Sunday, June 24, 2007

The LORD's Day June 24, 2007

Better To Trust in the LORD

Psalm 118.1-9

Once again we see in the Psalms the benefits that come as a result of going through some times of testing. The Psalmist learned a valuable lesson during this time of anguish. He learned that it is better to trust in the LORD than to trust in man. He experienced the blessing of trusting in the LORD, making the LORD his refuge. It is better- so much better!

Driving to Lebanon, NH last Sat night... John- I’ll call you and you talk me in... no cell phone service... back to the 20th century- directions in my backpack in the trunk... pulled over into rest stop- I was safe. Got the directions out. Arrived at my destination.

1. Sometimes man cannot help us.

Had I trusted completely in my friend John’s ability to help via our cell phones I would have wandered around for quite a while, possibly missed the exit- and I-89 in NH is not Southern State Parkway on Long Island. There are miles and miles sometimes between exits. So my friend John was waiting by his phone, wanting to help but he could not.

The LORD is always with us. He has told us He would be and He is faithful to all His promises!

People can want to help but lack the ability to do so for a number of reasons. How many times have we said, “I wish there was something I could do”? We have desire but we lack the ability or we cannot think of things we can do. There are many situations where cannot do anything beyond praying for a person. I am not saying prayer is not all important. There are times that we want to add to our praying some further action and we cannot.

My friend Kim’s daughter, Kelly, my neighbor’s whose son is in Iraq, and the list goes on. Folks who are going through difficult times - we want to help but don’t know what to do. We pray because we know that the LORD can do what we cannot do.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to seek refuge, flee for protection, to put trust in God, confide or hope in God .
When we are fleeing for protection, the LORD is the one we run to. Psalm 57.1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

He is our hope. We will be disappointed if we trust in people or princes but Jesus never fails

2. Sometimes man does not want to help us.

There are so many charitable organizations today that you could literally give everything away to them. We can have what is being called today compassion fatigue. We should help those who cannot help themselves not those who will not.

We can encounter stingy people, who just do not want to part with any money or time or ability aid for those in need.

The LORD is full of compassion. He has pity on us. There are those who have no pity. Do not be like them! I John 3.17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

James speaks of this in his letter: James 2.15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

As believers we ought to do good to all people especially those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6.10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

There are people who can help and lack concern or compassion or are worried about their own needs and end up hoarding rather than giving.


The LORD cares about us- He loves us so much. How much better to trust in Him! He never lets us down. He is always willing to help us if we call upon Him. As a father pities his children so the LORD pities those who fear him. He has compassion on us. He knows we are dust.


3. Sometimes man is unaware of our needs.

Deeply personal things. There are some things we keep between the LORD and ourselves. We do have secrets with God and we never have to worry about Him ever telling. He is our Confidence We can and it is better to confide in Him.

It also brings greater peace. He understands us. He knows all the circumstances surrounding us. We do not have to go into all the details when going to the LORD. He knows them. He knows all things! It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. How wonderful it is to go to Jesus with our problems. Let Jesus solve your problem just go to Him in prayer!

Things we have not shared. Those with the gift of discernment or those who know us well may pick up on it but many times people do not. Most of the time if we do not talk about people do not know what our troubles are.


Things that are apparent to us but not to anyone else. God sees all He knows everything. He knows all about our trials. There is not a friend like him. He si the Wonderful Counselor!


4. Man’s wisdom seems right but ends in destruction. Proverbs 14.12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

The LORD knows the beginning from the end He knows the future.

It sounds as if the Psalmist may have gotten bad advice from men during his difficult time. People may mean well and they may even get upset when we don’t follow their advice but I cannot tell you the mess my life would have been today if I listened to the counsel of men For me this started at a relatively young age. I was about 18, the LORD had been speaking to my heart about serving Him and suddenly people were telling me what I should do and where I should go. I am so glad I trusted in the LORD for my life’s direction. He led me on a good path- not always an easy one but on a very good one.

In some difficult times in my life people came to me and tell me things. I even had one person tell me once that they had been praying about my future and that if I would sit down with them they would tell me what I should do. Another person wrote me a letter and told me that God had told them what I should do and they were working on it. If I had listen to these “well meaning people I doubt that my life’s verse would have been what it is today, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” Psalm 16.6 That is my life today all because of Jesus. Praise His dear Name.

