IS GOD GOOD? He Lifts Me Up // Midweek- Wednesday, June 3, 2020
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Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Is God Good?
He Lifts Me Up
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (I don’t lack anything) 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies… Psalm 23: 1 – 5 (ESV)
Opposing Forces:
1. The World System
John 6: 33 (NLT) ...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
1 John 2: 15 - 17 (NLT) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
2. Satan.
1 Peter 5: 8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
3. My old nature.
Romans 7: 23 (NLT) ...there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me slave to the sin that is still within me.
What does the banquet represent?
1. God celebrates our fellowship.
Job 36: 16 (NLT) God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food.
2. God wants to bless you for His glory.
Psalm 31: 19 (NLT) How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
What’s on the menu?
1. God’s promises.
Psalm 119: 103 (NLT) How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
Psalm 36: 7 - 9 (NLT) How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. 9 For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.
One day…
Isaiah 25: 7 - 9 (NLT) There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.8 He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken! 9 In that day the people will proclaim “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”