Goliath. God had sovereignly prepared David for this event in his first job of shepherding sheep, as he bare-handedly protected them from lions and bears. As Proverbs 16:3 instructs, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”

God allowed Eliab and Goliath to speak and treat David unjustly. Jerry Bridges wrote in his book “Trusting God,” “Now God sometimes allows people to treat us unjustly. Sometimes He even allows their actions to seriously affect our careers, or our futures viewed on a human plane. But God never allows people to make decisions about us that undermine His plan for us. God is for us, and we are His children. He delights in us (Zephaniah 3:17),” page 62. David took the steps needed to live out God’s agenda in defeating and killing Goliath with his javelin weapon.

My question for myself right now is, am I growing in courage and confidence in trusting God’s sovereignty over my life as it has taken some different changes? What about over our current world’s dilemmas? Am I living, as David did, in God’s promise in Psalm 84:11, which declares, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” God knows the future. We do not. You don’t have to have all the answers right now because our God is the planner-majestic God, and He goes before you (Deuteronomy 31:8).

The next time you face a crisis, resight 1 Samuel 17:45 words of truth with boldness, “but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.” It is more than about our talents and abilities or IQ. It is about having a new level of courage, trust, and faith in God. Jehovah Immeka – The LORD is with you. What do you think is His point of view about your situation? Ask Him. Remember, you are never alone. God’s presence is enough to defeat any enemy. May you have a new level of courage in your current circumstances to remember this truth from God’s Word.

Listen to Matthew West – Chosen (Lyric Video). New release.