Sep. 18, 2024

Series: AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART   9-22-24

Shining During Dark Days

(2 Samuel 21-22)     

2 Samuel 21:1-2 1 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death."  2 … the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.

2 Samuel 21:15 15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.

THEMES FROM DAVID’S LIFE:

1.  When times are _______________, the Lord

is our only _______________!

2 Samuel 22:1-20 1 David sang to the Lord the words of this song… 2 He said: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior… 4 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. 5 "The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 6 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 7 In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God…  17 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy… who were too strong for me. 19 …the Lord was my support. 20 …he rescued me because he delighted in me.

“When it’s difficult to praise God for what He’s __________________, it is then we must learn to praise Him for who He is _______ what He’s allowed.”

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Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 

2. When days are ____________, the Lord 

is our only ____________!

2 Samuel 22:22-25 22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. 23 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 24 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 25 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.  

Revelation 3:20 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

“Avoidance and delays aren't _______________; they send a very clear message.”

2 Samuel 22:29 29 You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. 

3. When our walk is _____________, the Lord 

is our only _______________.

2 Samuel 22:33-49 33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect... 34 he enables me to stand on the heights… 36 You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. 37 You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn… 40 You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. 41 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight… 44 "You have delivered me from the attacks of my people; you have preserved me as the head of nations… 47 "The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! 

“Sometimes you don’t realize Jesus is all you __________, until He’s all you’ve _________!”

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? 

DAVID’S PATTERN OF DEALING WITH GOD:

    A___________             – LAMENT (share honest feelings)

    A___________              – PETITION  

    A_________________  – TRUST 

STEP 1. Be Honest with your ______________! 

(ACHE – LAMENT)

Psalm 13:1-6 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

STEP 2. Be Wise with your _________________! 

(ASK – PETITION)

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

STEP 3. Be Confident in your ______________!

(ACKNOWLEDGE – TRUST)

Psalm 13:5-6 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.