tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42377541155804392572023-06-20T20:58:05.535-07:00The Barnabas Notes The Sermon Notes & Bible Studies of Philip HarrelsonPhilip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-18513918601094738712015-10-25T14:14:00.000-07:002015-10-25T14:14:13.235-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 17 -- Savior, Savior Hear My Humble Cry<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">SAVIOR,
SAVIOR, HEAR MY HUMBLE CRY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">TEXT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 17:1-15<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalms 17:1-15 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <b>A
Prayer of David.</b> Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto
my prayer, <i>that goeth</i> not out of feigned lips. <b>2</b> Let
my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that
are equal. <b>3</b> Thou hast proved mine heart; thou
hast visited <i>me</i> in the night; thou hast tried me, <i>and</i> shalt find
nothing; I am purposed <i>that</i> my mouth shall not transgress. <b>4</b> Concerning
the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept <i>me from</i> the paths
of the destroyer. <b>5</b> Hold up my goings in thy
paths, <i>that</i> my footsteps slip not. <b>6</b> I have
called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, <i>and</i>
hear my speech. <b>7</b> Shew thy marvellous
lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust
<i>in thee</i> from those that rise up <i>against them.</i> <b>8</b> Keep
me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, <b>9</b> From
the wicked that oppress me, <i>from</i> my deadly enemies, <i>who</i> compass
me about. <b>10</b> They are inclosed in their own fat:
with their mouth they speak proudly. <b>11</b> They have
now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the
earth; <b>12</b> Like as a lion <i>that</i> is greedy of
his prey, and as it were </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">a
young lion lurking in secret places. <b>13</b> Arise, O
LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, <i>which
is</i> thy sword: <b>14</b> From men <i>which are</i> thy
hand, O LORD, from men of the world, <i>which have</i> their portion in <i>this</i>
life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid <i>treasure:</i> they are full
of children, and leave the rest of their <i>substance</i> to their
babes. <b>15</b> As for me, I will behold thy face in
righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">I.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">INTRODUCTION—THE OLD SONG<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-I would
hope that all of us have at least heard if not sung one of the old classics of
bygone years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a song that was
frequently sung by those who were under some of the greatest burdens and
sorrows of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it was not
just a song it was something of an anthem for the weary and pressured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Verse 1:</span></b><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pass me not, O gentle Savior,<br />
hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Verse 2:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me at thy throne of mercy find a sweet
relief,<br />
kneeling there in deep contrition; help my unbelief.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Verse 3:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trusting only in thy merit,<br />
would I seek thy face; heal my wounded, broken spirit, save me by thy grace.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Verse 4:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou the spring of all my comfort, more than
life to me, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Whom have I on earth beside thee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whom in heaven but thee?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-This
psalm has the same tone of voice that this song has. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">II.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">KINDS OF PSALMS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Anyone
who reads the Psalms finds them to be a very majestic group of songs that can
literally help us to experience the voice of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Word of God is “God-breathed” (2 Tim.
3:16) then we take in that breath to our souls when we read the Psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Perhaps
no other book in the Bible shows the variety of human emotions that a man will
feel in his walk through life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
can see them as a group of songs, it opens them up to us even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why that serious Bible study is
important as a spiritual discipline for saints of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To think deeply about Scripture is to pull it
into your life and let it shape you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hymn Psalms</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—Begin with a call to worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All through these kinds of psalms it tells us of the reasons that we
ought to worship God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Lament Psalms</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—They have a tone of distress, weariness, struggle, and pain in
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The psalmists are facing problems
or calamities or sometimes it is even the confession of a sin that he speaks
that has taken him low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is
something compelling about the lament psalms; they express a sense of
confidence that the Lord will come to their rescue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Thanksgiving Psalms</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—They express thanks for a blessing or some crucial need that has
been met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Remembrance Psalms</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—These look back at a place or an instance when God intervened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They speak to heritage points, they are
anniversaries of God’s power, and they help us to remember that there are some
great things that are in the past also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Wisdom Psalms</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—These psalms will take two contrasting ways of life—one to be
followed and another to be shunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-When
you read through the Psalms give consideration to the kinds of psalms that you
are reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">III.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">PSALM 17—SAVIOR, SAVIOR, HEAR MY HUMBLE
CRY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-This
psalm is far more than a song!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we can
see in the superscription, it is a prayer of David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the 150 psalms, there are only five of
them that are specified as prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 90</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—A prayer of Moses, the man of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 102</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out
his complaint before the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 142</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—A prayer of David when he was in the cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Biblical
scholars are unclear as to the time that it was written in David’s life, in
fact some seem to think that this prayer is a conglomerate of the times when
David faced some of his greatest enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are others who seem to think that this was simply another occasion
when David was feeling the pressure of fleeing from Saul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-This
psalm speaks to our greatest need—prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a heartfelt prayer that is filled with the pressure of the
situation that David is in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shows the
greatness of God and it hints at dark attitudes of enemies in spiritual
warfare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">John Bunyan</span></b><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—Prayer is a shield to the
soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Prayer
to God is the most powerful rebuttal we can deliver when we are under the
attack of godless and cold enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They have callous hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Their words are arrogant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They have watched him with
alert eyes to trap him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They have tracked David
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They have surrounded him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They have thrown him to the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They are like lions hungry
for the prey, fierce lions stalking him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-That
is the picture that we notice through this Psalm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-When
David feels the pressure of their presence, he cannot help but to cry out to
the Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Rise up, Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Confront them, Jehovah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Bring them down, Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Rescue me, Redeemer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Save me, Kindly Light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Before
we move into the heart of this Psalm, I want to point out three words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hear, v. 1; Hold, v. 5; and Hide, v. 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the cry that David is pouring out to
the Lord in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hear me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hide me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-A
good outline that I will follow with this particular psalm is one I am
borrowing from Steven Lawson’s fine two-volume preaching commentary on the
Psalms:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 17:1-2—See Me!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalms 17:1-2 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <b>A Prayer of
David.</b> Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer,
<i>that goeth</i> not out of feigned lips. <b>2</b> Let
my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that
are equal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-In Psalm
16, David is clear that the danger is at the distance but in Psalm 17, David is
clear that the danger is present and close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-This is a
prayer of David but it goes even beyond that aspect of a prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David was reasoning with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some might ask how that David is reasoning
with the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does this by asking
the Lord to “hear the right” and he tells the Lord that his prayer is not from
“feigned lips.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-“Feigned
lips” are lips that are not genuine or authentic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is telling the Lord that his life is not
spent in spiritual fakery or hypocrisy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Charles Spurgeon</span></b><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—Sincerity is an indispensable
factor in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lips of deceit are detestable
to man but much more to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
something so hallowed as prayer, hypocrisy even in the remotest degree is fatal
as it is foolish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hypocritical piety is
double iniquity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He who would feign and
flatter had better try his craft with a fool like himself, for to deceive the
all-seeing One is as impossible as to take the moon into a net, or to lead the
sun into a snare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He who would deceive
God is himself already most grossly deceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our sincerity in prayer has no merit in it, any more than the
earnestness of a beggar in the street; but at the same time the Lord has regard
to it and will not refuse his ear to an honest and fervent petitioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Many of the
old preachers from generations past encouraged the saints to reason with the
Lord in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be if far from me to say
that God needs a man to argue with Him or even make an effort at self-justification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there certainly needs to be clarity of
our prayer as it enters into a conversation with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Reasoning
with the Lord in prayer will make your praying sharper and more focused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far too many falls into the trap of praying
like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord, bless ‘em and bless ‘em
good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-But when we
can reason with the Lord in prayer it makes so much more of an impact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-He ends
verse 2 with the cry of “see me” in the path of godliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David is not claiming perfection or perfect
innocence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he is telling the Lord he
is not guilty of what his accusers are claiming about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">B.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 17:3-5—Search Me!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalms 17:3-5 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> Thou hast
proved mine heart; thou hast visited <i>me</i> in the night; thou hast tried
me, <i>and</i> shalt find nothing; I am purposed <i>that</i> my mouth shall not
transgress. <b>4</b> Concerning the works of men, by the
word of thy lips I have kept <i>me from</i> the paths of the
destroyer. <b>5</b> Hold up my goings in thy paths, <i>that</i>
my footsteps slip not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-David
shows us some of the conditions that accompany prayer in this section:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Search Me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Prove my heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Visit me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Try me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Examine me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Test me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-David’s
response in prayer is very telling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nowhere do we see any hint that he is going to take out his own personal
vengeance in all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a
challenge for his times and it is a challenge for our times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our flesh can rise up when we are attacked
but we have to realize that there are times where we have to simply leave
things alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has a way of bringing
necessary justice to the situations of our lives . . . if not down here then
certainly beyond this life there will be a reckoning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-David
responds by asking God to undertake the situation on his behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-But
there is something else that has to be pointed out in this segment . . . David’s
cry is for the Lord to examine, to try, to visit, and to test him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the Lord does His part but David also
opens up another avenue to us with his prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is the pursuit of holiness that we see in this passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I purposed my mouth should
not transgress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I avoided the path of the
destroyer (i.e. I did not seek out a confrontation.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My goings was in your paths
of righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My feet have not slipped on
the slippery slope of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Hold
up my goings so that my feet do not slip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes the enemies of the soul are not so much external as they are
internal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jude said that the Lord is
able to keep you from falling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-The
longer I read this Book and understand it; holiness is found in every angle of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the process of
sanctification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, I am to
pursue it and put these actions into practice in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Don’t transgress with your
mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Don’t seek out unnecessary
confrontations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Walk in the path of
righteous and holiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Refuse to fall into the trap
of temptation and sinful behavior that ruins your witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Holiness
is so much more than a list of rules or the Articles of Faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holiness is having a God-entranced view of
this world and then navigating through it in a way that will honor him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-It is
important for the life of a praying person to reach for a place where we can
live beyond reproach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Isaiah 59:1-2 (KJV)</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> Behold, the LORD'S hand is
not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot
hear: <b>2</b> But your iniquities have separated between
you and your God, and your sins have hid <i>his</i> face from you, that he will
not hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-This is a
powerful passage for all who will approach the Lord in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is mighty to save but there are
limitations to how He can respond to those who are appealing to Him in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Open and un-confessed
sin is a great prayer barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other
hand, an upright life is a strong support for an appeal to God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-The matter
of prayer involves searching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look well
to your praying!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the important
aspects of prayer is found in these verses. . . Search me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Self-examination is necessary:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are we being disobedient?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are we doing something that we
know is wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are we defying God’s Word?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are we neglecting the Lord’s Day?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Have we been stealing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Have we been committing sexual
sins?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What of lying or coveting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are we being selfish?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are we neglecting an important
duty like work, paying our bills, or giving to God’s work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Is there a wrong we need to make
right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Are our priorities in order?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Luke 6:46
has an arresting question from the Lord to consider:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the
things I say? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">C.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 17:6-7—Show Me!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalms 17:6-7 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> I have called
upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, <i>and</i>
hear my speech. <b>7</b> Shew thy marvellous
lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust
<i>in thee</i> from those that rise up <i>against them.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Show me
your loving-kindness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would the Lord
do something like that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God out of great
kindness has come to the poorest, most illiterate, most obscure, and the guiltiest
of our entire race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just think of how
you came into the church!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Some little altar somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Some little church somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Some poor soul met you and shared
the gospel with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Some little revival among the most
common people on the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Paul would
say it another way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> For
ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not
many mighty, not many noble, <i>are called:</i> <b>27</b> But
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God
hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty; <b>28</b> And base things of the world, and
things which are despised, hath God chosen, <i>yea,</i> and things which are
not, to bring to nought things that are: <b>29</b> That
no flesh should glory in his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-There is a Cross that this love of God is anchored
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a love that cost the life of
our Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God commendeth His love
toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Charles
Spurgeon</span></b><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—But it is wonderful how God deals with us with such a
sacred ingenuity of tenderness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seems
to be always thinking of something for our good; while we, on our part, appear
to be always testing his love in one way or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some fresh want is discovered only to receive
a new supply of grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some fresh sin
breaks out only to be blotted out with the ever-pardoning blood of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get into fresh difficulties only to
receive fresh aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The further I go on
my way to heaven, the more I do admire the road as I wonder at the goal to
which that road shall bring me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-That loving-kindness that David was seeking has been
extended to us who are believers:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It
has pardoned us from our sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It
has delivered us from our trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It
has brought to us a great confidence and joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It
has called us to a life of service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-He has shown us his great kindness!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">D.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 17:8-12—Shield Me!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalms 17:8-12 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> Keep me as the
apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, <b>9</b> From
the wicked that oppress me, <i>from</i> my deadly enemies, <i>who</i> compass
me about. <b>10</b> They are inclosed in their own fat:
with their mouth they speak proudly. <b>11</b> They have
now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the
earth; <b>12</b> Like as a lion <i>that</i> is greedy of
his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-David’s
enemies are described here in a greater detail:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The wicked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The deadly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The callous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The proud<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The lions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-David uses
an expression here that is worth digging into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He says they are enclosed in their own fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other translations render that verse in the
following ways:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Rotherham</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—Their own fat heart have they shut
up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Spurrell</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—They are fortified in their own
esteem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">New English Bible</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—They have stifled all compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">DeWitt</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—Their gross hearts they have
closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Moffatt</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—Their hearts are closed to pity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Amplified</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—They are enclosed in their own
prosperity and have shut up their heart to pity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">ESV</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">—They close their hearts to
pity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-These
enemies of David either have eyes that is enclosed with fat so that they can
hardly see out of them or their hearts are so fat that they are stupid and
senseless and devoid of the fear of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-The phrase
hints at the fact that they have a vast holding of wealth and a grip of power
on the earth that their own pride and vanity has reached a state where they do
not fear God or man. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These kinds of
people are powerful and control the destinies not just of men but also of
nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-David has
detailed to us that they have it out for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But his shield is found in verse 8. . . Keep me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Keep me with your protection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Keep me with your guard, protected
from smooth words of sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Keep me in the sheepfold,
protected from wolves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Keep me in the church, protected
from the howling demons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Keep me in the place of communion,
protected from every wind of doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Keep me in the meditation of the
Word, protected by discernment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Keep me in the place of prayer,
protected from the burdens of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-A child of
God is kept in the eye of God and he has a place of protection under the shadow
of His wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">E.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 17:13-14—Save Me!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalms 17:13-14 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> Arise, O LORD,
disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, <i>which is</i>
thy sword: <b>14</b> From men <i>which are</i> thy hand,
O LORD, from men of the world, <i>which have</i> their portion in <i>this</i>
life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid <i>treasure:</i> they are full
of children, and leave the rest of their <i>substance</i> to their babes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-The degree
of terror experienced by the psalmist is evident in verses 8-12 but now he is
calling for them to be exterminated from the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sword of the Lord is called upon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is an interesting sword that David is
expressing confidence in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-David
is literally requesting for the Lord to use the wicked men, his enemies, to
become a sword that the Lord will use to devour each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord has ways of pitting one enemy
against another and letting the righteous escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-The
Lord does this kind of thing all through His Holy Book:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Babylon is used as a hammer
of the Lord to bruise the nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Assyria is used as a rod to
scourge the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Satan did service to God by
afflicting Job, sifting Peter, buffeting Paul, and executing Judas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-All
of these will have their end when God finally gets finished . . . You can put
your trust and confidence in God that ISIS, Russia, Syria, Iran, and the radial
jihadists are never going to have the last say . . . They are simply swords in
the hands of each other that do with the will of God for His cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-The
psalmist does not just stop with the sword but he wants them to have their
stomachs filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other translations
speak of this passage like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The hidden food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The leftovers (NIV).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Precious reserves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Mortal gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Paul
may have been alluding to this when he wrote, “by thy hard and impenitent
heart” (Rom. 2:5, cf. Job 20:26; Psalm 83:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-From
the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Life Application Study Bible</b> on
Psalm 17:13-15:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: green;">We
deceive ourselves when we measure our happiness or contentment with the amount
of wealth and possessions that we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we put riches at the top of our value system their power, pleasure,
and security overshadow the eternal relationship that we have with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think we will be happy or content only
when we get riches but we discover that they don’t really satisfy and they only
fade away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The true measurement is found
in the love of God and doing His will.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">F.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 17:15—Satisfy Me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br />
</span><b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalms 17:15 (KJV)</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> As for me, I will
behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy
likeness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-In this
psalm there are two awakenings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In verse
3, David wrote that the Lord had visited him during the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Lord awakens us during our nights of
trouble, He brings a comforting peace to the mind and the soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-But there
is another awakening that David is looking forward to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is speaking of awakening to a new life, a
body of immortality, which will have the very likeness of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In life and death, God is all to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">IV.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">CONCLUSION—HOW WE ARE TO LOOK AT THIS PRAYER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-The last
verse of this psalm causes us to make a comparison with two other psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Psalm
18:30. . . As for God, his way is perfect. . . No matter what happens in our
lives—sickness, financial calamity, trouble, family problems—God does not make
mistakes—His way is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Psalm
103:15. . . As for man, his days are like grass. . . Man, David says, I have
learned not to expect too much out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Psalm
17:15. . . As for me, when I awake in the resurrection, I will be able to see
the glory of the Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-That is how
we are to really look at this life:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">God makes no mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Mankind is not very dependable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As for each of us, we have to know
that our hope lies beyond all the distress of life that we have experienced
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Savior,
Savior. . . Hear my humble cry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Philip
Harrelson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">October 24,
2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-85231292019627654222015-10-25T14:12:00.000-07:002015-10-25T14:12:09.317-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 16 -- The Preservation of a Godly Man<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THE PRESERVATION
OF A GODLY MAN<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TEXT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 16:1-11<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 16:1-11 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in
thee do I put my trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[2]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness
extendeth not to thee;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[3]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom
is all my delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[4]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Their sorrows shall be
multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I
not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[5]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance
and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[6]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The
lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly
heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[7]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will bless the LORD,
who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[8]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have set the LORD always before me: because
he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[9]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory
rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[10]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither
wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[11]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy
presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">I.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">INTRODUCTION—THE
NECESSITY OF PREACHING</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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-This is a personal confession of sorts in that I know
that we have been tracking through the Psalms for several months now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I have not preached from the Psalms
every time I have preached, I know that I am going against the typical Pentecostal
tradition by doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-Yet, I feel like the Lord has been dealing with me for
quite some time now to change the direction of my preaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recently read an analogy that likened
expository preaching, which is the method that I have been doing in the Psalms
series, the life of David series, the Acts messages, the 1<sup>st</sup> John
series, and the Sermon on the Mount, to reading a book all the way through from
start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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-The analogy that I read likened topical preaching and
textual preaching which is the primary tradition that Pentecostal preaching
revolves around to taking a book, in fact, think of your favorite book and
starting on page 147 and read through 154.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the next time you pick the book back up, you start a page 17 and
read through page 37 and put it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
few days later you pick it back up and read pages 243 through 267.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not the way that we read books and
yet that is the way that preachers sometime get into the habit of
preaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sort of all over the place
and there is no real cohesiveness that comes to those who hear the
message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-As I have settled into the role of preaching in one
place for consecutive weeks on end, it is my desire to instill in you the fact
that preaching and the hearing of the Word of the Lord is an act of worship
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far too often we have equated
worship with simply singing but worship in a church service starts from the
time you settle into the pew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worship
when we pray, sing, give, hear others sing, pray, and see others give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worship when we hear the Word being read
and preached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worship when we are in
the altar praying for others or needs in our own lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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-<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A diligent
preacher is to be a student of the Word</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is to be a diligent student of Scripture for the rest of his
life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never want to fall into the category
of relying on sermons that I have preached in the past and never finding
spiritual growth that takes place when we engage in the Word of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holiness can take root in the soul of a man
who is willing to apply himself to the Scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-One old preacher wrote that if there is a mist in the
pulpit there will be a fog in the pew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps that may explain the reason that American “churchianity” is in
the condition it is now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-There are some helpful ways that you can enhance what
takes place when a man is preaching:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can take notes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can be a reader
of the Word of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can be a
listener to the Word of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can invest time
in personal Bible study by using Bible study guides that move your mind into a
place of thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can tell someone
else what you have heard a pastor preach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can go back
through your own notes and add to them as you read the points you wrote
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You can pray over
the things you want to incorporate into your own spiritual growth.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-All of these things goes into your own personal
spiritual growth and it literally is an act of worship when you do these
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-Over the last couple of weeks, I have found myself
immersed in a book by James White entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pulpit
Crimes—The Criminal Mishandling of God’s Word</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a book on preaching and it has been
very thought provoking and soul enriching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-White began the book by telling a story about a pastor
who had a growing church but came to a biblical text that he knew if he
preached it the way the Bible laid it out, it would be biblically sound but
would not be ear tickling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he
adjusted the message he preached so it would fit what he wanted it to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, in an awkward moment with White,
the preacher said, “But it just preaches so good like that!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the trap of pragmatism, meaning if it
works then let’s do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot
of churches that are growing because they are doing what works and not what is
biblically sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dare not fall into
that trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of feeding sheep,
they are entertaining goats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-I don’t want turn this into a book report but I do feel
that just a mention of what White calls “pulpit crimes” can be helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He notes that preachers can be guilty of the
following:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prostitution</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Falling
into the trap of letting money be the chief ends to church work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pandering to Pluralism</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Equivocating
on whether or not Jesus is the only way to be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old “all roads lead to heaven” trap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Cowardice Under Fire</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—When
the ministry buckles and compromises under the attack of the enemies of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Entertainment</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—God
is not honored when the pulpit becomes a place of entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Eisegesis</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Reading
into the text things that are not there and then packaging them as the
Truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Cross Dressing</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—When
women are allowed to fill roles as pastors and bishops, this is totally opposed
to the instructions left to us in the Pastoral Epistles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pulpit Rockstars</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—When
a church is built around a single individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those kinds of churches never make it through the second generation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Body Count</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
trap of the mega-church syndrome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Identity Theft</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Never
pushing for members to become more like saints and look less like the world so
that the identity of the church mirrors that of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Warranty Fraud</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Just
presenting the idea that all people really have to do is “believe” in
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A simple mental assent is enough
to cause one to believe that they are saved. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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-You may wonder why I take preaching so seriously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That introduction is just the tip of the
iceberg!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">II.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PSALM
16<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A
Michtam of David<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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-This psalm falls into the category of a michtam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are six psalms of this nature out of
the whole 150 psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 16 followed
by Psalms 56-60 are all the michtams of David. <o:p></o:p></div>
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-A michtam has various meanings:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">To cover<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">To reveal a great
mystery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">To have a hidden
meaning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A golden passage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A covered
(whispered) prayer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A silent prayer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is prophetic because it points to the
resurrection of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can find
Peter making this connection in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost and in Acts 13
when Paul was preaching in Antioch in Acts 13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both connected Psalm 16 with the resurrection of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We often forget that there were times that the Lord
moved on David and he filled the role of a prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was done without fanfare but nevertheless
the used him in this manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is also one that we can see the confidence of
faith pouring out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what
may face a child of God, we may put our confidence in the Lord and see Him work
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 16 is divided up into six “strophes” or
divisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first division in vv. 1-2
considers the well-being of a saint on the earth and the sixth division in v.
11 celebrates eternal and spiritual happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">III.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PSALM
16—THE PRESERVATION OF A GODLY MAN<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I am borrowing an outline from John Phillips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His commentary <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Psalms—Volume 1</i> is where it comes from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called this psalm the preservation of a
godly man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Increasingly the desire of all saints of the Lord is to
be a godly person which will require time and effort on our part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be a godly man or a godly woman will mean
some things:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">That you are filled
with the Spirit—Ephesians 5:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">That you are filled
with the Word—Colossians 3:16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">That you walk in the
Spirit—Romans 8:1-3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">That you know how to
pray—Ephesians 6:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">That you know how to
live a consistent life—1 Timothy 2:2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">That you know how to
help and disciple others—Matthew 28:19; 1 Timothy 4:12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There must be a constant prayer in our heart to see this
fulfilled in our own walk with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm
16:1-4—The Practice of a Godly Man<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 16:1-4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in
thee do I put my trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[2]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>O
my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth
not to thee;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[3]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to the saints that
are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[4]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten
after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up
their names into my lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo8; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Living
in the Lord’s Presence—vv. 1-2<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The first cry out of David’s mouth is that of a
prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preserve me, O God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not know exactly at what point David is
crying out this prayer but it is under great duress and he seems to think that
he is literally in the presence of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word “preserve” is one where that David is crying
out for the Lord to put a hedge around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is exactly what took place with Job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a hedge about him so that the devil
could not attack him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often are led
into the thinking that the devil can just step over into our lives at his own
will and desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing could be
further from the truth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-A child of God has been hedged in so that nothing that
comes in his direction is allowed inside of that hedge unless God allows it to
be so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the whole force of what
David was saying to the Lord. . . Preserve me. . . My trust is already in You.
. . But let me feel the strength of the hedge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Our health is hedged
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Our families are
hedged in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Our marriages are
hedged in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Our jobs are hedged
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Our needs are hedged
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Our future is hedged
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Our salvation is
hedged in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When you live in the presence of the Lord, there are
preservations that come to us that often go unrecognized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With every preservation that the Lord brings
to us, there is a corresponding blessing that ought to pour out of our mouth
for what the Lord has done for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Preserve me, O God. . . is a prayer that is based on
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fulfilled in Psalm
16:10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David has hope that he will not
be lost in the grave. . . you will not leave my soul in hell. . . you will not
let a holy one see corruption. . . This is a reference to the Lord but it holds
just a true for us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grave has no
hold on us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some are unconvinced of this and seem to think that
matters in their life are always moving in the wrong direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can walk out of the hedge that the Lord
has built up for us and it generally is in those moments when we are not being
led by the Spirit or the wisdom that is from above that we get in trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">James 3:13-16 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge
among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of
wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[14]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if ye have bitter
envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[15]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wisdom descendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[16]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Contrast that with what James would write elsewhere:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">James 1:5-6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[6]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let him ask in
faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Walk the way of wisdom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But there is something else that is at play here. . . He
is in the presence of death but he is not without confidence that God will
deliver him in the right time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The phrase “Thou art my Lord:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my goodness extendeth not to thee” is sort of
vague in the KJV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ESV renders it
“You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The preservations of the Lord, the blessings of the
Lord, and the goodness of the Lord are all linked together and we are not
offering the Lord honor when we fail to remember this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this psalm is written by a man who is
facing death and is showing confidence that the Lord will work it out in his
behalf, we must have the same attitude toward every obstacle that faces us in
our personal lives and as a church body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Thou hast said. . . Thou art my Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when a saint has to talk to
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is especially true when we
are looking at our dedication to the Lord:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo16; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is useful in the
hour of temptation. . . thou art my Lord. . . It arms a saint against sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo16; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is useful in the
hour of spiritual work. . . thou art my Lord. . . It arms a saint with the yoke
of diligence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo16; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is useful in the
hour of discouragement. . . thou art my Lord. . . It arms a saint with a
consistency in his duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo16; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is useful in the
hour of distress. . . thou art my Lord. . . It arms a saint with great relief
in distress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-May it be so!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo8; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Living
for the Lord’s People—v. 3<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;">William Gurnall</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—David
knew that his goodness extended not unto God, but this made him reach it forth
to his brethren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, God has left
His poor saints to receive the rents we owe unto Him for His mercies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Our world needs the saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ought to love the church deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are old saints whom you can look to in
the past, some of them have gone on to their reward, and they have shaped our
lives deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The responsibility
continues even in their absence that we still practice those lessons they
taught us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But there are saints among us who are diligent in their
service to the Lord in the present tense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are forgotten more often than not among the mass of distractions
that we have to contend with on every hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>1 Peter 2:17
KJV</u></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honour all men. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Before you can love the brotherhood, you have to be a
brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only those new creatures
who have the capacity to experience this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We are brothers in
our mission. . . to spread the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We are brothers in
our doctrine. . . the apostolic message of John 3:5 and Acts 2:38 and the One
True God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We are brothers in
our fellowship. . . this is a church that has to be moving in the same
direction at once</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Co-partners and co-laborers in doing the will of the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David noted that there was a need
to live for the Lord’s people as well as we would live for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo8; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Living
by the Lord’s Precepts—v. 4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If you are going to live in the Lord’s presence among
His people then surely there is a need to follow his precepts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David offers one to us in v. 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as he loves the excellent saints in
the earth, he abhors, detests, despises, and loathes the apostates and their
idols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is a new thought for much of the American
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we have a mandate to
evangelize the lost, we should never love the ways of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There ought to be a constant action of
separation to get away from their influence, their thinking, and their idols.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David warns. . . Sorrows are multiplied when they take
up other gods. . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;">Matthew Henry</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—They
that multiply griefs to themselves for whosever thinks one god (little g) too
little, will find two too many, and yet hundreds not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David loves the saints of the Lord but he refuses to
offer the drink offerings of blood that they offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He treats their names like poison for he says
he doesn’t even want their names on his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If a man allows poison on his lips, it won’t be too long before it has
affected us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When an idol is overthrown it must be ground to powder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moses ground the golden calf to powder and
then made Israel drink it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
cherished idol became a bitter portion for them to ingest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If the church, if a saint of the Lord will make a
connection to the Lord it must break the bonds of sinful habits and practices
that causes so much carnality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
carnality pollutes our service to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>WE do God and the church great disservice when we have so much
association with worldly things!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">B.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm
16:5-6—The Portion of a Godly Man<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 16:5-6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance
and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[6]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly
heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In
the Lord—v. 5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-A godly man’s portion always comes to him in the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is my portion and he is
my cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In the Bible, the reference to “cup” is a symbol of a
man’s destiny:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It represents what
our life contains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It represents the
strength that is in a life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It represents the
element of blessing. . . My cup runs over. . . Psalm 23:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-For the wicked, it means something altogether different:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is a picture of coming
judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is a cup of
staggering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is a cup filled
with fire and brimstone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In
the Land—v. 6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The lines are fallen unto me pleasant places. . . David
is expressing the fact that the boundaries the Lord has placed around him have
enclosed him in places of blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-With the vacation season beginning to be on us, I am
sure that all of us have visited places where we have sort of wished we could
have moved to those places for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We felt the energy that recreation brought to us and we felt the
blessing that a retreat moved us to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
several years in a row our family would visit St. Simon’s Island off the coast
of Georgia and some of the places we stayed had those boundaries where we felt
sealed off from all of the world’s pressures and calamities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it only lasted for a few days, our
memories still drift back to those times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David has the same feeling for the place the Lord has
put boundaries about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The portion
of the Lord comes to a godly man not just from the Lord but also from the
land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those feelings we have in moments
like that are just merely scratching the surface of what Heaven will be for a
faithful saint of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">C.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm
16:7-11—The Prospects of a Godly Man<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 16:7-11 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will bless the LORD, who hath given me
counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[8]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have set the LORD always before me: because
he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[9]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory
rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[10]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[11]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy
presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In
This Life Now—vv. 7-9<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The projections of a godly man can be experienced in
this life now as certainly as in the life to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In this life, a godly man can be guided by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is guided when there is blessing that
comes from his heart and his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Matt Redman wrote a song called 10,000 Reasons that
expresses the need to bless the Lord:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;">"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;">[Chorus]</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"><br />
Bless the Lord, O my soul<br />
O my soul<br />
Worship His holy name<br />
Sing like never before<br />
O my soul<br />
I'll worship Your holy name<br />
<br />
The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning<br />
It's time to sing Your song again<br />
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me<br />
Let me be singing when the evening comes<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[Chorus]</b><br />
Bless the Lord, O my soul<br />
O my soul<br />
Worship His holy name<br />
Sing like never before<br />
O my soul<br />
I'll worship Your holy name<br />
<br />
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger<br />
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind<br />
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing<br />
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find<br />
<br />
And on that day when my strength is failing<br />
The end draws near and my time has come<br />
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending<br />
Ten thousand years and then forevermore<br />
<br />
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name<br />
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name<br />
<br />
Sing like never before<br />
O my soul<br />
I'll worship Your holy name<br />
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name<br />
I'll worship Your holy name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is worship!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is blessing the Lord with all that you do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bless the Lord no matter what may come or
go in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David uses another word here that is a bit unfamiliar to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses the word “reins” which other
translations render in a different way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The NASB uses “mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ESV
uses “heart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The NIV uses “heart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically what David is saying is the
presence of the Lord fills his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The reins of a man is the inner man, his affections, and
his feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;">Charles Spurgeon</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">--Great
generals fight their battles in their own mind long before the trumpet sounds,
and so did our Lord win our battle on his knees before he gained it on the
cross. It is a gracious habit after taking counsel from above to take counsel
within. Wise men see more with their eyes shut by night than fools can see by
day with their eyes open. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The night seasons are what all who are faithful will
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night seasons are the times
when a terrible darkness seems to make its way into the soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Moments of
uncertainty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Moments of doubt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Moments of grief<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Moments of
disappointment and failure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Moments when we are
literally overwhelmed by life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But we are never alone in our night seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the night seasons, the counsel of the
Lord is still in his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 3:24-26 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When thou liest down, thou shalt not be
afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[25]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the
desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[26]</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and
shall keep thy foot from being taken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is also the aspect where a godly man is guarded by
God also. . . The Lord is always before me and I have been set at his right
hand and nothing will be able to move me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In the ancient days of warfare soldiers would fight with
swords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A soldier defending another
would be on his right side and that soldier would be in the fight and only have
to worry about the enemy to his left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>David could see the Lord standing on his right defending him from the
foes that pursued him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a security that comes from our service to the
Lord even when we are in a spiritual battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In
That Life to Come—vv. 10-11<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is also the aspect of the resurrection that comes
to the godly man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Old Testament
believers did not have a lot of insight into what takes place after death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until the resurrection of the Lord
and then the writers of the New Testament explaining the theology of the
resurrection that we are in a greater understanding of the concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The grave is not the end for a saint of God. . . For
those of us who are experiencing the pressure of the endtimes, we are to be
ready for the Rapture because that is our hope of the life to come!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">IV.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CONCLUSION—SUMMING
IT ALL UP<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-As I put this together, one commentary (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 1
[1-41]</i>; Allen P. Ross; p. 399) summed up Psalm 16 in this manner:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">It is essential for believers
to keep uppermost in their minds the goodness of God, not only as it pertains
to this life, but to the next as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is important because there are difficult times when believers
otherwise might question the Lord’s integrity and doubt his goodness, and
consequently lose confidence in his word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Without firm conviction of
the goodness of God, guilty fears take over, insecurities run away with people,
prayer becomes hoping against hope, and praise, if it exists at all, has a
hollow ring to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is needed is a
constant awareness of the goodness and grace of God—he is not capricious
(unpredictable; impulsive; unreliable; changeable); he is not going to give up
on his people because they are struggling to do his will; and neither is he
going to guide his people through this life only to abandon them when they
die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, he loves the saints with an
everlasting love, and it pleases him to do things for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is a picture of the preservation of a godly
man!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
March 26, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-80919724686803117512015-02-20T13:32:00.001-08:002015-02-20T13:32:30.094-08:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 15 -- The Portrait of a True Worshipper<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>A PORTRAIT OF A
TRUE WORSHIPPER <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>TEXT: Psalm 15:1-5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 15:1-5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in
thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? <b>[2]</b> He that walketh uprightly, and worketh
righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. <b>[3]</b> He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor
doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his
neighbour. <b>[4]</b> In whose eyes a vile
person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth
to his own hurt, and changeth not. <b>[5]</b>
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against
the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—TRUE
WORSHIP IS CONNECTED WITH HOLINESS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This Psalm needs to be one of the most regularly visited
psalms in our Bibles. We often look to
various psalms to encourage us, ones like Psalm 23, 42, 91, and 119, but Psalm
15 is one that needs to resonate with every child of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 14 is about a polluted man, a sinner. . . the fool
has said in his heart. Psalm 15 is about
a perfect man, the saved. . . who will abide. . . who will dwell?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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-It is a psalm of holiness that promotes true
worship. This psalm when placed in
practice very much mirrors the characteristics of a man who has the fruit of
the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23) displayed in his life. It takes a crucified man (Gal. 5:24-25) to
live out what David has penned in this psalm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Holiness is one of God’s most important attributes and
we should be preoccupied with the holiness of the Lord. When we are meditating on the holiness of
God, there are things that take place in our soul:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We become aware of
our own sinfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We become aware of
the sinfulness of those around us and in society at large. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We live a life of
repentance, pleading with the Lord to cleanse us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We have a proper
view of God and His exaltation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We long to give up our
evil ways and then seek the righteous ways of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm concludes a grouping of Psalms. Psalm 9-15 are all about the godly and the
wicked. David is going to help define
what a godly worshipper looks like. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-While many may question the classification as this psalm
being one of holiness, we must be very clear that holiness covers far more than
the dos and don’ts that many immature Christians want to reduce holiness to. In fact, one of the reasons that many are
struggling with apostolic identity in our day is because of the absence of the
attitude that is expressed in Psalm 15. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">David Martyn Lloyd-Jones</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Holiness is not something to be received in a meeting;
it is a life to be lived out in the detail of godly devotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Steven Lawson</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—A deep
realization of the blazing holiness of God is essential for all who would
rightly approach God. Not until a person
has beheld the holiness of God is he able to understand the true state of his
or her spiritual condition. Everyone must
see himself in light of the holy character of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the concepts that this Psalm moves toward is to
encourage us to take a look at how we approach the Lord in the time of
worship. Reverence is one of the rapidly
disappearing values of the previous generations because we are losing the
majesty of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This Psalm helps to move me to a place of reverent
devotion so that I can go into a 21<sup>st</sup> century sanctuary that has
been set aside for worship. The value of
this Psalm is seen when I. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Look at where my
feet have taken me. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">What my actions have
said about the condition of my soul. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Whether my tongue
has spoken truth or twisted it. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If my tongue has
participated in slander. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Have I participated
in evil against a brother or sister or a preacher or a godly saint. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">How I have looked at
the actions of sinners. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Whether or not there
is a healthy fear of the Lord. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">How I have spent my
money or how I have invested it. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We cannot afford to enter into a house of worship
whether it is private or corporate with unholy thoughts and conduct. We cannot approach God with unwholesome words
that have maligned and torn down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Proper worship always requires proper preparation. In the Old Testament, the Levitical law was
very clear as to how a priest was to come to the Tabernacle or the Temple to
serve. I am certain that none of us
would want a surgeon to do surgery on us without having spent the proper amount
of time scrubbing his hands all the way to mid-forearm. Dirty hands are unacceptable for a surgeon
and dirty hearts are unacceptable to a saint.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
15<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
15:1—The Great Questions<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 15:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in
thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Does it really make any difference as to how I show up
to worship? I think this question can be
clearly answered by looking to one of the parables of the Lord in Matthew 22:1-14. There was a wedding feast that was prepared
but for various reasons those who had been invited to the feast did not
come. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The king found that even his messengers had been
mistreated and some of them were killed. So he destroyed the cities where it
happened. His next instructions were to
go out into the highways and hedges and compel guests to come in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the guests who showed up did not have on a
garment that was suitable for him to go to the feast and the king did away with
him casting him into outer darkness. <i>It does matter how we show up for
worship! </i>This goes far beyond the
level of how that we dress although I do think that we ought to honor the house
of the Lord and wear the best that we have when we come to church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This parable clearly gives to us that the reason for the
feast, which is generally understood as salvation, serves the purpose of
honoring God and also to show the fact that salvation provides refreshment and
comfort to those who respond to the call of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It matters how that we come to this feast of worship in
the tabernacle, in the holy hill, and in the sanctuary of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Ephesians 4:24 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And that ye put on the new man, which after
God is created in righteousness and true holiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Colossians 3:12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy
and beloved, bowels <i>{emotions}</i> of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When we have had a genuine work of the Spirit, there
will be a great concern as to how we come into the presence of the Lord. Don’t let yourself forget the importance of
how to approach the Lord when you come to a place of public worship. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Reverence is increasingly lost in our age because we
have forgotten about the majesty and awe of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When David asks these two questions in Psalm 15. . . who
will abide in thy tabernacle. . . who shall dwell in thy holy hill. . . he keys
in on two things:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Moral Integrity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Personal Holiness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-No matter where you look in Scripture, or in life for that
matter, these two points are always inseparably linked together. David longs to ask these questions so that we
do not come into the presence of the Lord with unholy thoughts and conduct,
with unwholesome words, and how I have treated others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It is a heart-searching question that deserves an
answer:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">How prepared am I to
come to a place of worship?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Who can enjoy
communion with God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 15 explores the character of a holy man. When we give ourselves to these things we
will live in full and right fellowship with God. Yet, it must also be made clear that this is
not a sort of “list” to live by but rather a stimulus to find the entire tone
of holiness in the Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
15:2-5b—The Great Qualifications<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 15:2-5b KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> He that walketh uprightly, and worketh
righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. <b>[3]</b> He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor
doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his
neighbour. <b>[4] </b>In whose eyes a vile
person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth
to his own hurt, and changeth not. <b>[5]</b>
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against
the innocent. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David starts in verse 2 answering the two questions that
he has asked. When he concludes with his
description, there will be twelve areas that have been addressed. David uses something in this Psalm called a
couplet. It is where he will take two
similar concepts and put them together to make his point. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-These couplets, of with there are six of them, cover
twelve regions of holiness. All of these
qualifications give us a portrait of a true worshipper. They all express an independent idea. This will be seen as we progress through the passage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>First
Couplet—vv. 2a-2b—A True Worshipper Walks & Works <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The first couplet is walking uprightly and working
righteousness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We see a man who has a walk that is upright and is
blameless. He is a whole man that is
sound in his thinking. The great danger
of our days is that we have a tendency to compartmentalize the spiritual and
the secular. The tendency to be strong
in one area and weak in another. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The upright walk leads to righteous works! To do righteous works means that we must make
choices that are based on our commitments.
Those who make poor choices generally have weak commitments and those
who have strong choices are those who have strong commitments. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Bible has much to say about righteousness and what
it is associated with:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Lev. 19:15</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Judge your
neighbor in righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Deut. 6:25</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Righteousness is
connected with observing the commandments of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 4:5</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Righteousness requires
sacrifices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 11:7</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The Lord loves
righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 18:24</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The Lord
rewards according to our righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 35:28</span></b><span style="color: red;">—We should
speak words of righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 40:9</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Righteousness is
to be preached to the congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Prov. 10:2</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Righteousness will
deliver us from death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Prov. 11:5-6</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Righteousness
directs our paths and delivers us from evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Prov. 21:21</span></b><span style="color: red;">—If you follow
after righteousness you will find more righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 5:6</span></b><span style="color: red;">—There is a
hunger and thirst for righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 5:10</span></b><span style="color: red;">—There is
persecution that comes with righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 6:33</span></b><span style="color: red;">—We are seek
righteousness first and above all things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Rom. 6:13</span></b><span style="color: red;">—We are to yield
our bodies to righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Rom. 14:17</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Righteousness is
the kingdom of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">2 Cor. 6:7</span></b><span style="color: red;">—There is an
armor of righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">2 Cor. 6:14</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Righteousness has
no fellowship (agreement) with unrighteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">1 John 2:29</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A mark of
being born again is the presence of righteousness in one’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Second
Couplet—vv. 2c-3a—A True Worshipper Speaks Truth<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The second couplet (v. 2c-3a) is speaking truth in his
heart and not slandering his neighbor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word “backbiting” is an old English word for
slander. This the activity of attacking people
maliciously with words. It wants to
damage their reputation and lower their influence among others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David reminds us that the tongue of the worshipper is
different from the tongue of the pretender.
It is again hammered home to us how important the tongue and speech is
all the way through the Psalms. It does
matter what I do with my words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">We cannot afford for our
tongue to be a scourge—<b>Job 5:21</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">We do not want our
tongue to be sinful—<b>Job 6:30</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">We do not want our
tongue to be filled with cursing, deceit, fraud, mischief and vanity—<b>Psalm 10:7</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">We do not want our tongue
to be filled with flattery and pride—<b>Psalm
12:3</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">We do not want to
slander with our tongue—<b>Psalm 15:3</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">We do not want our
tongue to speak evil and guile (crafty, wily, treacherous)—<b>Psalm 34:18</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the chief sins of the church today is gossiping
about and harming others with our tongues.
Gossip, criticism, and slander have probably done more damage to the
church than any other single sin. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Matthew Poole</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Pity
your brethren; let it suffice that Godly ministers and Christians are loaded with
reproaches by wicked men—there is no need for you to combine with them in their
diabolical work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I have a choice, as you have a choice, and I want my
words to count. The godly should desire
for our words to:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Be filled with singing
and praise—<b>Psalm 126:2</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">To be just—<b>Prov. 10:20</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">To be wise—<b>Prov. 12:18</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">One that uses knowledge—<b>Prov. 15:2</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Filled with wholesome
words—<b>Prov. 15:4<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When truth stirs in our heart, our words are going to be
affected by the presence of the Lord.
The Lord wants obedient truth-speaking servants to dwell in His tabernacle
and His holy hill. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Third
Couplet—vv. 3b-c—A True Worshipper Has Right Relations<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We now come to the third couplet. . . A true worshipper
has right relations with others. He will
not do evil to his neighbor nor will he take up a reproach against them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Genuine worshippers, true worshippers, will maintain
right relations with others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He does not bring
harm to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will not
discredit a person in the eyes of others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His words will be
truthful and affirming. (Different from
tolerant and silent.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here are some great questions to ask yourself:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do I treat other
people with respect especially those who have a less important position in life
than you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do I snub people?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do I talk down to
others in condescension?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Am I mean to
people? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The answers to these questions tell us a whole lot about
ourselves. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Fourth
Couplet—v.4a-b—A True Worshipper Will Accept the Right and Reject the Wrong<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The fourth couplet comes from Psalm 15:4 and helps us to
understand that a true worshipper will be known by the people he accepts and
rejects. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David notes that in whose eyes (the true worshipper) a
vile person will be contemned (despised, rejected). What is the vile? That which is morally and spiritually
worthless, polluted, dirty, and morally depraved. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He will reject sinners and his ways. He doesn’t want their defiling influence,
associations, or partnerships. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Be not deceived: evil
communications corrupt good manners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is what we will find. . . A true worshipper will
not only move away from those who are out of step with God but he will move
into step with those who fear the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Who are my models?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Who are those to
whom I look up to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Whose life am I
emulating?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Whose actions and
character do I find offensive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Probing questions are always good for the soul. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Fifth
Couplet—v. 4c-d—A True Worshipper Has An Unwavering Commitment<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The fifth couplet shows us that a true worshipper has an
unwavering commitment even when it may lead to his own loss. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is a man whom David says that swears to his own
hurt, he keeps his oath. Here is a man
who keeps his word. He remembers to do
what he says that he will do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This passage provoked my own conscience because there
have been times when I have told people that I would pray for them, send them
books, send them some notes, write a letter, and so forth and failed to do
it. I think that most all of us have to
admit that we have fallen into that category a time or two and the reason we
preach the Word is so that we can be provoked to good works and
repentance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-A true worshipper will be one who maintains the
integrity of his word. Integrity does
not start with our words but it starts with our heart. A heart has to be regenerate, born-again, if
it is to accomplish the will of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David informs us that this is a man who will stand for
what he has promised to do even if it comes at a great inconvenience or loss to
him personally. Furthermore, he will not
change when there is an urge to bend or buckle under the pressure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Peer pressure is a challenge for all of us! No matter how young or how old you are, there
is always a tendency to adapt and to change when we get in places where
changing is the easy thing to do and maintaining your commitment is the hard
thing to do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Sixth
Couplet—v. 5a-b—A True Worshipper Is Conscious of His Money<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The last couplet deals with money. There are some scholars who say this is a
reference to tithing but the strongest evidence points to lending money that has
exorbitant amounts of interest attached to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Moses had condemned this practice very strongly, in fact
to take advantage of the poor in this manner was forbidden. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Exodus 22:25 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> If thou lend money to any of my people that
is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay
upon him usury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Leviticus 25:36 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but
fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There were other regulations for money in the Mosaic
Law:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Deuteronomy 23:19-20 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Thou shalt not lend
upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any
thing that is lent upon usury: <b>[20]</b>
Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou
shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that
thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Deuteronomy 24:10-13 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> When thou dost lend
thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his
pledge. <b>[11]</b> Thou shalt stand abroad,
and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto
thee. <b>[12] </b>And if the man be poor,
thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: <b>[13]</b>
In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth
down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be
righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Ultimately we must make certain that we do not allow
ourselves to be bought by the world’s system of affluence and craving for
money. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
15:5c—The Great Assurance</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 15:5c KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> . . . He that doeth these things shall never
be moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-After all of these qualifications, there is an eternal promise
that is similar to what Peter wrote to the scattered saints in 2 Peter 1:10. <i>Give
diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never
fall: <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If you do these things, you will never be shaken. This is a man who is:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Planted by the
rivers of water bearing fruit, no withering of the leaves, and prospering—Psalm
1:3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Has a foundation on
the rock and the storm will assail but will not prevail—Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Steven Lawson has written a commentary on Psalms. In addressing Psalm 15, he gave the following
story:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">A mother was visiting her son
at college. Upon entering his dorm room,
her eye swept across the walls which were covered with more than a dozen suggestive
pictures. Her heart was grieved, but she
said nothing. Several days later, the
mailman delivered a package to the young man.
It was a gift from his mother, a beautifully framed print illustrating
the truth of Psalm 15:1-2. The boy hung
the Scripture that was in calligraphy on the wall above his desk, and the more
he looked at the verses, the more be began to feel convicted by his other
pictures. That night as he went to bed,
he removed the pin-up picture which hung closest to the framed verses. Then, the next day, another picture was
consigned to the wastebasket. Day after
day the rest of the pictures began to disappear from the walls until only one
frame remained—the illustrated print of God’s Word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He goes on. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">The key to living a holy life
is to live a Scripture-saturated life. When
God’s Word dwells within a person, sin diminishes. The light of his holiness always exposes
areas of darkness, driving them away.
Living a righteous life requires focusing and meditating upon the glory
and majesty of the Word. The knowledge
of the Scriptures, when united with faith, tends to drive out the practice of
sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—ACCEPTABLE
TO GOD<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This passage is so closely related to Psalm 24, Isaiah
33, and to a certain degree the Sermon on the Mount. It literally helps us to see the standard
that God sets for those who desire to worship Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It also strikes at the heart of self-righteousness for those
who think they may not have anything to confess or repent of. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-To be acceptable to God:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Personal conduct
that is blameless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Life characterized
by righteous acts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Speak the truth
sincerely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do not slander.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do not bring
reproach to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do not cause others
pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Distinguish between
vile people and righteous people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hold to the sanctity
of an oath or a contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Take care with how
money is used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do not receive
bribes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This brings a security to a saint of God but it also
brings us to a place where we are prone to see our need for God!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
February 18, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">(</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">NOTE:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"> I did not preach all of this material. It is too much for one message. However, I did not want my study to go to waste and that is why I added all of the content. There may be a point in the future that I would like to draw from these notes.)</span></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-32134039592195471492015-02-20T13:30:00.002-08:002015-02-20T13:30:36.540-08:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 14 -- The Folly and Future of a Fool<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>THE FOLLY AND
FUTURE OF A FOOL<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>TEXT: Psalm 14:1-7<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:1-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The
fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done
abominable works, there is none that doeth good. <b>[2]</b> The LORD looked down from heaven upon the
children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek
God. <b>[3] </b>They are all gone aside,
they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not
one. <b>[4]</b> Have all the workers of
iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not
upon the LORD. <b>[5]</b> There were they in great
fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. <b>[6]</b> Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor,
because the LORD is his refuge. <b>[7]</b>
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD
bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel
shall be glad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—PSALM
14</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are certain patterns in Scripture that it helps to
look out for. When there are words that
are repeated, they should get our attention.
There were times when the Lord would say, “Verily, verily” (Truly,
truly) and then He would launch into a lesson.
What is notable about the use of that phrase is that it is only used in
the Gospel of John. In fact, it appears
twenty-five times. Some of the most
powerful doctrinal issues that are raised in Scripture when the Lord used those
words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But it is extremely rare when you find a portion of
Scripture that appears three times. This
is one of the passages that is linked to two others. Psalm 14 is almost identical to Psalm 53
(only verses 5-6 are different) and it is used again in Romans 3:10-12 by Paul.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 14 can be seen as a comfort to the faithful and
Psalm 53 can be seen as a warning to the wicked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-John Phillips makes the following observation about
these two Psalms:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 14 is
personal. . . Psalm 53 is private.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 14 is
pragmatic (how to deal with fools). . . Psalm 53 is prophetic (what will become
of fools).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 14 is about
the past. . . Psalm 53 is about the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Both of them are about fools and their contact with the
righteous. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Where
The Psalm Came From <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 14 falls into the category of a lament psalm. It is a cry of anguish of how that those in
Israel no longer have a belief or a reverence for God. It is a psalm that is authored by David but
there isn’t a clear cut time that can be applied to it taking place in his
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Even though it is considered a psalm of lament, it is
also a psalm of wisdom because it is clearly marking the path and direction for
those who are fools. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>A
Biblical Description of Fools</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
-The
word “fool” occurs 73 times in the KJV and the word “fools” occurs 42
times. There is a lot that is learned
about those who are fools from the standpoint of Scripture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool is
disobedient and rebellious (Saul) “I have played the fool”—1 Sam. 26:21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool will die who
forsakes safety (Abner)—2 Sam. 3:33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool says there
isn’t a God—Ps. 14:1; 53:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool will die and
leave his wealth to others—Ps. 49:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool will go to
jail—Prov. 7:22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool is has a
chattering mouth—Prov. 10:8, 10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool is one who
slanders others—Prov. 10:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool thrives on
mischief—Prov. 10:23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool will always
be a servant to the wise—Prov. 11:29<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool is always
right and receives advice from no one—Prov.
12:15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool cannot
restrain his anger—Prov. 12:16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool despises his
father’s instructions—Prov. 15:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool is always
chasing a get rich quick scheme—Prov. 17:24 (i.e. the ends of the earth)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool stirs up
fights with his words that soon come to blows—Prov. 18:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool uses his
mouth for his own destruction and uses words that become a snare to his soul—Prov.
18:7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool is always
meddling in someone else’s business—Prov. 20:3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool does not use
his ears to hear wisdom—Prov. 23:9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool cannot be
trusted to send a message—Prov. 26:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fool will tell
every thought that crosses his mind—Prov. 29:11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Fools mock sin—Prov.
14:9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools—Rom. 1:22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
-A
fool is not a category we want to fall into!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
14—GOD AND THE FOOLISH</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Now we come to the exposition of Psalm 14. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Arrogance of Fools—Psalm 14:1<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The
fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done
abominable works, there is none that doeth good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are three Hebrew words that are translated as
“fool.” All three of them speak of a
moral direction more than they do an intellectual direction. Yet the society that we live in would like to
give consideration to the idea that an atheist is an intellectually superior
individual. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Our modern times have identified four men as the four
horsemen of atheism. Although one of
them died about two years ago or so.
They insinuated that anyone who believed in God was not very smart and
only were using their so-called ‘lizard brain.’
Richard Dawkins (the scientist), Sam Harris (the scholar), Daniel
Dennett (the sceptic), and Christopher Hitchens (the rebel, now dead) were men
who had great impact in the academic communities in the English speaking world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When I was still working at the hospital, the writings
of Dawkins and Hitchens were among some of the regular fare of those who were
readers. We cannot think that our little
city deep in the heart of the Bible-belt is exempt from this kind of thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of them were pushing at making an effort to remove
any elements of morality from our society.
If you remember in Psalm 11:3, David said that if the foundations be
destroyed, what can the righteous do?
This is exactly what the fools of atheism are working diligently to
do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What they failed to take into consideration was that
many of the supposed enlightened societies that pushed toward atheism were
governments that practiced genocide. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The French Revolution</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Fueled
the Reign of Terror where 300,000 were killed.
This spawned the works of the likes of Voltaire, Sade, Diderot, and
Rouseau which still continue to have influence in our days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Joseph Stalin</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Communism,
according to <i>The Black Book of Communism</i>,
boasted of 100 million due to genocide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Adolf Hitler</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Posed
as a Christian in the early stages but when he rose to power, he took over the
churches and then killed six million Jews.
Overall a total of 12 million were murdered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Mao Ze-Dong</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Killed
78 million under a Communist government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pol-Pot</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Murdered
1.7 million in his nation of Cambodia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kim II Sung</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—1<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.6 million people murdered in North Korea.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Tito</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—5<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">70,000 people murdered in Yugoslavia. </span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Suharto</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—5<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">00,000 people murdered under Communism.</span></strong><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Ante Pavelic</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—35<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9,000 people murdered in Croatia.
</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Ho Chi Min</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—In Vietnam
there were <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">200,000 people murdered.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Vladimir Ilich Lenin</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—In
the USSR from 1917-20,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">30,000 people murdered.</span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">-There are consequences of atheism that
pseudo-intellectuals, educational gurus, and environmentalist/naturalist health
pundits are refusing to admit are present.
Here is the thing, our children who are attending even our local
colleges are having to endure some of this influence. Some of it is very subtle and some of it is
very militant. The consequences of
atheism:</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The spiritual darkness it
encourages.</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The man-centered humanism
that honors a modern day Tower of Babel.</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The breakdown of social
order that are created by laws. </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The direction toward
abortion and euthanasia to rid society of the burdens of the normal process of
life.</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The loss of the value,
meaning and purpose of a life that has been granted by God.</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It leads toward the
selective elimination of certain populations on the earth. </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">-There was a Christian movie that came
out recently that addressed some of this idea of atheism of a young man
confronting a hostile professor as he attempted to go to law school. This won’t be religious correct but while
much of the arguments presented by the young student were accurate the
doctrinal conclusion was not right when it spoke about salvation. We need discernment in our times as never
before! There is still a necessity for
the New Birth, the Oneness of God, holiness, and being Word-driven and
Spirit-led. </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">-All of these ideas of the fool who says
that there is no God gained these from hell.
Those who have this idea are morally perverse but not mentally
deficient. They see their intellect as
enlightened and exalted but I see it as fallen and in need of a Savior. </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strong><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John Trapp—That sapless
fellow, that carcass of a man, that walking sepulcher of himself, in whom all
religion and right reason is withered and wasted, dried up and decayed. That apostate in whom natural principles are
extinct, and from whom God is departed, as when the prince is departed,
hangings are taken down. That mere
animal that hath no more than a reasonable soul, and for little other purpose
than as salt, to keep his body from putrefying.
That wicked man hereafter described, that studieth atheism. </span></strong><span style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The thing that combats what the fools say is a church
that is vibrant, growing both spiritually and numerically! That happens when we take this matter of our
walk with God absolutely serious! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The atheist is an arrogant fool!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Action of Fools—Psalm 14:1, 4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The
fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done
abominable works, there is none that doeth good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?
who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This word “fool” also is associated with the character
in 1 Samuel 25:25, Nabal, who the Bible says was a churlish (rude, boorish,
coarse) man. David was going to kill him
except that Abigail came along and saved him from the hands of David’s men by
cooking a huge meal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Because of the arrogance of a fool, there are actions
that follow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They are corrupt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They do abominable
things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They cannot do good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They devour the righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-They conduct their lives in such a way that they believe
there is no God and even if there is one, He takes no interest in the actions
of people and will not call them to accountability for their deeds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>They Are Corrupt and Evil—v. 1, 4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
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-All of their actions flow from a corrupt heart. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">If you have been even half aware of some of the news
coverage that has spilled over into the nation in the last couple of weeks
(11/31/14-12/14/14), you have probably been aware of a very prominent actor who
has been incredibly silent. More than
ten women have come forth and have accused this man of violating them in the
distant past. These allegations have
been around for more than a decade but have gained some credible traction in
the last few weeks. Yet this man was
seen by Americans as a “family-friendly” actor with a wholesome show. But there was corruption that he had managed
to paint over with the ability of his charisma and reputation. A corrupt heart at some point makes its way
into expression. (And many are clamoring
at me wanting me to give license to watch that kind of stuff. I will go to my grave believing that much of
the entertainment industry has tried anesthetize us to sin! It cannot be healthy for you and I do devour
that kind of content on a daily basis.)</span><span style="color: #0070c0;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I wonder how many other corrupt men and women have
managed to stay hidden in their darkness and yet their spirit comes into our
homes very subtly. We ought to have
preachers rising everywhere in America and preaching. . . Noah. . . A preacher
of righteousness! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord cannot find any principle of spiritual life in
them. <i>What they do (conduct) flows out of who they are (character).</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Corrupt! The
Hebrew word indicates this is like sour milk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>They Devour the Righteous—v. 4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Their corruption leads them toward some actions. The first one that David points out is that
they devour the righteous. It is given
in the context that it is as if they are eating bread. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>They Do Not Pray the Lord—v. 4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But they also do not pray! This is not surprising to understand. However, the bigger lesson that comes from
this passage is the condition of a preacher, a saint, or a church that does not
pray. Prayerlessness is literally a form
of atheism. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is the burden of any real preacher’s heart. . . He
desires to pray and he longs to inspire and encourage the church to pray! We cannot make it without prayer! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The condition of my prayer life tells me all I need to
know about the condition of my own soul!
Just as I preached the necessity of discipline last Sunday evening
(12/7/14) and how it relates to prayer, know this that a prayerless preacher is
an atheist. . . a prayerless saint is an atheist. . . <i><span style="color: red;">and all not upon the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Abundance of Fools—Psalm 14:2-3<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:2-3 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The LORD looked down from heaven upon the
children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, <i>and</i> seek
God. <b>[3]</b> They are all gone aside,
they are <i>all</i> together become filthy: <i>there is</i> none that doeth
good, no, not one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We have seen the actions of the fool, the arrogance of
the fool, and now David looks about and observes that there is an abundance of
fools. It is like a ship of fools who
are careening toward a shipwreck on the reefs.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord looks down and He is watching them. One of the old apostolic evangelists, Sister
Mattie B. Poole from Chicago, Illinois, used to sing a song written by J. M.
Hensen:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #c00000;">Verse 1:</span></b><span style="color: #c00000;"> All along on the road to the soul’s true
abode, <br />
There’s an Eye watching you; <br />
Every step that you take this great eye is awake, <br />
There’s an Eye watching you.<br />
<br />
<b>Verse 2:</b> As you make life’s great fight, keep the
pathway of right, <br />
There’s an Eye watching you; <br />
God will warn not to go in the path of the foe, <br />
There’s an Eye watching you.<br />
<br />
<b>Verse 3:</b> Fix your mind on the goal, that sweet home of
the soul.<br />
There’s an Eye watching you; <br />
Never turn from the way to the kingdom of day, <br />
There’s an Eye watching you.<br />
<br />
<b>Refrain:</b> Watching you, watching you, <br />
Ev’ry day mind the course you pursue; <br />
Watching you, watching you, <br />
There’s an all-seeing Eye watching you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We ought to remember that, not out of fear but out of
reverence. People who have problems with
their relationship with God is because their view of God and of Scripture is
too low! The higher your view of God and
His Word are, the higher you will seek to live your life out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-They are all gone aside. . . they are all become filthy.
. . there is none that does good! No
redemption has taken place and there is no reconciliation with God. They are like madmen running to their own
swift destruction but absolutely unaware of it.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word “filthy” sums up what they are about. In the Old Testament it means to be corrupt
morally, literally to be tainted and tarnished from the original purpose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word “filthy” describes several things in the Old
Testament:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy men<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy rags<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy cities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy garments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But when you get to the New Testament, the word filthy
has a connection to the soul of a man:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy communication<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy lucre (money)
driven by greed to get it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy conversation
(lifestyle)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy dreamers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Filthy men</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Take note that of the ten times it appears in the NT, it
is in connection to money. We should
take great instruction from that and realize it is crucial that our money not
be the controlling factor in our lives. Money
in itself can push a man toward a material atheism. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Further, when we get to the NT, it is associated with
words like: vile; filthiness; . It is associated with a dirtiness that one
gets progressively more soiled as he spends more time with it. It is like a child who is playing in mud
hole, the longer he stays the dirtier he becomes. Soon he is covered with it from head to
toe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The vessel is dishonored. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David felt like he was surrounded by this spiritual
breed of people. Again, we must move
toward that great doctrine of separation that the Lord has called His church
out of! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Revelation 18:4-5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And I heard another voice from heaven,
saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and
that ye receive not of her plagues. <b>[5] </b>For
her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 48:20 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the
Chaldeans. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 52:11 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence,
touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear
the vessels of the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 50:8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Remove out of the midst of Babylon. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 51:6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver
every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 51:45 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and
deliver ye every man his soul . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 Timothy 5:22 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> . . . neither be partaker of other men's
sins: keep thyself pure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Come out of her, my people. . . Come out of her, my
church. . . comes the cry of the Lord!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Anguish of Fools—Psalm 14:5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> There were they in great fear: for God is in
the generation of the righteous.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We have seen their arrogance, their actions, their
abundance, but now we can see their anguish.
The Lord is going to put them in great fear for Him. Even though they did not have any to start
with, the Lord is going to embed it in them.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If ever an attitude, a doctrine, or a spirit needed to
come to our aid in this hour it is the fear of the Lord. You will notice the connection between the
generation of the righteous, the presence they have, and the devotion they express
is directly connected to the fear of the Lord.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In Acts 5, when Ananias and Sapphira were judged, great
fear came on the church. When God is
lowered with disrespect as a Sugar Daddy in the Sky, or a Santa Claus at the
North Pole, or a personal coach to help me accomplish the American dream, we do
not serve the church well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The glory of the Lord brings about great fear and it is
always connected to holiness (Isa. 6:1-9).
The anguish of fools will be the day that the glory of the Lord is
elevated so that they will see God as Isaiah saw him. . . Woe is me, for I am a
man of unclean lips!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
14—GOD AND THE FAVORED<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:6-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor,
because the LORD is his refuge. <b>[7]</b>
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD
bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel
shall be glad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We have examined God and the fool and now we come to the
last two verses where we can see God and those whom He has favored. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Lord Watches His Own—Psalm 14:6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor,
because the LORD is his refuge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord has kept a careful eye on how the fools have
destroyed the poor. Although the
righteous poor have found their refuge in the Lord, the fool has done his best
to destroy the favored. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is where we must make a crucial point. . . It is
not the class of the poor that has caused God to see them but rather the class
of the righteous. They are poor because
the atheists, the fools, have torn them down at every opportunity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Any business venture or attempt to better themselves,
the righteous have had to endure the attack of the fools. God has watched this and has become their
refuge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word indicates it is a shelter of some kind but more
importantly it is used in conjunction with hope and trust. Our refuge in the Lord is more than just a
place that protects us, it is place that builds hope and trust into us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Grasp what the Lord said in the Sermon on the Mount when
he said, <span style="color: red;">“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.” </span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Herod attempted to
destroy the baby Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Haman attempted to
destroy the Jews as a race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pharaoh attempted to
destroy the Jews by being a harsh taskmaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The fool has tried to mock the poor, the elect, the
church of God but it will all come to nothing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David interjects something else here when he writes that
the fool has shamed the counsel of the poor.
The poor, the saint of the Lord, has taken his own counsel by observing
the fools. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He looks at this
world and discovers that the ungodly really don’t derive a lot of pleasure from
their sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He notes them in the
shouting and riotous ways where their wine and drink never satisfies the
spiritual hunger they have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He watches them in
their possessions and can see that they are never satisfied in that either,
reaching for the coolest, driving the coolest, typing on the coolest, talking
on the coolest, and living in the coolest but it brings no contentment to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Occasionally he will
see an ungodly person die and he realizes that in their death there are no
spiritual principles whatsoever they can build their hope on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Take counsel with the Word of the Lord! The Word of the Lord has far more value than
a whole university full of human reasoning and secular education. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can take counsel with your own conscience and
understand that when you walk close to the Lord, you are in possession of the
greatest joy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-While experience should not be the highest logic you
have in the spiritual world, you can take counsel with your own experience in
the Lord and look to answered prayers, supplied needs, moments of rescue,
blessings of encouragement, and great doors opened with small ones being closed
off. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can trust in the Lord and you can put your hope in
Him also. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David
Wishes for Rescue—Psalm 14:7<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 14:7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out
of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall
rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We find this same request in Psalm 53 but it also pours
from the prophets too (Isa. 2:3; 59:20; Zech. 9:9). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The best refuge for a saint of God to find in his time
of persecution is his secret refuge of the Lord. Pray for those who treat you the worst. When you may be mocked for praying for them,
give consideration to the fact that this life will be the only place of
happiness for them since there will be none in the one to come. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The real comfort for the godly is always the return of
the Lord. It was true in David’s day and
it should be our hope of His glorious appearing in our day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Titus 2:11-15 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, <b>[12]</b>
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; <b>[13]</b> Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; <b>[14] </b>Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works. <b>[15]</b> These things speak, and
exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord is coming back for His church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Think about that
when your days seem to be filled with despair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Think about that
when you are battling the unbelief of sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Think about that
when you are being trodden under by the wicked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Think about that
when you are mourning the loss of a loved one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Think about that
when you seem like you cannot get a fair shake in life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This world is not our home. . . We are just a passing
through! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
December 12, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(<b>NOTE:</b> I did not preach all of this material. It is too much for one message. However, I did not want my study to go to
waste and that is why I added all of the content. There may be a point in the future that I
would like to draw from these notes.)</div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-81762069397965337532015-02-20T13:28:00.002-08:002015-02-20T13:28:43.046-08:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 12 -- When the Faithful Vanish<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>WHEN THE FAITHFUL
VANISH<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>TEXT: Psalm 12:1-8<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:1-8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm
of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from
among the children of men. <b>[2]</b>
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and
with a double heart do they speak. <b>[3] </b>The
LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud
things: <b>[4]</b> Who have said, With our
tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? <b>[5]</b> For the oppression of the poor, for the
sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in
safety from him that puffeth at him. <b>[6]</b>
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of
earth, purified seven times. <b>[7]</b>
Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this
generation for ever. <b>[8]</b>
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—ORIGIN
OF THIS PSALM </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo13; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Where
The Psalm Came From <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is another one where there isn’t a clear
event in the life of David that is pointed to.
Some scholars seem to think that is it one where he has faced deceit and
dishonesty in his court after he was the king.
In fact from historical study, we could derive the fact that he probably
had to deal with more deception and dishonesty than we could even imagine. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Our world today is filled with liars and false
flatterers and there are times that the righteous hardly know who to trust. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 12 continues with the similar themes that Psalm 10
and 11 have:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 10</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
wicked use their words to boast and sneer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 11</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
wicked use their words to tear down the moral and social formations of
society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 12</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
wicked use their words on dishonesty and flattery to get what they want. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I hope you are picking up on a pattern here through all
of these psalms. . . God is pretty serious about what I say and whether or not
I am using my words to edify or to destroy.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Solomon knew about
flattery (Prov. 26:28; 28:23; 29:5). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Daniel noted that
flattery would be a tool of the wicked world ruler (Dan. 11:32). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jude defined
flattery as being something ungodly (v. 16). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is where we need the holiness that comes through
instruction. . . Guard your tongue! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the things that this Psalm speaks to is a
betrayal that comes through deception. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo13; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>An
Illustration from World <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">On
June 6, 1944, the US and her allies sent 150,000 troops to attack the coast of
Normandy. It is a date in history that
is commonly referred to as D-Day. While
there were many casualties, it could have been much worse than what it
was. One of the reasons it was prevented
was because of the operation that started before the attack ever began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Operation
Fortitude was what enabled the invasion to take place. It worked on a system of spies who had
infiltrated the German military system.
The Americans, along with the British and French, managed to gain the
confidence of German spies and they became double agents. Our spies fed the Germans information that
caused them to think that we would attack in Calais and Norway rather than
Normandy. To this date it remains the
most successful but sophisticated effort at espionage our nation has ever
undertaken. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">The
US and her allies used dummy tanks, ships, and armies to fool the Germans. They even used carrier pigeons that the
Germans thought belonged to them to carry information in this historic battle. Tar Robertson was in charge of the spies and
he managed to create what some call an “army of liars” to win the battle. While we can be thankful that our nation
managed to shut off the impact of a madman, it was accomplished with great
deception that in end spelled great peril for the Germans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is the action that David is hinting at that takes
place in this psalm. Flattery,
deception, double-tongues and double-hearts.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
12—WHEN THE FAITHFUL VANISH<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-For this particular psalm, I am using John Phillips
outline from his very dependable commentary on the Psalms, <i>Exploring the Psalms, Volume One, Psalms 1-88</i> (p. 92).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Before moving into the psalm itself, we look to a word
in the superscription, Sheminith. This
word is also found in the superscription in Psalm 6 and has one other reference
in 1 Chronicles 15:21. Its literal
meaning is “the eighth division.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Because it is attached to 1 Chronicles we find that
there is an order of worship that Israel participated in that required of them
to hold a special place for those “righteous worshippers.” These were apparently those men who were
literally in a cut above all of the rest of those who were involved in the
worship procession and service. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Whether we are comfortable making this analogy or not,
there are still people who fill that same role of being worshippers of a higher
calling and a higher devotion. The
memorial of worship from Mary and her alabaster box is a NT example of the
behavior that separates the classes of worshippers from the general to those
who are highly devoted to the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Furthermore, we see that in Psalm 6 and Psalm 12 that
there are some unique connections to when we need worshippers who are a cut
above the rest of the crowd. Psalm 6
dealt with the conscience that had been so troubled by sin and the need of
confession to set it right. Now David is
making his appeal again in another situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David is experiencing a moment where it seems like that
the faithful, the holy, the righteous, the elect, are nowhere to be found and
he longs for the “eighth division” of worshippers to show up. There is something very powerful that happens
when you engage that “eighth division” of worshippers. It falls into two categories that they can
usher in with their worship: Repentance
and Revival. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Increasingly the sinful culture of society and the
sophisticated culture of the sanctuary is doing its best to squeeze the life
out of holy and devoted worshippers.
This need not be so among us! If
you have a desire to live a life of half-hearted devotion, that is a personal
choice but please don’t attempt to scorn the devotion of the “eighth division”
of true worshippers because their presence fights against sin and the vanishing
presence of the faithful!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Just in passing, most scholars feel like this group was
made up of men. However, there was
another corresponding division that was made up of women and we see that in the
previous verse in 1 Chronicles 15:20.
They are called the Alamoth and they are mentioned in Psalm 46, which is
associated with refuge. Further it is
noted that these women were those who played the timbrels. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The context of 1 Chronicles 15 was when the Ark was
being taken from the house of Obed-edom to go back to Jerusalem. Three groups of worshippers were involved in
escorting it back to Zion: The Levites,
the Sheminith, and the Alamoth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That same group still needs to be in the presence of the
modern day apostolic church, those who bear the Word and those special “eighth
division” worshippers! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David’s
Appeal—Psalm 12:1-4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:1-4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm
of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from
among the children of men. <b>[2]</b>
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and
with a double heart do they speak. <b> [3] </b>The
LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud
things: <b>[4]</b> Who have said, With our
tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is one that falls into the category of a
prayer. That prayer is speaking
specifically for deliverance from deception (cf. 12:2; speak vanity, flattering
lips, a double heart). That same prayer
should be prayed by all saints of the Lord.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Much of the deception that makes its way into our minds
is through the voices from the outside that are not submitted to a Scriptural
filter nor any discerning of spirits. We
need both of those elements in our lives.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The Man of God is Gone from the Earth—v. 1<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here are some questions for us to consider:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">What would it be
like if all of the sudden those people whom you have considered as holy and
godly were to disappear from your world?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">What would it be
like to walk into this church and see groups of ungodly and unholy people? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">What would it be
like to walk into a house of worship where you expected to hear the songs of
Zion and instead they had been replaced with country/western, Top-40 secular
songs, rhythm and blues, or heavy metal?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">What would it be
like to walk into this house where there was no respect for holiness standards
and there were outward displays of immodesty exposing the body, rampant jewelry
that drew attention to the person, cosmetics that altered the face of the
women, and a general uncomfortable sense of worldliness? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">What would it be
like to walk into this church and you would expect prayer coming from the
mouths of good saints of God but instead you heard coarse, uncouth, gutter
language pouring out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is some idea of what David was trying to express
with this psalm. He was looking for the
holy, he was looking for the faithful. . . but the faithful had vanished! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Other translations render this verse in the following
manner:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:1 NASB</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be,
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:1 ESV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for
the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:1 Webster</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for
the faithful fail from among the children of men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:1 YLT</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Save, Jehovah, for the saintly hath failed,
For the stedfast have ceased From the sons of men:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David is crying out to the Lord, “Help!” Here is something we need to understand about
the world and the spirit of the age; its goal has always been to free this
world of influence of the righteous.
That is a common thread all the way through the Scriptures. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-On the other hand we have to know that the godly, those
who had been faithful to the Lord, were not out of the picture. God will always have a remnant of the
faithful who are devoted to Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Elijah would come along about 150 years later and would
have the same difficulty:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 Kings 19:10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And he said, I have been very jealous for the
LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant,
thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I
only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord responded back to him:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 Kings 19:18 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel,
all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not
kissed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are times that we can have the same mentality and
think the faithful have vanished but God always has someone who is willing to
make the challenging commitments and do His will. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But David felt like the man of God had left the
earth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The Man of Guile is Great on the Earth—v.
2-4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Just like he thought the man of God had left. . . He
knew the man of guile was great on the earth.
All of this we gather from David’s description of these people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The wicked disobey God with their tongues. They gain power through flattery, deception,
and wicked schemes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 26:24-26 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and
layeth up deceit within him; <b>[25]</b>
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations
in his heart. <b>[26]</b> Whose hatred is covered
by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-James also painted a picture of what these people look
like too:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">James 3:10-12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. <b>[11] </b>Doth a fountain send forth at the same
place sweet water and bitter? <b> [12] </b>Can
the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no
fountain both yield salt water and fresh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-They use their tongues to work with guile, their tongues
are sly, their words are shrewd, and there is a wiliness about the way they
live. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The enemies of the righteous are presented in a number
of ways throughout the psalms:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Power<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Greed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Injustice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jealousy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Opportunists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I wondered what David could have had specifically in his
mind when he was writing this psalm:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He could have been
thinking of the deadliness of Doeg and the murdered priests of Nob (1 Sam.
21-22).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He could have been
thinking of the men of Ziph and Keilah who betrayed him into the hand of Saul
(1 Sam. 23).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He could have been
thinking of the outlaws surrounding him in the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David was so overcome that he had no spiritual energy
left in the tank. He had lost his
strength to fight. . . in Psalm 11, the encouragement was to stay and fight. .
. but in Psalm 12 that was all gone. All
that was left in him was a pleading sense of the Spirit. . . Help!, he cries
out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Where will a church drift to when the anchors of godly
and righteous people are no longer there?
That is a chilling question to consider. . . Although you must never
forget that God <i>will </i>have a remnant
to serve him! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I can remember years ago hearing a message preached by
Pastor Phil White called <i>The Remnant of
His Heritage</i>. Brother Ken Raggio and
I have had countless conversations over the last 20 years about God having a
remnant group of apostolic believers no matter how difficult times may seem for
the American church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are times when it appears that holiness has fallen
on hard times and difficult days, but it is still the order of the day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David is noting that the guile of these men are all over
the earth. But for all of their flattery
and deception that pours off of their tongue and through their lips, the Lord
has a remedy for it. His remedy is that
he will cut off the flattering lips and proud tongues. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David’s
Assurance—Psalm 12:5-6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:5-6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For the oppression of the poor, for the
sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in
safety from him that puffeth at him. <b>[6]</b>
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of
earth, purified seven times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-No matter how bad it looked for David, the Lord gave him
some assurance that was great and it was guaranteed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Its Greatness—v. 5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Its greatness was defined by his prayer. . . Help!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We find in verse 5 the power of prayer. These poor and needy have cried out to the
Lord in their distress. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Chrysostom</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Fear
ye, whosever ye be, that do wrong the poor; you have power and wealth, and the
favor of the judges, but they have the strongest weapons of all, sighings and
groanings, which fetch help from heaven for them. These weapons dig down houses, throw up
foundations, overthrow whole nations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Put that into a spiritual context and think of the
enemies that oppose the church in the waning hours of this dispensation:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Liberalism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Secularism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pluralism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Materialism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Lukewarm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prayerless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Swimming in
spiritual mediocrity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Great lack of
commitment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of those enemies can put saints on their knees in
pleading prayer and God can send a revival that will tear down the houses of
the enemy, uproot the foundations, and obliterate spiritual strongholds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Oppressed and sighing. . . That sums up the existence of
some preachers and saints in this hour but it all began to turn when they cried
out for the Lord to help them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Its Guarantee—v. 6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That assurance was great but it was also guaranteed. . .
It was great because it responded to prayer but it was guaranteed because it
was the Word of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a huge contrast between the words of the Lord
versus the words of the wicked (v. 6-7).
In verse 6, the words of the Lord are pure, tried, and purified. Value that Word of the Lord you have in your
Bible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Truth is always the antidote for deception. The enemies of David were deceivers. Deception is one of the tools of the trade
for the devil in the end times. The
parable of the wheat and the tares is a graphic picture the Lord used in
Matthew 13 to demonstrate it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The seed, which implies life, was sown by the devil and
his workers among the wheat. Some may
ask why the Lord does not start pulling out the dangerous tares from His
wheat. He does not because it is not
time yet. The devil is limited because
he can’t tear up the wheat because God will not let him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-So the devil will do his best to tell people that the
real wheat is not really the wheat. But
the truth is this, the wheat know what the wheat really is. . . furthermore
they know what the tares are. . . If you have the Holy Ghost and a commitment
to the Lord and His Word, it will be hard for you to be deceived. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Evangelist Martyn Ballestero
has a very good blog that I read on a regular basis. Back on November 9, 2014 he wrote an article,
“You Say You Want to Go to Heaven? I’m
Not Really Convinced.” He then gave a
summary of what the tares of this day look like:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He noted that those who are
apostolic Pentecostal say they want to go to heaven but their actions betray
their words. Then he starts noting the
characteristics of their lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They miss church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They love sports
more than they love God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They don’t have a
teachable spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They don’t pay their
tithes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">Their prayer life is
dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They don’t worship
anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They dress like the
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They date sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They look at someone
else and they are married.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">Their jobs keep them
out of church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They have become hateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They have become
rebellious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They are in love
with Hollywood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They never come to
the altar anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050;">They say, “God knows
my heart, I don’t have to convince a preacher!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He concludes with. . . If you
are going to make it to heaven, you have to change. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If ever we needed a passion and hunger for the Word of
the Lord, it is in these days that we are living in now! The Word can pull out the deception the devil
throws in your direction! In the New
Testament, the word “deception” occurs nineteen times, always in connection
with the devil and his work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Our assurance in our Lord is guaranteed by His Word. . .
Pure. . . Tried. . . Effective! There
should be nothing more valuable to me than the Word of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David’s
Armor—Psalm 12:7-8<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 12:7-8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt
preserve them from this generation for ever.
<b>[8]</b> The wicked walk on every side, when the
vilest men are exalted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The Nature of It—v. 7<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is a portion of David’s armor, he is kept. . .
preserved forever. Despite the fact that
the saints of God have been marked, scorned, and stigmatized all throughout
history, the Lord will honor them forever!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When we put on the armor of God, there is great security
that comes from it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The Need for It—v. 8<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Why would we have need of this armor, this keeping of
the Lord? Because there are some
commentators (Samuel Terrien, etc.) who suggest that this psalm is one that
stands against the astrologers, magicians, and sorcerers of the false religions
of idolatry around David. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Let them talk. . . Let them strut about. . . Let them be
exalted but keep your armor on by the Spirit!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—THE
FAITHFUL HAVEN’T VANISHED!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If there is a closing note of encouragement, it would be
this: The faithful have not
vanished! Under fire. . . yes! Sometimes overwhelmed. . . yes! But they have never vanished and they will
extend their days into eternity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It’s the Church Triumphant! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
November 28, 2014 </div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-35276109866749372702014-11-21T09:28:00.001-08:002014-11-21T09:28:13.114-08:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 11 -- Stay and Fight<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>STAY AND FIGHT<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>TEXT: Psalm 11:1-7<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 11:1-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In
the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your
mountain? <b>[2]</b> For, lo, the wicked bend
their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily
shoot at the upright in heart. <b>[3]</b>
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? <b>[4]</b> The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S
throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of
men. <b>[5] </b>The LORD trieth the
righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. <b>[6]</b> Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire
and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their
cup. <b>[7]</b> For the righteous LORD
loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—A
MAN WHO WAS DETERMINED TO STAY AND FIGHT<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">On
June 26, 1949 there was a funeral in Tel Aviv, Israel, like none that world had
ever seen or known before. The
newspapers reported there were tens of thousands of people present in and around
the Great Synagogue on that day. In the
main hall of the synagogue a glass box that was five feet long held thirty
porcelain urns. The newspapers reported
that inside of these thirty urns were the ashes of an estimated 200,000 Jews
who had been murdered in the Holocaust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">The
box was loaded onto a police vehicle that would travel through the city
streets. The pace was very slow because it
had to make its way through the thousands of mourners who cried out “Mama! Papa!” as the procession made its way to the
cemetery. Some were so overcome by grief
and horrific memories that they fainted.
The procession wound its way through Jerusalem until it came to the
ancient cemetery of Sanhedria where some of the graves were two-thousand years
old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">The
man who was responsible for the event was Simon Wiesenthal. In 1949 he was 41 years old and he would be a
man who would never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust nor would he let the
world forget. But there was a huge
challenge he faced in all of it. Many of
the Holocaust survivors and those who were related to them wanted the whole
matter to be shrouded in silence because of the anxiety, embarrassment, and
guilt that they shared because of their involvement in it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">For
Wiesenthal the event was very emotional.
In fact, he wrote, “As I followed the box of ashes, I remembered my
family members, my friends, and companions, and all those who paid with their
lives for the one single sin—being born Jewish.
I looked at the box, and I saw my mother’s face the way it looked the
last time I saw her on that fateful day when I left home in the morning for
forced labor outside the ghetto and I did not know that I would not see her
when I returned in the evening, nor ever again.” He would lose a total of 89 relatives in the
Holocaust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">When
Wiesenthal undertook the plans for the event it was just the tip of the iceberg
for what he had in mind. He wanted a
huge structure to be built in honor of those who had died. He wanted it to be an exact replica of the Mauthausen
camp that had incarcerated and then killed untold numbers of Jews in the Holocaust. But there was even something more that was
driving him and that was the capture and imprisonment of the remaining Nazis
still alive who had been involved in the Holocaust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He
became a tireless warrior against evil and a key figure in human rights events
that would push him to world-wide recognition before he passed away in 2005 at
the age of 96. He was a man who sparked
the imagination of the Jews toward the capture of the killers. In the early days, he basically was a one man
show and many refused to help him.
However, he gave speeches that troubled their conscience, stirred their
soul, and inspired a sense of justice in them.
Initially as a lone Jew he took it on himself to make sure that even the
last of the Nazis would not die free or at least free of anxiety because he,
Jew Wiesenthal, would not rest until they were captured. He had endured Mauthausen and when he was
released he had been a walking skeleton weighing 97 pounds. When he died there were 300,000 records in
hundreds of files that were stored in a small apartment that he and his wife
lived in. He worked almost his entire
life from that small apartment surrounded by high piles of old newspapers and
yellowing index cards that contained handwritten notes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He
lived in a time before the internet and his main source of information came
through newspapers from all over the world.
He would scour the legal sections for property transactions, obituaries
that had the descendants of the deceased, and other news items that gave him
the information he needed to trace down the Nazis. On one wall in the apartment was a huge map
of Europe that had names of the hundreds of Nazi death and concentration camps
some of which Wiesenthal had been in.
Those cities were keys also to opening the door for justice. He would get municipal population registries,
historical documents, and even telephone books to gather information about the
families of the Nazis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He
looked on the Holocaust as a crime against humanity not just one race and he
was relentless to pursue justice.
Through his work a little more than 1,100 Nazis would be found and
punished for their part in the Holocaust.
The most notable among these were Adolf Eichmann, the SS director for
Hitler. He also had a part in the capture
of Karl Silberbauer who arrested the Dutch teenager, Anne Frank, and sent her
to Bergen-Belsen where she died. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">However
there is a side to this story that not many know and that is how that
Wiesenthal had to contend with those who would silence and muzzle him. The Chancellor of Austria, Bruno Kriesky,
tried to silence him by character assassination in the media. In June 1982, a bomb was placed by his front
door in an effort to kill him. But
through all of this one thing that he said stands out, “The most important
thing I have done is to fight against forgetting and to keep remembrance
alive. It is important to let people
know that our enemies are not forgotten.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-To a certain degree that is what Psalm 11 is all about.
. . It is about staying and fighting! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
11<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This particular psalm has been determined by some who
think that it refers to David when he was running from Saul or when he was
fleeing Absalom. However we have to
scrutinize what is being said in the verse 1.
He notes first that his refuge is in the Lord and therefore how can others
say or even within himself say, “Run to the mountain!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Therefore it is good that we cannot pinpoint the exact
timing of this psalm because it makes for excellent application for all of our
lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Over the years, I have regularly put David’s life into
three categories:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Country Years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Cave Years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Court Years <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There has been overall very little elaboration on that
because it is fairly self-explanatory. But
we can give some further consideration to these divisions in his life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Country Years</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
formative years where he learned how to worship and love God. The country years made him a saint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Cave Years</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
fugitive years where he was chased from end of the country to the other end by
Saul’s bloodhounds. He learned warfare
in the caves and how to lead men and be a soldier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Court Years</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
fateful years where he never knew whether he would still have a head on his
shoulders. This was not only the times
in Saul’s day but even after he became the king of Israel. But he would learn wisdom and how to limit
himself in the courts. It was here that
he learned to be a sage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When we read what David has written in Psalm 11 we can
all relate because there are times in life when a crisis may settle in on us so
that we have a tendency to want to run away and hide from our
responsibilities. Sometimes the greatest
lesson you can learn from life is that you have to stay and fight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What we find in this psalm is the sense of confidence
that will prevail. Those around David are
filled with panic but David is filled with peace because he knows the Lord is a
refuge. This psalm can be grouped with
the other psalms of confidence (Psalms 4, 16, 23, 27, 62, 125, and 131). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We will always find it true that there are two voices in
our walk of faith—one that pushes fear and wants us to flee and one that speaks
faith and wants us to remain firm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
11:1-3—The Security of the Saint<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 11:1-3 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In
the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your
mountain? <b>[2]</b> For, lo, the wicked bend
their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily
shoot at the upright in heart. <b>[3]</b>
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord is a refuge and a defense that no mountain can
even begin to compare to. That is what
David’s emphasis is here. Instead of it
being so much a song it is more a meditation on God’s presence. It gives the idea of a fugitive who is fleeing
from enemies and longs to find the presence of the Lord who is a place of
refuge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The writer of Hebrews verified this refuge that we have
in the Lord when he wrote:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 6:18 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> That by two immutable things, in which it was
impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled
for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There were six cities of refuge that were provided by
God for anyone who accidentally killed another man. He could flee to those cities (Num. 35:11-14;
Josh. 20; Deut. 19) and avoid the fury and anger of the avenger. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord Jesus Christ serves as our refuge. There aren’t any alternatives out there which
might cause us to think otherwise. Jesus
Christ is the answer for every difficulty that a saint will face in their life. These cities of refuge had characteristics
about them that resemble our own hope and path to the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A sanctuary for
distressed souls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A place that is easy
to approach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A place that is on
the hills and mountains so all can see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A place that was
never more than a half a day’s travel away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">When wrath called
for death, a man was safe in this city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Those are the benefits that were provided to that
man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Despite our knowledge of the Lord being a refuge, there
are times when we do not clearly grasp it.
David was saying, “I am trusting in the Lord, I have put my confidence
in him, I have sought His refuge in this crisis <i>but </i>I am contending with the temptation to want to run away from the
problem.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is a temptation that all men have to deal
with. We have a tendency to want to run
and hide from a crisis that demands our responsibilities. It is a very powerful temptation because of
the circumstances we find ourselves in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Wicked enemies are
already in place to attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Running would at
last put him beyond the reach of his enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are a host of situations that make us want to fear
and flee but we have to put our trust in the Lord:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">When the diagnosis
is cancer. . . you must stay and fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">When the weight of
suffering is dragging you down. . . you must stay and fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">When spiritual growth
does not seem to be going forward. . . you must stay and fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">When our emotions
are so negative and faithless. . . you must stay and fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">When our responsibilities
seem bigger than we are. . . you must stay and fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We sometimes have to learn that the greatest thing that
separates success and failure in our walk with the Lord is grit. Grit and determination helps us to stay and
fight and once you get beyond the battle, the Lord will bless you with a
powerful sense of accomplishment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Notice what David is presenting in these first three
verses. . . He notes the refuge of the Lord <i>despite
</i>the wicked who shoot at him like snipers from dark places and he also notes
that when the foundations are falling, he still can believe in the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Most scholars believe that David was having some
reference to the social and moral foundations that were crumbling around him. The Hebrew root word here indicates the “settled
order of things” having a reference to the laws that govern society. If law and order or justice and truth fail in
society what are we to do? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We can see that today but the great issue is not that
they are faltering but what are the good saints of God to do?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">In
Leadership Journal several years ago, Lynn Anderson described what happened to
the Pilgrims five years after they came to America. They landed on the shores of America with
great vision and determination and it showed in their actions at the
start. The first year, they built and
established a town. The second year,
they elected a town council. In their
third year the town council proposed to build a road five miles into the
wilderness for westward expansion. In
the fourth year, the people criticized the proposal as a waste of public
funds. They could not see the big
picture. Lynn Anderson pointed out that
they had once been able to see across oceans but now they could not look five
miles into the wilderness. (Adapted from
Thinking for a Change, John Maxwell, pp. 65-66.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We cannot afford to worry that the foundations are
collapsing! There are no political
answers for spiritual problems and therefore the only thing the true church can
do is to be righteous! The big picture
to see is that there are people who are lost and need the direction of a
Savior. The big picture is that the
church has to be advancing the cause of Jesus Christ no matter what! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
11:4-7—The Strength of the Lord <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 11:4-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S
throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of
men. <b>[5]</b> The LORD trieth the
righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. <b>[6]</b> Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire
and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their
cup. <b>[7]</b> For the righteous LORD
loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In the first half of Psalm 11, we have seen the security
and refuge that comes to a saint. Now we
look at the strength of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the places that His strength comes from is His
holiness. Remember that David is writing
before the Temple has been built. The
Temple would not be built until after his death by his son, Solomon. But now David is presenting the thought that
the Lord literally dwells in holiness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the great areas of the Lord’s strength is the
fact of his holiness. In fact, we can go
so far as to say that the strength of his holiness is what brings security to
the church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His holiness moves
us to fear sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His holiness causes
us to value that which is godly and righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His holiness ushers
in the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His holiness has a
drawing power toward God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His holiness
confirms power in our prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His holiness
provides a motivation toward sincerity with God and with man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">His holiness is an
absolute treasure for all who are Spirit-filled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Kim Haney writes in her book <i>Guarding the Channels of the Supernatural</i>:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: #c00000;">To be able to fellowship with the presence of God in the way
that we do, to feel the Divine touch of the Master’s Hand upon our lives, to
have a refuge, a fortress, to experience the power and demonstration of God
Himself manifesting in our midst is worth more than any amount of money. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: #c00000;">As this world gets darker and more evil, the gift of His presence
is becoming more precious to His people.
Whether you know it or not, we possess something others do not. Every Sunday in church we have many visitors
from various beliefs that do not embrace or understand this revelation, and the
comments are always the same, “I’ve never felt anything like this before. I could not stop crying. There is nothing like this.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: #c00000;">Is it because you and I are more spiritual? Is it because we have a nice building filled
with friendly people? No. It’s the power that takes place when you
connect the apostle’s doctrine with holiness.
You cannot have one without the other because it won’t work. Like the cold air meeting the hot air, when
the two connect it causes a powerful surge of lightning and electricity. Doctrine and holiness go hand in hand to ‘create’
the power encounter. (p. 7)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Wherever the presence of the Lord is. . . there will be
the powerful work of holiness moving in our hearts and it will have a great impact
of those who are worshippers and those who are in need of salvation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord needs to be in a holy temple, a holy heart, a
holy vessel, holy hands, holy minds, and holy saints. It provides strength to us in ways that we
cannot even perceive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is another matter that goes along with holiness
and that is the way the Lord tries or tests the righteous (v. 5). If you notice the contrast in this verse it
can be quite eye-opening to you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 11:5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked
and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a testing process that goes on in the life of
every child of God but those that are wicked, the Lord leaves them to their own
devices. The Lord starts working with
testing in our lives by various means:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will allow us to
see the character traits and the habits of our lives that are not righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will allow trials
and troubles to come to our path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will allow trying
temptations to settle into our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The whole matter of the challenges to the righteous is
so that we are literally turned into saints of the Lord. Keep your faith in knowing that the Lord has
every one of our trials in His hands.
Adversity, persecution, set-backs, delays, suffering, and even promotion
and prosperity are weighty tools the Lord has in His control. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Don’t be alarmed when the Lord works toward testing your
soul because it has to take place for spiritual maturity to come to pass. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is another aspect that we have lost in our
Americanized theology and it comes out in Psalm 11:5. . . The Lord will test
the righteous but the wicked and those who love violence, David clearly sets
forth that God hates these people.
Although there may not be any immediate judgment, the day will come when
he will deal sharply with it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is no way to honestly remove the doctrine of
eternal judgment from the pages of Scripture.
Just as the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24; Deut. 29:23;
Ezek. 38:22), the same measure will take place in the future for the wicked who
ignore his call to salvation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The “tempest” in Psalm 11:6 contains for us the picture
of a scorching desert wind that parches and withers everything in its path in a
matter of hours (Isa. 21:1; 40:7-8; Jer. 4:11).
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One more phrase in that verse deserves our attention
also. David says the judgment is “the
portion of their cup.” To the Hebrews,
they would know exactly what this was about.
The head of the household generally gave each family member a cup to
drink with every family meal. David
notes the Lord is going to give a cupful of His wrath to those who have
offended His holiness, His justice, and His righteousness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There were some of the prophets who also picked up on
this tone in their preaching that was intended to turn the nation toward God:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 51:17 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which
hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the
dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 51:22 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that
pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the
cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more
drink it again:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Ezekiel 23:31-33 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister;
therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.
<b>[32]</b> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt drink of
thy sister's cup deep and large: thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in
derision; it containeth much. <b>[33]</b>
Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of
astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We must live our lives in a God-honoring and God-exalting
way so that the testimony of our lives speaks and preaches to those who observe
us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But this psalm doesn’t end with the wrath of God, it
ends with the blessings that comes to the righteous. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 11:7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness;
his countenance doth behold the upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-For those who love righteousness, there are benefits of
the Lord that literally uphold us when we aren’t even aware of it. It is the age-old story about the footprints
in the sand, there are times when we will look back and see only one set of
footprints in the sand and we will realize that it was then the Lord was
carrying us through the hard times. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Lord loves those
who do righteous acts—Isa. 33:15-16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Lord sustains us
in adversity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Lord delivers us
from the enemies who may attack us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Lord touches us
with close communion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Lord moves us
toward that world which is to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Stay and Fight!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—HOW
BLESSED! <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 11 points out the securities that a saint of God because
of the strength the Lord provides for us!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-May we ever be dependent on God but also may we
understand the absolute necessity and responsibility of staying and fighting
and not fleeing to the mountains.
Instead of running may we understand that necessity of our responsibilities
to do and seek the will of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
November 14, 2014 </div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-86571998063058518612014-11-12T13:23:00.003-08:002014-11-12T13:23:38.861-08:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 10 -- A Prayer of Justice for the Wicked<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:1-18 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? <i>why</i>
hidest thou <i>thyself</i> in times of trouble?
<b>[2]</b> The wicked in <i>his</i> pride doth persecute
the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. <b>[3]</b> For the wicked boasteth of his heart's
desire, and blesseth the covetous, <i>whom</i> the LORD abhorreth. <b> [4] </b>The wicked, through the pride of his
countenance, will not seek <i>after God:</i> God <i>is</i> not in all his
thoughts. <b>[5]</b> His ways are always
grievous; thy judgments <i>are</i> far above out of his sight: <i>as for</i>
all his enemies, he puffeth at them. <b>[6]</b>
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for <i>I shall</i>
never <i>be</i> in adversity. <b>[7]</b>
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue <i>is</i>
mischief and vanity. <b>[8]</b>
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places
doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. <b>[9]</b> He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his
den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he
draweth him into his net. <b>[10]</b>
He croucheth, <i>and</i> humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his
strong ones. <b>[11] </b>He hath said in his
heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see <i>it.</i> <b>[12]</b> Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand:
forget not the humble. <b>[13]</b>
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou
wilt not require <i>it.</i> <b>[14]</b>
Thou hast seen <i>it;</i> for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to
requite <i>it</i> with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou
art the helper of the fatherless. <b>[15]</b>
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil <i>man:</i> seek out his
wickedness <i>till</i> thou find none. <b>[16]</b>
The LORD <i>is</i> King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out
of his land. <b>[17] </b>LORD, thou hast heard
the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine
ear to hear: <b>[18]</b> To judge the fatherless
and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—THE
MATTER OF INJUSTICE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When Paul made mention of something that we may have
overlooked in our rapid, hurried, and sometimes desperate look at the
Scriptures. But if Paul had the stature
of one of the greatest saints and preachers who has ever lived, I think that
what he may have spoken should warrant our attention. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Romans 8:22-23 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For we know that the whole creation <b><i>groaneth</i></b>
and travaileth in pain together until now.
<b>[23] </b>And not only they, but ourselves also,
which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves <b><i>groan
within ourselves</i></b>, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of
our body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">2 Corinthians 5:1-4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For we know that if our earthly
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
<b>[2]</b> For in this we <b><i>groan</i></b>, earnestly desiring
to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: <b>[3]</b> If so be that being clothed we shall not be
found naked. <b>[4]</b> For we that are in this
tabernacle do <b><i>groan</i></b>, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but
clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are things that good saints of God come in contact
with on this earth that creates a sense of groaning and the pressure that comes
from life. Obviously there are some
matters that are more difficult to bear than others but one of those matters we
often groan about is that of justice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We desire justice, we seek justice, and we want justice,
and I believe that this is one of the matters of the Christian life. Once we receive the Spirit, there is an
innate sense of justice that comes to us.
Because we are partakers of the divine nature (Heb. 3:1; 2 Peter 1:4) we
gain a very small portion of the feeling that comes with one of God’s
attributes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of God’s attributes is justice. Therefore when we are Spirit-filled there are
moments where we feel this sense of God’s presence about us that deals with God’s
sense of justice. When we see it not
being fulfilled there is a longing that prevails in the heart of a saint.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-To stir your heart toward justice, all that we have to
do is simply to open our eyes to those around us:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The man who is laid
off with about two years left until retirement and now is left with nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The person who has
to endure the criticism of those who don’t know all the details of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The young man or
young woman who is dropped by someone they are dating because they refuse to
understand a commitment to purity and godliness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The person who is
committed to holiness and lives a life that exalts God but never seems to catch
the breaks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The person who is
divorced and it seems as if everything their ex touches turns into gold despite
them knowing so much more about their character than anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The children who
seem to be trapped in conditions of poverty with no way out and parents that
neglect them because of sinful pursuits.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Public humiliation
and private pain of the righteous. </span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of us come into contact with that kind of activity and
if you have a heart for God, it can cause you to have feelings in your heart
that sometimes aren’t the most productive in the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-How do we react to that kind of thing? Here is another reason that I am profoundly
grateful for the Word of the Lord because it moves us into a place of properly
responding as we should. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
10—A PRAYER FOR JUSTICE AGAINST THE WICKED<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is closely connected to the previous
one. In fact, the absence of a
superscription before Psalm 10 leads many biblical scholars to think that there
perhaps should not be a chapter break between the two. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 9 is a psalm of praise and Psalm 10 is a psalm of
prayer. If ever I needed to understand
this in my walk with the Lord it is now.
I cannot ever separate the two of them in my life. Praise is closely connected with my prayer
and prayer is closely connected to my praise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We will further see that Psalm 9 deals with the enemy
that is outside of Israel and Psalm 10 deals with the enemy that is inside of
Israel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 10 is a lengthy lamentation that falls into the
category of one of the lament psalms.
Sometimes we have a tendency to feel guilty about the focus of our
prayer on ourselves. Psalm 10 ought to
be such an experience that removes the guilt that you may feel over praying for
yourself. Obviously our prayer does not
need to be always focused on us but there are many times that you <i>should and must </i>pray for yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 10 is about people who say they believe in God but
do not live in a manner that would exalt God.
It is a sense of practical atheism at work. In my own walk with the Lord, I do not want
this to be one of my characteristics; to say I <i>believe </i>in God but do not <i>live
</i>like I believe in God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
10:1—An Alarming Question<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why
hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This is an alarming question that David asks. He can see the injustice of the wicked
triumphing (at least for now). The
success of sin and the wicked brought discouragement to David. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You cannot but help to have this ominous feeling about
America even now as you see sin being exalted in every market square and public
arena in America. Increasingly those who
are righteous are finding more and more that they are out of step with the direction
and tone of this climate in America. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Even the most lukewarm and uncommitted church attenders
are finding that they are being out-foxed by this momentum that is taking
place. . . <i>Why do You stand afar off,
Lord? Why are You hiding Yourself in the
times when we need You the most? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is the feeling that David is pouring out to God in
his prayer. To make it even more
challenging, it almost feels as if God is indifferent to all of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Charles Spurgeon</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—To
the tearful eye of the sufferer the Lord seemed to <i>stand </i>still, as if he calmly looked on, and did not sympathize with
his afflicted one. The Lord appeared to
be <i>afar off</i>, no longer “a very present
help in trouble,” but an inaccessible mountain, into which no man would be able
to climb. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It is not so much the trouble that seems to be the issue
as it is the distance by which the Lord seems to be separated from the godly. Yet we all know that no matter what comes in
our direction, the Lord is there!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
10:3-4, 11—The Action of the Wicked against God<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:3-4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For the wicked boasteth of his heart's
desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. <b>[4] </b>The wicked, through the pride of his
countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:11 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> He hath said in his heart, God hath
forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That alarming question that David raises now is followed
by his description of the wicked actions against God. Look at how they are operating against God:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He brags on his sin
that was the desire of his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He exalts the man
who gains money by dishonest means (“blesseth the covetous”). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He refuses to seek
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He never even thinks
of having God in his thoughts (Paul goes after this in Romans 1 and 3). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What motivates all of this? The connection is actually in verse 2 where
it addresses the matter of pride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of that should motivate us as men and women in our
service to the Lord to do everything we can to oppose pride and the treacherous
place that it puts us into. Pride makes
us silly boasters and braggarts. But it
is especially contemptible when it comes to bragging sinners. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It is part of the routine for sinners to glorify
themselves. But what is even more
alarming is how that those who practice sin on a regular basis have a wrong
understanding of the deeds of other sinners and also of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-How does this work?
It causes sinners to praise ruthless and greedy men and then he will
curse God:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">God is blasphemed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">God is not sought
for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">God is shut out of
all of his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They suppress the truth
in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-21).
(Key is v. 18, “who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-At the root of this is pride. . . It is ever so hard to
get a proud man to bend his knee in a place of prayer. It is ever so hard for a proud man to have a
broken and contrite spirit and yet these are two areas that moves us toward
God. . . Prayer and brokenness. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Thomas Manton</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Pride
gave us the first <i>merit </i>of death, and
envy the first <i>instance </i>of it; the
one was the mother, the other the midwife of human ruin. Adam was a sinner, but Cain a murderer; there
envy tasted blood, and ever since it is glutted with it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pride withdraws our
heart from God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pride lifts our
minds up against God and blinds it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pride revolts
against bearing crosses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pride disdains the
blessings of God in exchange for the promotions of man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pride takes God to
court and accuses Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pride puts judgment,
discernment and discretion to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Pride pushes us to
pursue carnal achievements and possessions.</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Nebuchadnezzar lost his reason and turned into a beast when
he became proud. The same thing is
repeated on a daily basis in 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Then David describes how that the pride mixes with covetousness
and causes him to gain money through dishonest means.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When we skip down to verse 11 and look at the last way
they move against God, we find another troubling thing. He thinks that God is blind or at best
forgetful. If we are honest this can be
a huge problem for a real saint of God because he may wonder where God is in
all of this difficulty of life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-They say, “God has forgotten!” Sin causes a wrong understanding of the deeds
of other sinners and also of the ways of God.
A sinner will praise ruthless and greedy men from one side of his mouth
and curse God from the other side of it.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The inner thoughts of the wicked one are exposed in this
very instance in Scripture! What has
taken place outwardly is just an expression of their inward sin and godlessness
(Matt. 5:21-30; Mark 7:20-23). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The lesson for the saint in this is that we must
carefully cultivate our own soul in such a way that inward godliness directs
the steps of the outward man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
10:2, 5-10—The Action of the Wicked against Man<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:2 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The wicked in his pride doth persecute the
poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:5-10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are
far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. <b>[6]</b> He hath said in his heart, I shall not be
moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
<b>[7]</b> His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and
fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
<b>[8]</b> He sitteth in the lurking places of the
villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are
privily set against the poor. <b>[9] </b>He
lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the
poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. <b>[10]</b> He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the
poor may fall by his strong ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The characteristics of the wicked are spelled out for
us:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Arrogance—vv. 2-4</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—A
contempt for God and man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prosperity—v. 5</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Rich
and have everything at their hand. They
laugh at holiness, reverence, and spiritual things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Security—v. 6</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Their
prosperity seems to help them have a great sense of security. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Vile Speech—v. 7</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—They
have destructive words they use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Violence—v. 8-11</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—David
uses incredibly descriptive language when he notes their ways of violence. They operate like assassins, like lions, and
like skillful hunters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of these matters that are taking place can be
directly attached to the work of pride in the wicked. Their ways are grievous (KJV). . . Their ways
prosper at all times (ESV). . . This leads to great boasting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I would think that you have picked up on this matter as
we have walked through the first nine psalms but I would like to camp out on it
a bit more. The use of the tongue is a
great matter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and
fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:7 YLT</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Of oaths his mouth is full, And deceits, and
fraud: Under his tongue is perverseness and iniquity,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In this one single verse, we find three of the most
destructive uses of the tongue:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Cursing</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Words that
seek to bring down evil powers on people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Deceit</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—False testimony
and slander.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Fraud</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The work of
intimidation; the use of fraudulent words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Further it describes the outcome of these three uses of
the tongue:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Mischief (Perverseness from Young’s Literal
Translation) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Vanity (Iniquity from Young’s Literal Translation)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-C. S. Lewis wrote a commentary on some of the selected
Psalms and he had this to say about the matter of the tongue:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: #00b050;">I had half expected that in a simpler more violent age
when more evil was done with the knife, the big stick and the firebrand, less
would be done by talk. But in reality
the psalmists mention hardly any kind of evil more often than this one, which
the most civilized societies share. . . It is all over the Psalter. One almost hears the incessant whispering,
tattling, lying scolding, flattery and circulation of rumors. No historical readjustment are here required,
we are in the world we know. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-May the Lord sanctify our own tongues in such a way that
we are not guilty of this kind of thing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In the very next verse, he links up those who use their
tongue for a bad cause with murderers and assassins. He puts them in lurking places. . . secret
places. . . Which is where they lie in wait for the next victim to be swept up
in their mayhem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The picture that David paints of them being lions who
are attacking the prey appears in other places in the Psalms:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 17:12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey,
and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 37:32 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The wicked watcheth the righteous, and
seeketh to slay him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 56:6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> They gather themselves together, they hide
themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 59:3 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the
mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O
LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 64:4-5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> That they may shoot in secret at the perfect:
suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
<b>[5]</b> They encourage themselves in an evil matter:
they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Snares are laid all about us. Charles Spurgeon in his great work on the Psalms,
<i>The Treasury of David</i>, included these
lines when he was commenting on verse 9:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">The close pursuers’ busy
hands do plant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares in thy substance;
snares attend thy want;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares in thy credit; snares
in thy disgrace;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares in thy high estate;
snares in thy base;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares tuck thy bed; snares
surround thy board; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares watch thy thoughts;
and snares attack thy word;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares in thy quiet; snares
in thy commotion;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares in thy diet; snares in
thy devotion;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares lurk in thy resolves;
snares in thy doubt;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares lie within thy heart,
and snares without;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares are above thy head,
and snares beneath;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Snares in thy sickness;
snares are in thy death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-May the Lord keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The way that the poor and the needy have force used
against them troubles David. (Multiple
references among the prophets about this very thing: Isaiah 1:15-17; 1:21-23; Jer. 7:9; Ezek.
22:2-5.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the greatest examples of where the wicked
attacked the helpless was in 1 Kings 21 where Naboth lost his vineyard because of
the attack of the evil Jezebel and Ahab.
You cannot help but reading that and having an outright reaction to say
that “this is not right!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All through the hallways of history this kind of
activity has been going on and one day, God is going to set all of it right!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
10:1, 13—The Cry of Anguish from the Godly<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why
hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:13 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he
hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is that great cry of anguish from the godly. We find that when we come to Scripture if we
search out all of the implications that take place due to the anguish in men,
it is one of the vehicles that God uses to work with men. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David is concerned about this and makes the connection
that when it seems as if the Lord is distant that wicked men seem to
gloat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Churches go through seasons just as individual saints
will go through seasons in their walk with the Lord. We should be extremely concerned if the Lord
seems to be distant from our local church and from our individual life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Plead with the Lord in this matter when you feel a
distance from Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word “contemn” in the KJV could also be understood
as spurn, disrespect, renounce, provoke, scorn, blaspheme, or despised God in their
heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There can be a great spiritual weariness that settles in
on believers and those of the redeemed church who can hear the thousands of
voices that are crying out against the holiness and righteousness of God. David was at that exact place!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The wicked were saying:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">There will be no
judgment for us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">There will be no
hell for us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">There will be no
reckoning day for us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We celebrate our
depravity!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We curse that little
church!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-However, you must have a clear understanding that this
apostolic church is now 2000 years old.
None of its detractors have managed to kill it yet. It has been through the fire, it has been
through the flood. . . It’s the Church Triumphant! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>E.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
10:12, 15-18—The Prayer Request of the Righteous <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand:
forget not the humble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:15-18 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil
man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. <b>[16]</b> The LORD is King for ever and ever: the
heathen are perished out of his land. <b> [17] </b>LORD,
thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou
wilt cause thine ear to hear: <b>[18]</b>
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may
no more oppress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David has a response to all of this activity of these
wicked men:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 12</span></b><span style="color: red;">—He asks God to act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 14</span></b><span style="color: red;">—He reminds himself
that God does see what is taking place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 16</span></b><span style="color: red;">—He knows that there
will be an eventual judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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-In David’s mind, he is thinking about the judgment that
is coming in this life. As we have
tracked through the previous psalms, that has been one of the concerns of
David. He wants his enemies to get what
is coming to them on this earth, in this life.
He wants judgment to come here and never even considers the judgment
that is coming. <o:p></o:p></div>
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-I need to remind you that the greatest judgment is not
what may be meted out down here but after we die:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">2 Peter 3:3-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Knowing this first, that there shall come in
the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, <b>[4]</b> And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?
for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation. <b>[5]</b>
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the
heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the
water: <b>[6] </b>Whereby the world that
then was, being overflowed with water, perished: <b>[7]</b> But the heavens and the earth, which are now,
by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">2 Peter 3:10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> But the day of the Lord will come as a thief
in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that
are therein shall be burned up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Rest in this fact that just as certainly as our
salvation rests in the work of the New Birth in us, there is also coming a day
that justice and judgment will be imparted by God to take care of all of
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—A
POWERFUL ILLUSTRATION OF GOD HAVING THE LAST SAY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-God will have the last say in all matters! No matter what end of the spectrum that men
come from, they will ultimately answer to God.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Towards
the end of the nineteenth century there emerged in Europe a man who tried his
best to inflict as much damage on Christianity as he possibly could. His name was Friedrich Nietzsche. He was born in the home of a pastor of which
his mother and father had come from a long line of ministers. His father died when he was a young man. When he was twelve he rejected the religious
upbringing of his parents and blasphemously redefined God. This was the first step in a lifelong revolt
against what his parents and the church had instilled in him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">His
philosophies were radical, violent, and disastrous to himself and to society. He died a lunatic but his teachings lived
beyond the grave and heavily influenced Adolf Hitler. The writings of Nietzsche led to the core
beliefs of the Nazis and their construction of the concentration camps that
killed millions of Jews. His book, <i>The Will to Power</i>, was at the core of
Hitler’s beliefs and Hitler regularly preached what this book promoted. Nietzsche taught that Christianity was the “one
great curse. . . the one immoral blemish of mankind.” He hammered away at the lie of lies: “God is dead!
God is dead! God is dead!” He called for the removal of any moral restraints
and called for the world to be ruled by the anti-Christ. God silently watched all of this man’s scorn
and he judged him by having him locked up in a mental institution to spend the
rest of his days in his mad rantings.
(Adapted from John Phillips <i>Exploring
the Psalms, Volume 1, Psalm 1-88</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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-Don’t let the question in Psalm 10:1 prevail in your
mind:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why
hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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-Instead, you need to remember Psalm 10:16-18:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 10:16-18 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The LORD is King for ever and ever: the
heathen are perished out of his land. <b>[17]</b>
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their
heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
<b>[18]</b> To judge the fatherless and the oppressed,
that the man of the earth may no more oppress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
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November 9, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
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Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-68034394678981548042014-11-01T12:12:00.001-07:002014-11-01T12:12:22.198-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 9 -- Praise for the Power of God<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:1-20
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> <b>To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A
Psalm of David.</b> I will praise <i>thee,</i> O LORD, with my whole heart; I
will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
<b>[2]</b> I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will
sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
<b>[3] </b>When mine enemies are turned back, they
shall fall and perish at thy presence. <b>[4]</b>
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the
throne judging right. <b>[5]</b>
Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast
put out their name for ever and ever. <b>[6] </b>O
thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed
cities; their memorial is perished with them. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><b></b></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><b><br /></b><br />
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<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><b>[7]</b> But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath
prepared his throne for judgment. <b>[8]</b>
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister
judgment to the people in uprightness. <b>[9] </b>The
LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of
trouble. <b>[10]</b> And they that know thy
name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that
seek thee. <b>[11]</b> Sing praises to the
LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. <b>[12]</b> When he maketh inquisition for blood, he
remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. <b>[13]</b> Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my
trouble <i>which I suffer</i> of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up
from the gates of death: <b>[14]</b>
That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of
Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. <b>[15]</b>
The heathen are sunk down in the pit <i>that</i> they made: in the net
which they hid is their own foot taken. <b>[16]</b>
The LORD is known <i>by</i> the judgment <i>which</i> he executeth: the
wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. <b>[17]</b> The wicked shall be turned into hell, <i>and</i>
all the nations that forget God. <b>[18]</b>
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor
shall <i>not</i> perish for ever. <b>[19]
</b>Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy
sight. <b>[20]</b> Put them in fear, O
LORD: <i>that</i> the nations may know themselves <i>to be but</i> men. Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—A
CONNECTION WITH PSALM 9 & 10</b><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 9 and 10 are connected in the form of a Hebrew
acrostic. To get an idea of how this
works, it would be very similar to taking all twenty-six letters of the English
alphabet and beginning a sentence of a verse with A, B, C, and continuing on
through Z.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 9 is primarily dealing with praise and Psalm 10 is
solely focused on prayer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 9</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Predominantly
focused on praise for deliverance over hostile nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 10</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Predominantly
focused on prayer against unscrupulous nations.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Prior to Psalm 9, we have noticed a connection with the
psalms and prayer. But there are some
other examples of this kind of activity throughout the rest of the Psalms. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 40</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—A prayer
for help with trouble abounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 44</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—A prayer
for help after Israel has suffered a devastating loss/defeat at the hands of
the enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 89</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—A prayer
that mourns the downfall of the Davidic dynasty and pleads for its
restoration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-No saint of God has ever come to the place of being able
to not have a spiritual mix of praise and prayer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Praise without
prayer leads to shallow, carnal, and weak worship that only appeals to the
flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prayer without
praise leads to routine, ritualistic, and dry formalism that only appeals to
the intellect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-While the tone of these two psalms are clearly where
David is bringing his distress (again) to the Lord, there is still an
underlying sense of trust in the Lord that no matter how grim or dark things
may appear, David will put his confidence in the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
9—GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-As with the previous psalms, I am choosing an outline so
that you will be able to arrange it in your mind a bit better. One of the whole reasons that I am choosing
to preach through the Psalms is to increase our biblical literacy which is at
an all-time low in our generation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This outline is one that Harold Wilmington placed in <i>The Outline Bible</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
9:1-3—God’s Righteous Redemption of the Elect<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:1-3
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <b>To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A
Psalm of David.</b> I will praise <i>thee,</i> O LORD, with my whole heart; I
will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
<b>[2]</b> I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will
sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
<b>[3]</b> When mine enemies are turned back, they shall
fall and perish at thy presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Again, the superscription proves to us the purpose of this
psalm. It is to the chief musician and
it is to be used in public temple worship either by the Levitical choir or a
worshiping congregation. Open your heart
and sing. . . Note I said that we should open our heart and sing. . . The Lord
said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speak (Matt. 12:34;
Luke 6:45). . . <i>we must sing with our
heart and not merely our mouth!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-This psalm puts an emphasis on praise and we see it immediately in
the first two verses:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">I will praise thee. . . I will give thanks . . . with my whole
heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">I will shew forth. . . I will tell. . . of the wonderful works
of the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">I will be glad and rejoice. . . in Thee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">I will sing praise to Your Name. . . O Lord, Our Lord, how
excellent is Your Name in all the earth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The praise that comes from the heart and pen of David is in response
to what the Lord had done for them. His
protection for them and his provision for them is made clear. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-If you will notice in v. 11, there is also a connection that not only
will David sing praise to the Lord in his heart (v. 1), he is also going to
venture into a public place in Zion (v. 11).
It is at the gates of Zion that this will take place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">J. J. Stewart
Perowne</span></b><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> (<i>The Book of Psalms</i>, 1878)—We cannot pray
the psalms without realizing in a very special manner the communion of the
saints, the unity of the Church militant and the Church triumphant. We cannot pray the Psalms without having our
hearts opened, our affections enlarged, our thoughts drawn heavenward. He who can pray them best is nearest to God,
knows most of the Spirit of Christ, and is ripest for heaven.</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-This book of Psalms is indeed praises and prayer! If we would put a church in a mindsight for
worship it will be enhanced when we open the Psalms. It has much toward developing our spiritual
life, to serve as a model for songs of praise, and instruction in praying. That is what David is putting forward for us
in this passage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Allen P. Ross</span></b><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—Since prayer and
praise—indeed, worship—must be informed, these psalms must be interpreted
correctly, taught clearly, and preached convincingly. The church is missing one of its richest
experiences if it ignores the Book of Psalms or relegates it to a routine
reading in a service without any explanation.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
9:4, 7-8—God’s Righteous Rule Over the Earth<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the
throne judging right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:7-8
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath
prepared his throne for judgment. <b>[8]</b>
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister
judgment to the people in uprightness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Not only will the Lord redeem, He will also rule. He will endure forever and his throne will be
perpetual. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Through these verses (vv. 4, 7-8), David proves to us
how the Lord will do this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will rule justly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will rule
eternally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will rule fairly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will help those
who are oppressed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Several
months ago when the city library sold thousands of books in preparation to move
to the new facilities, I happened to purchase a series of books written by
Robert Caro. He is perhaps the foremost
living authority on the Texas senator and later US President, Lyndon Johnson. I am sorry to say that I was 47 years old
before I came into contact with Caro’s work.
I have several friends who have encouraged me to read about LBJ over the
years, but until I ran across these library copies for $1, I probably would
have never read about him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">In <i>Means of Ascent</i>, Caro describes the
battles that Johnson went through the gain the Texas Senate seat and then the
willingness to baptize himself in an absolute quest for power to gain the White
House. At one point in his life, he had
the ability to trade off his political career to become very wealthy but he was
hungrier for power than he was for money.
The author is very frank in various places in the book that this whole
matter was really about power more than anything else in LBJ’s life. In fact, Caro states in multiple places in
the books that his biographies are more about power than they are about
politics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Along
with historical accounts and more exposure in our generation, we have gained insight
into the lives of politicians and world leaders and many of these insights have
not been flattering. Therefore it is
somewhat difficult for us to really truly believe that there are true, just,
and honest political leaders left in the world.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David literally puts that whole matter to rest when he
speaks of the Lord as being a righteous, accurate, and just ruler who is on a
throne that will have eternal rule. It
needs to be constantly placed before us that we can trust the Lord! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Who is this Lord in heaven?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 2</span></b><span style="color: red;">—O Most High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 4</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A Righteous Judge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 7</span></b><span style="color: red;">—An Eternal Judge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 9</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A High Tower<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">v. 10</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A Name to Trust In <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
9:5-6, 15-17—God’s Righteous Resistance of Evil<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:5-6
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast
destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. <b>[6]</b> O thou enemy, destructions are come to a
perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Not only will the power of God redeem and rule, it will also resist
the attack of those who are evil. There
is a foolishness that always prevails in the mind of the wicked. They have gained such notoriety in their own
minds that they have become legends in a sense.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-This foolishness is what God will fight against and will
prevail. The devil was literally the
first foolish one who thought he could gain control over God. But David shows us what takes place to that
end:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">They are rebuked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">They are destroyed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Their names are blotted out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Destruction comes in unending cycles to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Their cities are destroyed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Their memorials are torn down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Even when you follow through further down in the psalm, you find them
being cast into hell (v. 17) and the Lord will fill them with terror (vv.
19-20). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:15-17
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> The heathen are sunk down in the pit <i>that</i>
they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. <b>[16]</b> The LORD is known <i>by</i> the judgment <i>which</i>
he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion.
Selah. <b>[17]</b> The wicked shall be
turned into hell, <i>and</i> all the nations that forget God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-David uses some imagery that a hunter would use: <i>Pit. .
. Net. . . Hidden. . . Snared</i>. . . This is a familiar picture that you will
run across in the Psalms. In fact, there
are fourteen other places where this expression is used generally in
conjunction with a righteous man who is being pursued by wicked men who are
bent on evil. (NOTE: There is a strong association that we can see
with this Psalm and Psalm 7 particularly beginning in Psalm 7:14-16.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Enemies seek to destroy with a hidden snare or by a surprise
attack. More often than not, the
psalmists use the idea in connection with the tongue. The tongue is usually malicious in its gossip
and slander and is used from a place of concealment. It is never something that is face-to-face
but rather taking place behind the scenes.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The tongue is as deadly as a sharp sword or deadly arrows. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 55:21
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <i>The words</i> of his mouth were smoother
than butter, but war <i>was</i> in his heart: his words were softer than oil,
yet <i>were</i> they drawn swords.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 57:4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
My soul <i>is</i> among lions: <i>and</i> I lie <i>even among</i> them
that are set on fire, <i>even</i> the sons of men, whose teeth <i>are</i>
spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 59:7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords <i>are</i> in their
lips: for who, <i>say they,</i> doth hear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 64:3-4
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> Who whet their tongue like a sword, <i>and</i>
bend <i>their bows to shoot</i> their arrows, <i>even</i> bitter words: <b>[4]</b> That they may shoot in secret at the perfect:
suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Proverbs 12:18
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> There is that speaketh like the piercings of
a sword: but the tongue of the wise <i>is</i> health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Proverbs 25:18
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> A man that beareth false witness against his
neighbour <i>is</i> a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Various times in the Psalms, words were used to discredit David and
came about in an effort to bring him down (Ps. 17; 25; 27-28; 31; 35; 41; 52;
54-57; 59; 63-64; 71; 86; 109; 140-141).
All of these are examples give us the insight of knowing that David was
under a fearful attack. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Say what we may, but when malicious words come in our direction they
are difficult for us to contend with.
The longer you live the more aware of these situations you become:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Promotions and raises on jobs have been stopped because of the
tongue of malicious attackers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Pastors under fire by church boards and groups of rogue
deacons. I am familiar with one pastor
(SL) who had to endure a four hour attack by a large pack of deacons that
numbered between 60-70 men. He was
humiliated because one of the power-brokers in the church (a wealthy surgeon)
determined he would take this good man down.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Others have been hung-up in political cross-fire and found
themselves eviscerated by harmful words.
The words were intent on destruction and they have wilted down more than
just a few over the course of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-We all would do ourselves well if we would quit worrying with
everyone else’s dirty laundry and wash our own!
May God help us to put a guard on our tongues! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
9:9-16, 18-20—God’s Righteous Rescue of the Needy <i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:9-16
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> The LORD also will be a refuge for the
oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
<b>[10]</b> And they that know thy name will put their
trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. <b>[11]</b> Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in
Zion: declare among the people his doings.
<b>[12]</b> When he maketh inquisition for blood, he
remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. <b>[13]</b> Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my
trouble <i>which I suffer</i> of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up
from the gates of death: <b>[14]</b>
That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of
Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. <b>[15]
</b>The heathen are sunk down in the pit <i>that</i> they made: in the
net which they hid is their own foot taken.
<b>[16]</b> The LORD is known <i>by</i> the judgment <i>which</i>
he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion.
Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 9:18-20
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> For the needy shall not alway be forgotten:
the expectation of the poor shall <i>not</i> perish for ever. <b>[19]</b> Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the
heathen be judged in thy sight. <b>[20]</b>
Put them in fear, O LORD: <i>that</i> the nations may know themselves <i>to
be but</i> men. Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-We come to the last segment of this Psalm. . . We have seen. . .
God’s redemption, His rule, His resistance, and lastly we come to His rescue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-David paints for us a picture of what God is doing as He is a refuge
for the oppressed and the troubled. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">It is a high place in the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">It has great security and is very well defended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">It is lofty and inaccessible to the enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">It is a place of retreat and refreshment away from the
battle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-But David goes further in Psalm 9:13-14 when he writes that he is
standing at the very gate of death.
There are life-threatening dangers that he has to believe the Lord will
save him from.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Mordecai was there when Haman constructed the gallows for his
death. But the Lord prevailed and
Mordecai’s enemy was hanged on his own device.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell into the slime pits they
had constructed for Amraphel in Genesis 14.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Don’t ever think the Lord cannot help you when it seems as if the
whole host of hell is against you. His
will is going to prevail and it is for weary saints and harassed preachers to
believe and trust in!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—WHEN
I THINK OF THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We can see that ultimately the power of God toward those
who love and serve Him is all about His goodness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-James Montgomery Boice, in his fine three-volume
commentary on the Psalms, noted that when he started studying the Psalms in
depth that something happened to him. He
was aware that many of the psalms had tones of praise in them but that these
were not kept in private to the writer. Each author of these psalms had a willingness
to publically pronounce a blessing to Israel.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Boice wrote that he decided that from point on in his
life, he was going to acknowledging the goodness of God to some person on a
daily basis. He said that this activity
forced him to look at the glaring fact that there were long periods of time
that passed in his past where he had not been thankful or grateful to God for
anything. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But it also had a transforming effect on him because
that he noted that when he started looking for opportunities to tell others
about the goodness of God that he developed a more positive spiritual
mind. He said it was more than just a
psychological condition but that he realized that God was active in every
aspect of his life and it is often unrecognized! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-How guilty are we all of this?! In everything give thanks. . . for this is
the will of God!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has
done for me. . . My soul cries out, “Hallelujah!” Praise God for saving me!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
October 8, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-20076771149118250842014-11-01T12:11:00.000-07:002014-11-01T12:11:05.666-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 8 -- The Glory of the Lord<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 8:1-9 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> <b>To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A
Psalm of David.</b> O LORD our Lord, how excellent <i>is</i> thy name in all
the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. <b>[2]</b> Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast
thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the
enemy and the avenger. <b>[3]</b>
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the
stars, which thou hast ordained; <b>[4]</b>
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou
visitest him? <b>[5]</b> For thou hast made him a
little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. <b>[6] </b>Thou madest him to have dominion over the
works of thy hands; thou hast put all <i>things</i> under his feet: <b>[7]</b> All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of
the field; <b>[8] </b>The fowl of the air, and
the fish of the sea, <i>and whatsoever</i> passeth through the paths of the
seas. <b>[9]</b> O LORD our Lord, how
excellent <i>is</i> thy name in all the earth!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—A
“NATURE” PSALM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is another that has been written by
David. Just to refresh your memory, from
Psalm 3-41, it is noted in the superscription, “A Psalm of David.” There are only two that do not have this
notation with those being Psalm 10 and 33.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-From Scripture there are some things that we can know
about David:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He was skillful at
playing the harp—1 Sam. 16:16-23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He was known as the
sweet psalmist of Israel—2 Sam. 23:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He was an
accomplished songwriter—2 Sam. 1:17-27; 22:1-23:7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He had an active
role in shaping the way that Israel would worship (even until this day)—1
Chron. 16:4-7; 16:37-42; 23:2-6; 25:1-7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It is obvious that David, at the deepest level of his
soul, that he was a man who was inclined to worship the Lord. It was not a thing that he confined to one or
two days of the week but his heart rested much on the things of the Lord and he
gave himself to the worship of the Lord.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The previous Psalms that I have preached through,
especially those of David have been more in the genre of a cry to the
Lord. In fact, all of the psalms leading
up to this one have been prayers of David.
But with Psalm 8 there is a transition of sorts and we will see why that
some have referred to the Psalms as the hymnbook of Israel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 8 is a hymn that can be sung in worship to the
Lord. There are other hymns that I can
see in the Psalms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hymns of Praise</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—They
call us to worship and point us toward God’s great abilities and His ways. Such as his kindness in Psalm 145, his power over
creation in Psalm 93, and the works of his creation as in Psalm 8. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hymns of Thanksgiving</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—They
are a response back to God when he answered a prayer as in Psalm 9 and 30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hymns that Celebrate the Law of God</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—They are designated to encourage us to live up to the
righteous standard that God desires. The
example of this would be Psalm 119. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hymns of Confidence</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—These
psalms helps us to put our trust in the Lord in the midst of all circumstances
of life. Psalm 23 is the greatest
example of this type of psalm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hymns with Prophetic Themes</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—These are the psalms that closely resemble the crying
calls of the prophets to be faithful.
Psalm 81 is an example of this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-To the chief Musician upon Gittith is the introduction
that David gives. The gittith is a harp
similar to a guitar that was common to Gath, the home of Goliath, the
Philistine. There are songs that come to
us in the victories of life and some scholars seem to think that David was
expressing a bit of divine irony here in his worship when he was noting that he
had a song to sing with an instrument that came from the home of his
enemy. There is much power that comes to
the redeemed who know their way around in a spiritual battle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Even though the fight may be taxing, there will be
instruments that are helpful in writing and singing praises to the Lord. No battle that the redeemed walk through are
going to be wasted. Don’t lose the
connection with this psalm in David’s victory over Goliath. He took an instrument literally from the
enemy’s camp and wrote a song for it! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 8 is drawing us in to worship the Lord because it
shows us His glory in creation. But not
only do you read of the greatness of creation, especially that of our solar
system, you also are drawn into the power of creation in man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a reach of sorts by David back to the creation
accounts of Genesis 1-2 where God pulled man out of the dust and then created
the woman from the side of the man. Even
though there would be some who would try to pull you away from this miracle of
creation, we cannot be moved off of this fact that God has created man and the
earth with His hands!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are some other words that David notes that helps
me to see that despite the glory of the Lord in creation, there are still some
enemies that have attempted to wreck the world God has created. Give your attention to Psalm 8:2 where we see
words like “foes,” “enemy,” and “avenger.”
That gives the hint that there is a two-way street in this matter of
serving the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If David wants me to see how excellent the name of the
Lord is, the enemy wants me to be in a constant state of questioning everything
I can about God. Question his purpose
for me, his love for me, and his desire to save me, the truth of the Word, and
a host of other doubts this wicked foe wants to plant in my heart. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
8<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-As David has expressed the excellence of the Name of the
Lord, he does so by showing us two things in this particular psalm: the glory of the Lord and the goodness of the
Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
8:1-2, 9—The Lord’s Glory<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 8:1-3 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm
of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast
set thy glory above the heavens. <b>[2]</b>
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength
because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. <b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 8:9 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in
all the earth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Lord’s Glory in Creation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David gives us the understanding that the majestic power
of the Name is great in all the earth.
Can you remember the way that David approached Goliath? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 Samuel 17:45-46 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Then said David to the Philistine, Thou
comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to
thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom
thou hast defied. <b>[46]</b> This day will the LORD
deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from
thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto
the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth
may know that there is a God in Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David never makes reference at all to the sling that he
will use to defeat Goliath but rather he tells him that all of his faith is
going into the name of the Lord of Hosts.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is still much power that comes to us when we put
an emphasis on the Name! O Lord, Our
Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all the earth!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The New Testament directive is very clear:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Acts 2:38 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We are to be baptized in the Name of Jesus. It is not an optional matter nor is it a
public affirmation or confession of faith.
