I have a Guarantee!!!!

This week I have been thinking about the fact that I have a Guarantee. Isn't it wonderful that I have a Guarantee! I have a Guarantee from God Himself, that what He says is True and He will Do it!

Guarantee definition:  an assurance for the fulfillment of a condition: such as an agreement by which one person undertakes to secure another and the possession or enjoyment of something.

I have promises, the written Word of God, that guarantees me, gives me the assurance, that He will perform (fulfill) what He has promised!!! I have God's Guarantee that He will fulfill His Word to me.

Our responsibility is to believe that God is good for His Word. We are called "Believers" for that very reason. We must "Live by Faith". Trusting that God will fulfill His Word to us. Excited and Hopeful (confidence with anticipation) that what God promises is coming to pass. We have a Guarantee - God's Word backed by all of who God is!!!

Do Not lean on or make your decisions to believe anything other than what is based on who God is (Faithful and True) and what He says (His Written Word). 

We must know the character of God. We must be absolutely convinced that He is not a man that He could lie. That it is actually Impossible for Him to lie. We must know with certainty that All of His Words are Yes and Amen (So Be It)! We must realize that God is serious and committed to fulfilling  His Word.

Psalm 138:2 
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. 

We must lay aside all of our preformed ideas and experiences that do not agree with what God says. We must realize 3 major things:

 #1 - We live in a fallen world. 1 John 5:19

#2 - The enemy's intentions are to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10

#3 -  God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6

Never, Never, Never blame God for something that has been destructive in your life. Realize that God is the Giver of Life. He Is Good, Always! When negative things happen in our lives, ask God to help us to understand and gain insight. But, never become angry at God or blame Him for what had been stolen or destroyed.

Now look at those 3 things from the other aspect.

#1 - Jesus rescued us from the Kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His  dear Son. Colossians 1:13

#2 - Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. John 10:10

#3 - Now you must Grow in Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
1 Peter 3:18.

Study to show yourselves approved of God. 
2 Timothy 2:15; Joshua 1:8.

If you are a doer of the Word of God, then you are proving that you are truly His disciples. You show that you really do know the Truth. It is that Truth that you know that sets you free!!! John 8:31-32 Paraphrased

Now, being convinced of God's Word, not tempted by the fallen world that we have been set free from or lured away by the tactics of the enemy nor by the lack of he knowledge of God's Word, we have become convinced of God's promises. We know we have the Guarantee from God that He will stand behind His Word and fulfill His Promises to us!

It was the way David lived. Abraham lived that way. It was the way the apostles lived. Paul lived that way and he has taught us all to live by faith - the faith that believes that what God says is true and He will bring it to pass and teaches us to hold fast to that confidence so that in no way, by any method, can something cause us to release our hold on it. Stand fast in faith, knowing that He who promised is faithful to fulfill that which He has promised!!!! Roman's 4:21; Hebrews 10:23.

Read Psalm Chapter 34. How many instructions do you find? How many Guarantees from God do you find?

 Be a doer of God's Word and watch and see God fulfill his promises (Guarantees) to you as you walk in faith, trusting what He says is true!!!

What about Hope?

Watch  "My Hope Is Built" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/EVE-xXFDOwgm

Hope definition: welcome and anticipate; confident expectation of what is sure (certain); hope.

Roman's 15:13
May God, the giver of hope, fill you with continual joy and peace because you trust in Him--so that you may have abundant hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We often use the word "Hope" as a casual expression equal to "yep, that would be sweet", but there is no anticipation,  certainty nor confident expectation that what we say we 'Hope" for will actually happen.

When it comes to the Word of God, it is necessary that our approach is not either casual or lacking confident expectation. We must believe that what God says IS True and that He will see to it that what He says will come to pass.

Look again at Roman's 15:13:

Roman's 15:13
May God, the giver of hope, fill you with continual joy and peace because you trust in Him--so that you may have abundant hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

#1 - God Himself is the Giver of Hope
#2 - He fills us with continual joy and peace
#3 - Why, How, When? 
        ▪︎Because you trust in Him
        ▪︎so that you may have abundant hope
        ▪︎through the power of the Holy Spirit

It looks like our responsibility is to Trust in Him. He gives us the Hope. He fills us with continual joy and peace BECAUSE you Trust in Him (as you believe, by means of your faith) through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let's look at a few more scriptures regarding Hope...

