David is our master trainer to learn how to grow in our relationship with the Lord. His life is a testimony of someone who endured numerous conflicts yet learned how to overcome in God’s abundant grace and apply the realities of His truth. His faith was grounded in total trust in God. He learned how to find joy during severe trials. This enabled him to overcome every situation he encountered.
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
(Psalm 5:11)
RELEVANCE
Life brings us all to various kinds of trials and types of hardship. We experience a wide variety of types of conflict as conflict surrounds us. Some bring tremendous pain to our heart. Some bring confusion and uncertainty. But if we can learn to trust God in all things we will experience His amazing grace and comfort as He defends and protects us and provides for us the answers and solutions we need. Embracing this truth helps us overcome curve balls and the trials of life.
David embraced a particular reality of a vibrant relationship with God. He understood God’s concept of inheritance. He knew deep inside that God has plans and purposes designed for us. That’s why Jesus emphasized that we pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Yes, we have been given free will to pursue our desires, dreams and goals. However, if we can grasp hold of the fact that God has greater and higher—heavenly plans and purposes for us we will learn to pursue things that bring us greater joy and peace of soul than we can imagine.
Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust…5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.…Yes, I have a good inheritance…9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope…11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:1-11)
So, as we pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” we seek His will. That’s why Jesus said…
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
As you pray, allow the Holy Spirit—our Helper and Comforter—to arise in you to feel God’s presence—His comfort and peace. The presence of the Holy Spirit is God’s great promise and very real gift to us!
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27)
Yes, it’s hard to be joyful amid conflict, hard trials, suffering and pain. That’s why the Bible says joy can be a sacrifice. But as we can trust God by faith, we can receive and feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This enables us to receive His grace and inner strength to muster up joy—God’s secret sauce to endurance and overcoming.
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
(Psalm 27:6-8)
REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND
Call upon the Holy Spirit—invite the Holy Spirit to pour out the gift of grace and comfort Christ promises us. Ask Him to reveal truth to your heart. Let His truth bring you the amazing grace of His peace.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)