Going Forth

This morning Church Service was a time of going forth in God. We did things a little backwards and ended up having song service last instead of first. The Lord is faithful to bring refreshing. Discouragement comes in many different forms, but God is able to deliver us and bring us focus and victory in Him. When we read the Psalms we see that David experienced relationship problems, staff problems, family problems, even problems in the House of God. I'm blessed as I read the Psalms as I can almost see him pouring his heart out to God. The challenge that David sets before us is to not allow discouragement to have a field day in our life. We see David encouraging himself in the Lord. He does this in a variety of ways in the Psalms.

He encourages himself on his bed. This is my all time favorite description of David's strategy. You know, there are just some days when you can't get outa bed without speaking the Word of the Lord to yourself and calling out to Jesus. Sometimes a person might even be tempted to take to their bed during the day because of discouragement....but David made his bed a place where God was invited to give him a victory perspective.

He spoke the Word of God over the situation. Some folks are afraid to admit there is a problem. David had no such reservations as he talked to God. He laid it all out on the table in his Psalms. Thing is he didn't stay on the problem. Don't you just love the end of some of the Psalms that started out with the problem and end with words of faith and victory about God's faithfulness and promise of victory? David knew a key to our release from discouragement. The presence of the Lord...brings God's perspective and hope to a situation that otherwise would seem insurmountable.

He sang a new song. We know that many of David's Psalms were set to Music. (some Psalms had different authors...those most are David's) David didn't loose that key to victory that he learned as a shepherd boy when he tackled the lion and the bear....when the harp and lyrics were used to sing of the glories and majesty of the Lord. There is something about singing about God's faithfulness that stirs and encourages even a broken heart.

He acknowledged his sin and repented. David came to realize that sin that is unacknowledged before God causes a person to be on the wrong path. It causes the peace of God to be missing. He discovered the love and grace of God is everlasting to those who come before Him with a humble heart. David found restoration and peace.

This week take a look at the Psalms and remember encourage yourself in the Lord and walk in the victory of the Lord.