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Pure Heart Music Ministries will be with us this Sunday, January

13, 2013 to lead in worship at 11:00 AM

Gospel Baptist Tabernacle

781 Salem Road, Flintstone, GA 30741

www.rossvillechurch.com

www.pureheartmusicministries.org

January 13, 2013

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The Philistines are gathered against Israel at Jezreel,

where God has already said that Israel will be defeated.

The Philistine warlords have demanded that Achish send

David back to Ziklag,

because they don’t trust him.

David is with the Philistines.

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1 Samuel 30 1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

What do we know about the Amalekites?

Saul was commanded to utterly destroy them, and did not.

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2 And had taken the wo-men captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

What a tragedy to come home to!

Why do you think that they killed no one?

The Hand of God

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Many would say, “Why did God allow this to happen in the first place?”

“He could have prevented it.”

Psalm 34 19 Many are the afflictions of the right-eous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Afflictions, trials, and tribulations serve a purpose in the lives of God’s people.

They prepare us for great service in God’s Kingdom.

They make us strong, build our faith, and make us humble that we may trust in our God.

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3-4 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

Psalm 126:5-6 (TLB) Those who sow tears shall reap joy. Yes, they go out weeping, carrying seed for sow-ing, and return singing, carrying their sheaves.

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The Lord sees our tears and they touch His Heart.

Don’t be afraid to cry in times of sorrow.

The Lord will hear and answer your heart’s cry.

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5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

David’s loss was as great as anyone’s.

But we will see a different response.

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6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters:

Sometimes grief will turn to anger.

That is not the best response, but it is human.

Who among us can say? “I have always responded to all

situations just right.”David shows us the better response.

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6b but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Of course they wept upon returning to find their homes burned and their families taken captive.

But after they wept the men were bitter toward David and spoke of stoning him to death –

Even though his loss was as great as theirs.

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6b but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

His men weren’t going to encourage him;

They wanted to stone him.

So he encouraged himself – but not in himself.

In the Lord.

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When we depend on family or friends for encouragement and happiness

We will often be disappointed.

But the Lord will never fail us.

Go to His Word.

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Psalm 103 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

Talk to yourself.

Remind yourself of God’s Goodness.Rehearse all the benefits of serving God.

Rehearse the good things He has done for you.

Psalm 150 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

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3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from des-truction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Only the Lord can do these things.

Remind yourself!

Psalm 103

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6-9 The LORD executeth righteousness and judg-ment for all that are oppressed. He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.

Stick close to the Lord.If you have strayed from His side, return.

Psalm 103

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10-12 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the Heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103

To remind ourselves of God’s Goodness is to encourage ourselves in the Lord.You may be reaping some trouble that you

have sown, but if you love the Lord,

Trouble will end; fellowship will be restored.

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13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him. 14 For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

Psalm 103

Our weakness never surprises the Lord.

He knows us.

He doesn’t forget that we are but dust.

When we mess up, God is not shocked.

He knew what we would do before we did.

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15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Psalm 103

This life is short; we won’t be here long.

Hard times will end; good times are coming.

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17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as keep His Covenant, and to those that remember His Commandments to do them.

Psalm 103

Such reminders are how we can encourage ourselves in the Lord.

Don’t rehearse your troubles, as we are prone to do.

Count your blessings.Praise God according to His excellent greatness.