Singing Along with David

 Read Psalm 18. 

This is a song of victory.  The inscription identifies it as written in response to being rescued from his enemies, especially Saul.  Though a warrior with his own troops engaged in the battle, David gave God full credit for His divine intervention. 

Here the sweet psalmist of Israel showed his giftedness in writing artistic poetry.  Using multiple metaphors, David described graphically who God is and how God acted on his behalf.  It began with a testimony of worship.  He sings of his love for God and here is why-

"I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." (v.3) 

1. God rescued him.

David was in a tight spot, cornered, and seemingly with no way out.  God opened a door for him to overcome the adversity.

"But the LORD was my support.  He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (vv.18b-19)

"You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." (v.36) 

2. God rewarded him.

David had done nothing wrong, yet he was being pursued to the death.  God saw his character and humility.

"So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight." (v.24) 

3. God reminded him.

In his relief and joy, David recalled a truth he already knew, but at this point he could embrace it with even stronger faith.  God is trustworthy.

"This God-his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." (v.30) 

We can all sing along with David:

"The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation." (v.46)

 

5 Prayer Requests in times of Trouble

 Read Psalm 17. 

As many other prayer songs in the book of Psalms, David was gravely concerned about attacks from his enemies.  Do not miss how confident in prayer he was.  His conscience and life were clean before God and, therefore, he came boldly into God's presence with his requests. 

David not only knew God heard his prayers but also that the LORD would answer him.  What did he ask God to do? 

1.  He wanted God's attention.

"Keep me as the apple of your eye." (v.8a)

It was the assurance that God had His eye on what was happening that provided courage. 

2. He wanted God's protection.

"Hide me in the shadow of your wings." (v.8b)

God was the refuge that was needed.  Running to the presence of the Lord brought a sense of safety, perspective, and spiritual refreshment. 

3. He wanted God's action.

"Arise, O LORD! (v.13)

God was more powerful than any enemy's threats. 

4. He wanted God's succession.

As for those who are treasured by the Lord, "They leave their abundance to their infants." (v.14)

Not only was his life and wealth a concern, but he wanted to be able to pass these blessings on to the next generation and beyond.  Leaving a legacy of faith was a top request of his. 

5. He wanted God's satisfaction.

"As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness." (v.15)

It was enough for him to able to wake up from this trouble and find the character of God stamped on his life for all to see.

 

 

Does faith in God make any difference?

 Read Psalm 16. 

King David provided an analysis of the difference his trust in the LORD made both in the present and in his future. 

1. "...in you I take refuge." (v.1)

When life became tough, God was there as a place of safety and comfort. 

2. "I have no good apart from you." (v.2)

When everything around him looked bad and even his own sin bothered him, he turned to the LORD for His forgiveness and goodness. 

3. "As for the saints...in whom is all my delight." (vv.3-4)

He loved to be with others who also trusted in God.  The mutual fellowship encouraged him.  While those who chose to place their trust in falsehoods only multiplied their sorrows in life. 

4. "The LORD...you hold my lot." (v.5)

He recognized that the sovereign hand of God ultimately controlled what he received in this life. 

5. "I have a beautiful inheritance." (v.6)

With God in control, his future provisions were secure. 

6. "I bless the LORD who gives me counsel." (v.7)

As he meditated on upcoming decisions, he listened for God to guide his thoughts. 

7. "I have set the LORD always before me."

He did not keep God compartmentalized at his place of worship.  God's presence was always in the forefront of his thinking. 

8. "My heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure." (vv.9-10)

Inside and out- heart, soul and body-was upbeat because his eternity was secured by his faith in the promises of God. 

9. "...life...fullness of joy...pleasures forevermore." (v.11)

All this was his as a result of his personal relationship with the LORD. 

Who would not want such a life as this?

Who wants to spend time with God?

 Read Psalm 15. 

Imagine being invited to a place where the LORD lives simply to enjoy time with Him.  Some would not respond to the invitation.  Some would go but feel a bit awkward.  Others would drop what they were doing to spend time with their best friend...and not want to leave. 

