Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "Real Reliance" – Friday, 31 October 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "Real Reliance" – Friday, 31 October 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 27: A David Psalm
1 Light, space, zest—
    that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
    afraid of no one and nothing.
2     When vandal hordes ride down
    ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
    fall flat on their faces.
3 When besieged,
    I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose,
    I’m collected and cool.
4 I’m asking God for one thing,
    only one thing:
To live with him in his house
    my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
    I’ll study at his feet.
5 That’s the only quiet, secure place
    in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
    far from the buzz of traffic.
6 God holds me head and shoulders
    above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems
    that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs;
    I’m making music to God.
7-9 Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
    “Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
    my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!”
    Don’t hide from me now!
9-10 You’ve always been right there for me;
    don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
    you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
    but God took me in.
11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
    direct me along a well-lighted street;
    show my enemies whose side you’re on.
Don’t throw me to the dogs,
    those liars who are out to get me,
    filling the air with their threats.
13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
    in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
    Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
    Stay with God.
"Real Reliance" by David Roller
King David had plenty to be afraid of. He wasn’t exaggerating in this Psalm—people really were trying to “devour” him. Armies really were besieging him. In response to those threats, David made an unexpected request. He didn't ask for better soldiers or an escape route, he asked to be near the Lord’s house.
The king found safety and relief in God’s house. There he found a place to hide, to be sheltered, to sing. He had learned over a lifetime facing bears, lions, giants, and palace coups that safety comes only from the God of all power.
Notice what he did in the Lord’s presence: he sought the Lord’s face and learned His ways (vv. 8, 11). Confidence for his ultimate salvation, even in the face of opposition and danger, flowed from his reliance upon God.
We would all agree that we should rely more on God. It is essential to see that King David outlines the three steps to move from a theoretical reliance to a real reliance: going to the Lord’s house, seeking His face, and learning His ways.

Hymn for Today:

"Teach Me Thy Way, O Way" by B. Mansell Ramsey
1. Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!
2. When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
In failure or success, teach me Thy way!
3. When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!
4. Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,

Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!
Thought for Today:

“Thank God! Call out his Name!
    Tell the whole world who he is and what he’s done!
Sing to him! Play songs for him!
    Broadcast all his wonders!
Revel in his holy Name,
    God-seekers, be jubilant!
Study God and his strength,
    seek his presence day and night;
Remember all the wonders he performed,
    the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth.
Seed of Israel his servant!
    Children of Jacob, his first choice!
He is God, our God;
    wherever you go you come on his judgments and decisions.
He keeps his commitments across thousands
    of generations, the covenant he commanded,
The same one he made with Abraham,
    the very one he swore to Isaac;
He posted it in big block letters to Jacob,
    this eternal covenant with Israel:
“I give you the land of Canaan,
    this is your inheritance;
Even though you’re not much to look at,
    a few straggling strangers."(1 Chronicles 16:8-19).
Prayer Needs:
For the development of Christian leaders in Saint Vincent.
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