A Man of Faith
Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. ~Psalm 40:4
Psalm 40 is one of several psalms that David wrote when he was in the wilderness of Judea trying to avoid being caught by King Saul. David had seasons when his faith was strong and other times when his faith would waver. He embodies what we go through: sometimes we are strong, and other times we feel weak. It could be that David wrote this psalm after he and Abishai had taken Saul’s spear and water bottle. He reflected on how God strengthened his faith, but as he looked around him, he knew the threat of Saul had not gone away. However, in v. 4 David came to a factual conclusion about what faith in God must be. This morning, would you consider the happiness of a man of faith?
There is the confidence of a man of faith.
“Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust.” David let go of his fears and placed 100% faith in God for His care and protection. He learned that running from his problems only made him more fearful. He made an absolute and complete decision to make the Lord his trust. Trusting God is placing my hand into His hand and not letting go. There is never a concern about God letting go. God is faithful! However, when we look at our circumstance more than the Savior, we tend to let go. He learned that faith in God is not leaning on his own understanding; it is acknowledging God in all your ways. When David saw what God did for him in the cave and on the day that he and Abishai came into the camp and took the spear and water bottle, he understood the power of faith. Hold on to God through faith!
There is the company of a man of faith.
A man of faith “respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” To be a man of faith means you have to have a very narrow company of advisors and friends. Proud and boastful people think in terms of being number one and taking people out. They do not look at circumstances from the eye lens of God. In fact, they make decisions based on "an eye for an eye" thinking, how the business world makes decisions, or what gives them the advantage. Abishai told David: "Let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time." A man of faith must affiliate with other men of faith. Your company will always determine the strength of your faith.
There is the contentment in a man of faith.
David said, “Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust.” The word for "blessed" means to be happy. When David had absolute faith in God, he could sleep at night. When he made the Lord his trust, his thoughts were clear. He could see the pathway more clearly. He always kept in perspective that God gave him the advantage. He was happy because instead of his circumstances moving him, he was the one moving the circumstances. He was contented in the little things. He was contented that he only needed enough light for the next step. He was contented that God was at his side. His men saw his faith, and this enabled them to see the difference between a fighting man and a faith man.
Be a man or woman of faith! Have faith that God is in control! Have faith that God will give you the perseverance to get through your circumstances.
Have a faith-empowered God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Romans 11-13