David queried as to who could live in the presence of God. 

Then, he made a check list for self-evaluation.

1. What I do.

Do I behave in a way that pleases Him throughout the day? 

2. What I say.

Do I always tell the truth?  Does my vocabulary and content please Him? 

3. How I treat people.

Do I help other people and do what is right by them? 

4. How I fulfill my promises.

Do I fulfill my commitments no matter what? 

5. How I respond to those in need.

Do I try to take advantage of others? 

6. How I handle my business.

Do I deal with others in honesty?  Is my character for sale? 

The invitation to spend time with God is available to all.  His door is always open.

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." (Psalm 34:15) 

Sin causes us to feel distant from God.  Coming into His presence requires confession of what is wrong and receiving His gracious forgiveness.

 

How good are you?

 Read Psalm 14. 

One of the qualities of God's character throughout the Scriptures is that He is good.  So, if a person rejects the LORD, how good can they be? 

Yes, we know people who are nice, kind and friendly.  Philanthropists accomplish tremendous good deeds around the globe.  In fact, most folks seem to want to do what is right by each other.  This has led many to assume that man is innately good.  The question then must be raised, "Good by whose standard?"  Do human acts of kindness earn merit with God?  Can a person perform enough good works to be accepted into heaven? 

This psalm clarifies God's evaluation of human character apart from Him.

1. He is a fool.

2. He is corrupt.

3. He does abominable deeds.

4. There is none who does good. 

Such statements offend our pride.  It requires humility to acknowledge our sinful nature to God and seek His mercy and forgiveness in Christ. 

The Apostle Paul quoted Psalm 14 when he wrote to the Roman Christians.  And, then he wrote, "…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:9-24) 

That may be who we are by natural birth, but we no longer need to live in that condition.  God is good and He offers that goodness to us through faith in Jesus.

 

Why does God wait to answer our Prayers?

 Read Psalm 13. 

Jesus encouraged His disciples in Luke 18:1 that they “ought always to pray and not lose heart.”  Yet, the answers to our prayers do not always come immediately.  Waiting on God to work in us and in others can be an excruciating test of our faith. 

Four times in this short song, the question is asked, “How long?”  He had prayed, but after sometime he saw nothing happening.  As a result, he felt forgotten and distant from God.  All day his mind churned on his need, wearing him down; while his enemy seemed to become stronger. 

The turning point came when he made a choice to exercise his faith rather than his doubts.  His circumstances had not yet changed, but he did. 

1.     He remembered the past.

Many times before he had trusted God and God was always faithful.  Intentionally counting one’s blessings turns our hearts to thanksgiving rather than complaining about what we do not have. 

2.     He looked to the future.

He knew that sooner or later God would provide deliverance for him.  It would be on God’s timetable, not his.  Living in the hope of that coming answer to prayer turns our hearts to rejoicing. 

3.     He took action in the present.

He replaced the thoughts full of worry and anxiety with thanksgiving and rejoicing in the LORD.  As a result, he began to sing praises “because he has dealt bountifully with me.” 

Someone once said, “When we ask God to do something for us, He generally does something in us.”

Somebody Lied!

 

Read Psalm 12. 

We are not told who it was nor what they said, but some smooth talker lied.  David became so upset that when he looked around and all he could see were liars. 

People lie in the hope that they will not be exposed.  They hide the truth for their own selfish gain and protection.  Flattery is a form of lying as it seeks the attention of another person for selfish gain of some kind.  They take advantage of the unsuspecting.  Specifically, David mentioned the poor and needy in verse 5.  God will respond. 

Lying is a sin.  And, like all sin apart from the forgiveness of Christ, lying has eternal consequences. 

"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8) 

Jesus said, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.." (Matthew 12:36) 

What was David's point?  Why would he put such an emotional issue in song and give it to the choirmaster?  He wanted everyone to know the contrast between what men may say and the trustworthiness of God's word. 

"The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." (v.6) 

God's word is of the highest quality.  His word is pure and holy.  Therefore, the Bible is totally reliable.