Phil spoke from Psalm 27 about how we deal with change.

Please be warned, the audio from this morning is very 'buzzy'. Some bits are quite listenable to, but other bits are really quite bad. Sorry for this.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬

Introduction • Over the summer being reflecting on where we are and where we are going • Things are changing and that brings challenge • Uncertainty is inevitable • Feeling vulnerable seems to be part of it • Some like change and embrace it others hate change and struggle with it

How about you?

I like change, not for changes sake, I can sometimes see thing and know they heed to change.

I like to initiate change in some areas but not in all. Especially when it comes to buying new cloths Sally says I’m in a rut.

We get comfortable and change makes us uneasy, unsettled.

Most changes that come seem to be out of our control, our world is constantly changing, it maybe that for you home life is changing, work life, church life, your social circle.

How should we handle Change?

1. Know the one who has our life in his hands – our security cannot be found in our own ability to control, manipulate or influence.

He does not Change - ““For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” ‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬‬‬

1. Throw your anchor into Jesus
2. put your trust in him – he is a loving Father and today he would remind you of that

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬‬‬

1. ask for grace to go through – very good friend of mine and someone who has been my counsellor through some difficult times of change always would say you have to go through you can’t not
2. allow God to use the time for good for you, he’s promised to never leave you or forsake you, he’s with you and with us.

David knew his God, he knew the goodness of God in very difficult circumstances and in challenging and changing times and he knew where to go to find strength to find the grace that carried him through into fulfilling what God had planned for him. At the end of Psalm 27 he said

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:13-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬‬‬

Conclusion

We too can know this place, following David's instructions • Wait for the Lord • Be Strong • Let your Heart take Courage

As we look forward together with all the challenges of change and the uncertainty it brings, put your hope and trust in Jesus.

Remember: He loves you as a loving, gracious, generous, lavish, caring, compassionate Father . Give strength to some Heal some hurts Grace to go through

Group Questions

1. What does the Bible say about change?
2. How should we handle the changing times we are in?
3. How does things changing make you feel?
4. We all need God’s grace not just in times of change, David strengthened himself in the Lord, how can we do the same to enable us to go through the things we are facing?