Man does not have the perspective the LORD has- it isn’t worth comparing Man lacks understanding and doesn’t understand the LORD’s ways or thoughts. Perhaps the Psalmist is writing his conclusions after he had heard the counsel of men and then went to the LORD for his directions. The counsel of man may seem right. It ends in destruction.

It is so much better to trust in God’s Wisdom. He shows us the right way, the good path, the road that leads to life. It is better to hope and to seek refuge, flee for protection from Jesus than to put our trust in the word of man. God’s Word is what we need

Finally,

5. Man has limited resources.

If we trust in man then we are going to come up short. We are limited in our resources. If we trust in God and don’t lean on our own understanding we will experience the flow of resources from heaven that are spectacular He will load us with benefits- every day

Our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills My God shall supply all your needs according to His Glorious riches in Christ Jesus! He has unlimited resources. He has things and ways of working you have never thought about. He is able to do anything. He can bring about miracles of provision.

My grandmother told me of George Muller’s Orphanage in Bristol, how they ran out of food one day and they called for a prayer meeting and as they were praying the bread man came and knocked on the door of the main house. He said, “I just left to deliver my bread. The axle on my cart broke and I will not be able to deliver this bread. Could you use it?”

Then LORD is able to make you abound. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

God has unlimited resources for His people. He is the Creator and He is the Qwner. The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it. When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving is only begun!

It is better to trust in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

We need to be reminded about this each time we face a challenge to our faith in our lives. We need to be reminded of it each day.

Trust in the LORD- He will Take Care of You!

------------------------------
The LORD’s Day
June 24, 2007
We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Better to Trust in the LORD Psalm 118.1-9

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.
Prayer in the Parsonage Backyard -6pm this evening


This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 119.1-56
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm 1312 Pine Acres Blvd.
Thursday Bible Study 10:30am at the church
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm


In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq- He will be there until October. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter in need of healing. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Pray for Eloise Brooks in Sunrise Manor undergoing rehab. She is coming along well. She is in room 214. Remember Jean Louis as both he and Eloise are on dialysis. Pastor’s neighbor, John Mehler, beginning dialysis as well. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, doing better. Edie’s daughter’s mother-in-law, Millie Espisito possibly beginning chemotherapy soon. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson’s (who is recovering from a heart attack) daughter, Kelly, due to begin chemotherapy soon. Please remember this whole family in prayer.

If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see John or Terri Garry.


Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
Better to Trust in the LORD
Psalm 118.1-9




Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436


Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Sunday, June 10, 2007

The LORD's Day June 10, 2007

The LORD is Our Soul’s Restorer

I Kings 19.1-18

I love this passage. You may remember when we have looked at it before.

This passage reflects a need we often have- that of having our own souls renewed. We are human. We get tired. We can get overwhelmed. We can lose our perspective and fall into depression and discouragement. We can get to a point where we feel worthless and that there is no use going on.James 5.17 Elijah was a man just like us.

Elijah had been doing God’s Work and God’s Will. He accomplished great things. He was very zealous for the Lord. He got to a place where he was exhausted. One of the lessons I learned many years ago is that we can be in God’s will and doing God’s work (having Him work through us) and get to a point of being depleted emotionally. I think it is at the point where we feel that things are going to work out and that there will be little or no opposition- usually after a movement of God’s Spirit or a time of cleansing. When opposition comes when we are tired and worn out hearts melt. Elijah’s did. His heart melted and his courage gave way and he was running for his life (I’m getting ahead of myself here).

Let’s go back to where this whole thing started: The contest on Carmel. (v.1) Then Queen Jezebel made a threat. Elijah just took on all the prophets of Baal. Now a queen is making threatening statements (she knew where he was!) and he was afraid (v.3). He acted on that fear and ran for his life. The psychologists call this the fight or flight syndrome (Psalm 11 is the answer for Elijah’s flight choice.). You are committed to something then opposition or difficulties come and the person sees running as the only viable choice There are many people like this. They look at moving as a way to a new life.

