What to do when trapped in Distress

Read Psalm 54.

Do not miss the inscription of the song.

David ran for his life from King Saul.  He found refuge in the Wilderness of Ziph.  In this rugged terrain of mountains and hills, there were natural caves.  The Ziphites were of the tribe of Judah, like David.  Surely, he would be safe surrounded by kinfolks.

But in 1 Samuel 23:19-20, the Ziphites went straight to Saul to report David's hiding place, complete with directions on how to get there!  King Saul wasted no time in pursuing and surrounding David.  If ever there was a time to feel betrayed and panic, this would have been it.

What did David do when it looked as if there was no way out?  He looked up.  God is more powerful than any army.  He is able to overrule any and all human authorities.  It was a simple matter for the Lord to cause a Philistine uprising at that exact same time, prompting Saul to retreat.

1. David cried out to God. (vv.1-3)

His first response to the crisis was prayer.

2. David knew that his life was ultimately in God's hands. (vv.4-5)

In a battle it helps to have an army.  But the help he truly needed was not more warriors on his side.  "God is my helper."  It was his faith in the LORD that sustained him.

3. David took action steps in response to God's deliverance. (vv.6-7)

How many times God has answered prayer for someone only to see them go back to life as usual?  This robs God of His glory!  Not so of David.

-He presented to the LORD a freewill offering.  He called it a sacrifice.  This was over and above his tithe.

-He publicly expressed his gratitude to God for this answer to prayer and for what the LORD had done.

-And, he wrote this song for the entire nation to sing.

Today, over 3,000 years later, we read and identify with him.  When surrounded by problems and distress, the God of heaven waits for our dependence on Him.

"Call to me and I will answer you..." (Jeremiah 33:3)

A response to those who think they do not need God

Read Psalm 53.

The atheists’ national holiday must be April 1 according to King David.  So, what does life look like apart from God?  And, what should be the prayer of those who believe?

1. The Pervasiveness of Sin. (vv.1-3)

Without God there is no ultimate accountability for life and personal actions.  A person deems themselves as their own master, their own god, and can make up their own rules for life.  In doing so, one becomes a fool in morals and philosophy.  Corruption and injustice are the results.  "There is none who does good, not even one."  The Apostle Paul quoted these verses in Romans 3:10-12.  Sin separates us from God and motivates us to make foolish decisions.

2. The Perplexity of Sinners. (vv.4-5)

Without God people live lives of paradox.  On one hand they are ever seeking "to know," but on the other hand they are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  On one hand they want so-called intellectual freedom, but on the other hand they reject and mock God's word and anyone who believes it.  The Apostle Peter called this type of thinking willful ignorance (2 Peter 3:5 KJV).  In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  There are not multiple ways to heaven; there is one.  Jesus is truth personified.  To reject Him is to exist without ever understanding life.

3. The Prayer of the Believer. (v.6)

David looked forward to the day of God's deliverance, not only for himself but his nation.  That would be a day of restoration and joy.  Fortunately, believers today can read and know how this story will turn out.  While the world continues to erode in their foolishness, it is all in preparation for the revealing of Jesus in His power and glory.  What a day that will be!

"Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20b)

When evil people Attack

Read Psalm 52.

How do you respond when people say bad things about you?  How do you feel when those same people hurt others whom you love? 

In 1 Samuel 21-22, David ran from King Saul's death threats.  Along the way he stopped for a visit with the priests at Nob for food and weapons.  Doeg, who worked for Saul, witnessed this and reported it back to the King.  Then, Saul slaughtered every priest, man, woman, child and animal in Nob.  Surely, Doeg was rewarded and promoted as a result.

David, in writing this song of remembrance, looked beyond the personal betrayal and the resulting holocaust with a spiritual perspective.

1. What was David's perspective of Doeg?

He was not only a betrayer, he was evil; a pawn in the hand of Satan.  This evil man boasted about what he had done.  His mind loved to plot evil and to destroy.  He trusted in his abundance of money as a refuge.

2. What was David's perspective of God?

Doeg and these disasters did not change the character of God one bit.  His love continued to be consistent and unmoved (v.2a).  God did not miss, nor overlook, Doeg's doings.  Severe judgment would come (v.5).

3. What was David's perspective of himself?

He could have blamed himself and wallowed in guilt, but none of this was his fault.

-He used this time to grow spiritually. (v.8a)

-His trust in the LORD never wavered. (v.8b)

-He expressed thanks to the LORD for taking care of this evil. (v.9a)

-He waited upon the Lord but not in solitude.  He surrounded himself with other believers. (v.9b) 

2 Demonstrations of Forgiveness

Read Psalm 51.

All sin is ultimately against the LORD.  The penalty for our sin was paid for by the blood of Jesus on the cross.  Therefore, true forgiveness is available only from God.

