The result was the giant fell before the maximized power of God in David's life. That same power is within us today as we face the giants the world sends before us. Now there's something to never forget.
Our key verses remind us of this today. The Prophet Isaiah laments the case of Israel. They felt that God had forsaken them. They confused their own faithlessness for God's. Now God has to remind them of promises we should never forget in this life. God cannot forget us beloved. He did not forget us ten years ago. We are engraved in His very palms beloved! As we remember this year what happened back then, let us also remember what we believe. Let us remember in whom we have believed. Let us remember that terror finds no home in the heart of God. Fear cannot stay in the presence of God. The Spirit He has given us is one of power so that we can walk as David did before the giants we face. It is a Spirit of love, reminding us that God is always working all things out for our good. It is a Spirit of a sound mind. A self-disciplined mind, which chooses to focus on how big God is, not the giant standing before us.
Terror seeks to displace peace. But we serve the Prince of Peace. And His peace is available to all of us:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7 (NIV)
So often we focus on the end of these verses and overlook two important points for us to never forget today. First of all rejoice in the Lord always! It is so obviously important that Paul feels compelled to say it twice! We should not get bogged down with the spirit of depression in this world. We need to take those thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ by rejoicing in whom we serve! Thank God we do not serve our loss, pain, or fear. The second thing here is "the Lord is near!" Wherever your loss finds you God is near. Wherever your pain finds you God is near. Wherever your fear finds you God is near. But we must choose to never forget that.
Be anxious for nothing beloved. No fear. No terror. Whatever it is that causes us to react as such needs to be presented to God with thanksgiving! We present our needs to Him with thanksgiving because we already know He will answer! Our thanksgiving before the deliverance is the manifestation of our faith! And look what happens as a result! The peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds. From what? From the loss, the pain, the fear. From the undisciplined thinking of the world which needs to be made obedient to Christ. Our understanding of this world and the depravity we face each day lends itself to becoming servants to our loss, pain and fear. But the peace of God transcends that understanding. It transcends all of our human understanding. So if we are looking for something to "never forget" this weekend let us start there.
Reverend Anthony Wade 09/11/11