What are you doing here Elijah?- v.9

1. What are YOU doing here ELIJAH?

There are group of Christians who have been so influenced by the health and wealth teaching that they do not believe a believer should ever get depressed. They go so far to say that if he is depressed he must have sinned or worse yet that he is not a believer at all. God help us
Believers do get depressed and sometimes like Elijah did to the point of as Paul the apostle 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us
Having said that God did ask Elijah this question, and the emphasis may have been on Elijah himself. He called him by name. Elijah’s name means My God is Jehovah.

God was asking him based on the nature of his name. You, who are called by My Name- what are you doing here? I am the LORD God Almighty and you are one of mine.

Now I don’t think it was a question of harsh rebuke. In fact it may have not even been a rebuke at all. God was getting Elijah to confess his problem. He knew that was the beginning of the pathway of healing and restoration. If you look at Elijah’s response it was in line with this thought. He issued his complaint to the LORD.

There is a difference between issuing a complaint and having a complaining spirit. I do not like to be around people who complain continually. It is interesting that many of the people who have this attitude are the very ones who have so much. But that is a whole other Bible Study

We are called sons and daughters of God- children of God. We are addressed by Jesus as His little flock. When we get to a place or similar places like Elijah was in, I believe the LORD asks us similar questions. “What are you doing here, daughter or son?” We have a Father in Heaven Who cares for us and we need to remember that when we fall into despair.

I like the fact that God used his name. He wanted Elijah’s attention and it was personal. Again I don’t believe it was the same way we use our children’s names or grandchildren’s. When I used to hear my mom say, Lawrence Albert Mancini, Jr. I knew I was in hot water. I knew that a spanking might follow and I usually knew why too I don’t think it was like that with God and Elijah. I think the LORD many times when we are in this state comes to us with compassion because He knows we are dust. He made us. He knows our limits.


2. WHAT are you DOING here, Elijah? v.10

The answer: Hiding for my life, recovering from exhaustion, wanting to die (not fully or he would not have run )

Elijah had come to the end of his strength. He was wiped out emotionally and afraid.

Elijah is known as the prophet of deeds. We know about what he did than what he said and there is no book that he penned. Unlike Jeremiah or Isaiah who wrote, Elijah is a man of activity. But the activity in his life has come to a halt. He has stopped and the Lord is asking about this.

The journey to this place took 41 days. (vs.3-9) It certainly was not a pleasure trip. I remember doing my uncle’s funeral 18 years ago and driving all night to get there, then having to speak to his church and my family- not a pleasure trip.
I didn’t have anyone chasing me like poor Elijah.

The LORD told him, “The journey has been too much for you.” (v.7) We can get there. It is easy to get overwhelmed these days with all that comes at us. Life is not as simple as it once was. We deal with issues today we didn’t have to concern ourselves with not too many years ago. Maybe today the journey has been too much for you. I love God’s prescription. Have some nourishment (And some sleep )

Elijah was moving again.


3. What are you doing HERE, Elijah?

When God asked about “here” He was referring to the cave or den or hole Elijah was in. When we captured Saddam Hussein in Iraq he was hiding in a hole and said to our soldiers, “I am the president of Iraq.” Not a place for a president to be Elijah was in a similar spot- certainly not a place for a prophet of God to be

Emotional fatigue is worse than being physically tired. Elijah was not just physically tired he was emotionally spent.

God told Elijah to get up and to stand by the mountain for the LORD Himself was about to pass by. When we get to the end of ourselves we need a fresh meeting with God We need to have Him reveal Himself to us. Many times it means reading His Word. It is living and active and will go right to the heart of the issue. Take it with you outside among God’s creation.

Sometimes we too can be in places we don’t belong. If you are depressed you will have a hard time getting out of bed. It may be that your thinking is off. Negative thinking can make us feel bad. Taking things too seriously to the point of never laughing can be bad for us and others. A friend of mine sent me one of those paper weights that have words engraved in them. The one he sent me simply said, LAUGH ” I got the message and it is a Biblical one too

What are you a man or woman of God doing in a place of no faith or hope? Elijah went from a mountain top of Carmel to a cave in Horeb. Carmel means Garden Land. It is a mountain on the Mediterranean coast of northern Israel. Horeb means Desert. Elijah went from a Garden Land to a Desert. We can too. We can go from a place of fruitfulness to a place where we produce little fruit. We don’t always do that on purpose. Some times life itself does it to us It can happen as we work hard and long and don’t take time to eat right or sleep enough and it can even happen to people as they serve the LORD.