To be baptized in the Name of Jesus is a response of obedience to the
commands of the Word of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some might accuse us of saying that we believe in
baptismal regeneration which places faith in the <i>act </i>of baptism itself. Some
of the Reformers opposed this because it was considered part of the sacraments
that were established by the Roman Catholic Church and fit into their system of
works-based salvation. Much of the work
of the Reformers was to break away from the Roman Catholic system that
controlled the lives of people in a very heretical way. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But when we are baptized:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We are doing so
because it is commanded in Scripture (Acts 2:28; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48;
22:16).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We are buried with
Jesus Christ and the old man is put away (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We are associated
with the life of Christ (Gal. 3:27) which establishes His power in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We have the old
fleshly man to be cut away which separates us from the sin we have committed in
the past, cuts away the control of the sinful nature, and brings forgiveness of
those sins (Col. 2:11-13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">We are placed in a
covenant relationship with God (Col. 2:11-13) just as circumcision in the Old
Testament placed Israel into a covenant relationship with God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When you began to look through the New Testament, there
are very powerful associations that come with the Name of Jesus:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Salvation is
connected to the Name—John 1:12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If you will ask in
the Name of Jesus, it will be given to you—John 16:23-24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Reconciliation with
God comes in that Name—1 Tim. 2:5-6; 2 Cor. 5:18-19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Healing took place
at the Name of Jesus—Acts 3:6; 4:30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Demons were cast out
in the Name of Jesus—Acts 16:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Perhaps the most powerful passage expressing the power
of the Name is also in Acts:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Acts 4:10-12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Be it known unto you all, and to all the
people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here
before you whole. <b>[11] </b>This is the stone which
was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. <b>[12]</b> Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We as Apostolics must engage that Name! We must exalt that Name!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some years ago there was a song written about the Name
of Jesus:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Verse 1:</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"><br />
Some may wonder where the beauty lies in the name I hold so dear<br />
Well, it's not just in the way it sounds as it falls on my ear<br />
And it's not just in the way it looks when it's written beautifully<br />
But the beauty of that lovely name is in the power it gives to me<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Chorus:</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"><br />
It's so beautiful, the name of Jesus, it's so beautiful, that precious name<br />
If you ask in Jesus' name anything is yours just to claim<br />
And I love that precious name<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Verse 2:</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"><br />
At the sound of His name every demon has to flee<br />
For to that name all power is given to set the hopeless captive free<br />
Every sin, disease and sickness must bow down to that name<br />
And forevermore surrender for all of time I shall proclaim<br />
<br />
<b>Bridge:</b><br />
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name<br />
He's master, savior, Jesus, He's like the fragrance after the rain<br />
Oh, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim<br />
Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away but there's something about that name<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Tag:</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"><br />
If you ask in Jesus' name anything is yours just to claim<br />
And I love, that precious name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-O Lord, Our Lord, how excellent is your Name in all the
earth! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Lord’s Glory from Children<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But David goes on even in more depth when he determines
that the power and excellence of that Name actually creates strength in those
who are infants. His Name creates power
over the enemies and the avengers that oppose the righteous. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The KJV states that the Lord will “still the enemy” and
another rendering can actually be that the Lord will “silence the enemy” or
that they will cease their tongues from speaking. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Bible is filled with examples that there will come a
day when the enemies of the Lord and His church will literally be silenced and
put to judgment. In fact one of the
places in Scripture from ancient times where this took place is in Isaiah
37:20-39. The threat was from
Sennacherib and the Lord used just two angels to send 185,000 men to their
graves because of the threat against the city of Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One day. . . . Every knee will bow and every tongue will
confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all!
The Lord will give power to the faint and to the weary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
8:3-8—The Lord’s Goodness<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 8:3-8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy
fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; <b>[4]</b> What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
<b>[5] </b>For thou hast made him a little lower
than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. <b>[6]</b> Thou madest him to have dominion over the
works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: <b> [7] </b>All
sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; <b>[8]</b> The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,
and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David
Amazed by the Lord’s Goodness—vv. 3-5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The scope of what David is about to get into is the
comparison of how great that creation is. When I consider. . . Think for a moment what
is said of the Lord in creation in Genesis 1.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Genesis 1:16 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And God made two great lights; the greater
light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: <b><i><u>he
made the stars also.</u></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Moses just sort of puts that in as an afterthought, by
the way. . . He made the stars also. All
you have to do is pick up some of the older issues of National Geographic
magazine and start reading about how big the universe is and all of the stars
that compose it. It will put incredible
awe in you! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. Consider this morning that when the sun
rose. Once the beam of light started its
trek toward us, it took 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach us. That means if the sun rose at 6:00 AM, the
first sunlight to reach us was at 6:08 AM.
God has set that up to take place every single morning! New mercies come to us every morning and
sadly I rarely recognize them because I have come to live in a place of just
expecting it to happen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When the Voyager II reached Neptune and started sending
back images to NASA, radio waves were traveling at 186,000 miles per
second. It took four hours to get back
to them. Give it a thought that Neptune
is not even on the outer ring of the planets, Pluto is beyond it. If the universe is that big, and I am that
small. . . Then consider how big that the Lord really is:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 66:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and
where is the place of my rest?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The heavens is where God sits, the earth is where He
props His feet up. . . And we so often worry about needless things! If God is that big and I belong to Him, there
is nothing that comes in my direction that He cannot take me through! Snares of the devil, deceit of the world, and
wiles of my own flesh are under the dominion of God!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Man’s
Assignment by the Lord’s Goodness—vv. 6-8
<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But God was not content with just creating this world
for His glory alone! He placed man in
the middle of every bit of it and crowned him with glory and honor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This means that man has been placed over every aspect of
creation that the Lord created. Further
when we see the connection of the word “glory” with Psalm 8:1, “He set his
glory above the heavens and then David turns around and says that God has put
that glory on man, which raises the value that God has put on the Redeemed
church of the ages! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Another point to see in this passage is that the Word
does not say that man is a little higher than the beasts (animals) of the earth
but rather God created man to be a little lower than the angels. Animals do not
have a soul but man does! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The mere fact of this does something to a spiritual man
when he kneels down on his knees and starts to pray! There is authority in prayer. . . Made a
little lower than the angels. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">John 15:7</span></b><span style="color: red;">—If you abide in
me, and my Words abide in you, then anything you shall ask. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">2 Tim. 1:7</span></b><span style="color: red;">—He has given us
the power over the spirit of fear. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Heb. 4:16</span></b><span style="color: red;">—We can draw near
in full assurance. . . Come boldly. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Jer. 29:19</span></b><span style="color: red;">—When you call,
the Lord will answer. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Rom. 8:26</span></b><span style="color: red;">—We can pray in
the power of the Spirit when we don’t even know what to pray for. . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Whatever we do in these days, we cannot lose sight of
God. No matter what direction our
society goes or for that matter what the church of the tares do, we cannot lose
sight of God and what He has empowered us with!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—FOR
THIS I GIVE HIM PRAISE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If ever there was a reason to praise the Lord it is for
His Glory. The glory He has passed to us
when He filled us with the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a song that the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sings
called “For Every Mountain.” It really
seems to give an answer to the question, “what is man that thou art mindful of
him?” Because the Lord is mindful of His
saints and has given us dominion over sin (Rom. 6; 8), nothing that stands in
the path of a saved man should shake him.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">[Verse 1:]</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"><br />
I've got so much to thank God for,<br />
so many wonderful blessings,<br />
and so many open doors,<br />
a brand new mercy along with each new day;<br />
that's why I praise You, and for this I give You praise.<br />
<br />
<b>[Verse 2:]</b><br />
For waking me up this morning, (that's why I praise You),<br />
for starting me on my way, (that's why I praise You),<br />
for letting me see the sunshine, (that's why I praise You),<br />
of a brand new day (oh).<br />
A brand new mercy (that's why I praise You),<br />
along with each new day;<br />
(that's why I praise You, for this I give You praise).<br />
<br />
<b>[Verse 3:]</b><br />
You're Jehovah Jireh (that's why I praise You),<br />
You've been my provider (that's why I praise You),<br />
so many times You met my needs (that's why I praise You),<br />
so many times You rescued me (oh).<br />
I wanna thank You for the blessings (that's why I praise You),<br />
You give to me each day;<br />
(that's why I praise You, for this I give You praise).<br />
<br />
<b>[Chorus:]</b><br />
For every mountain You've brought me over.<br />
For every trial You've seen me through.<br />
For every blessing, hallelujah;<br />
for this I give You praise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That should be the very praise in every one of us. . . <i>For the things He’s brought me through!!!!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
September 7, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-14315517784540820722014-11-01T12:08:00.000-07:002014-11-01T12:08:05.884-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 7 -- How to Endure a Grudge<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 7:1-17 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the
LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I
put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: <b>[2]</b> Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it
in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
<b>[3]</b> O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there
be iniquity in my hands; <b>[4]</b>
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have
delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) <b>[5]</b> Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it;
yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the
dust. Selah. <b>[6] </b>Arise, O LORD, in thine
anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to
the judgment that thou hast commanded. <b>[7] </b>So
shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes
therefore return thou on high. <b>[8]</b>
The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my
righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. <b>[9]</b> Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to
an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and
reins. <b>[10]</b> My defence is of God,
which saveth the upright in heart. <b>[11]</b>
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every
day. <b>[12] </b>If he turn not, he will
whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. <b>[13]</b> He hath also prepared for him the instruments
of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. <b>[14] </b>Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and
hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. <b>[15]</b> He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen
into the ditch which he made. <b>[16]</b>
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing
shall come down upon his own pate. <b>[17]</b>
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing
praise to the name of the LORD most high.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->I.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—On
Dealing with Grudges </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Jimmy
Carter ran for president of the United States against Ronald Reagan in
1980. According to David Wallis in the <i>New York Times Magazine</i>, prior to a
televised debate between the two candidates, columnist George Will came upon
Carter’s debate notes and sneaked them to the Reagan camp. Many pundits felt that Reagan won that
debate, and he went on to win the election.
Carter did not forget what George Will had done to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">In a
1997 interview with Wallis, Carter said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">I
was teaching forgiveness one day in Sunday school, and I tried to go through my
memory about people for whom I had a resentment. George Will was one of those people, so I
wrote him a note. I asked myself, What
do we have in common, and I had known he had written a book about baseball
which I had refused to read. I went to a
bookstore and found a remaindered copy.
Paid a dollar for it. So I wrote
him a note and told him the facts: that
I had a feeling of resentment toward him, that I had found his book delightful
and I hoped that we would be permanently reconciled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He
wrote me back a humorous note. He said
his only regret was that I didn’t pay full price for the book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Anyone can hold a grudge. It takes character to initiate
reconciliation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-To a man all of us had grudges we have had to deal with
in our walk with the Lord. Some of those
grudges we have held <i>against </i>another
person. Some of those grudges were <i>against </i>us and those grudges fed the
fires of slanderous and malicious tongues.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm speaks to that very matter. The Psalms are full of life, the
ups-and-downs and ins-and-outs of life.
When we read the Psalms we can see ourselves from the scope of the
mountain top as well as the ventures that take us into the valleys of
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
7<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Introduction
and Background<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If we were to begin in Psalm 3 and read all the way
through Psalm 7, which we have to understand that Psalm 3 to Psalm 41 were
penned by David, there are some things we would discover. There is a rising intensity in what David
senses in his spirit. This is also the
longest one of those that have been written to this point. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A prayer for
deliverance from military or physical danger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 4</span></b><span style="color: red;">—An evening psalm
where David opens his heart to the distress he is feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 5</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A psalm of great
sighs and cries for the help of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 6</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A psalm that gives
us some insight into the deep personal anguish that David feels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Now we come to Psalm 7 and David is quite overwhelmed by
the injustice that has come to his life from his enemies. There are some clues that we discover as we
read the superscription of this psalm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It is a <span style="color: red;">Shiggaion of David,
which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-A shiggaion means a “loud cry.” That is why we can see the escalation of
intensity in David’s voice. Furthermore,
this psalm is the only one in the entire Bible that has this description about
it. It is a cry for divine justice to
prevail over the enemies. But what was
it that motivated this cry? It was that
a grudge had been lodged against David that wouldn’t give him rest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We read that David wrote this psalm “concerning the
words of Cush the Benjamite.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are some things we know about Cush that gives us
some clues as to why this attack was so bitter.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He was from the
tribe of Benjamin which is where Saul came from. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It could have been
written at a time when David was hunted by Saul’s men (1 Sam. 22:8; 24:9;
26:19). Cush could have been one of
those men who was opposing David with very bitter words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It could have also
taken place after the death of Saul and it would have been natural for the
tribe of Benjamin to have opposed David’s full control of the nation which took
some eight years after Saul’s death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Benjamites seemed to be a thorn in David’s side
because years later when David was forced to flee from Jerusalem because of
Absalom, Shimei, a Benjamite, cursed him as he fled the city. He mocked David as being a “man of war” and a
“man of blood spill” and a “scoundrel.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Later after David had returned back to Jerusalem,
another Benjamite, Sheba, led a revolt against him (2 Sam. 20:1-2). Neither Shimei nor Sheba can be attached to
Cush except to say that this grudge that the tribe of Benjamin displayed
against David seemed to be rooted deeply.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The smoldering hostility seemed to agitate them against
David and he had to endure it for a lifetime.
It was a grudge that they could not let go of. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Because I want you to lock on to what this psalm is
about, I am going to use an outline so that you can incorporate it into your
mind. It is again from Steven Lawson’s
fine preaching commentary on the Psalms. . . . <b><i>Save Me. . . Search Me. . .
Support Me. . . Shield Me. . .</i></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
7:1-2—Save Me!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 7:1-2 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust:
save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: <b>[2]</b> Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it
in pieces, while there is none to deliver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In all of the distress of life, David called out to the
Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">I put my trust in
You!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">I take my refuge in
You!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Only You have the
ability to save me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When you are enduring the tongues of those who have no
evidence of wrong doing, trust in the Lord.
One of the things that you will come to understand is that the devil
hates you and he will stir his minions against you. He needs physical bodies to do it and so he
will use flesh and blood but your fight is not with flesh and blood. It is with principalities and powers and
spiritual wickedness in high places. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David’s cry to the Lord is that He would save him from
the attack of the lion who is working to tear him to pieces. That is an provoking analogy that David uses
for one whose slanderous words are being lodged against him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are a couple of things that made this so difficult
for David to have to bear out:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Slander is a
wearying matter to have to stand up to.
These outright lies against him attacked his integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">False accusations
are difficult to deal with. Most people
aren’t in the position of a king but it still is very difficult to deal with
these sorts of attacks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What do you do when you find yourself in this place?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do you respond like
they have? To do this brings you down to
the accuser’s level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do you protest
loudly and openly? That only tends to
add fuel to the fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Do attempt to clear
the air and rehabilitate your reputation?
If you are innocent there isn’t any way to repent and bring about
restoration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What shall we do when we find ourselves in this
place? There is only one way to respond
to it and that is just as David did. He
took the accusations to the Lord in a place of prayer and made his appeal to
God there for justice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">P. C. Craigie</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Whereas
[a false accusation] may deceive and convince our fellow human beings, it
cannot deceive God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are answers that are laid out for us in this psalm
as to how we are to conduct ourselves in light of being attacked by false
tongues who bear a grudge against us. We
do ourselves well to take these matters to heart as we walk with God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: <b>[17]</b> That the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The power of Psalm 7 in a believer’s life is what Paul
noted that Scripture is given for:
instruction in righteousness. The
reason: that the man of God may be
perfect and thoroughly equipped with good works.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This is a matter of holiness and the walk of holiness is
not an <b><i>easy</i></b> way to walk but it is the <b><i>right </i></b>way to walk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
7:3-5—Search Me!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 7:3-5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there
be iniquity in my hands; <b>[4]</b>
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have
delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) <b>[5]</b> Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it;
yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the
dust. Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David’s first cry is “save me.” His second cry is “search me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In Psalm 7:4 we can see the charge that David is
denying. David is saying that he is not
guilty of repaying evil to those who are at peace with him. Furthermore he is denying that charge in a
place of prayer and not in the courts of man’s opinions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are hints of something that took place in Psalm 6
that we again can see in Psalm 7.
Remember in Psalm 6 where the thought was given that we are to reason
with the Lord in our prayer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In Psalm 6:5, he reasoned with the Lord and said, “Lord,
don’t you know that once I am in the grave I can no longer praise You?” Therefore he pleads with the Lord to restore
back to him physical and spiritual strength.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He launches into a presentation of his cause again. There is one word that tips my hand to understanding
this, “if.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If I have done this.
. . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If there be iniquity
in my hands. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If I have rewarded
evil unto him that was at peace with me. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If I am guilty of these things, Lord, then You can let
the enemy pursue me! But the matter that
David is really getting at is for the Lord to search out his heart. That is the mark of a man of God! He longs for the Lord to search the deep
parts of his soul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Search me. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Try me. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Know my heart and my
thoughts. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Know my integrity. .
. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Refine me. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Examine me. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We need to again see this matter as God does. . . Just
because you have the ability to take vengeance doesn’t mean that you
should. Leave it in the hands of the
Lord! He has the ability to work it out
as no one else can. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David concludes that part of the prayer with a further
emphasis on his innocence (v. 5). He
says, “Lord if I am guilty of this then let my enemies put me in the dust. . .
Let them put me in the grave.” David is
so sure of his innocence, he is willing to put his life on the line. He is confident in knowing that his enemies
cannot be victorious over him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
7:6-9—Support Me!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 7:6-9 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up
thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment
that thou hast commanded. <b>[7]</b>
So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their
sakes therefore return thou on high. <b>[8] </b>The
LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness,
and according to mine integrity that is in me.
<b>[9]</b> Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to
an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We come to the third cry of David. The first, “save me” (vv. 1-2), the second,
“search me” (vv. 3-5), and the third, “support me” (vv. 6-9). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I know this is not an English lesson but let the power
of the Word work for you here. Look at
the verbs in this four-verse segment:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Arise. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Lift up. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Awake. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Return. . . (Actually
could be “rule”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Judge. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Let. . . (Actually could
be “allow”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Establish. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We can never win our battles with carnal accusers in the
courts that they build. David is quite
aware of this and so he makes his appeal to the Lord in Psalm 7:7, the
congregation will compass thee about. He
pleads with the Lord to let his congregation of holy men and women gather up
around so that the matter will be cleared in the courts of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Take note from this. . . We don’t need to believe every
little negative and demeaning thing about our brothers and sisters in the Lord
when the slander finally gets to our neck of the woods. If there is truth to it, then God will use
His court and His ministers to deal with it.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You have to remember that the spiritual warfare of our
day has in it men like Cush, Shimei, and Sheba, who are all Benjamites. They have words that are not true but they
want to lodge them so that they can annihilate God’s faithful servants! Be careful before you buy into the idea of
what some wandering, malicious tongue brings in your direction. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I have seen the lives of men destroyed and their walk
with God sorely hurt because of the words of these kinds of people. I must commit myself to healing words,
helpful words, and encouraging words to offset the activity of the enemy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It is also helpful to point out a couple of matters here
in Psalm 7:8. David says “my
righteousness” and “my integrity.” David
is pleading with the Lord for a decision that will prove that he has been
acting in righteousness and integrity in spite of the slander and the grudges
that are being levelled against him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We are filled with the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Ghost,
but that transformation of the Spirit has to be walked out in life. It is accomplished when we do so with
righteousness and integrity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Slander all you
want, but I will still pray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Slander all you
want, but I will still be holy in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Slander all you
want, but I will maintain my integrity with the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Slander all you
want, but I will do the right and godly thing.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Slander all you
want, but I will still show you who has complete control of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Live out your life in righteousness and integrity! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>E.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
7:10-17—Shield Me! <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 7:10-17 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> My defence is of God, which saveth the
upright in heart. <b>[11]</b> God judgeth the
righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. <b>[12] </b>If he turn not, he will whet his sword;
he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
<b>[13] </b>He hath also prepared for him the
instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. <b>[14] </b>Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and
hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. <b>[15]</b> He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen
into the ditch which he made. <b>[16]</b>
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing
shall come down upon his own pate. <b> [17] </b>I
will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to
the name of the LORD most high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Now we come to the last cry of David. . . Save me (vv.
1-2). . . Search me (vv. 3-5). . . Support me (vv. 6-9). . . Now. . . Shield me
(vv. 10-17). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David now shifts the Lord into battle gear. He describes the Lord as a victorious
warrior. The KJV uses the word “defence”
but the NASB uses the word “shield.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He will save the upright in heart! The Lord is not disconnected from the
righteous in fact, the Lord is angry with the wicked every day. . . I know that
goes against the popular churchianity that is prominent in America today. But God is not happy about the way the world
treats His Bride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David can see the Lord “whetting” or sharpening His
sword. He can see Him with a bow that
has the flaming arrows that are ordained for the enemies of the chosen saints
of God. God will not falter or fail in
taking on those who are against the holy church of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But David is not finished with his picture. He now makes the enemies of God pregnant with
evil. Note this passage in the NASB:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 7:14-16 NASB</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Behold, he travails with wickedness, And he
conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood.
<b>[15] </b>He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And
has fallen into the hole which he made. <b>[16]
</b>His mischief will return upon his own head, And his violence will
descend upon his own pate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The enemies of David have conceived evil and trouble and
in their pursuit they are digging traps for the righteous but they will end up
falling into the hole they have made.
His own devices that he planned for them will be his own down falling. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Cush, Shimei, and Sheba will all fall into the pit they
intended to hurt David with! The bigger
picture for us to understand is that there is coming a day that the devil will
be dealt with. He is the slanderer, the accuser
of the brethren. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Revelation 12:10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,
Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power
of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them
before our God day and night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is another joyous occasion that we can look forward
to. It is one of the final parts of our
salvation, to be relieved from the slandering and poisonous tongue of the
enemy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—AN
ACT OF FAITH<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The knowledge of that did something to David that he
gives in the last verse of Psalm 7:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 7:17 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> I will praise the LORD according to his
righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We are not clear if David had received the justice that
he desired at this point in this psalm.
But there is one thing that is clear, he was describing God in an act of
faith. He had come to the Lord with his
problem and in doing so, by prayer, the whole scene had changed in his mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are those who conclude that prayer does not
work. My response to that is that the
only reason that prayer might not work in their lives is because they are
prayerless. If you have any mileage
whatsoever in prayer, there has been at least <i>one </i>prayer meeting where you got down on your knees and began to
pray where you saw things turning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Your initial prayer might have been that of a focus on
the slanderers and the grudge bearers but as you began to let your faith build,
you say the Lord high and lifted up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prayer shows us
places where the train of the Lord will fill the Temple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prayer shows us
places where the glory of the Lord filled the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prayer leads us to
places where manna can fall in a dry wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prayer moves us into
places where water can pour out of rocks.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Don’t ever underestimate the power of your prayer!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 John 5:14-15 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And this is the confidence that we have in
him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: <b>[15] </b>And if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
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July 20, 2014 <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-62208087458347953082014-11-01T12:03:00.002-07:002014-11-01T12:08:32.693-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 6 -- A Sleepless Conscience<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>A SLEEPLESS
CONSCIENCE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>TEXT: Psalm 6:1-10<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 6:1-10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> <b>To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon
Sheminith, A Psalm of David.</b> O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither
chasten me in thy hot displeasure. <b>[2]</b>
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I <i>am</i> weak: O LORD, heal me; for
my bones are vexed. <b>[3]</b> My soul is also sore
vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? <b>[4]</b>
Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. <b>[5] </b>For in death <i>there is</i> no
remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? <b>[6]</b> I am weary with my groaning; all the night
make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. <b>[7]</b> Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it
waxeth old because of all mine enemies. <b>[8]</b>
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the
voice of my weeping. <b>[9]</b>
The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my
prayer. <b>[10]</b> Let all mine enemies be
ashamed and sore vexed: let them return <i>and</i> be ashamed suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—THE
SLEEP INDUSTRY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Time Magazine did an article in January 2013 on the
sleep industry. The article was
entitled, “The Sleep Industry: Why We’re
Paying Big Bucks for Something That’s Free.”
Here are some of the snippets of the article:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sleep is one of
life’s great free pleasures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Spending related to
sleep has increased 8.8% annually since 2008,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://business.time.com/2012/08/15/dont-nap-on-this-why-the-business-of-sleep-will-keep-booming/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">reaching about $32 billion in 2012</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;">.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Last year (2012),<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Health-online.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">73% of American Internet users</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0070c0;">went online to research health information, and 43%
looked specifically for sleep remedies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">According to the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.sleepfoundation.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">National Sleep Foundation</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;">, only 56% of Americans say they get a “good night’s
sleep” on a typical work or school night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Recent sleep studies
have linked insufficient sleep to a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247320.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">host of problems</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;"> including hypertension,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://topics.time.com/depression/"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">depression</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;">, anxiety,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://topics.time.com/diabetes/"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">diabetes</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;">,
improper immune functioning, forgetfulness, clumsiness,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/338477/description/Sleeplessness_agitates_the_brain" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">jumpiness</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;"> and even things
like<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Lack-of-Sleep-Tied-to-Teen-Sports-Injuries.aspx?" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">teen sports injuries</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">To beat the lack of
sleep, young adults are largely responsible for supercharged sales of energy
drinks such as Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, Rockstar and Monster. In 2012,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.bevindustry.com/articles/85655-consumers-seek-out-energy-boosts" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">sales of energy drinks grew 19%</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;">.
(The annual number of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://bostonglobe.com/news/science/2013/01/18/visits-tied-energy-drinks-double-since/dOvHZWfQd6QSAbFtmkxmUN/story.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">ER visits due to energy-drink consumption</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0070c0;">doubled over the past four years as well.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Product marketers
constantly launch new sleep remedies that include sleep-monitoring devices,
aromatherapy, teas, supplements, botanicals, balms, bath salts and
over-the-counter sedatives in new formulations like tongue strips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">While overall sales
of mattresses have been sluggish throughout the recession era, the opposite is
true of more expensive specialty mattresses. Sales of high-end<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/1105671-specialty-mattress-companies-revolutionizing-the-mattress-industry" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">brands like Tempur-Pedic and Select Comfort have skyrocketed</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0070c0;">over the past few years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When you tack on the pharmaceutical industry efforts to
get physicians to prescribe medicines to help people go to sleep, more money is
to be made.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Most all of us at some point have had difficulty
sleeping for whatever reason. Sometimes
it has been the pressures of life, the challenges of the tasks facing us the
next day, or some emotional trial that robbed sleep from our eyes. I also have to think that there have been
times that we have been in the same condition that David mentions in Psalm 6:6. He says that his tears have robbed him from
sleeping. He has a conscience that will
not go to sleep. There is a reason that
his conscience cannot allow him to sleep—unconfessed sin. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>THE
BACKGROUND OF PSALM 6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>What
Sin Does to Us<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is about one of the most important things
that a saint can do—the confession of sin and repent of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-As you read through this particular psalm, it begins
with an attitude of allowing the heart to listen and to hear the voice of God
as it speaks to the conscience. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Sin is a great hindrance to our walk with the Lord. The only remedy for sin is to walk in the
constant power of the Holy Ghost and allow the Spirit to guide you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sin breaks
fellowship with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sin hinders the work
of the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sin opens us up to
the disciplining hand of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sin declares a
contention against God in the soul of a man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sin has fruit that
only the Spirit of the Lord can hinder its growth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sin has a power to
cause men to lean toward the world and its enticements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sin gives great
strength to carnality and puts a soul in jeopardy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Those who realize that the only hope they have is the
dependence on the Lord will go a long way toward spiritual success. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Historical
Background<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The historical background of this psalm is hard to
pin-point in the life of David. What we
do know is that David wrote Psalms 3-41 and that this one came at some point in
his life when he was burdened by the impact that sin had upon him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is the first of what is called a penitential
psalm. This means that it is one that
expresses a need for God to remove the sin that has come in. It is a psalm marked by confession of sin and
then a request for mercy and forgiveness.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are a total of seven penitential psalms in the
book of Psalms. Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51,
102, 130, and 143 are their locations.
The most famous of all of these is Psalm 51 where David cries out in
pain for his breach against God with the sin he committed with Bathsheba. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Just as Psalm 6 has words that you immediately see as
those of contrition the others have similar aspects to them also. Just the phrases give way to an understanding
of the anguish in the soul of a man:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">32:3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—My bones waxed old. .
. Roaring through the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">32:4</span></b><span style="color: red;">—My moisture has
turned into the drought of summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">38:2</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Arrows stick fast in
me. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">38:3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—There is no soundness
in my flesh. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">38:5</span></b><span style="color: red;">—My wounds stink and
are corrupt because of my foolishness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">38:7</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Filled with a
loathsome disease. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">38:8</span></b><span style="color: red;">—I am feeble and sore
broken. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">38:11</span></b><span style="color: red;">—My friends stand
aloof from my sore. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">102:3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—My days are consumed
like smoke. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">102:9</span></b><span style="color: red;">—I have eaten ashes
like bread and mingled my drink with weeping. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">143:3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The enemy hath
persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">143:4</span></b><span style="color: red;">—My spirit
overwhelmed within me. . . my heart is desolate. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are some who might say that this is depressing
language to hear but the reality is that every single one of these Psalms all
end on a note of faith in God who has the ability to remove the guilt that sin
has brought to their lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is one of the devil’s nasty secrets that he wants
to keep from every child of God. He
wants us to think that there is no remedy and that once we have gotten involved
with some hideous sin that we cannot recover.
That is nothing more than one of his devices that he uses so
effectively! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
6—TWO DIRECTIONS <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I am going to borrow an outline from Steven Lawson’s
fine preaching commentary on the Psalms.
He breaks Psalm 6 in two. The
first seven verses is the problem of unconfessed sin and the last 3 verses is
the power of confessed sin. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
6:1-7—The Problem of Unconfessed Sin<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 6:1-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon
Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither
chasten me in thy hot displeasure. <b>[2]</b>
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones
are vexed. <b>[3] </b>My soul is also sore
vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? <b>[4]</b>
Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. <b>[5]</b> For in death there is no remembrance of thee:
in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
<b>[6]</b> I am weary with my groaning; all the night
make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. <b>[7]</b> Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it
waxeth old because of all mine enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Even just a quick look at this passage allows us to see
that there are some things that we lose when we get involved in the low-life of
sinful activities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: red;">6:1</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A loss of divine
pleasure</span>. . . David cries out because of his awareness that God is not
pleased with the direction of his life.
Rebuke, anger, and chasten are strong words and yet that is how David
described the conditions he was living under.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are times that life just seems to come at us like
a torpedo. It seems as if there are no
breaks, no favor, no opportunities, almost as if everything has turned against
us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Stability erodes
away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Divorce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Wayward
children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Marriages under
pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Dire financial
straits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Unrelenting job
stress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some may even feel like that they have greatly sinned
against God because of some of the matters that are taking place. You are more prone to this belief if you have
a sharp conscience and are alert to the things of the Word. Be careful that you don’t allow the devil to
buttonhole you into believing that you have some deadly sin that God is
disciplining you over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Sometimes life is just hard! In fact, Paul makes reference to this in
Romans:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Romans 5:3-5 ESV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that suffering produces endurance, <b> [4] </b>and
endurance produces character, and character produces hope, <b>[5] </b>and hope does not put us to shame,
because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who
has been given to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-<b><i>BUT</i></b> it is imperative that when
things seem to be moving in the wrong direction that we fall to our knees and
plead with the Lord and ask Him if there is a work in our lives that He is
trying to sort out for His own glory.
Could it be that there has been some sinful patterns that have slipped
in and now the hand of discipline is moving against us?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-To all who are honest in their walk with God, there is a
sense of knowing deep down when we are not walking in the fellowship with the
Lord that He has intended for us. If we
choose self-deception, we will continue to stay in that place of God’s
displeasure. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The ultimate goal of every man is to be saved! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: red;">6:2</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A loss of physical
strength</span>. . . I am weak. . . heal me. . . my bones are vexed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He gives an expression that he is weak. The NIV notes it this way. . . <i><span style="color: red;">I am faint.</span></i><span style="color: red;"> </span>. . in 6:6 he expresses it. . . I am worn out from
groaning. . . It is in times like these that we can feel like that all of the
energy we have for life has escaped us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Too tired to get out
of bed and get dressed for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Too worn out to get
in the car and even drive to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Too weary to clean
the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Too exhausted to
cook for the children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Too depressed to go
to church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Too burdened to read
the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">To sluggish to even
bend our knees in prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is the sort of thing that David is saying about his
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He also cries out that his bones are in agony. This is a poetic way to describe the inner
turmoil that is taking place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I have worked in healthcare long enough to know that our
bodies wear out and with age they give way to weakness. But there is a thought that most of us do not
want to entertain and yet is very biblical in its view. There are times that sickness comes on us
because of the judgment of God. The
Bible is loaded with examples of this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Miriam was smitten
with leprosy because she spoke against Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Israelites were
bitten by serpents and were sick and some died because of their rebellion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Jeroboam reached out
his hand in opposition to the altar and God withered his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Uzziah smitten with
leprosy because he stepped out of his spiritual boundaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The man who was in
sin in 1 Corinthians 5 had his health stricken so he would turn from the sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Some Corinthians
were sick and even died because they abused communion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Even the Scripture that we take encouragement from
sometimes in James 5 gives a hint that <i>some
</i>sickness can be linked to sin:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">James 5:14-15 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Is any sick among you? let him call for the
elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord: <b>[15]</b> And the prayer of faith
shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; <b><i><u>and if he have committed sins</u></i></b>,
they shall be forgiven him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is no way to say that all sickness is because of
sin but I can be certain of one thing. . . <i>There
are some who have physical sickness because of their sin. </i>It is crucial for us to make sure that
our lives do not fall into the category.
<i> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: red;">6:3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A loss of peace of
mind</span>. . . My soul is vexed, he says.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can say it in this way. . . I am about to lose my
mind! That is where David was and it was
to such a degree that he asked the question, “How long?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You will find this phrase 61 times in the KJV and it is
specifically in the Psalms 18 times. It
is the cry of a man who is longing for relief.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of the “how longs” help us to learn that all of
God’s delays are maturing times. He is
using it either to mature the time such as in Psalm 37 so that His purpose
prevails or He is using it to mature the man as in Psalm 119:67 (Before I was
afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is where you can began to see the hints of God’s
greatness when He has the ability to use sin for His own benefit in the
salvation of man! That ought to stir
something in our heart to realize that even on our bad days, God is working due
diligence to save us from this untoward generation!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: red;">6:4</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A loss of spiritual
fellowship</span>. . . Return, O Lord, deliver my soul. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David is at that pleading point of longing for the Lord
to work in him once more!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can pick up on that cry when you here David seeking
for the Lord to “return to me” and then “deliver me. . . save me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is an admission that his prayer has been hindered
because of his unconfessed sin. To a
degree all of us who are honest enough to admit it have found that there have
been times when our own sin has blocked the ears of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I realize that some who are in Pentecostal circles are
very uncomfortable with this idea of having to battle with sin even after they
have received the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost. But consider with me the fact that jealousy,
envy, pride, arrogance, gossip, lying, corrupt words out of our mouths, railing
accusations, arguments, and so forth are all matters that we have to repent
of. These kinds of activities hinder the
flow of the Spirit in our lives and one of the devices of the devil is minimize
the fact that we may be holding on to these things. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Turn away from these things so that your prayers may be
absolutely productive! David wanted the
Lord to put him back into a place of sweet fellowship again and to restore
him. He longed to be free from the
physical, emotional, and spiritual pain he was experiencing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: red;">6:5</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A loss of physical
health</span>. . . Deliver me from death. . . Deliver me from the grave. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David realized that his sin was really in the process of
destroying his life! If things did not
turn around soon, he was going to die.
