Safe!

 

I was thinking about some of the people in our church family who have been facing TRIALS lately. They have suffered from loss, from sickness, and from a sinful world. Then this morning I read Psalm 16:

"Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge." (Psalm 16:1, NLT)

What do you think David, the psalmist, is asking? I think many people want God to keep them from trials and from pain. Specifically, I think people often want God to give them an easy life, no problems with relationships, no problems with finances, jobs, and family. People want God to provide an EASY LIFE. Yes, I think most of us want those things from God. We don't want to face pain. God does not want us to face those things either, but if we remember what Jesus told us:

"Jesus asked, 'Do you finally believe/ But the time is coming --- indeed it's here now --- when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.'" (John 16:31-33, NLT)

 We are going to have trials and sorrows. But I think the key about safety is that God will be with you during those trials. Safety doesn't mean those trials and sorrows don't exist. Even in John 16 it says Jesus provides us peace in those trials because Jesus has already defeated those trials by his work on the cross. We can rest assured that God will not abandon us during our trials and that he will help us overcome just like he overcame those same trials. 

Psalm 16 is such a beautiful psalm. It is a wonderful prayer for each of us today:

"Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.' The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifice of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine." (Psalm 16:1-5, NLT)

We are going to have trials. But we can take refuge in the Lord. We can lean on godly people. All we have to do is remember who is our God and keep him our only focus. When we do that, even in the midst of trial and sorrow, God will give us an amazing cup of blessing. He will protect us. Nothing will defeat us. PRAISE GOD!

Heavenly Father, Keep us safe. Provide us a refuge in this world of trial and pain. Provide for us heroes of the faith that we can rely upon. Keep us from the temptations of other gods and help us to truly see you are the only source of joy and blessing. Amen!

If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!