He stopped at Beersheba, a city at the south edge of Israel. The name Beersheba means well of sevenfold oath. Abraham and Abimelech made an oath there and Abraham sealed it by giving him 7 little lambs. He had dug a well there and he had planted a grove there. Elijah left his servant there. Now he is all alone and he is leaving a place of food and water that came from the father of the faithful.

In Horeb, God showed Elijah some powerful displays of nature: Wind, Earthquakes and fire. But God was not in them. He asked Elijah again what he was doing there and it was in a still small voice or a gentle whisper. God was not mad at Elijah. He understood his dilemma. I love His solution

* He got him out of the cave God can do that and only He can Elijah listened to the LORD. Anyone else telling him to come out he might have thought it was a trap

* He told him to go back the way he came. (v.15)

A number of year ago my daughter Theresa and I were in a car accident. We were nearly hit head on. It was not our fault. Some person ran a red light. When we got back to Long Island my aunt was here. She is a retired nurse and a pretty sharp gal. She said to Theresa, “Let’s go get some ice cream. Since I don’t know my way around Bay Shore you drive.” She told me she did that so Theresa would get behind the wheel right away. She was a new driver and if she didn’t she may never drive again. Elijah was told to go back the way he came. The way back...

* God gave him things to do.

This wasn’t busy work. People tell me after the loss of a loved one, “I have got to keep busy. Sometimes that is avoidance of grief. God had things with great purpose and meaning for the prophet There were going to be some changes. New kings were coming into power and a new prophet was on the horizon. Elijah was to anoint all of them. God was at work and He was using Elijah again

And He added this P.S. at the end in verse 18. Just to set the record straight Elijah- things were not as bad as you thought- I still have 7,000 who have not bowed to Baal. Things are not as bad you think. God has always had His people He is moving today. He is doing a work across the world. He is on His Throne

How we can lose perspective and not see all that God has provided for us when we are going through a crisis, the like of what Elijah was going through. We can get tot he point he got to. Maybe you are there this morning. Maybe you are on the way from Beersheba, about to leave the well of water and the groves and shade and head out into the desert of trying to live life by your own understanding. It is always dangerous to do that and it is especially dangerous when you are out of sorts like Elijah was!

The LORD is the Restorer of souls. He made us. He knows everything. He will bring you back to where He wants you to be.

Let Him do that today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The LORD’s Day
June 10, 2007

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
The LORD is the Restorer I Kings 19
*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.

V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 113-115
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm 1312 Pine Acres Blvd.
Thursday Bible Study 10:30am at the church
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm

In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd) One of Billy’s friends (also from the Island) was killed three weeks ago in the fighting in Iraq. Please remember that family in prayer. Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter continuing to recover from surgery Pray for her as they deals with a complication that arose from the surgery. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Pray for Eloise Brooks in Sunrise Manor undergoing rehab. She is coming along well. She is in room 214. Remember Jean Louis as both he and Eloise are on dialysis. Pastor’s neighbor, John Mehler, in Southside Hospital and beginning dialysis as well. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, fibromyalgia. kidney stones and liver inflamation. Edie’s Sister, Grace, recovering from internal bleeding, now home. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Good Shepherd Nursery School (students, families and our staff) as graduation takes place this Friday evening. Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson’s (who is recovering from a heart attack) daughter, Kelly, 30 years old, has breast cancer. Initial reports were not encouraging. She has an appointment tomorrow to discuss treatment. Please remember this whole family in prayer.
A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see John or Terri Garry.


Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
The LORD is the Restorer
I Kings 19





Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436


Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Sunday, June 3, 2007

The LORD's Day June 3, 2007

Good News For Tough Times

Psalm 108

4 For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

I love these lofty thoughts in God’s Word. They speak of things that are beyond us. Like Isaiah 55.8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

God’s love, His faithfulness, His thoughts and His ways are all beyond our finding out. One of the paradoxes of our faith is that we know Jesus intimately and yet we won’t know fully until we see Him face to face. How I long for that day

Let’s talk about His love and His faithfulness. We often associate these qualities of God with good times in our lives. We associate them with good times with others as well. We think of love and faithfulness in the context of peace. Yet this Psalm and two others where this phrase is repeated is in the context of some pretty tough times in the Psalmist’s life

It is in the tough times of life that we find out who loves us and the extent of that love. The fires of trials and difficulties have a way of proving not only our faith but the faithfulness of our friends. The difficulties we encounter show us these things.

