When You're in the Presence of a Problem
Psalm 118
Psalm 118:1 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
1. The positioning of prayer
Psalm 118:5-7 (ESV)
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
Psalm 118:5-7 (ESV)
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
2. Pray points us in the direction we should go
Psalm 118:8-9 (ESV)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
3. Prayer proclaims victory
Psalm 118:10-12 (ESV)
All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
1 Samuel 17:45 (ESV)
Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.