Who’s Point Of View Is Right?

There once was a farmer and his wife who every morning had a disagreement about breakfast. The farmer wanted eggs and sausage, his wife wanted eggs and bacon. They decided that until they agreed they would eat oatmeal. Each was convinced that their personal view would win out. As the days went on, they became even more set in their ways, so they decided to have all on the farm vote. It was a 50/50 tie…with only one vote left. They opened the ballet and to their surprise was a write-in vote – “Eggs only” it read. Signed…Mr. Pig! 

A point of view can change drastically the outcome of a decision. That is why our mindset is so important when we deal with issues in life. We are looking at how David controlled his thoughts when faced with very difficult circumstances. He gives us another key example of maintaining the proper mindset when dealing with issues we all face. We are all fallen human beings with limited abilities. We all desire God’s forgiveness and guidance; we all will face God’s judgment and we desire to praise God properly. How can we do that? The key is not approaching God from our point of view; instead, approach God from His point of view.   

Consider how David thought: “I will approach God based on His love for me, not my love for Him. God's love never fails!”

Forgiveness:

Psalm 31:16, 51:1, 96:16 – “Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your lovingkindness.” “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.” “Answer me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me”  

Guidance:

Psalm 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. 

Judgment: 

Psalm 35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness, And do not let them rejoice over me. 

Praise: 

Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. 

David controlled his mind to such a point that he understood that he was where he was, not by his power, but because God desired it. 

2 Samuel 7:18-21 Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far...For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know.” 

What a difference it would make in how we live if we understood the key to our success was to relax and follow the Lord. Instead of striving to make a name for ourselves!

The So What: David understood the outcome of everything was dependent on the Lord only! Which is why he never stopped seeking the Lord to impact his thoughts. Even when after he knew that God was going to take his first child because of the murder he committed, he still approached God on the basis of Who God is: 

2 Samuel 12:21–23 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ “But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” 

Do you always seek God’s view, or do you decide for yourself or give up? Learn from David.

What can you do when everything feels out of control?

2020??? Having lived over 60 years, I have never in my life experienced the complete change of direction for the year of all the plans which so many people had, including myself! The impact on the economy is clear...the impact on the human soul and heart I fear is leaking to the surface, not always in a good or healthy way, however, I believe the majority of that frustration remains buried and is not being processed. If left undealt with, the damage to many will be very disheartening. Already strained relationships in families are impacting homes, domestic violence, addictions, and suicides have increased. 

When we lose control of so much, what can we do? I believe the answer lies in learning to control the only thing we in reality have control over...Our Minds! Even without a Pandemic, all the plans we have are not really under our control if we are honest. Yet, even if we were trapped in an elevator, during a blackout, in the middle of a Typhoon we still have control over our thoughts! I have felt led by the Lord to camp on this issue for the next several devotions. 

When everything around is falling apart, there are two Truths you need to fix your mind and heart on:

First Truth: The Sovereign God of the universe remains on the Throne and is still in complete control…either causing OR allowing everything that is happening. 

Second Truth: You alone control how you process all the circumstances! 

I discussed the first Truth in 3 devotionals I posted in March 2020, 15th, 16th, & 17th, feel free to read them at: gwmnate.blogspot.com 

God never has the problem, we do! So I want to consider how we can take control of our mind from examples in Scripture. 

Begin with this principle concerning humans from Scripture:

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

How we think determines how we act. Consider David: 

1 Samuel 16:1–13 Now the LORD said to Samuel… “Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse… for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.” When David came before Samuel the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.”

David had heard what God said…he was to be the King, not Saul. This was God’s decision. Saul rejected that and sought to kill David. Twice David had the chance to kill Saul while he slept, (1 Sam. 24:4-7 & 26:8-11) yet he took this stand: 

David said, “As the LORD lives, surely the LORD will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish. “The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’S anointed”

David did not try to control this outcome, instead, he controlled his mind with this thought – “God said it, Therefore HE will bring it to pass!” David put God's testimony on the line, he based everything on Who God is, not who he is or what the circumstances are!

The Scriptures are full of God’s promises to us, consider just these two:

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Hebrews 13:5–6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” 

The So What: Who or What are you trusting in during this difficult time? Politicians, Doctors, Money? Focus your mind on Who God is and His promises! Embrace this thought: "God, I yield to You and believe no matter what happens, I am in Your hands!"