Turbulence

Have you ever been on a plane ride when you experienced turbulence? It can be quite alarming. I remember a time when my wife and I took a flight in a six seater airplane from Ohio to West Virginia. We hit some turbulence that had the plane going up and down as well as side to side. Thankfully we had strong enough stomachs to withstand the choppy air. When you are in an aircraft you don’t have any way out—you certainly can’t jump out. You have to endure and pray! Similarly, when we face turbulence in our Christian lives we must endure and pray. God sometimes calls us through the choppy times to cause us to trust Him more.

King David was in that kind of situation. His son Absalom was chasing him in an effort to kill him and take over the kingdom. Not an easy time of life for sure! It was during this time that he penned Psalm 25, a Psalm that reveals where David turned in the midst of turbulence. Let notice how David responded.

First, David was devoted to trusting the Lord. (Psalm 25:1-3) When life got choppy David did not look to his position, wealth or army but to his God. We are tempted in these times to turn to people, bank accounts or our own understanding. Turbulence tells who you trust. You prove that your trust is in God when in humility you take your problems to the Lord in prayer.

“When faith comes worry leaves.” —Dr. Bobby Robertson

Second, David desired to follow the Lord. (Psalm 25:4-7) David prayed to God in desperation begging God to fulfill four requests.

Show Me—David needed God to help him see the turbulence from God’s perspective. He needed to see what God was trying to do in his life. Our greatest need in the midst of trials is not to be relieved but to perceive what God is trying to teach us.
Teach Me—He had a teachable spirit. He did not clam up to God’s dealings in his life but opened his heart to instruction. David wanted to hear from God. Teachableness is a characteristic that must be apart of every believer’s life. The true test of your teachableness will take place in turbulent times.
Lead Me—This has the idea of causing a person to follow. David needed God’s help to walk in the way that God would show and teach him. This ought to be our daily prayer. Psalm 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight.
Remember Me—David’s request led him to the point of pleading for mercy and confessing sin. You cannot expect the Lord to show you, teach you and lead you unless you are willing to say, “Forgive me“. Psalm 25:11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Third, David delighted to praise the Lord. (Psalm 25:8-10) His desperate prayer turned to praise, praise for who God is. What an example of faith in God. He praised God for His goodness, guidance and grace. The fact is, even when it seems like God has been unfair or has allowed too much turbulence in your life, He has never let you down. You can praise Him in the best of times and the choppy times alike because He always will take care of His own. Psalm 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Like David, you and I must choose to look to the Lord when turbulence comes into our lives and trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

Here the sermon preached on this topic.