Guilt is designed to prod us to seek God's forgiveness.  Inside, we feel dirty, unclean, even damaged.  The inscription refers to 2 Samuel 12.  King David was guilty of adultery, murder, and a cover up.  But God loved David too much to allow him to get away with sin.  Notice the words David used to describe his need of God's mercy and help.

-wash me (v.2)

-cleanse me (v.2)

-purge me (v.7)

-heal me (v.8)

-create in me a clean heart (v.10)

-renew a right spirit within me (v.10)

-restore me (v.12)

-uphold me (v.12)

-deliver me (v.14)

Now forgiven, notice also that David looked forward to serving God once again with a clear conscience.

1. "Then I will teach transgressors your ways." (v.13)

Forgiven people want others to experience what they have.  Every believer in Jesus has an authentic story to tell of what God has done for them.

2. "Then will you delight in right sacrifices." (v.19)

Even in the Old Testament, sacrifices and offerings were to represent a humble, repentant, and grateful heart.  Merely going through the motions of ritual was never acceptable to God.  But when our hearts are clean, our offerings delight Him.

Telling and giving are two ways we demonstrate that we have been forgiven by God.

God is talking. Listen in.

Read Psalm 50.

All day long, God is speaking.  He is not silent.  What is He saying? (vv.1-4)

1. Concerning the Owner (vv.5-11)

Everything belongs to Me.  What you are offering to Me is only what I gave you.

2. Concerning the Offering (vv.12-15)

I am self-sufficient.  I do not need anything.

What I want from you are expressions of your appreciation and thanks.  Then, your offerings will mean something and your prayers will be answered.

3. Concerning the Others (vv.16-21)

Because of your rejection of Me and your sinful behavior, you have no rights.  Therefore, I rebuke you and charge you in judgment.

4. Concerning the Options (vv.22-23)

If you continue to disregard Me, there is only severe and eternal punishment waiting.

If you choose to live a life of thanksgiving to Me for who I AM and what I have done, there is eternal deliverance for you.

Are you listening?

What money cannot Buy

Read Psalm 49.

The psalmist was bothered by some people of wealth who had cheated him.  Evidently, they thought they could buy their way out of any difficulty.  Money had given them power.

So, this song was written to provide a perspective of wisdom and understanding to life.  Money cannot buy and control everything.  Exhibit A is death.  At that final moment, it will not matter who the person was or what they had accumulated.  Like all living things on earth death is certain.

Therefore to build one's life on temporal values that one day will all be left behind is called "foolish confidence" (v.13 ESV).  In Hebrew that means stupidity, folly, silliness.  Why would anyone place their faith in things that will not last?  There is not a shred of wisdom in ignoring eternity and accountability to God!

Wise people know better.  "But God" (v.15).  He stepped in and paid the price of our ransom from the captivity and bondage of sin.  "In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace..." (Ephesians 1:7)

The root problem with all man-made, demonic inspired faith systems is pride.  Some put their faith in government.  Some choose to trust philosophies.  Some depend upon religious traditions.  All think they know better than the One who created them.  All of them willfully choose to ignore their sin problem and that one day they will stand before the LORD.  There will be no excuses then.

Job reminds us, "Naked I came from my mother' womb, and naked shall I return."  Hebrews 9:27-"And just as it is appointed to die once, and after that comes judgment."

We have this one life to do what is right and respond to God's love and forgiveness.

Take a look Around

Read Psalm 48.

The praise continues into this song.  But what or who is being praised?  The view moves back and forth.

1. Taking a temporal look.

The beauty and setting of the city of Jerusalem literally stopped people in their tracks.  The writer tells of enemy forces marching against the city from as far away as Tarshish (Spain).  But when they came to the mount and look up, the shear splendor of the walls, towers, and structures caused them to turn back.  The nation sang about the blessings they enjoyed.  They praised God for their buildings.

2. Taking an eternal look.

Yet, it was not the bricks and mortar that thrilled the people of Jerusalem.  They knew that all the walls in the world could not protect them.  It was the unbelievers who saw only the temporal things.  The believers in the LORD had a spiritual perspective.  They praised the God of heaven for His provision of the beautiful structures, but even more they exalted His power and authority that protected them.  The LORD had made Himself known in their city (v.3).

3. Taking a personal look.

Prior to the historical incident involved, they had heard of the power of God, but now they had seen it with their own eyes (8).  What they had heard was true.  He all-powerful, no one can successfully come against Him.  He puts to flight every false way.  He is worthy of praise.  But their concern did not stop there.  They wanted to be sure the next generation knew and placed their faith in the LORD.

Look around today. Where have you seen God's protection?  Where has He provided?  Be sure to let others know about it.