Lamentations 3:21-26

21This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

22It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness.

24The LORD is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

25The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.

26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

What are we recalling to our mind? 

     God's Mercies?

     His Compassion?

     His Faithfulness?

     He Himself is my Portion?

     HIs Goodness?

Will we hope and wait quietly without moaning, groaning, fussing and complaining about the issues at hand as the Israelites had done?Remember, they did not place their confident expectations, (Their Hope) in God and they did not receive the promises of God, either. They died in the Wilderness even though God had something far better in store for them.

Let's look at some things David had to say about his hope in God....

Psalm 71:5

O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O LORD, from childhood. 

Psalm 119:114

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

Awesome confidence in the Lord being his protection!

David's source of Hope was God's Word. May it be that we would have that kind of expectation in the Word of God to be proven true in our lives.

Psalm 39:7

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

Where is our hope placed?

Psalm 130:5

I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

Psalm 119:81

I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.

David was always rescued by God. His soul would get worn out waiting for God to come through, but he continued to hope in the promises of God. Be encouraged today to continue to keep your expectation in God and in His Word. Remember to recall to your mind Who God is and What God says. Continue to Put your Hope in God and in His Word. Never, Never, Never give up. Remember His Word is True and He is Fauthful. He will fulfill His promises to you. Only Believe. Contine in the Hope He provides!!!

Titus 1:9

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

More references:

Psalm 119:116-117; Proverbs 10:24-25, 28; Psalm 62:5; Philippians 1:20;  Psalm 119:43; Psalm 119:147; Psalm 43:5; Psalm 42:11; 1 Timothy 5:5; Psalm 78:7.

A Valuable Reminder Today!

The things that are the loudest, the most annoying, troublesome, frustrating and irritating are most often the things that get the most attention and are what is talked about the most.

However, when we take our counsel from the Word of God, that is not the advice we find. I think we all mentally know what I am about to say. However, mentally having the knowledge won't suffice. If we want things to change, we MUST put that knowledge to work and Be a DOER of it.

James 1:22-25
22Do what God's word says. Don't merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. 23If someone listens to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, 24studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say.

I think one of the biggest lies Christian's fall into is thinking God is the one who is going to fix things up for us. Yes, but not without our participation. He instructs us in the best way to go with His eyes on us. He teaches us, counsels us in His Word and by His Spirit. But....if we will not follow His advice and obey the instructions He provides- it is not His fault if things do not change in our lives. It is no ones fault but our own. Time is well past to stop doing things our way and humble ourselves and be a DOER of God's Word. Then we will be blessed in all our ways. (Galatians 6:9; John 13:17; Matthew 7:21-23; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 106:3). He says, "This is the way. Walk in it!" Isaiah 30:21.

So, back to my main point...in amongst all the things that are vying for our attention. Things that discourage us, attempt to defeat, depress and derail us from God's plan for our lives. Let's look at God's counsel quickly (I think) once again as a reminder of what we are supposed to do to have success in our lives...remember God's way is the path to that success!!!

#1 Cast your cares on God for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7.

Psalm 55:22
Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

#2 Bring your thoughts captive and make them obey God. 2 Corinthians 10:5; Roman's 12:2; 

Philippians 4:8.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

#3 Boast in the Lord! Not in your problems! 
1 Corintians 1:31: Psalm 34:2.

Psalm 20:7
Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.

#4 Trust in the Lord. Psalm 3:5; Psalm 40:4; 

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."

Much more can be said...Pray at all times, Rejoice, Give Thanks, Guard your peace, resist the devil, but so as not to overwhelm us today. Be a doer of:

     ☆Casting your Cares in God.   

     ☆Bringing your thoughts captive and make them obey God.

     ☆Boasting in the Lord, not your problems.

     ☆Trusting in the Lord.

It's not as hard as it might seem and the benefits are greater than can be described....Peace that passeth understanding. Joy unspeakable. Rejoicing and Giving Thanks will automatically come from a joyful heart!

"What's Love got to do with it?"

Sometimes things happen and/or words are spoken that stir our emotion negatively.  It seems to happen particularly in relationships with those who are dearest to us. The words that are spoken or the deeds that are done can cause us or another to feel anger or hurt and we can easily become offended or offend another.