He was in the mode of reasoning with the Lord in his prayer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Do you ever reason with the Lord in prayer? There are hints of this in Scripture where
the Lord urges men to reason with him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 1:18 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Come now, and let us reason together, saith
the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 41:21</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Bring forth
your strong reasons. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 43:26</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Let us plead
together. . . that you may be justified. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Job 40:7-8</span></b><span style="color: red;">—I will demand
of thee. . . and declare thou unto me. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is something of substance to this when we can talk
out the greatest matters of the soul with the Lord! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David further concluded that the only time that praise
can be uttered in a person’s life is when they are still alive. No public praise or service is offered to God
after a person has gone the way of the grave.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(<b>NOTE:</b> Those who persist in unconfessed sin may be
subject to premature death; Acts 5:1-11; James 5:20; 1 John 5:17.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: red;">6:6</span></b><span style="color: red;">—A loss of physical
sleep</span>. . . Weary with groaning. . . My bed is swimming in tears. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David gives us the picture of man who is fighting with
weariness and fatigue and yet he still cannot sleep. He tosses and turns but all of that is
compounded by his tears. His eyes were
so swollen he could not close them in sleep.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David’s mind turns to his enemies whom God is using to
discipline him. It is highly unlikely that
they even had a thought of David but his mind was on them as God was using it
as a threshing floor of the soul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(<i>THIS IS JUST EXTRA
THAT I DUG OUT WHILE WORKING ON THIS:</i>
The marks of a contrite spirit is found when we look at Psalm 6. The Sorrow for Sin (vv. 3, 6 , 7); The
Humiliation of Sin (vv. 2, 4); The Hatred of Sin (v. 8).)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
6:8-10—The Power of Confessed Sin<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 6:8-10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity;
for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. <b>[9]</b> The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD
will receive my prayer. <b>[10]</b>
Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be
ashamed suddenly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Earlier we mentioned that this is a psalm going in two
directions and now you see the second part of it. Repentance put a heaviness on the soul but
the change starts in verse 8. It takes
place because of the weeping and turning away from sin in the first seven verses. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm is for those who scarcely have the heart to
pray and it brings them within sight of victory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo11; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Aron
Ralston—127 Hours <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-My brother loaned me a book sometime back and I finally
got around to reading it. It is the
story of Aron Ralston who was trapped in a canyon and had to resort to drastic
means to save his own life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Trapped Hiker
Had One Way Out -- With His Knife<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;"><br />
Aron Ralston amputated his right arm five days after a boulder had pinned it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">May 03, 2003—By Stephanie
Simon and J. Michael Kennedy—Times Staff Writers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">ASPEN, Colo.</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"> --
His right arm was pinned beneath an 800-pound boulder. His water bottle was
empty. It did not seem likely that a rescue crew could ever spot him in the
narrow slit of Blue John Canyon, in the wilds of southeast Utah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">So, after five days, Aron
Ralston took out his pocketknife and amputated his arm below the elbow. Then he
rigged anchors into the cliff, fixed a rope and rappelled 60 feet to the canyon
floor. Bleeding heavily through a makeshift tourniquet, Ralston began to hike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He had walked about five
miles when a helicopter search team spotted him Thursday afternoon on a trail
through Canyonlands National Park, drained and dehydrated -- but still pushing
forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">"That's true grit,"
park ranger Glenn Sherrill said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">On Friday, Ralston was
recovering from surgery at a Colorado hospital. And his friends were predicting
he would return to the mountain wilderness the first chance he gets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">"I expect him to be out
there, doing everything he ever did," nature photographer John Fielder
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Ralston, 27, is an audacious
mountaineer who has climbed 59 of the highest peaks in Colorado. A story this
spring in his hometown paper, the Aspen Times, described him climbing alone, in
midwinter, in the dead of night, without cell phone, radio, beacon or rope. A
mechanical engineer by training, an explorer in spirit, Ralston relishes
pushing his body over ice-slick cliffs. He delights in standing alone at a
14,000-foot summit as lightning crashes around him, as gray wolves howl from
distant ledges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">The adventure that ended with
his self-amputation was supposed to have been a modest one: a bike ride up a
canyon, then a hike down through the sculpted sandstone bluffs on a bright
spring Saturday. The round trip would take perhaps eight hours. Ralston thought
so little of it, he didn't bother to give his roommates a detailed itinerary,
as was his practice on mountain climbs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He completed the ride without
incident and left his bike at the top, planning to drive up in his truck later
to retrieve it. On the way down, he used rock-climbing equipment to navigate
the narrow passages of Blue John Canyon -- which in places is just 3 feet wide.
After an hour or two, he came to a giant boulder wedged in the canyon,
according to Sherrill, the park ranger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Ralston scrambled over the
boulder and was lowering himself down when it shifted, pinning his arm. He
managed to maneuver his feet so that he was standing upright. But he could not
free himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Authorities said he used his
climbing gear to rig a webbed sling so he could try to push the rock away with
his feet. It was too heavy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He stood there, trapped, for
five days, during which temperatures dropped to 30 degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">On Tuesday, he ran out of
water. On Thursday, he "realized that his survival required drastic
action," according to a statement by the sheriff's office in Emery County,
Utah. He used his pocketknife to free himself the only way he could, by cutting
off part of his arm. Though such brutal surgery is hard to imagine, others in
desperate straits have done it, managing to sever the muscles and tendons that
attach limbs to joints with a modest jackknife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">It is unclear whether Ralston
hacked through his bone or whether the bone had been crushed by the boulder. Once he had completed the job, he used his
first-aid kit to tie a tourniquet around his bicep. Then he rappelled down the
cliff -- and started walking. "His
instinct for survival was great," Fielder said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Hours later, Ralston met two
hikers in Horseshoe Canyon. They gave him water and walked with him until they
could flag down a helicopter from the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Ralston's co-workers had alerted the mountain rescue crews just that morning
that he had not shown up for work all week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">"He was obviously in
major distress, having cut his own arm off, but he was still ambulatory,"
park ranger Jim Blazik said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Ralston remained conscious
through the brief helicopter ride to Allen Memorial Hospital in Moab, Utah, and
walked into the emergency room on his own. He was later flown to St. Mary's
Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo. Rescuers
returned to the canyon later to try to retrieve the amputated limb; they saw
it, but couldn't budge the boulder. "It's
a phenomenal story, but Aron is a phenomenal person," said Tim Mutrie, the
Aspen reporter who profiled Ralston.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Ralston underwent surgery
Thursday night and is in serious condition in the intensive care unit. His
"spirits are high and he anxiously looks forward to returning to his love
of the outdoors," his mother, Donna Ralston, said in a statement Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Though relieved that Ralston
survived, Blazik chided him for hiking through such rugged, remote terrain
alone and without leaving a detailed itinerary with friends. "As far as
I'm concerned, that was a foolish act, very, very unwisely done," Blazik
said, emphasizing that he was not speaking for the park service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Ralston is accustomed to such
criticism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">He has conquered all 59 of
the Colorado peaks he counts as "Fourteeners," summits of at least
14,000 feet, with names such as Challenger Point and Mount Massive. (Some
climbers, using a different ranking method, count only 54 Fourteeners.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Five years ago he set out to
make history by climbing those summits again -- this time alone, in wintertime. Veteran climbers have watched with a blend of
awe and alarm as he has methodically scrambled up one after another, risking
frostbite and worse as he pushes to the top, then signs his name triumphantly
in the summit log. Because the risk of avalanche is greatest when the sun is
out, he often climbs after midnight. Only
three climbers have ever reached the summit of every Fourteener in Colorado.
None has done it solo. Ralston has 14 more to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Mutrie, who considers Ralston
a friend, says the climber finds joy in tackling monster peaks without the
oxygen canisters, satellite-guided tracking systems and communication gear that
many mountaineers routinely pack. Stripped down to the bare essentials, Ralston
pits himself against nature. "For him, it clarifies the goal," Mutrie
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">An avalanche in February
nearly buried Ralston alive as he skied backcountry with two friends; the
experience sobered, but did not stop, him. Described by friends as soft-spoken
and easygoing off the mountains, Ralston focused on his climbing goals with an
intensity few could rival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">"He was trying to be one
of the top mountaineers," said Joe Wheadon, who shares a rented house with
Ralston in Aspen. "That was what he wanted to do."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Ralston graduated from
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with a double major in French and
mechanical engineering and a minor in performance piano. According to Mutrie's story, he worked for
several years designing "clean rooms" for microchip production. When
his employer, Intel, wouldn't give him three weeks off to climb Mt. McKinley,
he quit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">"I could live out of my
truck," he told Mutrie. "That's kind of an attractive lifestyle to
me, actually."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Instead, Ralston moved to
Aspen, took a job in a mountaineering store and packed his truck for the
wilderness every chance he got. Alone
with the elements, testing his strength and his savvy, pushing himself past
every limit he thought he had, he thrives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">"To challenge yourself,
to survive in what can often be hostile conditions -- it's a very primal thing
that people like Aron do," his friend Fielder said. "It's all unnecessary," Ralston
told Mutrie, "but at the same time it's entirely necessary for me. I
wouldn't lead a happy life doing anything other than what I'm doing. This is my
ultimate contribution, whether anybody likes it or not. It's my
art." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Sometimes you have to resort to what others may consider
drastic means just for your own survival.
That is what Aron Ralston found himself being forced to do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo11; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Power of Confessed Sin<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But when we look to the last three verses of Psalm 6 we
find that David puts his enemies in one place and he puts the Lord in another
place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-His enemies:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Depart from me. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You workers of
iniquity. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Let my enemies be
ashamed at their treatment of me. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Let my enemies be
vexed with suffering as I have suffered. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-His Lord:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He heard the voice
of my weeping. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He heard my
supplication. . . (my pleading, my reasoning, my groaning)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will receive my
prayer. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>IV.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—POWER
OVER SIN<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-God grants all power over sin and it comes from two
directions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The empowering work
of His Spirit and His Word<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The work of
repentance and confession on the part of the saint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It can restore hope and faith!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
July 6, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-23151196449636130492014-05-21T10:20:00.000-07:002014-05-21T10:20:34.205-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 5 -- A Prayer for Protection<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 5:1-12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm
of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. <b>[2]</b> Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King,
and my God: for unto thee will I pray. <b>[3]</b>
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I
direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
<b>[4]</b> For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in
wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
<b>[5]</b> The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:
thou hatest all workers of iniquity. <b>[6]</b>
Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the
bloody and deceitful man. <b>[7]</b>
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy:
and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. <b>[8] </b>Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness
because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. <b>[9] </b>For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they
flatter with their tongue. <b>[10]</b>
Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them
out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against
thee. <b>[11]</b> But let all those that
put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou
defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. <b>[12]</b> For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous;
with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->I.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—THE
PSALMS SPEAK TO US TODAY</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Psalms were written over a period of around 900-1000
years. The oldest psalm was written
around 1410 B.C. and the last one was written around 430-500 B.C.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The oldest psalm being Psalm 90 describes the wanderings
of Israel in the wilderness as Moses observed what all took place during that
time. It is marked by descriptions of
the severe testings of Israel during their wanderings. There is a flavor of living life with gritted
teeth and having to endure things that aren’t necessarily enjoyed but required. It is sort of like just grinding through life
as one commentator put it in his study on the Psalms. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The last psalm, Psalm 126, is believed to have been
written during the time of Israel’s captivity to the Babylonians as they
returned back to Jerusalem from their exile.
It is one that is filled with joy as they see the Lord opening up the
doors of opportunity to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of the Psalms mark our own journey as a saint of
God. Whether you are up or down, soaring
or struggling, you can find a psalm that relates to where you are at in
life. They aid us in our worship to the
Lord and we are given some instructions in the New Testament as to how they
contribute to our walk with God:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sung as
devotions—Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Prayed
fervently—Acts 4:25-26<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Preached
evangelistically—Acts 2:25-28, 31, 34-35; 13:33-35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Taught
expositionally—Luke 24:44; Rom. 3:10-14, 18; 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 4:8; Heb. 1:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In fact, it would be safe to say that when we look at
the book of Psalms there is an evident God-centered focus to move our hearts
toward the Lord.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND OF PSALM 5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Sometimes there aren’t clear markings in the
superscriptions as to what the surroundings of the psalm are. Psalm 5 has a superscription but it doesn’t
give us any real historical clues as to what is taking place in David’s
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some believe that this is another psalm that deals with
David’s flight from his son, Absalom.
That is gained from the designations of the times of these psalms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 3</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—A morning
prayer written the next morning after David had fled Jerusalem under the cover
of night. They had marched through the
day and finally collapsed in the evening and it was written the next
morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 4</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—An evening
prayer that was written after David had crossed the Jabbok and continued north
fleeing from Absalom. He would move into
the mountain terrain and hope to find some allies among the mountain
tribes. On that evening he acknowledged
what God had done for him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Psalm 5</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—A morning
prayer that was written the following day.
He was going to face his foes on this day and he was a bit uncertain
about how things would turn out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Even though David notes the greatness of God and the
power of prayer, the superscription gives a bit of a hint as to what was taking
place in the heart of David. It is a
psalm written to be accompanied by a ‘nehiloth.’ This is a flute type instrument that was
normally used to play songs that conveyed a heaviness of spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What David is saying. . . “I have written a song that
someone else is going to have to sing.”
I don’t have the energy to play along with my harp and it would just be
better if someone else would sing it for me.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Every person would have to admit that there are times
that the songs escape our heart, worship seeps out of the soul, and a heaviness
plays at the mind because of the circumstances we find we are immersed in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Psalm 5 is a time of prayer where the David is standing
face-to-face with God and is speaking to Him.
He does that three times but as he is in his prayer meeting, a couple of
times he alternately looks at the wicked.
As his prayer turns from God to the wicked there are some contrasts that
he comes to understand. You can
encourage yourself in prayer when you are willing to see God in comparison to
the wicked. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This kind of prayer helps a man to see the righteousness
and purity of God and the darkness of wicked men who are attempting advance
their cause of evil. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">P. C. Craigie</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—This
prayer is not only for protection <i>from </i>wicked
persons, but also a prayer for protection from becoming <i>like </i>them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>A
PRAYER FOR PROTECTION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-As we move through this psalm, we can never
underestimate the prayer of a saint of God!
If there is something that I want to push home to you—it is that! We have to turn every one of our burdens,
worries, fears, and plans over to the Lord in prayer. He can hear us and He will endeavor to help
us! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
5:1-7—The Lord Who Listens<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 5:1-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm
of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. <b>[2] </b>Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my
King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
<b>[3]</b> My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O
LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. <b>[4]</b> For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in
wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
<b>[5] </b>The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:
thou hatest all workers of iniquity. <b>[6]</b>
Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the
bloody and deceitful man. <b>[7]</b>
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy:
and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When you pray, God listens! There was a sense of urgency in the prayer of
David here. Notice three words that give
this away:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Give ear—v. 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Consider—v. 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Hearken—v. 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David wasn’t just kneeling down and going through a
routine of prayer. There was something
that was urgent and difficult about his situation. He had some passion in his prayer. That is just as Elijah that is described by
James 5:17-18 who was noted to have been a man of “like passions” who prayed
“earnestly that it might not rain.” This
is preceded by James saying that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man availeth much!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I believe that there is a spirit by which we ought to
pray. When I say “spirit” I mean the
human aspect of our heart. There ought
to be some preparation that goes into our approach with God. I dare say that none of us would walk into an
interview for a slot in an academic program, a job interview, or a discussion
with someone who we deem as important and have no preparation whatsoever. To do such a thing would mean that we are
lacking a conscientiousness about what we are doing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Therefore we should come to the Lord in the same manner
of preparation. There are attitudes that
mark our prayers. Often in the Bible we
see the prevalence of those who will kneel in their prayer. But even beyond that kneeling there are
attitudes and spirits that accompany those prayers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Luke 22:41 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And he was withdrawn from them about a
stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Just as the Lord kneeled in prayer, we can have that
same manner of preparation in our prayer.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel reverently as
Solomon did at the dedication of the Temple—2 Chron. 6:13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel continually as
Daniel did three times a day—Dan. 6:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel in worship as
the psalmists urges us for Jehovah our Maker—Psa. 95:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel in submission
as the Lord did in the Garden of Gethsemane—Luke 22:41<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel earnestly as
the leper did when he was seeking for healing—Mark 1:40<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel in forgiveness
as Stephen did when he prayed for his murderers—Acts 7:60<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel in
intercession as Peter did when he prayed for Tabitha—Acts 9:40<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel faithfully
like Paul when he prayed for the church in Ephesus—Acts 20:36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Kneel confidently
like Paul when he recognized God in His greatness—Eph. 3:14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is also a sense of persistence that is
demonstrated because in Psalm 5:3, David says, “in the morning” twice. There was a persistence that said, “My prayer
is going to go on all morning until I can sense you are hearing, considering,
and listening to my prayer.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But it still doesn’t stop with that because David gives
us the understanding that there is also a sense of expectation that he has. . .
“I will look up!” He tells the Lord, “I
am directing my prayer to you but I am also looking up in faith.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is the key to answered prayer, “looking up to the
Lord in faith.” The devil does not want
us to get that little detail into our prayer.
He can be fine with us praying but he doesn’t want us to expect for the
Lord to work it out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Then David sort of casts his eyes to the side and looks
away from the Lord for a bit at the wicked in 5:4-6. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Just review for a moment where we have been the last
several weeks. Each of the four
preceding psalms have spoken about the wicked:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 1</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The way of the
wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 2</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The rebellion of
the wicked—particularly the kings and rulers of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The attack of
wicked people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 4</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The slandering
tongues of the wicked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Now it takes a darker turn and David writes that the
Lord will not hear the prayer of the wicked and He will take no pleasure in
them:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 5:4-6 ESV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> For you are not a God who delights in
wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
<b>[5]</b> The boastful shall not stand before your
eyes; you hate all evildoers. <b>[6]</b>
You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and
deceitful man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This world is so confused about who God hears. They seem to think that all will turn out
well after death but this is not what Scripture advocates nor teaches. In fact these verses teach us that the sinner
who has no footing (shall not stand v. 5) also has no future (You destroy those
v. 6). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In this second portion of his prayer, David reviews the types
of evil-doers moving from terms that are general to those that are stronger and
more descriptive:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The wicked—v. 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The arrogant—v. 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Those who do evil—v.
5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Those who tell
lies—v. 6 (This is a pretty strong condemnation of a sin that is
practiced regularly almost without remorse.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The bloodthirsty and
deceitful men—v. 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Furthermore he is reminding himself (IN HIS PRAYER) how
God views sin and again the words grow in their passion:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He does not delight
in wickedness—v. 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He hates those who
do evil—v. 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He destroys those
who tell lies—v. 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He abhors those who
are bloodthirsty and deceitful—v. 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This is a good way to gauge your own prayers. If you are drawing closer to God then you
will become more increasingly aware of sin both in a general sense in society
and in a specific sin, those hidden away in your own heart. This only takes place when we gain a place of
prayer that elevates God to a rightful place of holiness and reverence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">H. C. Leupold</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Prayers
of this kind may have more value than our age is inclined to admit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This very brief theology of sin that David finds in his
prayer does something to him: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 5:7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> But as for me, I will come into thy house in
the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy
temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The closer you get to the Lord, the more humility it
will bring out in your life. He said
that when he came into the house of the Lord he discovered a multitude of
undeserved mercy and a fear, reverence, and awe of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We cannot afford to come into the house of the Lord on
our “high-horses” so to speak. We have
received mercy far beyond our capacity to bear and our worship should have an
element of awe of God in it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">P. C. Craigie</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Though
evil persons are excluded from God’s presence because of their sin, it does not
follow that the psalmist is admitted because of his own goodness. The psalmist’s entrance into God’s house would
be based only upon ‘the abundance of your loving kindness’ which is to say, it
was only God’s grace and covenant love toward his people which made entrance
into his presence possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
5:8-9—The Lord Who Leads<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But if the Lord listens to us in prayer, the next
portion of Psalm 5 tells us it is also the Lord who leads us:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 5:8-9 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because
of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. <b>[9]</b> For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they
flatter with their tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The leading of the Lord is required to navigate through
the landmines that the unrighteous have set up.
The enemies of David, his own son, Absalom, had turned the hearts of the
people against him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">No faithfulness in
their words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The inward heart is
wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Their throats are
like open graves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Their tongues
deceive with flattery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Falsehood. . . foulness. . . flattery is what David is
up against. David was pleading with the
Lord to lead his steps. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Thomas Wilson wrote these words in 1653:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">This doth admonish us, <b>(1)</b> that the speeches of natural
unregenerate men are unsavoury, rotten, and hurtful to others; for, as a
sepulcher doth send out noisome savours and filthy smells, so evil men do utter
rotten and filthy words. <b>(2) </b>As
a sepulcher doth consume and devour bodies cast into it, so wicked men do with
their cruel words destroy others; they are like a gulf to destroy others.<b> (3)</b> As a sepulcher, having devoured many
overthrown many corpses, is still ready to consume more, being never satisfied,
so wicked men, having overthrown many with their words, do proceed in their
outrage, seeking whom they may devour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You will have to walk through words like that periodically
in some of the passages of your life.
You will have to be able to ask God to help you to walk through the
crossfire of enemies. Sometimes
co-workers, sometimes two-faced people who you thought were friends, and
sometimes your own family. It is moments
like these that the Lord can move in and give you safe passage, not necessarily
comfortable passage, but safe passage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 25:4-5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy
paths. <b>[5] </b>Lead me in thy truth,
and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the
day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 27:11 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a
plain path, because of mine enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 86:11 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy
truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 119:10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let
me not wander from thy commandments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 143:8-10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the
morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should
walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. <b>[9]</b>
Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. <b> [10] </b>Teach
me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the
land of uprightness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Take heart, O saint of God, He will lead you through the
narrowest and most treacherous of paths!
He will prevail in every aspect of your safety and ultimately your own
salvation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Psalm
5:10-12—The Lord Who Legislates<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-So in Psalm 5, we find a Lord who will listen. . . A
Lord who will lead. . . and lastly, we find a Lord who will legislate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 5:10-12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by
their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for
they have rebelled against thee. <b>[11]
</b>But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them
ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy
name be joyful in thee. <b>[12]</b>
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass
him as with a shield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David again, in a place of prayer, a prayer for
protection, calls out some things:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Destroy them. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Let them fall. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Cast them out. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-These three phrases open up a term to us that has not
been present in the first four psalms.
It is the first utterance of what is called an imprecatory prayer. What this means is that it is a prayer asking
for God’s judgment on the wicked.
Prayers like this present a difficulty for many people but there are
multiple psalms that are considered imprecatory in nature (Psalms 7; 35; 40;
55; 58-59; 69; 79; 109; 137; 139; 144). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-These kinds of psalms are motivated by a fiery zeal for
God’s glory to be exalted. They are
provocative and often controversial but they are seeking relief from the
enemies of the psalmist who are actually enemies of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David is looking to the Lord to legislate trouble on
those who have come against him. I dare
say that if we are honest with ourselves that there have been times that we
have prayed for the Lord to mete out some justice against those who are
actively antagonizing us. Pray those
prayers, pray for your enemies, but make sure that you leave the end of the
matter in the hands of God. It is never
right for us to take up our cause in a manner of violence or abuse. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Pray these matters out!
One of two things will happen, God will reveal your own immaturity to
you and give you a chance to grow spiritually by it. Or it very well may be that God will deal
with them in some catastrophic way. I
can tell you by personal experience that I have seen the hand of God at work
several times as God worked either through an accident that stopped something
bad that would have torn many lives apart or through some sudden health issue
that took place in the lives of the attacker.
Leave them alone and let God deal with after you have brought it to your
prayer closet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David has such trust and confidence in the Lord, that he
ends his prayer with a sense of celebration.
If you have put your trust in the Lord:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Rejoice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Shout with joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">God is a defender<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Be joyful in the
Lord<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Lord blesses
with righteousness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Lord surrounds
us with His favor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>IV.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—SHOUT
TO THE LORD<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a song that has been around for at least ten
years or more that was one of the first of the Hillsongs that came into various
churches around the country. It had a
catchy tune to it but even more than that it had some words that made you want
to worship the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">My Jesus, my Savior,<br />
Lord, there is none like You;<br />
All of my days<br />
I want to praise<br />
The wonders of Your mighty love.<br />
<br />
My comfort, my shelter,<br />
Tower of refuge and strength;<br />
Let every breath, all that I am<br />
Never cease to worship You.<br />
<br />
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,<br />
Let us sing power and majesty, praise to the (King);<br />
Mountains bow down (mountains bow down) and the seas will roar<br />
At the sound of Your name.<br />
<br />
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,<br />
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,<br />
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.<br />
<br />
(My Jesus) To my Savior (my Savior),<br />
Oh, Lord there is nothing like You;<br />
All of my days<br />
I want to praise<br />
The wonders of Your mighty love.<br />
<br />
You're my comfort (my comfort), and my shelter, yes (my shelter),<br />
You're my tower of refuge and strength;<br />
Let every breath, and all that I am<br />
Never cease to worship You.<br />
<br />
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,<br />
Let us sing<br />
Power and majesty, praise to the King;<br />
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar<br />
At the sound of Your name.<br />
<br />
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,<br />
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,<br />
Nothing compares to the promise I have in...<br />
<br />
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,<br />
Let us sing, yeah,<br />
Power and majesty, praise to the King;<br />
Mountains bow down (mountains bow down and the seas will roar)<br />
At the sound of Your name.<br />
<br />
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,<br />
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,<br />
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You...<br />
(Nothing compares to the promise I have in You...)<br />
Oh, nothing compares to the promise I have in you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is certainly a song you can sing after you have
prayed a prayer of protection! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
May 11, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-13736785554986297922014-04-27T14:37:00.003-07:002014-04-27T14:37:33.661-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 42 -- Hope for the Downcast Soul<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 42:1-11 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> <b>To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the
sons of Korah.</b> As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my
soul after thee, O God. <b>[2]</b>
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and
appear before God? <b>[3]</b> My tears have been my
meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where <i>is</i> thy
God? <b>[4]</b> When I remember these <i>things,</i>
I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them
to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that
kept holyday. <b>[5]</b> Why art thou cast down,
O my soul? and <i>why</i> art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I
shall yet praise him <i>for</i> the help of his countenance. <b>[6]</b> O my God, my soul is cast down within me:
therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites,
from the hill Mizar. <b>[7]</b>
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves
and thy billows are gone over me. <b>[8]</b>
<i>Yet</i> the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and
in the night his song <i>shall be</i> with me, <i>and</i> my prayer unto the
God of my life. <b>[9]</b> I will say unto God my
rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression
of the enemy? <b>[10]</b> <i>As</i> with a sword
in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where <i>is</i>
thy God? <b>[11]</b> Why art thou cast down,
O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall
yet praise him, <i>who is</i> the health of my countenance, and my God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—THE
BLESSING OF THIS BOOK<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a great blessing in being able to hold and read
the Book that you have in your hand. I
realize that times have changed and that Bibles are now available on all sorts
of electronic devices but there is nothing like holding a hardcopy of the
Bible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This past week (2/18/13), I heard a preacher (Steven
Lawson) say something that was very disturbing to me personally and yet after
hearing him out, I believe what he had to say.
He said that after almost 30 years of preaching, he had discovered that
we only get to preach from passages in the Bible once. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He meant that because of the time factor involved in
preaching that most diligent preachers who want to preach their way through the
entire Bible will only pass through a particular passage because of the
shortness of this vapor of life.
Therefore, he pointed out, that it was crucial that we do our dead-level
best to preach every time with a pure heart, pure motive, and pure mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I must confess that when I began to meditate on what he
said, I again had to make the determination to treat every passage of this book
with a sense of sacred honor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The blessing of the Book and of anointed preaching is
that it helps us to move along the Christian walk for the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It encourages us to
move forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It challenges us to
prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It urges us to
worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It confronts our
sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It helps us to
battle the whims of our flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It breathes hope
into us when we are under attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It opens our eyes to
the greatness of God and the power of His salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It softens the blows
of disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It molds our minds
into the greater plan of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-With this Psalm, it helps to breathe hope into a
downcast soul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
42<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Five
Books in the Psalms<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If you have one of the Search for Truth Bibles, you will
notice something written above Psalm 42.
You will note that it has the caption that gives BOOK II, Psalms
42-72. The Psalm we have just read comes
at the very beginning of Book II of the Psalms. In fact there are five books of the psalms
and the Jews commonly referred to them as the psalter. This was what they sang when they came to
worship. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The longer you live for the Lord, the more of these
Psalms you will discover to be of great value to you. In fact, I believe that some of them you will
come to treasure. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Book I</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—1-41.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Book II</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—42-72. Completed 300 years after the first
book. Hezekiah comes along and is the
force behind putting them together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Book III</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—73-89. You will note that they are not
chronologically in order but rather by a theological theme. <br />
<b>Book IV</b>—90-106. This section focuses on Israel’s relapse and
recovery in the wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Book V</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—107-150. Revivals began to take place in this segment
as Israel returns from their exile and rebuilds the walls and the temple in
Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>A
Maschil<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The superscription above this psalm notes to us that it
is a maschil. This means that this is a
psalm of instruction. The instruction to
be given is the understanding the God can be trusted during the tough times of
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The other maschil psalms are scattered throughout the
psalter: 32; 42; 44; 45; 52; 53; 54; 55;
74; 78; 88; 89; 142. All of them have
some kind of instruction attached to them.
For instance, Psalm 32 is instruction given concerning forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The author of this psalm is unknown but we can know that
it was written for the sons of Korah and was intended for the director of
music. The sons of Korah were Levites
who were the descendants of Kohath, the father of Korah (1 Chron. 6:22-48;
9:17-32; 2 Chron. 20:19).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-These were the men who produced the music while the
Tabernacle was in the wilderness and after the construction of the Temple in
Jerusalem (Num. 26:11).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Why
Art Thou Cast Down, O My Soul?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I would like to jump ahead to Psalm 42:5 and then
backtrack through the rest of the Psalm.
He asks the question, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The psalmist pours out his soul to God during a time of
duress. He is discouraged, he is
downcast, and he feels a sense of hopelessness trying to choke the life out of
his soul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Hebrew word in that text is <i>shah-kak </i>which means to crouch or to bow down. It is the same word that is used in Job 38:40
to describe a lion in a crouched position waiting along the trail for its
prey. The psalmist describes his soul in
such a way that it has been bent down by the challenges and difficulties of
life. As if a heinous lion has attacked
his soul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He has come into contact with some very difficult
trials. These trials have seemed to
bring even greater agony to him than any he has ever faced. It is sort of like have a wound that needs
treatment and some healthcare worker coming along and working with the wound
that inflames the wound even more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Burn victims often experience this through the process
of their own rehabilitation. They can
have a second or third degree burn but the subsequent trips to the whirlpool
for something called debridement makes it seem like the pain has to be endured
all over again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The psalmist is expressing that kind of pain here. However, he is not in the throes of physical
pain but in the clutches of some soul pain.
Soul pain hurts even worse than physical pain. It seems to linger and there is nothing that
can seemingly bring relief to soul pain.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Soul pain is drawn out over months and sometimes even
years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A fractured family
relationship that has seethed for years.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Wayward children who
seem to mock God and everything their parents stood for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A nasty divorce battle
that has children caught up in the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Having to contend
with difficult people who seem to have it out for you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The loss of a job
that you really were fulfilled by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The nagging pain of
a physical ailment that will not heal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A limiting health
condition that has seemingly put you on the sideline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Financial pressures
that never seem to go away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A wrong path that
was chosen and now it is taking years to get back to the starting point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A pastor who is run
out of a church at no fault of his own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A saint who made a
mistake but no one will let them forget it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A feeling that you
have been overlooked for a position you would have excelled at. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of those matters can shut down our faith, our hope,
and even our determination so that we become prey to all matters of the devices
of the devil. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>THE DIAGNOSIS
OF A DOWNCAST SOUL<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If you were to go to the hospital with some kind of
ailment, you would have to give them what we call the chief complaint. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Where are you
hurting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">What does the pain
feel like? Sharp? Dull?
Throbbing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">How long has it been
going on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Are there things
that cause this pain?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of these questions are leading up to helping us to
get a diagnosis for the condition. We
will probably draw some blood, maybe take some X-rays, perhaps do a CT scan, an
MRI, or an ultrasound, and perhaps even a biopsy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We do these particular things to get a diagnosis so we
can treat you so you will get better.
All the way through Psalm 42 and the first verse of Psalm 43, there are
reasons that we see into the diagnosis or the cause of a downcast soul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>An
Absence from the House of God—42:1-2<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms 42:1-2 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";"> <b>To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the
sons of Korah.</b> As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my
soul after thee, O God. [2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living
God: when shall I come and appear before God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Many scholars feel like this was
David describing his time of fleeing from Jerusalem as he ran from
Absalom. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Why the despair? Because. . . he has been separated from the
house of the Lord. He had been forced to
flee from Jerusalem where he regularly worshiped. He can no longer lead in the worship as he
had in times past. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He will have to remind himself to
hope in God. There are times that you
have to remind yourself to worship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Because David had been forced to
leave; he literally felt himself to be cut off from the Lord. His greatest question is “when can I go and
meet with God?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the causes of a downcast
soul is an absence from the house of God.
Whether many are willing to admit it or not, we find great bolstering in
our soul when we come to the house of God routinely, regularly, and
actively. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In Luke 10, we find the parable of
the Good Samaritan who brought the wounded man to the inn. The inn can be pictured as the house of
God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">The inn was a place of
refreshment for weary travelers. . . The house of God brings relief to us in
this valley of tears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">The inn had an owner
who attended the beaten man. . . The house of God has pastors, faithful
ministers, godly saints who receive weary sinners to help them recover from the
injuries of the world and the devil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">The inn had a grand
table of food in it. . . The house of God brings us the sincere milk of the
Word and the strong meat of the Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">The inn was a desirable
place for lodgers. . . The house of God is a place that saints long to go to
and find rest for their souls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Our soul can very quickly become
downcast when we do not regularly attend the house of worship. The psalmist is far from home and therefore
he feels very far from God and anytime we feel that distance from God our soul
can become downcast. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Mouth of the Ungodly—42:3, 10<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms 42:3 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";"> My tears have been my meat
day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where <i>is</i> thy God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms 42:10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";"> <i>As</i> with a sword in my
bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where <i>is</i>
thy God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The catcalls
of the ungodly, the backslidden, and those who hate everything righteousness
stands for can get under your skin.
Obviously it had some effect on the psalmist because it is mentioned
twice. . . Where is thy God?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-You have
probably heard it before. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Where is your God when
you need Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Where is your God now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Why hasn’t your God
given you a fair shake in life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-It is only
when we entertain the questions of the ungodly that we feel our soul slipping
down into the gorge of the downcast. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Where is God indeed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Where is God in this
far country?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Where is God when I am
taunted by my enemies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Does God even hear my
cries?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">When is God going to
change my circumstances?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-It reached the
point where the psalmist couldn’t even eat!
