David gives us a clear picture of Jesus’ attitude in the face of the coming storm. Peter preached from David’s psalms, which speak prophetically of Christ, saying, “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken” (Acts 2:25, NKJV). The literal meaning here is “I was always in his presence, beholding his face.” David added, “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope” (Acts 2:26).

God is concerned that we are being shaken in our faith, that we don’t trust him during a crisis. Beloved, our worst sin is our unwillingness to believe he will do what he promised. That offends him more than adultery, fornication, drug or alcohol abuse or any other sin of the flesh. He desires – he requires – trust in him.

His Word says, “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” (2 Peter 2:9 NKJV). “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Martin Luther, at the height of all his trials, testified, “Lord, now that you have forgiven me all, do with me as you please.” Luther was convinced that a God who could wipe away all his sins and save his soul could certainly care for his physical body and material needs.

“He makes wars to cease...” (Psalm 46:9, NKJV). What welcome news this is to the child of God shattered and torn by warfare of the soul. The battle in my soul is his battle, and he alone can end it. My loving Father will not permit the flesh or the devil to bully me into defeat. My war is clearly defined by James, who wrote, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (James 4:1). These pleasures include covetousness, pride and envy, enemies of the soul that are common to us all.

When we are hurt, lonely, afraid and overwhelmed, we are often prone to turn aside from our true source of peace and look to human resources. How tragic! We know God is still on the throne, waiting for us to call on him. We know the answer to our needs is to be found alone with God, shut in with him. We will even confess to our spiritual friends, “I know I need to pray. I know God has the answer, and I need to turn to him.”

Romans 11:17-19 says that we are grafted as wild olive branches into Christ, the holy tree and root. The same Spirit and power that was in him enables and quickens us. We sit like Christ at the right hand of God by faith. How do we know our sins are forgiven? By faith alone. We take God's word for it and are in turn blessed with peace of mind.

So it is with God’s power. We must take his word that his power is now at work in us, causing us to will and to do of his good pleasure. He empowers us to face our weakness with faith that he will help us walk in obedience.

The paralyzed man in Mark chapter two was forgiven by God, but he was still captive to his affliction. He was relieved of all his sins but still impotent. He knew Christ as a relief but not as a resource!

It is not enough to be forgiven. Christ's part is to clear us before God, but our part is to get up and walk! We must go beyond relief from sins into the freedom of his resources.

What in us attracts the marvelous grace, mercy and pardon of our Savior? Is it beauty, goodness or strength? Is it a unique potential or special gift?

No! It is our great need and utter helplessness that attracts his grace. It is our weakness that attracts his strength. Our helpless condition is exemplified by the man in Mark chapter two: “Then they came to him bringing a paralytic…” (Mark 2:3, NKJV).

“They shall utter the memory of your great goodness, and shall sing of your righteousness” (Psalm 145:7 NKJV).

We cannot deny God’s call to praise him in all his excellencies, but we are especially called to praise him for his goodness.

Note that the Psalmist insisted on an abundance of praise in memory of the Father’s goodness; they sang the Hebrew for abundant utterances, “to gush out like water rushing from a fountain.”

In my devotions some time ago, I came across a portion of a sermon by William Bridge, preached in the 17th century. Today I’d like to share it with you. It portrays a beautiful, intimate moment between the Savior and a woman who felt doomed, consigned to a life of failure and disgrace. It is my hope that your heart will be encouraged by this woman’s story of faith and redemption.

“It is this faith that now I am speaking: believing when all means fail and lie dead before us, that does honor God especially which doth justify the soul: It is the soul-saving faith of all.