How is it that these emotions can be stirred up so instantly in a negative way? I don't have an easy answer for that, but I know it happens to me. I know I have done it to others. By watching and listening to others, I know I am not the only one that has had this issue.

 It is one thing that the instant negative emotional reactions occur when hurtful words are spoken or negative things are done to us. It is another thing entirely how I will respond to those feelings of anger and hurt.  What should I do or say in response to the other person? Should I respond according to my emotions? If I respond in that way, I am "Reacting" in response to my flesh....it shows I am yet carnal and the likelihood is that I am making the matter worse, making the devil smile and NOT walking in love and ultimately damaging my relationship with the other person even further.

So, what do I do???? The answer is always found by first asking this question: What does the Bible say?" Pray. Ask God to direct me to His counsel in what to do. His wisdom is the right way to handle every problem. So, let's take a look at what God has to say about how to handle those words and deeds that hurt, anger and offend us now.

#1 Repent when I have done wrong

If I have been on the giving end and have  hurt another by my words or actions. I must repent. Go to that person and apologize and make amends for the wrong I have done and the hurt I have caused.

Matthew 5:23-24
“So if you are presenting a sacrificeh at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Roman's 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

If you are the one to whom the hurtful words or deeds have been done then here are several instructions from God's Word....

#1 Overlook the wrong done

Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 12:16
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

Sometimes we tend to make a mountain out of a molehill. Stay cool and don't lash out in return. Perhaps the words/deeds were incorrectly spoken or handled with no ill intent meant. Perhaps you were tired and maybe oversensitive, and you misunderstood. Believe the best and overlook the issue, if possible.

#2 Forgive one another.

Colossians 3:13

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Forgive/forgave definition:

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5483 xarízomai (from 5485 /xáris, "grace, extending favor") – properly, to extend favor ("grace"), freely give favor to grant forgiveness (pardon).

5483 /xarízomai ("favor that cancels") is used of God giving His grace to pardon. This is freely done and therefore not based on any merit of the one receiving forgiveness.

"Favor, forgiveness. that cancels" explains it all to me.

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someonei who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Forgive! That is pretty clear! Notice that there are no exceptions for "I don't feel like it."

#3 Bless them

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Corinthians 4:12

We wear ourselves out from working with our own hands. When insulted, we bless. When persecuted, we endure.

Luke 6:28

Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

That verse just added another thing...

#4 Pray for them

Matthew 5:44
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you

2 Thessalonians 1:11
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

1 Timothy 2:8
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Ah Ha! That verse brings us to the next topic... 

#5 Get rid of anger

Colossians 3:7-10
You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

James 1:20
Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

James 1:19
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Ok, that verse leads us to the next point.
  #6 Be quick to listen, slow to speak.

The following is my opinion .... Sometimes, even dare I say "usually", the hurtful, insensitive words/behaviors that one says or does, actually reveal a deeper issue not obvious to one who instantly takes what was said or done as a personal attack or offense. By being quick to listen and slow to speak, you may have opportunity to identify, perhaps even  help the other person identify what is really going on. However, if by our emotional reaction, we get stuck on the "Me" factor of the occurrence, we likely will miss the real issue that screams for help.

Proverbs 21:23
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

Proverbs 13:3
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Proverbs 17:27-28
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding keeps a cool head.
After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.

#7 Love, Love, Love

I Corinthians 13:1-8

If I speak in the languages of humans and angels but have no love, I have become a reverberating gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can understand all secrets and every form of knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains but have no love, I am nothing. Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing.

Love is always patient;

love is always kind;

love is never envious

or arrogant with pride.

Nor is she conceited,                                              and she is never rude;

she never thinks just of herself

or ever gets annoyed.

She never is resentful;                                            is never glad with sin;

she’s always glad to side with truth,

and pleased that truth will win.

She bears up under everything;

believes the best in all;

there is no limit to her hope,

and never will she fall.

Love never fails...

So, if my response does not follow suit with the qualifications of that explanation of Love, then it is the wrong response!!!

Last night a Tina Turner song came to my mind, "What's Love got to do with it... ?" My answer... Everything!!!!

John 4:12

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Colossians 3:12-14

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Love is a commandment from God, not an option for when I "feel" like it.

John 13:35

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

1 Peter 1:22

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

1 Peter 3:8-12

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life

and see many happy days,

keep your tongue from speaking evil

and your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the LORD watch over those who     do right, and his ears are open to their.           prayers.

But the LORD turns his face

against those who do evil.”

Regardless.....

Do you ever sense that God is trying to get your attention, but you are floundering, struggling with your circumstances, your emotions and fears. There are attacks from every side.... mental, physical, financial....it doesn't seem to quit! One bombardment after another!!! It seems it all is attempting to draw you away from God and get you to turn away from what God says.... more discouragment, distraction, delay....when will it stop????

But, of course! That's what it is all about.....from the intention of the enemy. He wants to derail you. He wants you to turn  away from God and submit to his subtle tactics to bring you down. He wants you to let go of the Word of God. He wants to defeat you. His efforts are successful in the lives of many Christians. Sadly, many succumb to his sly, deceitful methods of stealing, killing and destroying us. He cannot do it apart from our cooperation. He so subtly gets us to believe and thereby ACT in response to his lies. He is the Father of lies. When he speaks, he speaks lies only. There is no truth in him. John 8:44.

So, how do we keep from becoming one of the enemy's "feathers in his cap", so to speak or one of his "Trophy's on his wall"???

Over the last few weeks, this has been the struggle for me.....fighting to hold on in the midst of struggles and mental bombardments.

The life of David has been a helpful encouragement and counsel to me. Especially these verses that I shared in my last blog:

 Psalm 56:3-4
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust.
I will not be afraid."

Psalm 56:10-11
"In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid."

So, in the midst of this battle what do I do?
I follow the same wisdom of God that David applied in the midst of his battle.

#1 - I Put my Trust in God.
Regardless of how I feel or what the circumstances are, I Put my Trust in God! There is no other sensible option. If I am not putting my trust in God, then I am yielding to the temptations of the enemy. Often we think there are multiple options. Like God's way, my way and the devil's way. Or drive, neutral and park. But the Bible makes it clear that there are 2 Kingdoms. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Darkness. So, it's God's way or Satan's way. The way of the Spirit or the way of the flesh. The way of the Spirit yields to God, the way of the flesh yields to satan. There is no "neutral". The only "safe" zone is to stay on God's side. 

We ARE in a battle. We must Fight. The fight is a fight of Faith. The fight of faith is conducted successfully by putting our trust in God.....regardless! Regardless of Anything and Everything that attempts to convince us of something that opposes God- regardless, we put our trust in God.

#2 - I Praise the Word of God. In the Lord whose Word I Praise! 

I don't wait until things improve or change to Praise the Word of my Lord. I Praise the Word of God in the Thick of it. In the midst of the worse report, in the heaviest of the battle, I Praise the Word of the Lord. The option is to give credit to the ....enemy. Remember, there is no neutral ground. 

Proverbs 18:21
Death and Life are in the power of MY tongue, those who love it will eat the fruit thereof.

What you say can preserve your life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.


1 Corinthians 1:31
in order that it may be as Scripture says, "He who boasts--let his boast be in the Lord."

I used to be skilled at boasting about all my problems until I learned that was the way of a fool and that I was better off to keep my mouth shut (Proverbs 17:28) rather than to give the enemy any credit. Then I began to learn about the power that resides in God's Word. 

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Praising His Word. Boasting in the Word of the Lord is more than just positive words. It is a battle technique that takes the enemy down. It shows our faith in our God. Speaking about our problems glorifies the enemy. Praising the Word of God and boasting in the Lord shows our confidence in Him. He fights for us. The enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy. So, whose side will you decide to be on. Your words clearly expose whose side you are on. You are saying something on a regular basis. Are your words agreeing with God....Praising the Word of God or are your words supporting and glorifying the enemy????

2 Corinthians 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

#3 - Next, the third lesson from David is "I will not be afraid! Fear is a choice. We can deny it's right to rule and choose to trust God or we can yield to fear and be defeated. I will not be afraid does not mean you don't "feel" fear, it means you do not permit fear to win. As Joyce Meyer says, "Do it afraid." I will not allow fear to dictate my response. It is all about the choices we make.

So, today.....
▪︎CHOOSE to put your trust in God.....Regardless!
▪︎CHOOSE to Praise the Word of God in the midst of the trial. Boast in the Lord. Give the enemy no positive reinforcement. Resist the devil. He Will flee!!! Regardless!
James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9.
▪︎CHOOSE not to permit fear to rule your responses....Regardless!

