The Lord is my Portion . . .

Dear friends, who of us does not face trials in this life?

We all do. In fact, just about the time we seem to get over our current trial or situation, there always seems to be another one waiting for us around the corner! I know I’m not alone today.

By now I assume that you have all realized that trials are a huge part of our lives. There is no escaping trials and life tragedies. The Lord tells us not to be surprised when we face trials in this world but to count it all joy because He has overcome the world. Hallelujah! That’s great news.

But there is a perspective we must have in order to rise above life’s trials.

I want us to take a look at the life of David for a moment. In Acts 13:22 it says - And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

David was known for being a man after God’s own heart. Was it because he was perfect and made all the right choices? No, absolutely not! Far from it in fact. He was a flawed human just like the rest of us. So what was it then, that earned David this Noble title, - “A man after God’s own heart”, and what would cause Father God to call us the same?

There are different reasons but I want to just focus on a couple. One thing we know for certain is that David knew where his strength came from and it wasn’t His own that he depended on .

Psalm 147:10-11 says - 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

Another very important thing that we know about David is he knew and understood who to turn to when he was in trouble or in danger. He knew that in his failures it was important to run towards God, and not away from Him.

Here’s what I find very interesting.

Most of us when we mess up, we rather not face God because of the enemies lies of shame, guilt, and condemnation. But what was it that made David bend towards God rather than away from Him like most of us do??

He had a revelation of God’s love for Him!

You see when you understand that God really does love you, that God really does forgive you, that God really does have compassion, mercy and grace for you … that He really does have the best intentions for you, then you will see Him as a place of comfort and refuge that you can run to in times of trouble and always… But dear friends, if you don’t believe that Father God really does love you, then you will always be tempted to run away from Him.

Scripture says in- Psalm 142:17 – I cry out to the Lord with my voice; With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me. 4 Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. 5 I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

Dear friends, David understood one thing about life, something that I pray and challenge us all to grab a hold of today as we pursue this life in Christ Jesus our Lord. And that is this, that all life Trials no matter how big or small, are designed to drive you TOWARDS Father God and Godly living, not AWAY from Him in despair.

My challenge and encouragement for you dear friends, is that starting this day you choose your perspective on trials wisely.

Let us use the very thing that has the potential to break us, to be the very thing that we allow to make us and shape us more into the likeness of Jesus! Amen & Amen With love , Billy Montes