Verse four is repeated two times in the Psalms. David is the writer of the other two as well- Psalm 32 and Psalm 57.

David found that in the very trying times in His life as He looked up and probably recalled the times of taking care of his father Jesse’s sheep out in the hills of Bethlehem, God’s love and faithfulness were with Him. Not only were they with him, they were limitless. Higher than the heavens and reaching to the sky. Looking up to heaven, God’s throne, David realized that is how great the love of God is. That is the measure of His faithfulness.

Put a person to the test and you’ll see how much they love and how faithful they are. Let us go through tests and we’ll see how much God loves us and how faithful He is to us

We sing “No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you...” Let’s look at the three times David cited the goodness of God in His faithfulness and love. Each was unique and can be applied to situations we find ourselves in today in 2007, 3,000 years after David first penned them as the Holy Spirit inspired him.



1. The first time this phrase is used is when David was considering the sinfulness of the wicked. Psalm 36.1-5

We hear bad news frequently. We hear daily news from Iraq and the loss of life there. Two young Long Islander died this week there among others. We have all sorts of things to protect ourselves from wicked deeds of people. House Alarms, Car Alarms, Theft Insurance all are available today because there are wicked people who want stuff we have without paying for it as we did. My daughter works for Nationwide Insurance and recently talked to me about identity theft. I am now insured in case someone rips off my identity. Then there is the terror plot they just uncovered over the weekend to blow up Kennedy Airport. The sinfulness of the wicked is around us.

We see some incredible things going on. We don’t live in a bubble or on a mountain. Jesus prayed that we would not be taken out of the world but that we would be kept from the world. Like a boat in the water but not water in the boat, we navigate our lives through some pretty uncertain times. We see wicked people doing wicked things.

David noticed as we do too:
* There is no fear of God with these people. They act as if God does not exist and there are no consequences for their actions.

*The wicked man flatters himself in his own eyes. Wicked people often have an exalted opinion of themselves. We see people like this and it troubles us.

* When he speaks he lies. There are many who are habitual liars. They seldom tell the truth. They deceive others by their words. Sometimes it seems they believe their own lies.

*Even when this type of individual is going to sleep he is plotting evil. He is on a course of evil. He doesn’t reject anything that is wrong.

When we encounter bad news and when we have to deal with wicked people, we should take note from what David did. He praised the LORD for His love and faithfulness to him.

We will never rid the world of wickedness and we can become weary in doing good if we make that our goal. That is God’s job and He will put an end to trouble and wickedness one day. Our call is to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust in Him with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.

We are to be witnesses to people who do not know Jesus and pray for them to come to know Him. The way we keep going is that we fix our eyes on Him. When we deal with wicked people remember God’s love and faithfulness. The wicked will be cut off but the love of God and the faithfulness of God is eternal, higher than the heavens, reaching to the sky The good news for us is that in the face of bad news God loves us and will be faithful to us. He will take care of you and me.

2. The second time David uses this sentence was when he was being hunted down by Saul. Psalm 57

David describes this time as a disaster. It was when you look at it. The history of David and Saul was turbulent. Saul first encounters David as a shepherd boy, bringing food to his brothers serving in Saul’s army.

David killed Goliath and was brought into the palace with Saul. Saul’s spiritual life was going down and David played his harp to soothe Saul’s troubled mind and soul. David had been anointed to follow Saul as king one day and such jealousy breaks out that Saul tried to kill David by throwing spears at him on a number of occasions.

How do you handle a person’s jealousy of you? You do what David did, duck out of the way of those spears, never pick them up and throw them back and if needs be get as far away from that person as you can. David had to do that.

By the time we get to Psalm 57 David is hiding out in caves from Saul gone mad. He is sleeping in them like a wild animal because Saul is hunting David down as a wild animal. This shows us the horror of jealousy. It really tears a person down. It is sad- very sad. David even refers to Saul and his men as lions and ravenous beasts. He says he is in the midst of them.

He said that they were treating him as something to catch. He said that they had spread a net for him and that they dug a pit for him.

