Psalm 37:23-24
[23] The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;
[24] though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
God orders/establishes the steps of the faithful when we find delight in God's way.
Living Faith means we delight in being Biblically Obedient, Unashamed Ambassadors, Intentional Disciple-makers, and Sacrificial Servants.
We have to submit to all-knowing God's plan.
God allows falls, but it doesn't mean you are finished. Humans will fail, make mistakes, and fall. As Christians, we are faith secured. Remember Job.
God upholds his children. He will hold us up when we stumble.
Psalm 119 - Longest chapter in the Bible and filled with all the ways we delight in God.
How do we delight in God?
Verses 1-8 - To walk in the Word of God.
Blessed = Completely satisfied and ultimately fulfilled by being Biblically Obedient.
Verses 9-10 - Guard our way with the Word. Feelings will misguide you. God's Word will always be the same and will never fail or misguide you.
Verses 11-14 - Store up the Word so that we won't fall into the temptation of sin.
Verses 15-16 - Meditate (Think Deeply, Focus, and Occupy your attention) on the Word.
Verses 25-48
Ask God to help you behold (understand) the Word.
Ask God to bend your heart towards the Word - to change the desires of your heart away from your selfish desires.
Turn your eyes from worthless things to the Word.
We take comfort from the old and ancient Word that has seen people through their hardest times.
Praise Him from the Word.
Look to the Word. Do not forget His commandments and that He is the Shepherd who will never leave us even when we go astray.
Delight in Being Disciplemakers
The Great Commission - Jesus's final call to go and be disciples of men.
Matthew 28:16-20 - Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Some of the disciples doubted when they saw Jesus again after the resurrection. They hesitated. They were scared of the prospect of continuing the ministry without Jesus and also that it may cost them their lives as it did Jesus. And many would be martyred for their faith. Their hesitancy wasn't unfounded. Our duty to serve won't be safe and easy and carefree. We have cause to be hesitant, but in faith, we will find delight in serving and following Jesus. It is our ultimate purpose we were created to fulfill. That fulfillment brings contentment and delight and joy.
How do we become disciples who confidently and intentionally make disciples?
Submit to the authority that sends us.
Commit to the mission that directs us by going. We aren't meant to sit passively in our comfortable homes and churches. God has always called his believers and followers to spread his message. He first called the descendants of Abraham, but when the Jewish leaders didn't want to spread the message outside their nation, he called followers who would do so. We are all sent by Jesus. The question is only where and how.
Teach the Word that shapes us. Teach and guard all that Jesus commanded us.
Rely on the presence that sustains us. Jesus says he will be with us always to the very end of the age. It is a promise of a parent promising to always be there for you and supportive of you. Unfortunately as mortal parents, we can't really make such a promise. Our lives are not infinite, but God/Jesus is infinite. He can make that promise! Jesus gives us his presence! He is our greatest present! 🎁
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