Tuesday, October 4, 2016
How long would it take you to pick out your favorite person in the Bible (besides Jesus)? Maybe he or she is a "Hero of Faith," like those listed in Hebrews chapter eleven. What about David?
"BY FAITH ALONE" -- LIKE DAVID (SON OF JESSE)
One pastor said, "David's faith is one that inspired courage, humility, and a love for the LORD and His people."
Courage? Like David? Is that how a person would characterize you? Have you stood up for the LORD like David did as just a young boy when he faced the mighty giant Goliath? Have you gone into battle after outnumbered battle against your enemy with total confidence of God's presence and deliverance? By faith alone David sang, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies" (Psalm 18:2-3).
Or what about humility? Like Psalm 18, or any of David's other psalms, he doesn't look to himself for strength, but rather he boldly states, "My God, my strength, in whom I will trust." David rested in the LORD's strength for every battle and gave Him the credit for every victory. In this selfless humility, by faith, David understands the undeserved love of God his Savior. He rejoices in his deliverance from his earthly enemies, but so much more from the LORD's deliverance from death itself. David's confidence was in the resurrection of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ! David sings in joyful faith, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever" (Psalm 23:6). In desperate times we cling courageously, by faith alone, to God's underserved grace in Christ!
Let me not doubt, but trust in Thee, Thy Word cannot be broken;
Thy call rings out, "Come unto Me!" No falsehood hast Thou spoken.
Baptized into Thy precious name, My faith cannot be put to shame,
And I shall never perish.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 377:7)
