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My God is…the One who sustains me Psalm 54

Psalm 54 – Relationship-conflict

Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
 Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.

Arrogant foes are attacking me;
ruthless people are trying to kill me—
people without regard for God.

Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
in your faithfulness destroy them.

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
You have delivered me from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me—people without regard for God.

That’s never happened to you, right? You’ve never had anyone talk bad about you or tell people something that wasn’t true, have you? I’m guessing there are many who are reading this saying, “It has happened to me, and it’s happening right now!” Maybe it’s someone at work who is trying to make themselves look better than you. Maybe your friend is cutting you down to make herself look more important. Maybe someone is straight up lying about you. Does it sometimes seem that people are lying in wait to trip you up? They sometimes seem well-intentioned, but then “whammo” they complain about you to your peers or superiors. Or maybe you feel someone is trying to isolate you, and remove others from your life so that you’re dependent on them. These kind of attacks are really hard to take, aren’t they.

They may not be out to kill you, but they’re killing your spirit, because being misrepresented, lied about and manipulated is not good for the soul. These actions are often sadly performed by those professing to be Christians (full disclosure – I’m one of these people. I know that I have fallen short of treating others the way the Lord would treat them). But as painful as it is for me to admit I’m one of these people it’s even harder to hear that what I am doing shows disregard for God. And those who do this to you are disregarding God as well. They’re not following His command to love others as yourself. It’s all to easy to look out for “Numero Uno”. Oh wait. I guess that might be the problem, God should be “Numero Uno” in our lives, and when we replace Him with our own desires, we always get off track.

Surely God is my help.

How do you get through those horrible situations when people are on the attack, when the devil is on the attack and trying to distract you from your walk with God. Well, you’re not alone. God is your help. We need to lean on God in our tough situations and let Him handle them for us. Praying before we interact with those who trouble us, praying for opportunities to have healthy relationships with those who manipulate and to have the words to be firm but kind.

Definition of SUSTAIN

1: to give support or relief to
2: to supply with sustenance : nourish
4: to support the weight of : propalso : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)
5: to buoy up <sustained by hope>
6a : to bear up under

 b : sufferundergo <sustained heavy losses>
7a : to support as true, legal, or just
 b : to allow or admit as valid <the court sustained the motion>
8: to support by adequate proof : confirm <testimony that sustains our contention>
The Lord is the one who sustains me
Looking at the definition of sustain helps us to see the depth of the word that this scripture says God will do for us. He will give us support and relief. He will supply us with what we need to survive. He will help us persevere. When we can no longer stand under the strain, He will prop us up. He knows the truth, and testifies on our behalf. He gives us hope.
Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.
When others slander and mistreat us, we can trust in God to administer His justice. It might not be in the time we want, but He’s got it under control. He is the one who will “Give them what they deserve”. We don’t have to think about revenge and restitution. We don’t have to think about anything but God.
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
There is nothing sweeter than having these kinds of situations resolved. When people are no longer attacking us in such a direct manner, we can recognize God’s provision and protection. We praise His name for everything He has accomplished in our lives, and the way He has helped us to grow in our faith and maturity through these situations.
You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
 

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My God is…Enriching 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in  Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

To Enrich: to make rich or richer especially by the addition or increase of some desirable quality, attribute, or ingredient

That in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you

My boys are getting close to their confirmation day (in the beginning of September) and they’re currently working on a paper, practicing the Apostle’s Creed and preparing themselves to be questioned by the elders of the church about their faith. I think this verse is interesting, because it runs right along side the goal of our pastor for confirmation class. His goal is to have the confirmation students prepared to be able to speak clearly and comfortably about their faith. Not just for when people attack (and they will attack) their faith, but also that they might be confirmed – steadfast in their faith as well.

So that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ

Our pastor wants the youth of our church to be prepared to face the questions of the world, so that they may be able to cling to the word without embarrassment, insecurity or anger. That they may know the views of the world as well as their Christian faith, and be able to compare and contrast those thoughts without getting wound up and agitated. Critical thinking and understanding are essential in their confirmation class. Being able to talk through the faith and their beliefs.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Confirmation in our church is such a vital part of the strengthening of faith. Being able to stick to your convictions when out in the world is challenging, and confirmation in our church is one of the tools our Lord is using to help sustain our youth when they go out in the world. May our youth be strengthened, encouraged, sustained and lifted up by the knowledge they have gained through confirmation, study and faith.

I pray that not only the confirmands, but their parents (who also attend class) will be enriched by God in all speech and all knowledge.

Do you want to be enriched in all speech and all knowledge?

 
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Posted by on July 31, 2012 in My God is Enriching

 

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