| This work was written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Eastview Baptist Church, Kentucky. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite. |
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Psalm 78:34-39 by Joseph "Mike" Willmouth Introduction: A young soldier who was fighting in Italy during World War II jumped into a foxhole just ahead of some bullets. He immediately tried to deepen the hole for more protection and was frantically scraping away the dirt with his hands. He unearthed something metal and brought up a silver crucifix, left by a former resident of the foxhole. A moment later another leaping figure landed beside him as the shells screamed overhead. When the soldier got a chance to look, he saw that his new companion was an army chaplain. Holding out the crucifix, the soldier gasped, "Am I glad to see you! How do you work this thing?" (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited {Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988} p. 254). In this song of Asaph, he is recounting Israel's history to warn future generations against repeating the same mistakes of their forefathers. In this passage of Scripture, Asaph shares with us the response to God's anger when He destroyed many of the unfaithful Israelites. Often people during times of crisis will turn back towards God with their prayers and attendance, but once the crisis passes so does their faith. We must be careful not to have a foxhole faith. I. What It Responds To (vv.34a).
34a When He slew them. . .2. Why does God allow disasters in our lives? A. As a consequence of Adam's fall (Rom.5:12-14 ; 8:19-22).Transition: Now lets look at the defining issue about a foxhole faith when it is tested. . .1) Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."B. So men will recognize Him (Job 37:7b). II. What It Produces (vv.34b-39).
34b . . .then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God. 35 Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.Application: Many people seem to only have faith in God when a crisis comes their way. As long as their life continues without interruption, they are content to leave God out of their lives. But once a crisis does disrupt their life they quickly run to back to their church, in which they haven't attended in years, to seek God's favor in hope that He will deliver them. But once the crisis passes, they quickly forget God's goodness and return to their former way of life, a life without God as a part of it. I remember a married couple, years ago, that was in our church. The only time we saw them, was when their life was in some crisis. They would come back to church, the church would help them get through their problems, and then they would disappear again until the next crisis hit them. This is foxhole faith. There never seemed to be a walk with the Lord in between the foxholes. How many warning shots do you expect God to give you before He has to finally hit the bulls eye to get your attention? Transition: Another problem with a foxhole faith, even when God gets your attention during a crisis, it often produces. . . 2. An empty promise (v.36). A. By trying to flatter God to gain His approval (v.36a; Psa.12:2-3).Application: These individuals are only deceiving themselves with their prayers. Somehow they believe that God will be fooled by their empty promises. We all have heard (or have said them ourselves) before, "God if you get me out of this problem this time, I promise that I will. . ." These are empty promises because in truth we have no intention to fulfill them once the crisis subsides. When people do this, they are trying to make God in their image, that is, since we can flatter man to gain what we want they think that God is like sinful mankind and will respond the same way; Ecclesiastes 5:4-7, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, 'My vow was a mistake.' Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God."36a Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth. . .B. By offering prayers of lies (v.36b; Psa.101:7b; Prov.19:5, 9).1) "Nevertheless they flattered," ("pathah" {paw-thaw'}); to deceive, to entice. Foxhole faith only produces empty promises to God. Transition: The third thing that a foxhole faith will produce is. . . 3. A half-hearted faith (v.37). A. Which fails to produce a right relationship with God (v.37a; 1John2:15-17; 2Tim.4:10; Luke 15:11-32).Application: This is the heart of the problem of foxhole faith. They do not have a real relationship with God. These individual's didn't really trust God, and the covenants that He had made with them. They put their trust in themselves, and would only seek Him when the events in life went beyond their own control. A faith without totally intrusting one's life into God's hands is nothing more than an empty religion. Foxhole faith is about as useful as putting your faith in a good luck charm to protect you in the middle of a hurricane, it only gives a false hope to the holder.37a For their heart was not steadfast with Him. . .B. Which fails to put its trust in God (v.37b; 2Cor.5:7; Heb.11:1; Prov.3:5-6; Psa.40:4). Transition: finally, the ultimate thing that foxhole faith produces is. . . 4. A future judgment of God (vv.38-39). A. They deserved God's judgment, but instead they received His grace (v.38; Romans 9:15-18; Neh.9:17b; Psa.103:8; 145:8; Nah.1:3).Application: People have short memories but God doesn't. While we may turn to God in times of trouble, make promises that we have no intentions to keep, and turn back away from God once He delivers us, God has not failed to take notice. We think that He has forgotten because life returns to what it was before, when we didn't think that we needed God.38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath;B. Their lives are short, so God's judgment can wait (v.39; James 4:14; Heb.9:27; 2Cor.5:10).39 For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again. Foxhole faith is a foolish faith that fails to understand God's love and compassion for the lost and for believers. God wants all of us, all the time and not just during times of troubles. God's grace is good to those who put their trust in Him, but for those who chose a foxhole faith will only experience His judgment in the end. For the non-believer they will stand before the Great White Throne judgment of God and be found guilty and sentenced to an eternity apart from Him in the Lake of Fire (Rev.20:11-15). For the Believer, we will face the Judgment Seat of Christ, not about our salvation, but where we will either gain rewards or lose them (2Cor5:10). Your life is short, and we are reminded here that we need to make the most of it - - and that won't happen if we spend all our time living from foxhole to foxhole experience. Climb out and begin to walk with the Lord. Transition: And this point leads us to my last point. . . III. What It Takes To Get Out
Of The Foxhole. A. The Bible gives us many descriptions of about God's Word will do for us;Application: Without God's Word, the believer is like a Kindergarten Dropout in God's Kingdom. Its more than just gaining head knowledge. It's God's instruction manual for living, in both good and hard times. If we will take the time to study it, we'll spend less of our time diving into the foxholes of life.1) It's the Water that helps to keep us clean (Eph. 5:25-27).B. There are no substitutes for God's Word when it comes to the believer, because it prepares us for this life and for eternity too. Transition: Just as important as God's Word is for the believer, so is. . . 2. Seek God in prayer (Matt.7:7-8; 1Jo.1:9; Phil.4:6-7; Heb.10:19-20). A. You have to spend time with God, not only praying, but taking the time to listen to what He says to you.Application: Its one thing to know about God, and its another thing to know God. Just like any relationship, if you want a close relationship with God you have to spend time with Him. There has to be communication taking place, and this is what Prayer does. In fact, its been said that "Prayer is the breath of the soul; without it you will turn blue." Its also been said that "A church stays on its feet when its members get on their knees" (Bible Illustrator). If you wan to get out of the foxhole, you'll have to craw out on your knees. Transition: We not only be students of God's Word, and spend quality time with God in prayer, but we must apply our faith by. . . 3. Serve God (Rom.2:13; James 1:22; 2Tim.2:15; Phil.1:27a; 2Jo.1:6; 1Thes.4:1). A. Let me give you two verses to put this into perspective:Application: Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." This is true about faith also; you will never grow in your faith, if all you do is receive, you got to give of yourself to make a difference in your faith too.1) Matthew 20:28, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."B. This is the WALKING the TALK aspect of being a believer. Invitation: Hebrew Word Study V.34. V.35. V.36. V.37. V.38. V.39. |