February 10, 2006

 

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. … The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. … Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! … The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. --Psalm 34

 

There is a famous painting of a chess match between the devil and a young, handsome man. In the game, it appears that the devil has won. The young man is sweating profusely trying to figure out a move to defeat Satan. But there seems to be no way out!

 

Years ago, a master in the game of chess was invited to study the painting and see if there was any possible move that the young man could make to beat the devil. The master chessman stared for three hours at the painting and searched the board for any possible way out. Finally, he saw one move the young man could make, and he pointed to the man in the painting and shouted, “Young man, make that move! Make that move!”

 

When David pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed to the cave of Adullam, it was there all alone with God that he found a way out and made a significant move. He turned his life back over to the Lord again. David’s song recorded in Psalm 34 is a marvelous testimony of faith, courage, and confidence that came when all of the crutches were gone. That’s when God said to David, “OK, now I can use you.”

 

God cannot fill some of you because you’re already filled full of self. He can’t use some of you because you’re always so busy doing your own thing and living for your own selfish pursuits. When you are ready for God to use you, He will take away the props upon which you lean. Because some of you are so full of second best, God can’t give you the very best. His very best is for you to always to do His will in complete faith and obedience.

 

TO ESCAPE FROM THE DEVIL’S GRASP, LOOK TO JESUS — THE MASTER OF EVERY MOVE AND THE ONE YOU MUST LEAN ON WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS.