Today’s background photo features a “Green-apple” candle.
Green apples are tart … they are sour … might we even describe them as bitter?
Life can be bitter.
How do we live in a bitter world, without becoming bitter ourselves?
The Bible gives us insight.
1 Samuel, chapters 18-31 recounts the life story of David, who was unjustly treated and ceaselessly pursued in a nation-wide manhunt. Forever on the run, with his life in constant danger, how did David respond?
The book of Psalms gives us insight into what David was thinking and feeling during this time of desperation and loss.
David wrote in Psalm 5:1-2 – “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray.”
So, how do we live in a bitter world, without becoming bitter ourselves??
1.) We take our pain, our confusion, our fears to God. We pour it all out to Him. We let go of those burdens … we give them to God … and we let God carry those burdens for us instead.
In Psalm 5:4-6 David continues: “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with You the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.”
So, how do we live in a bitter world, without becoming bitter ourselves??
2.) We fill our minds with the truths of God! We recount to God who He is, how great He is, how powerful He is!
David concludes Psalm 5:11-12 – “Let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for JOY. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may REJOICE in You. For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”
So, how do we live in a bitter world, without becoming bitter ourselves??
3.) We give our burdens to God; we fill our minds with the truths of God; and the result will be JOY!
The Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) will produce the Fruit of the Spirit (which is JOY!).