Jeremiah 9:3

“My people bend their tongues like bows

to shoot out lies.

They refuse to stand up for the truth. (they are not valiant for the truth).

They only go from bad to worse.

They do not know me,”

says the LORD.

If we are not standing up for the truth, what (who) are we standing up for?

If we really know God, we will know with confidence that He fights for us. He is on our side. He is our Defender and our Deliverer. I say of my Lord, "He is my Refuge!" He has already given us the victory through Christ. He sustains us and keeps us from falling. With Him we are more than conquerors! So stand fast in agreement with God. Praise the Word of your God! Do not allow the enemy to derail you to defeat you and move you from your firm foundation of faith in your God! 

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

What did David do?

When I am under attack, I find great encouragement and counsel from David. David clearly understood what attack against himself was like. He came out of it all victoriously. He fulfilled God's plan for his life. I have been reading in Psalm chapters 55-57. What David wrote has helped me greatly. I want you to ponder these words with me today.

#1 Psalm 55:2-3
Listen to me and answer me;
I am restless and distraught in my complaint and distracted, because of the voice of the enemy, because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble on me, and in anger they persecute me.

☆David prayed to God.

☆David was restless distraught and distracted because of his situation.

☆His enemy taunted him verbally and brought trouble on him and persecuted him.

#2 Psalm 55:5 
Fear and trembling have come upon me;
Horror has overwhelmed me.

☆This was no minor problem to David.

#3 Psalm 55 verses 6, 7 and 8. 

☆If there were a way to escape from it all, he would have.

#4 Psalm 55:16-17:
As for me, I shall call upon God,
And the Lord will save me.....and He will hear my voice.

☆David calls out to God with confidence that God will save (rescue, deliver...) him and that God hears his voice.

#5 Psalm 55:22 
Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). 

☆Such great counsel and encouragement!
Cast your burden on the Lord....that is our job.  Look at all that God will do!!!!!

#6 Psalm 55:23
........ I will [boldly and unwaveringly] trust in You. 

☆That's the place I need to stay in......bold and unwavering Trust in my God!

#7 Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid,

I will put my trust and faith in You.

☆David was experiencing fear as the enemy chased him to destroy him. However, David made this choice: I WILL PUT my trust and faith in you, God.

#8 Psalm 56:4
4 In God, whose word I praise;
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not fear.
What can mere man do to me?

☆David praised God's WORD!

☆David reminded himself, "I have put my trust in God!"

☆David made the decision that in spite of the circumstances going on and the fear that he felt, "I Shall NOT fear!!!"

#9 Psalm 56:9
Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me.

☆Interesting, when I call on my Lord....the enemies turn back! David was convinced saying, "This I KNOW, that God is for me."
10 



#10 Psalm 56:10
In God, whose word I praise,
In the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 

☆Again and again David praised the word of God, His Lord!

#11 Psalm 56:11
In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

☆David reminds himself again....I HAVE put my trust and confidence in God!!! I Will NOT be afraid.

12 
#12  Psalm 56:12
Your vows are binding upon me, O God; I will give thank offerings to You.

☆David reminds Himself of His covenant with God.

☆Today, we have a better covenant than David had!
☆David gave Thank offerings to God...Before he experiences his rescue.

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#13 Psalm 56:13 
For You have rescued my soul from death, Yes and my feet from stumbling,
So that I may walk before God In the light of life.

☆David prophesied his outcome!

Read Psalm 57.....more of David's same responses to enemy pursuit..... Excellent counsel and encouragement. What an awesome God we serve. Call to Him. Praise Him in the midst of your trouble. Remain steadfast in your confidence in God. Choose not to give way to the fear that wants to rule you. Give Him thank offerings before you experience your rescue. God IS Faithful!!! He will not let His Righteous one fall. 

The devil will come after me, but he cannot persist or prevail. I have a covenant with God! The devil is defeated, he is under my feet. I will exercise my authority over him in the name of Jesus. As David did, I will praise the Word of my Lord. I wield the Sword of the Spirit with the words of my mouth - the Word of God!

 The devil comes after me one way. He flees from me seven ways!!! 

He attacks me when I am on the verge of what threatens him.

God is for me. Who can be against me? 

He has given me the overwhelming victory!!!!

Isaiah 41:10  ‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’