David had a life filled with pain and struggle. He had amazing victories and crushing defeats, and throughout it all he praised and relied on God. The lord was not punishing David he was honing and shaping him. He was sanctifying his son creating a good and godly character, and purging his pride and selfishness. He is doing the same for you today. Like a father with a son the lord disciplines those he loves for their own good. Do not despise the Lord’s discipline, your pain and suffering are for a season and a reason.

David commits his spirit to God because he knows his times are in Gods hands already. David has lived his entire life in the sheltering hands of God. In times of deep despair and serious physical danger David has turned to God, and God has never let him down. This is as true for us as it was for him. We can escape despair by remembering Gods faithfulness and promises. Our times lie firmly in the hands of God, and we can trust that he will handle them well.

In his sin and brokenness David cried out to God and received mercy. He was saved from Gods wrath through the power of the Lords covenantal love. When God seems silent and distant, we can cry out to him with honest prayers and rest on his mercy. Christians can come to their loving father knowing he loves to answer his people's prayer.

esus wants the disciples to rely on God for victory over Sin. As Christians we have been forgiven, all our sins are washed away, and yet this victory does not mean we will not struggle to live our lives as God desires us to. The devil is still at large stealing killing and destroying. We must learn to turn to God and trust that he will give us victory over Satan and the evil inclinations of our own hearts.  

Jesus told his disciples to be penitent and merciful because they are forgiven. This applies just as much to us today as it did to them. We have been forgiven an unimaginably large debt and if God can forgive us we cannot hold others sins against them.

God is not a disinterested watchmaker that wound up the world and let it go. He is a loving father who is intimately involved in everything that happens in his world. He is also a God that loves and cares for his people. Because of this truth Jesus wants his disciples to learn to live contentedly in the present relying on a good God to provide for their daily needs.

Prayer is an act of worship, and it should begin with adoration. In this passage from Christs sermon on the mount, Jesus continues his instruction on prayer.  Jesus wants his disciples to understand that Effective prayer begins with adoration, and this is true for us today. As Christians we should begin our prayers by reflecting on the holiness of God and the power of his coming kingdom.

Jesus wants his disciples to know that God covets humble and persistent prayer from his people. Prayer is not about worldly power or manipulation, magic incantations, or ritual it is about a constant desire to communicate with God.  

Listen to a special message from Pastor Nick Holguin

Jesus want his disciples to understand that Prayer is not about manipulating God, is about conforming their hearts to his will. When we pray we are not changing Gods mind, we are changing ours.