It is not easy to be the object of jealousy. Many times we do not realize it. In many ways we are better off that way When we do realize it what do we do?

Among other things we keep our eyes on the LORD’s love towards us and His faithfulness. Right in the middle of being hunted down like some animal God’s love and faithfulness were shown to David. He was caught. He was alive- God provided for him. He was protected, It takes a man or woman after God’s own heart to feel that and express that. It takes a mature person to see it.

In the most difficult circumstances there are things we can praise God for. In the most trying of times we can find God’s love with us and that He is being faithful to us. The very witness of nature that Psalm 19 speaks of points this out. The sunrise, the courses of the stars, the seasons all point to God whose faithfulness is higher than the heavens, reaching to the sky. Nature speaks of God’s faithfulness- He keeps the planets on course and He takes care of the birds and sees they are fed- how much more for us!

Not only with being the object of jealousy but anytime (anger, gossip, hatred) we face a person who opposes us our focus should not be on them but rather on the great love and faithfulness of God which comes to us each day and stays with us through each night.


3. The third instance that David uses this sentence is in the scripture we read this morning which was a time of great national spiritual need.
Psalm 108

God had been with the army of Israel. He had enabled them to conquer the land He gave them with overwhelming forces opposing them. The neighboring countries knew that the LORD was with them and they had come to a place of surrender to the forces. On occasion there would be a problem as with Goliath and the Philistines. God took care of the whole Philistines Army working through a young shepherd. He did amazing things through His people. Gideon was another example as was Elisha and Arameans. He filled the nation with heavenly protection.

In Psalm 109, something has gone wrong. This once undefeatable army was suffering defeat. God was no longer going out with them. David prays for the LORD to help them. He did not boast in Israel’s military might. He knew where the victory had come from. It came from the LORD (v.13)

David had discovered the help of man is worthless. This is a wonderful discovery and saves us so much pain and frustration. But the way there, the journey to that summit of truth in life’s experiences is a difficult one. To find yourself in need and expecting someone you trusted in to help is a horrible thing to go through. Yet when you go through it the LORD sort of burns it into your memory the truth David is sharing in this verse. It is a difficult to attain to but a delight once you get there. I remember hiking in the White Mountains in New Hampshire with my daughter years ago. In the National Forest there are two mountains called Twin Mountains. It is a bit of a hike to get to the top but once you are there it is wonderful. So ti si with this truth about the help of man.

Once again we are encouraged as we think about this repetitive statement of David’s, For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. (v.4) Jesus never fails. So when the nation is struggling spiritually and the blessing of the LORD is lifted from it, individuals can still experience His love and faithfulness. Jeremiah did as did Habakkuk. They received the promises of God in a terrible time nationally. Those promises are for us today.

Whether we are considering the sinfulness of the wicked, or we are dealing with the jealousy of someone near us or the national situation is troubling us and even affecting us or any other trouble that comes to God’s people we can rest in this wonderful truth, God’s faithfulness and God’s love reaches to the heavens

His faithfulness comes to us each day and he has lavished His love on us. So we do not lose heart. We keep our eyes fixed upon Him.

We trust in the LORD, not in man. Our hope is in Jesus’ blood and righteousness He will bring us through every storm and every trouble we encounter.

That is good news for today!

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The LORD’s Day
June 3, 2007

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Receiving the LORD’s Supper
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Good News for Tough Times Psalm 108

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.

V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 110-112
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm 1312 Pine Acres Blvd.
Thursday Bible Study 10:30am at the church
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm

In Your Prayers For All of God’s People

Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd) One of Billy’s friends (also from the Island) was killed three weeks ago in the fighting in Iraq. Please remember that family in prayer. Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter continuing to recover from surgery Pray for her as they deals with a complication that arose from the surgery. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Pray for their son Michael’s friend Andy whose wife died suddenly last week. Pray for Eloise Brooks in Sunrise Manor undergoing rehab. She is coming along well. She is in room 214. Remember Jean Louis as both he and Eloise are on dialysis. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, fibromyalgia. kidney stones and liver inflamation. Edie’s Sister, Grace, recovering from internal bleeding, now home. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Good Shepherd Nursery School (students, families and our staff) as several events will be taking place this month.
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A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see John or Terri Garry.
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Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
Good News for Tough Times
Psalm 108





Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436


Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God