He said, “My tears have been my meat day and night!” My appetite has been snatched from me so I
don’t even desire to eat anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-That is what the
catcalls of the ungodly can do to you. . . It can begin to harbor doubts about
everything that you have even held is true.
But remember that David was at that point before we ever even came along
in life. Never forget that there is a
brotherhood before us in the gates of Heaven who have endured and made it to
the end!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-We shall do
the same thing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-We can become
downcast when we miss the house of God and when the mouth of the ungodly
overwhelms our faith and trust in God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Memories
of the Past—42:4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms 42:4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";"> When I remember these <i>things,</i>
I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them
to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that
kept holyday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-He also became
downcast when the memories of past revivals, past victories, and past
accomplishments came to his mind. This
is the trap of the aging. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The psalmist
tells of how he used to be with the great multitude that went to worship, the
shouts of joy, the wealth of thanksgiving, and leading the worship. Pleasant memories of the past became a source
of discouragement for the present. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is a
memory of the past acts of God and how that it seemed better somewhere “back
then.” The human tendency is to
glamorize the past and make it seem better than it really was. But the reality is that every step of this
life has its battles which bring both victories and losses, our tendency is to
remember the victories and forget the losses.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">There has always been
a fight for holiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">There has always been
a battle for doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">There have always been
tares among the wheat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">There have always been
wolves among the sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">There was a Judas
alongside the John.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-I have a
tendency to forget that there were battles in the past just like there are
present struggles. Don’t waste the
afflictions you are enduring now. Let
the spiritual pressure you feel now be something that causes you to dig even
deeper into the Kingdom of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Trials of Life—42:7<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms 42:7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";"> Deep calleth unto deep at
the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The psalmist
goes on to further note the fact that there are times that trials sweep us away
like the great waves and breakers of the deep.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-David is
saying that the conflict with Absalom has been the greatest trial of his
life. It has swept him away from
Jerusalem like the waves being smitten by a hurricane. At another time, the ocean might have been a
calm and relaxing scene for him but instead he can see no beauty in it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-But there is
an acknowledgement of something here that you will miss at just a glance. The psalmist describes the forces of the sea
at work here. It was not something they
would be unfamiliar with because they were on the coast of the Mediterranean
Sea and there were also storms that came to the Sea of Galilee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Here is what
we miss sometimes with this Scripture. . . God is in charge of the waves of the
sea and even if there is a grudgingly acknowledgment, there are some trials in
our lives that God ordains them to come our way. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-He can see
there are things He wants to work out, draw out, and allow us to walk through
so that we can really know what it is like to be molded into an ardent disciple. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Matthew 20:23</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—If you drink of his cup
you are going to be baptized with the baptism the Lord is baptized with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">2 Corinthians 1:5</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—Sufferings
of Christ abound in us, so does the consolation of Christ abound in us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Galatians 2:20</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—I am crucified with
Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ who lives within me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Philippians 3:10</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—Fellowship
of suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Romans 8:17</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—If we suffer with him, we
will be glorified with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Romans 8:29</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—Being conformed into the
image of the Son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">2 Timothy 2:11-12</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—If
we are dead with him we shall live with him. . . If we suffer, we will reign
with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">1 Peter 4:13</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—Partakers of Christ’s
sufferings. . . we will be glad with exceeding joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Our trials are
often the very tipping points that are present in our lives. In the years to come, once we look back with
the wisdom of maturity, we can say, “that thing was good for me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-But when you
are in the midst of the trial, even though it may be God-ordained, your soul
can become downcast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>E.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>To
Feel Forgotten by God—42:9<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms 42:9 KJV </span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">I
will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Closely
related to the fact that God will let us walk through the challenges of a
trial, there is another connection that we have to make to God that comes from
Psalm 42:9. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-It is the
painful cry to God that He has forgotten us.
Look no further than the Cross and you find Jesus crying out, “My God,
my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-A downcast
soul can really find himself downcast when he thinks that God has forgotten
him. There is nothing like being lost at
the end of this dead-end! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There are
times that those who feel a great devotion to God will find great condemnation
when they even question God. But the
Word of the Lord is the greatest place to go when you get in this state of mind
because recorded on the pages of the Word, there were others who felt the same
way and God decided to put it in His book. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalm 13:1</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—How long will you forget
me Lord? Forever?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalm 22:2</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—My God I cry in the
daytime but you are not there! I cry at
night but I can’t find you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalm 44:23</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—Awake from your sleep,
God, and please hear me out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalm 44:24</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—Why are you hiding your
face, O God? Why are you forgetting my
affliction and oppression God? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalm 77:9</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—Have you forgotten to be
gracious to me, God? Have you closed off
your mercies from me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Isaiah 40:27</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">—My way is hid from the
Lord. . . My knowledge of Him has passed from my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-All of these
things pour out of a downcast soul. . . But I can say to you without a doubt
that God knows exactly where we walk and the direction that we take!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>IV.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>THE
CURE OF THE DOWNCAST SOUL<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Those are the
reasons for a soul that has become downcast.
But just as there are reasons that we get downcast, the Word can point
out some things that will help cure us of this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Put
Your Hope Back In God—42:5, 11<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Twice in this
Psalm, we see the phrase, “hope thou in God” (vv. 5, 11). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The man who
learns that he must not give in to the depression of soul is a man who has
learned one of the greatest lessons of life.
He will not let himself give in to being downcast or filled with
self-pity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Instead he
gets a grip on himself and wrestles through it.
He reminds himself that there are some things he can put hope in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-We are
constantly talking to ourselves. . . In fact no one talks to you more than
you! More times than not, you have to
talk to yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Why art thou
cast down, my soul? What business do you
have being in this condition? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-This is what
Paul was getting at when he noted in Romans 6 that you have to kill your
flesh. You have to turn on yourself,
upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself. . .
‘Hope thou in God!’ . . . Instead of muttering around in this unhappy,
depressed way of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is a
spirit of faith and a spirit of dejection and our faith has to get the upper
hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>He
Reminds Himself of His Responsibility—42:5, 11<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-In that same
connection with the hope verses in 5 and 11, the psalmist knows his
responsibility is to put his hope in God.
Nothing more, nothing less.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-This world is
passing, it is fleeting, and it goes by so quickly it is astounding. If you are putting your hope in the passing
fancies of this world, you are already in trouble.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The psalmist
has the sense of responsibility to know that he must do what has to be done and
that is put his hope in God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Praise
Is What Gets Your Through—42:5, 11<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Look once more
at those two verses, 5 and 11. . . he notes that I will praise him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Certainty came
to his life when he began to understand that God had not changed one iota.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">God has not changed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">His purpose for me has
not changed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">He has led me to
uplifting victories in the past!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">He will do it again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Let your faith arise
to the better things that are in the future!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-A host of men
in the Bible have proven this to be true.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Joseph<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Joshua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">David <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Jonah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Because to a
great degree all of the men that I have mentioned were men who is some form or
fashion got a second chance!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Philip
Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
February 24,
2013<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-22271990564275378842014-04-27T14:36:00.001-07:002014-04-27T14:36:06.957-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 27 -- The Lord of Light and Salvation<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 27:1-14 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> <b><i>A Psalm</i> of David.</b> The LORD <i>is</i>
my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD <i>is</i> the strength
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? <b>[2]</b>
When the wicked, <i>even</i> mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to
eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
<b>[3]</b> Though an host should encamp against me, my
heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this <i>will</i> I <i>be</i>
confident. <b>[4] </b>One <i>thing</i> have I
desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of
the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to
enquire in his temple. <b>[5]</b>
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the
secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. <b>[6]</b> And now shall mine head be lifted up above
mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle
sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. <b>[7]</b> Hear, O LORD, <i>when</i> I cry with my
voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
<b>[8]</b> <i>When thou saidst,</i> Seek ye my face; my
heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. <b>[9]</b> Hide not thy face <i>far</i> from me; put not
thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither
forsake me, O God of my salvation. <b>[10]</b>
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me
up. <b>[11]</b> Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a
plain path, because of mine enemies. <b>[12]</b>
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses
are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. <b>[13] </b><i>I had fainted,</i> unless I had
believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. <b>[14]</b> Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—PSALM
27<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The psalms are true to life because they are drawn from
life, from the stuff that life is made out of.
Things like hope and fear, love and hate, jubilation and frustration,
faith and anxiety, joy and despair. One
moment the songs roll from the soul of the worshipper and the next he is
trapped in the quicksand of doubt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-These men who wrote the psalms knew what it was like to
be shouting one minute and the next shaking.
They knew what it was like to have faith that thrilled and then have the
nastiness of fear to threaten them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This particular psalm has been rolling around in my
heart and soul for a couple of weeks now.
You can have hope in all of the Word of God but this psalm seems to be
one of those that is forever lasting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some scholars link Psalms 26, 27, and 28 together since
they mention the temple in some form.
Those are easily found when you read down through those Psalms because
they are focused on David who is seeking the Lord in His temple. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are some who choose to put a larger fence about
this segment of the Psalms. Harry
Ironside grouped 15 psalms together running from Psalm 25 to Psalm 39. He divided them up:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalms 25-29</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The
foundation of the worshipper’s confidence in God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalms 30-34</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The
worshipper’s having salvation in his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalms 35-39</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The
worshipper’s necessity of personal holiness.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can see the pattern:
Confidence in God for the work of His salvation brings about a
responsibility that we have to live godly and reverent lives that honor the
Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some of the psalms can be pinpointed to a particular
event in the life of David but there is not a certain time that this particular
psalm can be identified in his life. But
we can be certain that David was facing some of his enemies and he was crying out
to the Lord for help and relief. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
27—THE LORD OF LIGHT AND SALVATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I am using an outline given by James Montgomery Boice in
his fine commentary on the Psalms. I
trust that this outline will help to solidify this Psalm in your mind and
heart. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Soul’s Confidence—Psalm 27:1-3<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 27:1-3
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <b><i>A Psalm</i> of David.</b> The LORD <i>is</i>
my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD <i>is</i> the strength
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? <b>[2]</b>
When the wicked, <i>even</i> mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to
eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
<b>[3]</b> Though an host should encamp against me, my
heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this <i>will</i> I <i>be</i>
confident.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-We can see where David’s confidence sprang from in the first three
verses of this passage. David rehearses
the times in his life when the Lord has been there for him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He has been his light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He has been his salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He has been his stronghold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is something to be said about the times that God deals with men
on a personal basis. That is what David
is bringing to us in this psalm. . . God speaks to him on a personal
level. He is able to recall the times of
God’s greatness, His gentleness, and His generosity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Those thoughts of God’s presence often have the capacity to help men
in their darkest hours. We know that God
is there despite what the surrounding circumstances may show to us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Light <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-When we think of light in the Bible there are various things that are
clear when we see Him in this way:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1 Timothy 6:16</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—dwelling in the light which no
man can approach unto. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Job 38:19</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—God is in the way <i>where</i>
light dwells. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 104:2</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—God covers himself with light.
. . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">2 Samuel 22:29</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—Thou <i>art</i> my lamp, O
LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 18:28</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—The LORD my God will enlighten
my darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 36:9</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—For with thee <i>is</i> the
fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">John 1:5</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—And the light shineth in
darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">John 1:9</span></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">—That was the true Light, which
lighteth every man that cometh into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-But there is another passage that identifies God as light:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1 John 1:5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-This passage has to do with the sinless nature, purity, and holiness
of God as opposed to the darkness of sinful behavior and the depraved nature of
man. So when we find David speaking of
light in Psalm 27 it is with the suggestion that God has illumination, purity,
joy, life, and hope. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Amidst all of the possibilities of David being attacked by his
enemies, there is a God who will prevail and help him. At the threat of war, God will deliver. In the presence of fear, God has a light that
can totally remove the darkness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Salvation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-But the Lord isn’t just our light, He is our salvation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The Hebrew word for salvation can also be rendered as “deliverance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 3:8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
Salvation <i>belongeth</i> unto the LORD: thy blessing <i>is</i> upon
thy people. Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 18:2 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">
The LORD <i>is</i> my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God,
my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, <i>and</i>
my high tower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh. . . when my
enemies and my foes attack me. . . they will stumble and fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is a picture that David gives to us when he says that there are
some enemies whose deep desire and hatred motivate them to attempt to destroy
the flesh. These enemies are in such a
category as wild animals who are predators and night stalkers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-While most of us don’t have those kind of enemies seeking after us,
we are involved in a spiritual battle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1 Peter 5:8-9
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: <b>[9]</b> Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing
that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Revelation 12:9
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> And the great dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was
cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">2 Timothy
4:17-18 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and
strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and <i>that</i>
all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the
lion. <b>[18]</b> And the Lord shall
deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve <i>me</i> unto his heavenly
kingdom: to whom <i>be</i> glory for ever and ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is another matter that we can also see in addition to the
spiritual battle is the one currently surrounding us. The kind of personal attacks of a verbal
nature such as what false witnesses could make (cf. Psalm 27:12). They can attack with words that sully our
reputation, tear down our witness, and feel like poisonous darts that sting
us. The Aramaic phrase, ‘to eat the
flesh’ means ‘to slander’ to which one translation renders it: <i>uttering
slanders against me.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-But whatever the oppression was, he was certain that God would
intervene and that ultimately all of the attacks would literally come to
nothing! Not only that God would assure
that the enemies would stumble and fall.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Stronghold<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Lord is the strength of my life! The picture the psalmist is painting here is
one of protection. It is literally as if
a fort has been built around them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Marcus
Lutrell, author of the book <i>Lone Survivor</i>,
tells the story of his Special Forces team being the first one dropped into
Afghanistan one month after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in the
US. They were primarily on a recon, spy
mission when a teenage goat herder discovered him. There was great debate as to whether they
should allow him to escape or not. In
the end, the allowed him to leave but it would come with the high price of
Lutrell losing the men who were on the Special Forces team. He was desperately injured in the battle and
thought he also would die at the hands of the Taliban. However, he was taken into a safe house by
some Afghan chieftains who were in the Northern Alliance and they were
determined to protect him. He wrote that
there were times that he could hear the voices of his enemies while he was
hidden away in one of the homes in that village. He said that there were times he was
concerned that in his feverish state that he was going to cry out in his
delirium and be discovered. Almost two
weeks after he had been placed in the safe house, some Army Rangers came in and
rescued him and flew him out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is nothing like having a stronghold to hide in
when you are under the duress and pressure of the enemy of your soul. I also might add that when we come into this
stronghold, we come on the conditions of the stronghold, not our own! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We come to the Lord as he requires us to come! We do not attempt to change Him but rather He
is in the work of changing and redeeming us.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Whom shall I fear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Of whom shall I be
afraid?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can have great confidence in the Lord!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Soul’s Desire—Psalm 27:4-6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 27:4-6 KJV One
<i>thing</i> have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may
dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of
the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
[5] For in the time of trouble he
shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide
me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
[6] And now shall mine head be
lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his
tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the
LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-The Psalmist next pours out the very desire of the soul which is to
dwell in the house of the Lord forever!
This kind of desire can only pour out of the heart of a worshipper! David was a man who modelled courage,
leadership, and he was a conqueror but more than that he was a worshipper. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Here was a man who had a passion for God and the things of God. If our generation can ever be touched by a
passion and hunger for God, it is only then that we really become worshippers. Certain privileges come to those who are
worshippers! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Fellowship with a company of priests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The taste of bread from the table of showbread. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The way made clear because of the illuminating light from the
candlesticks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The scent of the incense that rises from the second altar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Access to the inner sanctuaries of the Tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Literally being in the presence of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-That is what happens to worshippers.
David did not attend the services of the Lord out of a sense of duty; he
haunted the place because it was where his treasure was. Our heart has a unique way of showing where
our treasures are at. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-That is why people who long for the house of the Lord often find
great fellowship, encouragement, and spiritual strength. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>For in the time of trouble
he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide
me; he shall set me up upon a rock!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-David may have been far from the house of the Lord in a geographical
sense but he was in the middle of this place of worship in his heart, soul, and
spirit! The thought of God’s house controlled him. He desired it, he hungered for it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is an outcome of what is taking place with David’s heart and
that is going to be hidden by God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-A true worshipper can count on being in the place that Paul wrote of:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Colossians 3:3
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is the old hymn also. . . <i>Rock
of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Soul’s Prayer—Psalm 27:7-12<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 27:7-12 KJV
Hear, O LORD, <i>when</i> I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me,
and answer me. [8] <i>When thou saidst,</i> Seek ye my face; my
heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. [9]
Hide not thy face <i>far</i> from me; put not thy servant away in anger:
thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my
salvation. [10] When my father and my mother forsake me, then
the LORD will take me up. [11] Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a
plain path, because of mine enemies.
[12] Deliver me not over unto the
will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as
breathe out cruelty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-At this point in the psalm, things seem to change a bit. He was initially walking on the highlands of
faith but now it appears that he is slipping into the lowlands of fear. We can never forget that fear often lives
right next door to faith. It is almost
as if we are on a roller coaster from faith to fear and from fear to
faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-David cries out to the Lord and pleads with him to have mercy on
him. More times than one, we are often
at the very control of discouragement.
We know that we shouldn’t be there but through various twists and turns
of life, we don’t sense the presence of the Lord in our trials. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-There is nothing more fearful to us than when we feel those moments
of rejection. One of the strongest
psychological and spiritual needs that all of us have is that of acceptance by
God and it is often amazing what we will go through to try to gain it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-Here is where it really gets spiritual! The devil literally is looking for every
opportunity he can to exploit that feeling of rejection. He will use it with lies. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">God has rejected you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The church has rejected you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Your family has rejected you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">You are a misfit who has no business being around people who
have their act together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-You can see something that flows out of this prayer. David is looking for:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He is seeking acceptance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He is seeking to be heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He is seeking guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He is seeking protection.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
-All of these factors are crucial in our spiritual life and the only
way it can be filled is when the Lord becomes our light and our salvation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Soul’s Prescription—Psalm 27:13-14<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Psalms 27:13-14 KJV <i>I
had fainted,</i> unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the
land of the living. [14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David gives to us the prescription that we need. It may be a hard one to take early on but as
time passes in your walk with God, you will see what is best. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Wait on the Lord!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The things that David prayed for and the things we pray
for do not often come to us immediately.
God has his own timings that he works on and they are not to be confused
with the schedule we may have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You find great hope and comfort in waiting! We have the same confidence that a man who is
waiting on the bus to come at the bus stop.
We don’t know exactly when it will get there but we do know that it
will!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—THEY
THAT WAIT ON THE LORD<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Isaiah 40:28-31
KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, <i>that</i>
the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth
not, neither is weary? <i>there is</i> no searching of his understanding. <b>[29]</b> He giveth power to the faint; and to <i>them
that have</i> no might he increaseth strength.
<b>[30]</b> Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and
the young men shall utterly fall: <b>[31]</b>
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew <i>their</i> strength; they
shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; <i>and</i>
they shall walk, and not faint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
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January 12, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-91520684305677313372014-04-27T14:34:00.001-07:002014-04-27T14:34:54.041-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 13 -- From Sinking to Swimming<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Psalms 13:1-6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <b>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.</b>
How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy
face from me? <b>[2]</b> How long shall I take
counsel in my soul, <i>having</i> sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine
enemy be exalted over me? <b>[3]</b>
Consider <i>and</i> hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I
sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death; <b>[4]</b>
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; <i>and</i> those that
trouble me rejoice when I am moved. <b>[5]</b>
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy
salvation. <b>[6]</b> I will sing unto the
LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">I.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">INTRODUCTION—THE PSALMS OF COMFORT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The fall of 1996 was not a kind time during the life of the
Bridge City UPC. Brother Harrell told me
at least ten years after that time that everywhere he looked in that church
that people were under some of the greatest strains of life that he had ever
seen. He never has told me that problems
that they faced during that time and if the truth be told, I would love to know
what the challenges were. But knowing
life as I have come to know it, I have a feeling that whether it was 1996 or
2013 or even the ‘80’s, life sometimes can punch you when you least expect
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Brother Harrell told me that beginning on the Sunday nights in October,
November, and some of December that he went into that pulpit with one thing on
his mind—comfort. He told me he preached
comfort from every single angle he could find in the Bible. To this there are still some of the saints in
Bridge City that can recall how much the Word helped them to keep walking!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">But that was not the first time he had preached like that,
sometime in the 80’s the Bridge City UPC was going through a particularly
trying time. Brother John Harrell told
me that there had been times in his 40+ year ministry there that things were so
bad that he wouldn’t even leave town because of all the problems and troubles that
was brewing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His messages in that series of ten were:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Healing In His
Wings</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jesus Is So
Approachable</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Foothill
Principle</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">You Can Face
Into the Wind</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Branded by the
Marks of Jesus</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Chains</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Storm of
“Not Yet”</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Light Sown</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Father Is
With Me</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: #FEFDFA; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mysteries That
Defy Explanation</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-If you are
in need of comfort and encouragement, there seems to be one place in the Bible
that fits the bill. Perhaps no other
book of the Bible pours out comfort and encouragement as does the Psalms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">A.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Light and Darkness in the Psalms<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-Just to take
one small theme and pull it from the Psalms is to find great blessing. Consider what we find when we consider the
man who has to battle with darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Lord is my light and my salvation—27:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Lord will enlighten my darkness—18:28<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">God is a sun—84:11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed—132:17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Word is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path—119:105<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The commandment of the Lord. . . enlightens the eyes—19:8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Send out thy light. . . let it lead me—43:3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Light is sown for righteousness—97:11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness—112:4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light—37:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He will keep you secretly in his pavilion—32:7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-There are a
vast number of subjects that we can seek out when we read of God’s power in the
Psalms. The great encouragement is that
having an understanding that none of the challenges that faces the saint of God
can stand against God’s plan or resources.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">B.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Quotes on Psalm 13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Charles Spurgeon</span></b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">—Whenever you look into
David’s Psalms, you will somewhere or other see yourself. You never get into a corner, but you find
David in that corner. I think that I was
never so low that I could not find that David was lower, and I never climbed so
high that I could not find that David was up above me. (From <i>The
Treasury of David</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Joseph Parker</span></b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">—This psalm begins with
winter and ends with summer; it begins with low muffled tones of sorrow and
ends with a rapture of praise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Matthew Henry</span></b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">—Days of trouble must be
days of prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Andrew Fuller</span></b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">—It is not under the
sharpest, but the longest trials, that we are most in danger of fainting. . .
When Job was accosted with evil tidings, in quick succession, he bore it with
becoming fortitude; but when he could see no end to his troubles, he sunk under
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">II.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">PSALM 13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-David got to
this place in his life. There is a
connection between Psalm 12 and Psalm 13.
In fact there is a noted intensity in Psalm 12 and by the time you get
to Psalm 13 there is a sense of desperation that pours out of David. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-In Psalm 12,
David feels as if he has been abandoned by godly men but when he gets to Psalm
13, he seems to indicate that he has been abandoned by God. Being abandoned by God is a terrible matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Jonah thought he wanted to run from God and abandon Him but he
changed his mind when he was in the belly of the fish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Esau fled from God but when he carefully sought him in
repentance it was a terrible thing that he could not find God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Balaam tried to abandon God by going to see Balak. He found the terrible consequences of
abandoning God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Scattered all throughout Scripture come the pleadings of men,
“Don’t hide your face from us, O Lord!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-Forgive me
for feeling this way but I take great encouragement from the fact that the man
after God’s own heart would cry out as he did in this Psalm. That should let all of us know that there
will be times in our walk with God when we will have the same feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-Something to
help me remember the flow of this psalm is a helpful outline that Steven Lawson
in his commentary on the Psalms. He
divides the six verses under three headings:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David’s Sorrow—vv. 1-2. . .</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> His problems put him on his
face!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David’s Supplication
(Prayer)—vv. 3-4</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">. . . His prayer puts him on his knees!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David’s Singing—vv. 5-6</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">. . . His praise puts him on his
feet! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">A.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David’s Sorrow—Psalm 13:1-2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms
13:1-2 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";"> <b>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.</b>
How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy
face from me? <b>[2]</b> How long shall I take
counsel in my soul, <i>having</i> sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine
enemy be exalted over me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">-There are some hints that this has been a trial of sorts
that has been dragging on for an extended period of time. . . Four times he
cries out. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">How long, O Lord will you forget me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">How long, O Lord will you hide your face from me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">How long, O Lord must I reason with my soul that is filled with
sorrow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">How long, O Lord will my enemy have power over me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">-The soul came come to a place that there is a great
period of wrestling that can settle in on us.
We all come to this place at some point.
Everyone </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">will make
the trip to Psalm 13. All men no matter
how dedicated or how noble their service has been for the Lord will live in
this place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-Various
circumstances of life will bring you here.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Family Matters will bring you to this place.</span></i></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> Marriages will have to endure pressures of
unreasonable expectations. Trying to
work out the personality clashes will leave you will a feeling of abandonment. Children will get to be teenagers and will
become antagonistic and rebellious while they are trying to figure out their
place in life. Strain comes to the
family and we feel like we have nowhere to turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Secular Work will bring you to this place.</span></i></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> We all have to work and there are certain
blessings that come from that work that we invest ourselves in. But then you will enter into a place where it
becomes mundane and boring. It no longer
holds the inspiration that it once did.
The rapid promotions that came early have leveled off and now that
inevitable holding pattern consumes us.
The profit margins seem to become stagnant and maintenance consumes most
of our time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Church Work will get to this place.</span></i></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> Some seem to think that because of the
nobility and power of working for the Kingdom of God that there is nothing but
long stretches of revival, inspiration, and spiritual passion marked by
occasional tussles with the devil. But
those who have the Kingdom closest to their heart soon discover that the
harvest has seasons, growth levels off, prayers become dry, and seasons of hard
plowing and sowing are our lot in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Spiritual life will get to this place.</span></i></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> For those who have been faithfully serving
the Lord for years can find that early in their walk, many spiritual victories
took place. Now they are more spaced out
and spiritual progress seems to have greatly slowed. It is almost as if there is a deep spiritual
slump that dogs your steps. The longer
this takes place the more inward, spiritual analysis consumes us. Old mistakes and past sins are dredged up and
we wonder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-All of these
circumstances give rise to the challenging questions of the Spirit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Has God forgotten?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Have the blessings of God been taken away forever?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Where are His blessings?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Is God punishing me for what I did years ago?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-In
situations like this we have a tendency to think that God has abandoned us. Our emotions can get the best of us during
times like these. Furthermore there is a
deadly enemy that we have to prevail against.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-The devil is
the adversary of our souls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Martyn Lloyd-Jones</span></b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">—The devil is the adversary
of our souls. He can use our
temperaments and our physical condition.
He so deals with us that we allow our temperament to control and govern
us, instead of keeping temperament where it should be kept. There is no end to the ways the devil
produces spiritual depression. We must
always bear that in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">B.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David’s Supplication—Psalm 13:3-4<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";">Psalms
13:3-4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@Arial Unicode MS";"> Consider <i>and</i> hear me, O LORD my God:
lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death; <b>[4]</b> Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against
him; <i>and</i> those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-David can
greatly help us to see the solution for this kind of situation. He cries out in prayer. Just as we all come to the place where we
feel as if we have been abandoned by God, we all have to come to a place that
prayer pours out of our soul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-There is a
fantastic blessing that comes to the man who learns how to “pray through!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Consider me (look at me)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Hear me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Open my eyes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-His feelings
say that God has turned away from him. . . His faith says something totally
different! There is a huge connection
that every Spirit-filled believer needs have this shoved in his heart and
broken off!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-Prayer makes
a difference! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-If you can
ever come to the place that you began to engage prayer. . . as in getting down
on your knees kind of prayer. We need
the kind of prayer that is prolonged and seeking out the God of power—Jehovah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-David poured
his soul out to the Lord and told Him that his enemies were mocking him. “I have prevailed against him!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I heard a story recently that reminded me of a very similar
circumstance in my own life. Years ago
when we would spend a few weeks in the summer at my granny’s house, my papaw
and I would play checkers. We would sit
at a concrete picnic table under a huge oak tree and spend hours playing
checkers and dominoes in the late afternoons.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I can remember the first few times I played him, he would let me
win. As time went by it got to the point
that I could never beat him because of his method of playing and I can remember
a time that this point was driven home to me.
We started playing and I moved and he let me take a couple of his
pieces. He moved again and I took
another one of his pieces. But with that
loss it ended up that this one move set up every one of my pieces so that he
could jump all the way to the end line where he would be crowned as king. After that, he moved backwards and took the
majority of my men causing me to lose the game.
That was not the only time that he did that to me. It was as if he had taken one king and had
taken every one of my players. He had
learned the value of losing a checker or two as long as he was heading for king
territory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-Can you
gather in to that and understand it from the spiritual side. We can afford to give up a few things in life
if we are going for the crown.
Furthermore, God knows what He is doing with our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-You can
trust the Lord, even when it seems like the enemy may be taking piece after
piece of your life in this seeming “game of checkers.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">C.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">David’s Song—Psalm 13:5-6<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Psalms 13:5-6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart
shall rejoice in thy salvation. <b>[6]</b>
I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-David moves
even beyond his prayer into a place of praise.
He can get into the place of praise because his prayer has caused him to
remember something—the salvation of the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-There are a
lot of aspects of this salvation that has come to David. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Salvation from sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Salvation from self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Salvation from Satan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Salvation from Saul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-David is now
standing on the side of victory. It does
not matter what situation of life that you find yourself in—as the old
Mississippi Mass Choir song says, “It’s good to know Jesus! Everybody ought to know Jesus!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-David says
that he will rejoice in his salvation.
There may be times in your life when that is all you have the
opportunity to praise God for. But we
must rejoice in our salvation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-David ushers
one more principle in the final verse of this passage—He hath dealt bountifully
with me. This means past tense. He was looking to the blessings in the past
and found himself filled with a song. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-We can do
that! David will have to keep running
from Saul for a while longer but despite that, God has not changed. If God can bring him through many dangers,
toils, and snares in the past then there is nothing in the future that God
cannot supply the necessary resources to see us through!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">III.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">CONCLUSION—I’VE GOT CONFIDENCE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-While we are
making appeals to old songs, there is one more that is worth mentioning. Andrae Crouch used to sing a song sometime in
the ‘70’s called “I’ve Got Confidence, God Is Gonna See Me Through!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">-We get to
that point sometimes in our walk with God.
Nothing right now seems to be working out but there is a God who can
usher us all the way home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Philip
Harrelson <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">March 16,
2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-39819507170599544142014-04-27T14:32:00.003-07:002014-04-27T14:32:46.052-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 4 -- An Evening Prayer of Trust<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 4:1-8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> <b>To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm
of David.</b> Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast
enlarged me <i>when I was</i> in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my
prayer. <b>[2]</b> O ye sons of men, how
long <i>will ye turn</i> my glory into shame? <i>how long</i> will ye love
vanity, <i>and</i> seek after leasing? Selah.
<b>[3]</b> But know that the LORD hath set apart him
that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. <b>[4] </b>Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with
your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. <b>[5]</b> Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and
put your trust in the LORD. <b>[6]</b>
<i>There be</i> many that say, Who will shew us <i>any</i> good? LORD,
lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. <b>[7]</b> Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than
in the time <i>that</i> their corn and their wine increased. <b>[8] </b>I will both lay me down in peace, and
sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—LOOKING
BACK TO WHERE WE HAVE BEEN<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a richness in the Word of God that comes to
those who desire to know it and understand it.
The Psalms, the prayers of Israel and the praises of Israel, all pour
forth from the various writers in this book.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are more than seven men who composed the
Psalms. Some of those men are easily
identifiable while others are hidden to us and will only be known to us when we
get to heaven. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">David</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Wrote at
least 73 of the Psalms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The sons of Korah</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Accounted
for ten of them (42; 44-49; 84-85; & 87).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Asaph</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Wrote 12 of
them (50; 73-83).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Solomon</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Wrote two
(72, 127).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Moses</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Wrote one
(90).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Heman</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Wrote one
(88).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Ethan</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Wrote one
(89).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The remaining fifty psalms remain anonymous to us,
although Ezra is thought to be the writer of some of those. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What makes the Psalms even more compelling is when you
consider who the author was and what the conditions were that surrounded the
writing of that psalm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When I started preaching through the Psalms toward the
end of last year, I had no idea how much it would draw me in to the Lord. I trust that they have been beneficial to you
as well. For those of you who have made
a choice to write them out, I am certain that the Lord has used this spiritual
discipline to speak clearly and directly to your heart. As you write them out, give great
consideration to the fact that what you are doing is an act of worship because
if affords an opportunity for you to withdraw from the desperate pace of this
world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is where we have been. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 1</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The Two Trails of
Life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 2</span></b><span style="color: red;">—God Cannot Be
Stopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The Dark Hour of
Sunrise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 13</span></b><span style="color: red;">—From Sinking to
Swimming<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 27</span></b><span style="color: red;">—The Lord of Light
and Salvation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 42</span></b><span style="color: red;">—Hope for a
Downcast Soul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Now. . . Psalm 4. . . An Evening Prayer of Trust.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
4—AN EVENING PRAYER OF TRUST<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm introduces us to the first of fifty-five
assignments to the director of the worship.
We find that in the superscription of this psalm. <i>To the
chief musician</i>. There is also
another word that is noted there. The
word is Neginoth. It literally has the
meaning of “smitings.” There are other
Psalms that are connected with this word also: 4; 6; 54; 55; 61; 67; and 76.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is also a connection with Psalm 3 and Psalm
4. Psalm 3 is a morning psalm (3:5) and
Psalm 4 is designated as an evening psalm (4:8). In Psalm 3, David is running from his own
son, Absalom, and is in physical danger.
The character of Psalm 4 changes a bit in that David is now in a place
where there is malicious slander and lies being thrown at him. It is his reputation that is under fire
instead of his physical person. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-All of us have been in situations before where our
character was being maligned. Real
enemies were using their tongues on us to destroy us. James 3:1-12 is the place in the Bible that
tells us of the deadly nature of the tongue.
If ever there were a time that we needed sanctified, holy, restrained,
and guarded tongues it is now. Look at
what James had to say about the tongue:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A little member<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Boasts great things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Can cause a great
fire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">A world of iniquity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Defiles the whole
body<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Sets on fire the
course of nature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Set on fire by hell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It cannot be tamed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">An unruly evil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Full of deadly
poison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-A rumor can wipe out a person’s reputation and that is
what David is contending with in Psalm 4.
David will pour out his lament to the Lord about what they are doing to
him with their vicious gossip, caustic rumormongering, and destructive words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are untold masses of people who have been
destroyed by tongues of unscrupulous and uncaring. That is what David was crying out to the Lord
for. He needed the presence and approval
of God more than physical deliverance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">P. C. Craigie</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—It
is a psalm which reflects the anguish of the innocent and oppressed, or of the
righteous sufferer. . . Thus it is a particularly important kind of psalm, for
it addresses a fundamental human experience, the experience of injustice,
suffering, and oppression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-These kinds of attacks can be summed up in this way:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Injustices that
heaped on that are undeserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">False accusations
that have no basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Slandering words
that hurt the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">When someone seeks
to advance their own cause and seeks to get us out of their way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Your reputation
comes under fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-I am borrowing the outline by John Phillips from his
commentary on the Psalms. This psalm can
be divided up some key words. . . Salvation. . . Sanctification. . . Sacrifice.
