Discipleship - September 2007

Grace

1. v      Living by Grace: learning to see God’s grace around us
2. v      The Grace of Confession: begins in sorrow and ends in joy

Grace that Sustains

“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.”

                                            Psalm 23: 4

Original Hebrew:  “Shadow of death” means  “deep darkness”

Covering evil actions:   Job 24: 17

Feeling, accompanying rebellion against God: Psalm 107: 10

God’s judgment:  Jeremiah 13: 16

Spiritual darkness:  Isaiah 9: 2

It’s a phase that takes hold of all life’s dark, overwhelming experiences.

King Asa

2 Chronicles 16: 9

2 Chronicles 16: 10-13

2 Chronicles 16: 9 states that God sees those who are fully committed to Him and He will support them, come

alongside, help, be present, no matter how big the problem.

Are we receiving this?

Come before God in confession.  Be specific about the times

where we have tried to work things out ourselves.

Need to memorise 2 Chronicles 16: 9 and then come before

God whenever we face a problem that seems impossible.

You know what will happen?  God will strengthen you.  Give you hope.  That’s His promise.

Philip Keller

“Every mountain has its valleys.  Its sides are scarred by deep ravines and gulches and draws.  And the best route to the top is always along the valleys.”

Any sheepman familiar with the high country knows this.  He leads his flock gently but persistently up the paths that wind through the dark valleys.  It would be noticed that Psalm 23: 4 states: “Even though I WALK THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death.”  It doesn’t say ‘I die there’ or ‘stop there’ but ‘I walk through’.

God is looking at you and me now.  He sees our problems, our pressures, disappointment, griefs, and He’s looking

at our response.

He says:  “Will you make a covenant with me about this?”