TRUST IN THE LORD

Proclamation:

“It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8 (KJV) 

Explanation:

While there is some doubt as to the human author of this psalm, it is clear that it was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God and it points the reader to Jesus, The Christ.  The point of this psalm is that only The Lord God is worthy of our trust.  Man will let you down and disappoint you, and maybe even deceive you.   

Application:

Blessed is the man who put his trust in The Lord. (Psalm 40:4)  He is always with us.  The Lord God will never leave us nor will He forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8 and Hebrews 13:5)  He hears our cry and He sees our tears.  He even understands our frustrations and our temptations.  He can get us out of a bad situation, clean us up, place us on the right path, and give us a new song of praise to sing because of His goodness and mercy. (Psalm 40:1-3)  No man can do that.  We cannot even do that for ourselves.  Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)  The Lord is our strength and our protection, our help and our Savior, only He is worthy of our trust. (Psalm 28:7)  Do not put your trust in a person, trust in The Lord and be blessed.

TRUST IN THE LORD AND NOT IN MAN

Proclamation:

"Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.  My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught ... My heart is in anguish within me ... If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.  But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God ... My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.  His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.  Cast your cares on The Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall … But as for me, I trust in you." Psalms 55:1-23 (NIV) Shortened

Explanation:

This psalm of David is one of his prayers. He prayed this prayer when he was being attacked from without and from within, and even some of his friends had turned on him.

Application:

Not only are we suffering from the attacks and disappointments from others, but our thoughts and emotions are negative and out of control.  This psalm of David advises us to pray when things seem to be going wrong.  David also warns us to watch out for our "so-called" friends.  We expect attacks from our enemies, but not from our "friends."  These "friends" will attack us, usually verbally, and break promises made to us that they never really intended to keep.  They are smooth talkers, but they have malice in their hearts.  Even our friends with good intentions will let us down and disappoint us. Some times, like the Apostle Paul, when they want to do good and do the right thing, they don’t do it and they do wrong instead. (Romans 7:19)  It is better to put our trust in The Lord. (Psalms 118:8)  Trust in The Lord, for only He can protect and sustain us, (Psalm 28:7 and Proverbs 29:25) and He will never leave us of forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8)