Celebrating and Practicing a Bold Faith

Past Faithfulness Produces Future Confidence

for Present Boldness

Text: Psalm 138

We have designated this Sunday as Heritage Sunday in an effort to accomplish four important things:

1. We want to remember the wonderful ways God has worked in the lives of two congregations whose members have faithfully served Christ in the gospel’s work. We never want to forget God’s past faithfulness for fear that gratitude may fade in our hearts, leading us to complacency and, ultimately, discontent with what God has done.
2. We want to express our gratitude for the miraculous way in which God has united our two congregations as one, believing that together we can accomplish more for the gospel than we could alone.
3. We want to approach God with gracious boldness, asking Him to do even more for us in the future than He has accomplished in the past because we desire His work to continue flourishing in ways that exceed anything we can imagine or achieve on our own.
4. We aim to pass on to future generations a God-sized vision, driven by unwavering confidence that God can and will provide everything necessary if we have the courage to step out in faith.

Psalm 138 illustrates David, a faithful servant, who praises God for His past faithfulness and future promises (2 Sam 7 and Ps 2) while navigating present difficulties.  He is confident that God will sustain him, establish him, and fulfill His plan for him, which forms a bold and unwavering faith.

I. Bold Faith is Grounded in ____________ for Past ____________ (vv. 1-3) I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; ² I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. ³ On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

The key theme here is worship!

Personal gratitude for God’s Past Faithfulness leads to future confidence in God’s promises and purposes!

II. Bold Faith is ____________ by Confidence in God’s ____________ ____________ (vv. 4-6) All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, ⁵ and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. ⁶ For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

The key theme here is Vision:

1. Because the ____________ from God is heard by the nations.
   All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth,
2. Because the ____________ of God is seen in Jesus
   and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
3. Because of the ____________ of ____________
   For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

Confidence in God’s promises and purposes for the future leads to boldness in the present circumstances of life!

III. Bold Faith is ____________ by Grace-enabled ____________ in Present ____________ (vv. 7-9) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. ⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

The key theme here is dependence (prayer)! 

Conclusion:

David ends this wonderful psalm by declaring his bold, confident testimony that he wants future generations to know:
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Despite our difficult circumstances, God will fulfill His plans and purposes for us! Therefore, our earnest prayer should mirror that of David:  “Do not forsake the works of your hand” – don’t leave us in the midst of the work; don’t abandon us to the task; instead, let the work of our hands be strengthened and accomplished by the power of your great hand!”

God has done great things for us in the past – let us resolve to remember them.

God intends to accomplish even greater things through us in the future. Let us resolve to believe that He will and commit to having the courage to act in faith as He brings them to fruition.

God promises to fulfill His plans and purposes for us, even amid our present circumstances and despite insurmountable difficulties or impossible obstacles. Let us resolve to live obediently, confidently, and boldly by faith in His great and good hand!