You will be faced with some type of crisis in your life; it may be in your marriage, career, finances, health, or even faith.  During a life crisis, God has an evacuation route in place.  King David was one of the greatest kings of Israel.  He was also known as the man after God’s own heart.  He had a special relationship with God, but that did not make him immune from adversity. There was a time in his life before he was king; King Saul was trying to kill David. Three truths helped David live an unshakable life through chaos.

God will always make your path of life known. When ever we are faced with some type of trouble God will reveal to us the path of life that we are on.

In Psalms,

“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)

David teaches that in an unshakable life:

1. OUR SHELTER IS NOT A PLACE, IT’S A PERSON.

David finds shelter in God.  In Psalms David proclaims,

“Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the Lord,

‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You.’” (Psalm 16:1-2 ESV)

David’s shelter is his personal relationship with God.  He surrenders his life over to God and finds refuge in him.  During a troubling situation, surrender to God, and pray. Instead of taking the path of worry and fear, take the path to God’s shelter. The Psalmist declares,

 “But as for me, how good it is to be near God!  I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter…” (Psalm 73:28  NLT)

God is sovereign.  He is the supreme ruler of all the Earth.  God has everything in control.  Choose God’s shelter, He holds everything together.   During troubles, David reminds us, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.” (Psalms 16:5 ESV)

 During trials it is easy to fall into a faulty shelter.  A faulty shelter does not really help us, but it offers a false sense of comfort or security.  False shelters can be found in drinking, smoking, food, and hobbies.   In commercial buildings there are emergency routes that lead to safety, they are normally marked in red.  In the New Testament, Jesus’ words are written in red.  His words will guide and lead to His shelter.

The “RED PATH” scripture guides by stating, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

Jesus reminds us that in the world we will face troubles. Those troubles can be extremely intense and hold great pressure.  When pressure builds up, there needs to be a release. Instead of running to faulty shelters, run to Jesus and trust in Him.  By finding shelter in Jesus there will be peace.

David also teaches that to live an unshakeable life during trials:

2. CHOOSE TO WORSHIP.

David says, “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me” (Psalm 16:7 ESV).

David worships God during times of trial. He blesses God and receives guidance from Him.  It is critical to worship God during times of trouble.  Instead of falling into the pressures of trouble, the heart of worship will change us.  Worship songs are not just music; they can be prophetic words from God speaking to our hearts. 

We need to posture our hearts towards God.  Worship aids the posture of our hearts.  We can easily allow the flesh to take over and things like anger, gossip, sin and guilt can take control. The Devil will feed on sin and guilt. God will feed on the praises of His people.  Don’t give the Devil any food; give your worship for God to delight in.

God knows our struggles.  We need to be vigilant in our commitment to do what is right in life, rather than settling for what is convenient.  No matter how tough things will be, we need to be responsible and take the right path in life.  God will always be faithful and guide us through our struggles.

GOD KNOWS WHEN WE NEED GUIDANCE.

The “RED PATH” scripture says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13 NIV).

God is the spirit of truth.  He will guide us in all situations.  He will use His word, our worship, and even a spirit of truth friend.  A spirit of truth friend is a friend who is grounded in Jesus and will help us seek Him.

Lastly to live an unshakeable life David says,

3. STAY CLOSELY CONNECTED TO YOUR SHELTER.

 As the Bible says, “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8 ESV).

By surrendering to God and placing Him first, He will be in control. God is greater than our problems and burdens. When we choose to control our own lives, we may steer it in the wrong direction to disaster. By placing God first, He will direct us on the right path to safety. God will be at our right hand to defend us through any circumstances; He will never reject or abandon us.  God is our shelter.

The “RED PATH” scripture says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing”

(John 15:5 NIV).

Without Jesus we can’t do anything. God wants us to have that childlike faith, humility and dependence that allows us to fully surrender to Him. In God’s shelter, He will guide us and help us to grow.   He wants us to stay close to Him and build our confidence through Him. 

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak these three truths to live an unshakable life. God is our shelter; when we worship God, He will guide us; by staying closely connected to God He will help us grow.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is worship important?
2. How does God guide us?
3. Why is it important to stay close to God?
4. In times of chaos what are the three truths to live an unshakeable life?
5. How is God our shelter?