Introduction

·        Psalm 138

·        I don't have to worry because God bears the burden of planning my life.

            Illustration: The main character of John Grisham's novel, The Brethren, had    powerful people working behind the scenes to get him elected while he bravely ran for president.

·        Jeremiah 29:11

·        We must yield and remain yielded so he can continue to direct our lives.

Transition: We should strive for three qualities which comprise a yielded heart so God can direct his plans for each of us.

Living a life of gratitude and thankfulness to God is living a life of praise.

·        Psalm 138:1–2

·        If God never did another good thing for any of us, we could spend the rest of our lives giving thanks to him for what he has already done.

·        Some people look at their lives and don't see anything to be thankful for.

            Illustration: A tourist in Mexico is surprised to learn that the local women are not         more grateful for the benefits of nature.

·        David gives thanks for God's unfailing love, his faithfulness, his promises, for answered prayers, encouragement, and strength.

·        We can thank God for salvation through Jesus Christ, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the Church, and family.

·        When our lives are defined by thankfulness, we are able to keep ourselves in a place where God can work out his plan for us.

·        The word "thanks" in this passage is also translated as "praise" in other versions.

Living a life of humility before God and others helps us remain yielded to God's plans for us.

·        Psalm 138:6

·        Humility does not mean a person who is timid and always looks down.

            Illustration: Underdog, a cartoon hero, didn't mind posing as a lowly show-     shine boy because he knew he was a superhero.

·        Part of being humble is accepting that you won't get credit for all you do.

·        God can't work out his plan for you if your goal is to glorify yourself.

            Illustration: Alex Haley, author of Roots, keeps a picture of a turtle on a fence             post hanging in his office to remind him that no one gets where they are by             themselves.

·        Being yielded to God means being humble.

Living a life of trust in God in the midst of trouble is exercising our yieldedness.

·        Illustration: A man gets hopelessly lost while driving in the wilderness, but his son is not worried because he trusts his father.

·        Psalm 138:7

·        God wants us to live without fear because we are with him and we trust him to take care of us.

·        Illustration: Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "The great act of faith is when a man decides he is not God."

Conclusion

·        God works out his plans for our lives as we yield to the Lordship of Christ.

·        God will not force his plan for us on us.

·        We must receive his plan for us by yielding to him in an attitude of thankfulness, humility and trust.

·        Psalm 138:8