. . Song. . . Security.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Salvation—Psalm
4:1-2<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 4:1-2 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Hear me when I call, O God of my
righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon
me, and hear my prayer. <b> [2]</b>
O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long
will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-More often than not most of us have been in places at
work, at school, at home, and even at church when someone may ask us, “Do you
know what so-and-so said about you?”
Then they tell us the words that were used to tear down our reputation
and our character. Generally we feel
anger and are eager to mount our defense at the accusations. That is not what David did. Instead of going on the attack he went to a
place of prayer for salvation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The salvation that David needs at this moment is not
that of an eternal nature but rather from the circumstances that he finds
himself in. That is reflected in the cry
of the first two verses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hear me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Have mercy upon me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hear my prayer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Hebrew word for “distress” means a tight place. It can also mean that there is an opponent
crowding him into a narrow place. But
David reaches into his past somewhere and stirs his faith because he reminds
God, “You have enlarged me when I was in distress.” This kind of prayer builds our faith. . . One
of the avenues of our prayer ought to be the times we can remind God of past
victories, deliverances, and needs that were met. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Hebrew word for “enlarged” means that God had
widened out the tight places in the past and he knows that God can do the very
same thing again for him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David makes his cry known for the mercy of God in his
prayer. The word “mercy” appears 276
times in 261 verses in the KJV. In the
book of Psalms, mercy has some great associations:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">A multitude of mercy—5:7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and weakness—6:2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and trouble—9:13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and rejoicing—13:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and
anointing—18:50<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and goodness—23:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and truth—25:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and help—30:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and grief—31:9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy will
surround—32:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and hope—33:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and
lovingkindness—51:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy is great—57:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy in the
morning—59:16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and defense—59:17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy that is
plenteous—86:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy built up
forever—89:2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy and the
faithfulness of God—89:24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy is
everlasting—100:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy endures
forever—106:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Mercy that will cut off
God’s enemies—143:12</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David realizes that only God could help him. . . he
reflects that in verse 8. . . <i><span style="color: red;">for thou, Lord, only</span></i>. . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He tells the Lord that his enemies are attacking in a
certain way:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Turning his glory
into shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They dishonor him by
ruining his reputation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They love vanity. .
. (NASB—love what is worthless and aim at deception).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They love lies and
delusion and are opposed to his righteous life and his godly convictions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He appeals for relief from God however he is very clear
in his understanding that even he is not a perfect man. Therein is his appeal for the mercy of God. .
. God have mercy on me, you see me as I am and what motives I have in my heart.
. . but despite my own humanity, I need for you to help me!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is the attitude that we must have as we make our appeals
to God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Sanctification—Psalm
4:3-4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 4:3-4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> But know that the LORD hath set apart him
that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. <b>[4]</b> Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your
own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We see David’s appeal for salvation in the first two
verses, but now David places prayer into a conditional realm. He talks about sanctification or
holiness. Note in Psalm 4:3 where the
Lord has set apart the godly for himself.
Because that man has been set apart in a place of holiness, God will
hear the prayer of that man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Holiness and prayer. . . There is nothing really
mysterious about holiness. It is just
the practical fruit of a man’s life who has been Spirit-filled and
Word-filled. <i>Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess but be ye filled with the
Spirit (Eph. 5:18). . . . Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you (Col. 3:16
). . . </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is a pattern in that verse. . . Sanctification is
separation <i>from </i>ungodliness and
separation <i>to </i>God. The Lord makes a person godly and then He
sets that person apart from Himself.
Being set apart for God makes us love the things we once hated and hate
the things we once loved. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Once Jesus Christ gains the pre-eminence in our lives we
can understand these matters of holiness as never before. People who have given the Lord complete
control in their lives never quibble and chafe at holiness. In fact their whole life is intent on doing
things that will please the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Those who love the world will always be at odds with
holiness. If you are having problems
with holiness then you might want to consider to whom you have given your
allegiances to. <i>The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. . . the Lord
will hear when I call unto him. . . <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Those who are always saying that God does not answer
prayer might want to check to whom they have been set apart to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Sanctification is loving the things of God. . the prayer
meetings, the worship services, the Word of God, the songs of Zion, the
mid-week Bible studies, and the fellowship of the saints. Personal godliness will always be linked to
personal goodness!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is an outflow of holiness that specifically
follows in Psalm 4:4, <i><span style="color: red;">Stand in awe, and sin not</span></i>. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-However, these two verses are really being addressed to
the enemies of David. He tells them that
they need to be aware of the man whom God has set apart and that they need not
to vent their anger toward him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David tells these enemies of God that they are not to
fall to their anger and go after him.
Anger can ruin the best of men.
When we are making application to this verse, even though it is for the
enemies of David, there is solid truth here for the saint also. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We may turn it around and say to ourselves that we ought
not to give in to anger at our enemies who are trashing your good name and
reputation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are times that anger pulls at every saint of God
but there is nothing like anger that impales us in areas of personal
holiness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">William Secker</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—He
that would be angry and not sin, must be angry at nothing but sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Frances Havergal</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Quick,
angry motions of the heart will sometimes force themselves into expression by
the hand, though the tongue may be restrained.
The very way in which we close a door or lay down a book may be a
victory or a defeat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Anonymous</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—Anger is
an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to
anything on which it is poured. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 29:11 NIV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a
wise man keeps himself under control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Sacrifice—Psalm
4:5<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 4:5 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and
put your trust in the LORD.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This is a matter of worship. True worship is always accompanied by
righteous sacrifices. There were two
basic kinds of sacrifices the people of the Old Testament could bring to the
altar. It was a sweet savor offering or
a sin offering. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The sacrifice of sweet savor was what came from a
righteous saint. The sacrifice of a sin
offering was what accompanied a repentant sinner. David was encouraging the sacrifices of
righteousness:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Burnt Offering</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—It
was all for God. The type was that of
suffering of the Lord. Obedience unto
death even the death of the Cross (Php. 2:8).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Meal Offering</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—An
offering of flour which was smooth and pure.
The type was that of the perfection of the Lord. The flour had been ground to perfection until
it was flawless in texture. His life was
a sinless, perfect life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Peace Offering</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—This
offering brought the worshipper and God together in the communion of a
ceremonial meal. The peace offering is a
type of the presence of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David pulls all three of these together and tells us
that we are to live a life that exalts and honors God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Through the Lord’s Suffering</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—In the shadow of the Cross we are to live a crucified
life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Through the Lord’s Perfection</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—We are to live a parallel life of holiness and allow the
indwelling Holy Ghost to guide us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Through the Lord’s Presence</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—We are to live a life that is in constant communion with
Him. Not only taking part in communion
at the Lord ’s Table but in our everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can now see a picture of what Psalm 4:5 means when
it tells us to offer up sacrifices of righteousness. Our trust in the Lord is strengthened by our
commitment to this kind of living. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Song—Psalm
4:6-7<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 4:6-7 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> There be many that say, Who will shew us any
good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. <b>[7]</b> Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than
in the time that their corn and their wine increased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We have had David’s Salvation, Sanctification,
Sacrifice, and now the Song. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David’s heart has started to turn from the attacks of
those on him to the power of the Lord.
That same pattern at some point will have to be learned by all of us who
serve the Lord. We have to turn our eyes
and ears from the accusers and turn our hearts and minds to the One who rules
the universe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David repeats the question of those who are under the
siege of the enemies. . . Can God still show us favor again? Here is where David’s remembrance of
Scripture proved to be his great encouragement.
He remembered something from the book of Numbers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Numbers 6:24-26 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: <b>[25]</b> The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and
be gracious unto thee: <b>[26]</b>
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-You can count on the Lord to help you at all times! No matter the circumstances, God’s will and
purpose will always prevail. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The result of David’s prayer was that the Lord had put
joy into his heart again. Before David’s
prayer had changed his circumstances, it had changed him. That is one of the benefits of prayer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">How many times have
we limped into our personal closet of prayer and God has changed us before he
changed our situation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">How many times has
just a feeble prayer changed our heart before the trial got better? <br />
How many times has the Lord answered a prayer in the heart before it ever came
to pass in front of your eyes? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David thought of the times of harvest and plenty when
the corn was overflowing the barns and the wine was overflowing the
vessels. He said the Lord had put more
joy in his heart than those times of victory.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some commentators connect Psalm 3 and Psalm 4. They say that Psalm 3 was the morning after
David fled Jerusalem and was running from Absalom. They say that Psalm 4 was developed in the
day as he ran from Absalom and in the flight, God began to build his faith up
again. If that is the case, then here is
what we have to understand:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">David’s spirit
soared after he lost the palace, a full table, and his money—material things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">David’s spirit
soared because he had God—his joy was in God and not in his goods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is when the song can really work in your soul, when
you are freed from your dependence on the trappings of this world!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo5; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>E.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Security—Psalm
4:8<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 4:8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David could sleep in peace. There had been a time that he could sleep in
the security of his palace because there were armed soldiers who patrolled the
courtyards and kept the gates. That was
no longer available to him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Now he was in the sleeping in the countryside. But he was safer here than he had been in the
palace. Soldiers watched there. . . God
was watching here!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-If you can leave your prayers to the Lord in your
evening of trust, He can take care of you.
Not only does he take care of them, He allows us to sleep in peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—NO
ONE IS IMMUNE FROM THIS KIND OF TROUBLE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Even though you may serve the Lord, no will be immune
from the attack on their reputation. But
instead of attacking, make it a matter of prayer. That is the most effective and spiritual way
to deal with the matter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Call on the name of the Lord. When we call to the Lord with a life that
models holiness, He will hear us. You
will discover that it is in the painful moments of life that God will provide
you with the necessary support to fight one more day. . . to take one more
step. . . and to do the will of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
April 25, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-72694858592178236112014-04-27T14:31:00.002-07:002014-04-27T14:31:26.532-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 3 -- The Dark Hour of Sunrise<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 3:1-8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom
his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise
up against me. <b>[2]</b> Many there be which say
of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. <b> [3] </b>But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my
glory, and the lifter up of mine head. <b>[4]</b>
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy
hill. Selah. <b>[5]</b> I laid me down and
slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
<b>[6]</b> I will not be afraid of ten thousands of
people, that have set themselves against me round about. <b> [7] </b>Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for
thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the
teeth of the ungodly. <b>[8]</b>
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people.
Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—THE
BACKGROUND OF THE THIRD PSALM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are some things that we see in this psalm that
have not been present in the previous two.
The real crux of the psalms are about to get started with this third
psalm. What we also begin here is the
first of a collection of psalms written by David. They actually cover Psalms 3-41. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is the first
psalm that has a historical title—<i>A Psalm
of David, when he fled from Absalom.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is the first
psalm that is actually entitled “a psalm.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is the first
psalm that is considered a psalm of lament.
A psalm of lament is one that is charged with emotional pain and a plea
for divine deliverance from trouble. We
often look to the psalms as a place of singing and worship but there is
something about lament, pain, disappointment that adds a depth to our worship
that we otherwise would not grasp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is the first
psalm that is identified with morning worship which we gather from 3:6. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It follows a pattern
from Psalm 1-2 in that both of them are related to each other. Psalm 3 is a psalm of morning worship and
Psalm 4 is one for evening worship. Our
days should begin and end with worship to the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">It is the first
psalm that introduces us to the word, ‘Selah’ (vv. 2, 4, 8). This word is most likely a signal for a pause
so that the musical instruments can be changed or that a new voice is to take up
the song. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word “psalm” comes from the Hebrew <i>mizmor</i> which has to do with the cutting
and pruning of unfruitful branches. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One of the powerful things about the Word of the Lord is
the ability to cross-reference it and pin-point historical occurrences with the
words we read. This psalm is exactly in
that category. The title tells us that
this is a time when David was fleeing from Absalom. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The parallels from this psalm to the history in 2 Samuel
fits in this manner:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">3:2</span></b><span style="color: red;">—David’s enemies say he
is to be forsaken by God—2 Sam. 16:7-8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">3:3</span></b><span style="color: red;">—David’s head, covered
on Mt. Olives, will be raised by God—2 Sam. 15:30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">3:5</span></b><span style="color: red;">—David’s danger and
confidence in the night—2 Sam. 17:1, 16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">3:6</span></b><span style="color: red;">—David’s situation of
being greatly outnumbered—2 Sam. 15:13; 17:11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red;">3:8</span></b><span style="color: red;">—David’s victory is
always secured in the Lord—2 Sam. 19:1-2 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We see that this psalm was written as a morning psalm
but in the beginning of it, it appears that David is facing the dark hour of
sunrise with a host of trouble trying to erase him from the throne and
ultimately from the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
3<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-This psalm was written by David after running from
Absalom. It was most likely written on
the first night when he was fleeing from his own son. What a terrible thing to have been confronted
with. While David had been running the
affairs of the nation, his son had been working the people and drawing their
allegiance away from his father. The
whole matter is laid out in 2 Samuel 15-18.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is the way that life often works. It just keeps on coming at you! You are working diligently to fulfill your
obligations and responsibilities and in the background someone is working
against you. David appears to not have
even had a hint of suspicion that this was taking place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Before we get to the end of this psalm we will be able
to see that the Lord is the Lord over life and has ever path worked out before
we ever get to it. Adversity,
disappointment, setbacks, rebellions, obstacles, and a host of other matters
will be a portion of every life but we can take confidence in the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Just as with the other psalms, I would set forth an
outline for you so that you can get it set in your mind for later on for a way
to recall it. I borrow this outline from
John Phillips in his commentary on Psalms called <i>Exploring the Psalms—Volume 1</i>.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David’s
Trial—Psalm 3:1-2<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 3:1-2 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom
his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise
up against me. <b>[2]</b> Many there be which say
of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David sums up his trial when he says that he has a
multitude of enemies who have sided against him. But there is even more to their dark presence
when they begin to tell him that God will not be of any help to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The onset of the trial had been so sudden that it was
unnerving. David had been working in
Jerusalem and his rebellious son had been working in Hebron. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-To be in the minority is a huge test of nerve no matter
what cause that you have taken up. It is
even more when they are gathering strength.
David says, “They are increased that trouble me!” but even more
difficult, he notes is the rising in their numbers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When we read of the account in 2 Samuel, we also realize
that when our faith is under attack that it can skew our perspective on life in
general. David may have <i>felt </i>like there were no supporters and
that he only had enemies pursuing him, but there were some faithful men who
were with him. They had been with him
for a long time. In fact some of them
went back as far as thirty years to the cave days of Adullam. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Joab</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—His
commander-in-chief. He knew how to order
an army and inspire bravery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Benaiah</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—A valiant
man and the son of a valiant man. A man
filled with courage who had slain a lion on a snowy day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Abishai</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—The
brother of Joab and both were cousins of David.
He had once killed three hundred men in a battle with a spear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Mighty Men</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;">—Somewhere
were that noble 30 whom had helped David to do the will of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is what we often forget. . . Even amidst the
challenges and calamities of life, moments when our faith is under attack, and
our spiritual equilibrium has been turned upside down, there are men of God who
are surrounding us. Just their presence
adds something to our lives! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There is something to be said for fellowship of a
brother! There needs to be great value placed on the fact that we worship the
Lord in a church with spiritual support around us. It very well could be that you may be sitting
on a pew in this service thinking that your enemies have gotten the best of you
and that things are grim. But you are
surrounded by mighty men who shall see to it that God will bring you out. . . .
even if you can’t see it or believe it!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But there is another factor involved here. Some malicious voices are also factoring God
out of the equation! This may have been
a reference to the voice of Shimei in 2 Samuel 16. He cursed David in front of his own men at
this troubling time in his life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Some biblical scholars believe that the motivation of
this statement was the dark sin that David had committed with Bathsheba. They were throwing his past in his face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">Charles Spurgeon</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">—If
all the trials which come from heaven, all the temptations that could ascend
from hell, and all the crosses with arise from the earth, could be mixed and
pressed together, they would not make a trial so terrible as that which is
contained in this verse. It is the most
bitter of all afflictions to be led to fear that there is no help for us in
God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The enemies of the righteous often have voices that do
their best to squash every bit of the faith out of us that they can. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Noah had to deal
with the mocking voices as he built the ark under the orders of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Nehemiah had to
contend with the mockery of Sanballat and Tobiah as he built his wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Bartimaeus had to
turn a deaf ear to those calling him from the healing of his blind eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Mary was chided by
Judas for anointing the Lord with the perfume from the alabaster box. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But great faith often is strengthened instead of stifled
when we face the discouragements head on with a trust in the Lord. Trials will come, be prepared for them. Discouragements will face you, get ready for
them. Yet one of the most difficult wrestling’s
of our faith is when our hope in God seems to have been brought into question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The banter starts up at times from the enemies:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You haven’t received
the Holy Ghost!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You don’t deserve to
be with these good people of the church!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You have no
salvation from the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You are a fake, a
sham, a hypocrite!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You don’t think you
will be presented faultless before the Lord do you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The blood of Calvary
could never wash away <i>that </i>sin!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">There has never been
a real conversion to take place in your life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">You don’t think the
Lord is going to hear your prayer do you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We are often just like David and have a tendency to
believe what we are hearing! I have told
you this before. . . I tell you again. . . Perhaps from an overactive and
fertile imagination. . . But when I get to heaven, I am hoping the Lord has
kept a record of every demonic lie that has come from the demon liars which
they have nudged in my direction over my lifetime. It is my purpose to make sure that they see
me in the most victorious spiritual state that I will have ever been in. . . a
redeemed son of God with a new body, new mind, and new home! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We know from John 8 that the devil is the father of all
lies and there needs to be a revolt in worship against that kind of thing. . .
Keep building, Noah. . . Keep working, Nehemiah. . . Keep crying out,
Bartimaeus. . . Keep worshipping, Mary! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David’s
Trust—Psalm 3:3-4<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 3:3-4 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my
glory, and the lifter up of mine head. <b>[4]</b>
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy
hill. Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-What was it that changed the tone of David’s
lament? It was prayer! In Psalm 3:1 he cries out the first prayer of
the Psalms. . . O Lord. . . There are enemies who have the upper hand. . . Then
his faith starts to be engaged because he gets his eyes off the enemy and turns
the Lord. . . in prayer!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 Timothy 2:1 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> I exhort therefore, that, <b><i><u>first
of all</u></i></b>, <b><i><u>supplications</u></i></b>, <b><i><u>prayers</u></i></b>, <b><i><u>intercessions</u></i></b>, and
<b><i><u>giving
of thanks</u></i></b>, be made for all men;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The nature of true
faith is to draw near to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The nature of true
faith is to see God as a sufficient source against every evil that befalls us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The nature of true
faith is to see that God in His goodness and power can draw any saint out of
the lowest condition wherever he may be.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The nature of true
faith is to seek God with a conscience that says He will save me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The nature of true
faith is one that will stir up earnestness, affection, and feeling in our
prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-One other thing about this prayer. . . <i>I cried</i>. . . Our relationship with God
is not an academic pursuit. This pulpit
is not an educational lecturn as such nor is this sanctuary a lecture hall
where we have dry discussions about God.
The trend to remove our emotions from our relationship with God in
worship moves wholly against much of the Bible.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Worshipers, pray-ers, and saints of necessity must be
given to <i>crying out to the Lord</i>. David wrote that he cried out to the Lord. .
. Notice what took place in a span of two verses. The enemies of the godly said, “God has no
help for you!” But when he engaged in
prayer. . . in crying prayer. . . all of that changed. . . David says, “He
heard me. . .” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">1 John 5:14 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And this is the confidence that we have in
him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Who heard David?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>My
Shield!</b> Although the fiery darts
have been flung at me, the shield will consume them!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>My Glory!</b> Although I have been driven from the kingdom
in shame, I will return in glory!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>The
Lifter of Mine Head!</b> Though I may
hang my head in sorrow and trouble, the Lord will lift my head in victory and
joy will return again!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-God hears us in the most terrible predicaments of
life! There is no cry that escapes our
lips that the Lord Jesus Christ does not hear!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>David’s
Triumph—Psalm 3:5-8<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 3:5-8 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the
LORD sustained me. <b>[6]</b> I will not be afraid of
ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. <b>[7] </b>Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for
thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the
teeth of the ungodly. <b>[8]</b>
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people.
Selah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is the pattern of the Dark Hour of Sunrise. . .
From this psalm we see the pattern. . . Trial, Trust, and then Triumph!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David said that he laid down and slept. It was a long sleep of rest. Not one of tossing, turning, fear, and worry
but one of sweetness. He said that when
woke up, the Lord had sustained him.
That means that while we sleep, the Lord is dealing with the enemies of
your soul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The enemies may have had the numbers but David had
God! Ten thousands of enemies may seek
our life but the Lord will prevail! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Here is what David had no way of knowing. . . In the
council chamber of Absalom, the dark advice he received from Ahithophel was
being dismissed. On the other hand, God
was using one of David’s trusted advisors who was serving as a secret agent, a
man named Hushai the Archite, to talk some sense into Absalom. . . (1 Samuel
17:5-8, 14-15). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Ye fearful saints fresh
courage take,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">The clouds ye so much dread; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Are big with mercy and shall
fall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #00b050;">In blessings on your head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-David’s enemies, Absalom and all those he had managed to
get to shift their allegiance toward him and away from David, were now about to
take a punch to the cheek bone and have their teeth knocked out!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Right now. . . This very minute, God is working in my
behalf. . . He is working in your behalf!
But the liar from the pit does not want you to see it or believe it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He will smite the enemies in the face. . . He will break
the teeth of the ungodly. It is nothing
more than a foreshadow of a greater event to come!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Revelation 20:1-3 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And I saw an angel come down from heaven,
having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. <b>[2] </b>And he laid hold on the dragon, that old
serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, <b>[3]</b> And cast him into the bottomless pit, and
shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no
more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be
loosed a little season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Revelation 20:10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> And the devil that deceived them was cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are,
and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—A
SAINT’S WATERLOO<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">One
of the most famous battles in history took place at a small village in
Brussels, Belgium. It is one of the most
famous military battles of all time. It
is a place called Waterloo. The two opponents
were Napoleon Bonaparte who had amassed around 74,000 troops and was armed with
infantry and artillery. Against him was the Duke of Wellington who had only
67,000 troops but was in a very strong defensive position. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Only
a few months prior to this, Napoleon had been in exile off the coast of
Italy. He determined to gain his
position of power back. To do this he
would have to escape his island prison and return to France and rally his men
to take back the crown. All of those
actions would lead up to a huge fight at Waterloo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">A
heavy rain the night before had forced Napoleon to wait until noon on June 18
before he could attack. His delay would
prove to be fatal to him. The extra time
allowed a group of Prussian troops to arrive and reinforce the army of
Wellington. By the evening, the defeat
of Napoleon was a certainty. France had
suffered 40,000 casualties and Wellington had lost but 23,000. The shocking defeat pushed Napoleon into a
retreat and Napoleon lost his hold on world power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Four
days later, General Wellington sent news back to England of his great
victory. A series of stations, one
within the sight of the next had been established to send coded messages across
England to notify the country of the outcome of the battle. The people of England were totally dependent
on the primitive Morse-code like delivery of the messages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">One
such station was high atop the tower of the Winchester Cathedral in London.
Late in the day, the first word was relayed. . . Wellington. . the next was
Defeated. At that precise moment a thick
London fog rolled in across the English Channel. It became impossible to read the rest of the
message telling of England’s decisive victory.
Instead, all of England received the message “Wellington Defeated.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">News
of the supposed defeat spread quickly through the city. A somber mood fell across the land and the
English were greatly disheartened and discouraged. Their general and his army had lost the
war. Then the fog lifted. . . The rest
of the message could be seen. The
message had four words. . . not two. The
complete message. . . Wellington defeated the enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">What
a difference! In only minutes the news
spread throughout the countryside.
Sorrow turned to joy. Despair
turned to hope. Victory had been
snatched from the jaws of defeat.
(Adapted from <i>Faith Under Fire, </i>Steven
Lawson, pp. 207-208).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The enemy says. . . God cannot help you. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-God says. . . Salvation belongeth to the Lord. . . Thy
blessing is upon thy people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
March 28, 2014 <o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4237754115580439257.post-41179389798854596002014-04-27T14:28:00.000-07:002014-04-27T14:28:08.410-07:00Preaching Through the Psalms -- Psalm 1 -- The Two Trails of Life<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 1:1-6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Blessed is the man that walketh not in the
counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the
seat of the scornful. <b>[2]</b>
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night. <b> [3] </b>And
he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his
fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper. <b>[4]</b> The ungodly are not so:
but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. <b>[5]</b> Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the
judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. <b>[6]</b> For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>I.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>INTRODUCTION—THE
TRAILS OF LIFE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Kit
Carson—Scout<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Hampton
Sides wrote a book about Kit Carson called <i>Blood
and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit
Carson and the Conquest of the American West</i>. The truth of the matter is that Kit Carson
actually was a man who was fleeing from the East to get away from the cities
and the early spread of industrialization.
He was very short in stature, somewhere around 5’4” tall, but he would
be pressed into filling the role of a scout for wagon trains and the US
Calvary. To do this effectively, he had
to learn the different trails of the West and be able to understand the terrain
both its benefits and its dangers.
Because of this, history documents in multiple times where that he was
able to save an expedition, a wagon train, and even the US Calvary because of
his knowledge of the trails. Some of the
trails were developed and others were not but he had the savvy to know what to
do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">One
of the chapters in the book is entitled “The Pathfinder” (ch. 9) and it
describes how that because of Kit Carson’s knowledge of some of the mountain
passes in the California mountains that he saved Colonel John C. Fremont’s
expedition. In fact some historians
believe that Fremont and his men would have died just as the Donner Party died
in a horrible winter in the Sierra Nevadas just a few years later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Hampton
Sides writes this about Kit Carson:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="color: #00b050;">As a tracker, he was unequaled. He knew from experience how to read the
watersheds, where to find grazing grass, what to do when encountering a
grizzly. He could locate water in a
desert arroyo and strain it into potability.
In a crisis he knew tricks from staving off thirst—such as opening the
fruit of a cactus or clipping a mule’s ears and drinking its blood. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Hampton
Sides goes on to write how that Colonel John C. Fremont was called the
Pathfinder during this time of his life but he would have never survived
without the skills of Kit Carson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo4; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Paths/Trails in the Bible<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We all are on one of two paths in our spiritual
walk. We are either on the path of
godliness or ungodliness and Psalm 1 which is one of the Wisdom Psalms (along
with 32, 34, 37, 49 and 119) shows us the dividing points between the two of
them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Wisdom Psalms are instructive psalms that provide
practical guidelines for godly living and give to us pointed direction for
righteous living in the pursuit of God’s will.
They can often be compared with the Wisdom Literature of the Proverbs
because of the teaching form by which it takes.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The NIV uses a word throughout the Psalms that is
interchanged with path in the KJV, it is called “trail” or “trails.” Consider
what we find with this word:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Psalm 1:1—Nor stand in
the <b><i>trail
</i></b>of sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Psalm 16:11—You will
make known to me the <b><i>trail </i></b>of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Psalm 27:11—Lead me in a
level <b><i>trail</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Psalm 36:4—He sets
himself on a <b><i>trail</i></b> that is not good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Psalm 119:34—Make me
walk in the <b><i>trail</i></b> of Your commandments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Psalm 119:105—A light
unto my <b><i>trail</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In other places, the word comes out in this manner:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Job 23:11—My foot has
held fast to His <b><i>trail</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 4:14—Do not
enter the <b><i>trail </i></b>of the wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 4:18—The <b><i>trail
</i></b>of the righteous is like the light of dawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 4:26—Watch the <b><i>trail
</i></b>of your feet and all your ways will be established.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 10:17—He is on
the <b><i>trail</i></b>
of life who heeds instruction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 15:19—The <b><i>trail</i></b>
of the upright is a highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 15:24—The <b><i>trail</i></b>
of life leads upward for the wise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 16:17—He who
watches his <b><i>trail</i></b> preserves his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 16:25—There is
a <b><i>trail</i></b>
which seems right to a man but its end is the <b><i>trail</i></b> of death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Matthew 7:14—For the
gate is small and the <b><i>trail </i></b>is narrow that leads to life
and there are few who find it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In other words what we have to understand is there are
two trails of life and we will walk down one or the other of them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>II.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>PSALM
1<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Steven Lawson</b>—Blessed
are the righteous who do not participate in the deceptions and defilements of
this evil world and who internalize God’s Word.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The following outline is a very helpful one that I got
from the Holman Old Testament Commentary, Psalms 1-75, General Editor Max
Anders, Author Steven J. Lawson. I
modified it very minimally. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Path of the Godly—Psalm 1:1-3<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 1:1-3 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Blessed is the man that walketh not in the
counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the
seat of the scornful. <b>[2] </b>But
his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and
night. <b>[3]</b> And he shall be like a
tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Satisfied
in the Lord—1:1a<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The first three verses of Psalm 1 gives us a man who is
satisfied in the Lord, separated from the world, and saturated with the
Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The idea of satisfaction comes from the use of the word,
blessed. Some biblical scholars believe
that David was the author of Psalm 1-2.
They believe that many of the psalms that he wrote he would begin and
end the psalm with the word “blessed.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Because of that thought when we read Psalm 1:1 and Psalm
2:12 we see that the word “blessed” is used to begin and end this passage. A number of scholars believe that Psalm 1-2
were uniquely used in the routines of worship that the Israelites gave themselves
to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Far too often there is a scoffing at the traditions and
routines of the church and while there are some merits to the idea that it
causes a deadening effect in some cases, I believe that there are some practices
that we routinely give ourselves to that actually strengthens our walk with
God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It very well could be that when we sing the same songs
and read the same Scriptural passages that the repetition of it all just embeds
it in our own souls so that we can “get” it.
It would appear from Acts 13:33 (a cf. of Ps. 2:12) that this Psalm 1-2
were used in conjunction together during the times of worship for the early
apostolic church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-We see a man in the first three verses who is satisfied
in God, separated from the world, and saturated with the Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-He is favored and blessed by God. The fact remains that God can bless whom He
chooses to bless but it appears that this favor and fulfillment in this godly
man’s life is present because of his activity.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will not walk in
the counsel of the ungodly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will not stand in
the way of sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He will not sit in
the seat of the scornful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There are some great blessings that come through the
virtue of avoidance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If Aaron would have
avoided the counsel of the mixed multitude there would have never been a golden
calf.<br />
If Moses would have avoided his impulse of anger and struck the rock he might
have gotten into the Promised Land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If Samson would have
avoided his lustful drives over Delilah, his outcome might have been different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If Saul would have
refused to give in to his stubborn will and disobedience, his life might have
ended better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If David would have
avoided and stopped entertaining the thoughts of Bathsheba, he would have never
entered his great sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">If Judas would have
avoided loving the money and instead loved the Savior, his life would have been
far different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-There must be a great commitment and determination in
our heart to maintain our blessing by simply doing what is right! What is right is the directions given to us
by the Word of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Separated
from the World—1:1b, c, d<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The first three verses of Psalm 1 gives us a man who is
satisfied in the Lord, separated from the world, and saturated with the
Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-On the other hand the man who will be blessed does not
just find himself in the mode of avoidance but also in a mode of
action—specifically in his delight and meditation on the Word of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The word “law” basically means that this man is to give himself
to the instruction of the Word of God.
God gives it to us as a guide for life and it is to be a delight to
us. We are to desire it, to take
pleasure in it, and to have a great passion for it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-In an age when everything is being questioned, we have
to understand that the Word of God is literally the <i>words of God</i>! We are
convinced of the Bible’s claims as we read it.
It is only through an inward work of the Holy Ghost that we will be
convinced that it is indeed the Word of God.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-People who have a strong conviction that the Bible is
the Word of God (John 10:27; 1 Cor. 2:13-14) had this to develop as the Holy
Ghost convicted and converted them as they read it. Most people who do not really believe the Bible
are those who do not read it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 19:7-10 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The law of the LORD is perfect, converting
the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. <b>[8]</b> The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing
the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. <b>[9]</b> The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for
ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. <b>[10]</b> More to be desired are they than gold, yea,
than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 119:72 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The law of thy mouth is better unto me than
thousands of gold and silver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Job 23:12 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Neither have I gone back from the commandment
of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary
food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 6:22-23 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when
thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with
thee. <b>[23]</b> For the commandment is
a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-When the law of the Lord becomes a man’s delight, he
will meditate on it. The word meditate
is from the Hebrew word, <i>haga</i>, which
also means “to think.” However, the
Hebrews associated it with a low sound such as muttering and murmuring. Some historians note that it was quite common
especially among the priests and Levites to hear them muttering under their
breath as they went about their daily duties in the temple. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">I cried to the Lord with
my voice and He heard me—2:4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">The Lord sustained
me—2:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">I will not be afraid—2:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Salvation belongs to the
Lord—2:8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">The Lord hath set apart
him that is godly for himself—3:3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">Lord, you make me dwell
in safety—3:8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">How excellent is Your
Name in the all the earth—8:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Start mutter those things under your breath or even
silently in your heart and I have a feeling that it moves from praise and will
progress to worship. But there is
something else that happens to a man who meditates on the law. He will be separated from the world because.
. . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Refuses secular
beliefs. . . the counsel of the ungodly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Refuses sensual
behavior. . . standing in the way of sinners<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Refuses shameful
belongings. . . never sits in a chair that will dishonor God and his calling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo3; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Saturated
with the Word—1:2-3<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The first three verses of Psalm 1 gives us a man who is
satisfied in the Lord, separated from the world, and saturated with the
Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Psalmist goes on to tell us of the benefits that
comes to one who will meditate on the Law both day and night. While I would hope that we all have the
understanding that there will be a final judgment where the faithful saint will
be rewarded for his labors. . . We also have to give consideration to the fact
that there are blessings that take place in the present. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The Psalmist describes this man as one who is like a
tree that has managed to flourish on the river bank. His life does not depend on the rainfall and
the ups and downs of the weather patterns as much. By virtue of his location, he has deep roots
that have grown so that he draws from the Word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He brings forth
fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">The leaves do not
wither.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">He prospers under
the blessings of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-That is the goal of every saint of God. If ever there needed to be a time in history
where the American church needed this it is now. People who are marked by stability in their
walk, productivity in their prayer, consistency in their involvement, and
prosperity in their soul are always going to be helpful for the Kingdom of
God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The
Path of the Ungodly—Psalm 1:4-6<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Psalms 1:4-6 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> The ungodly are not so: but are like the
chaff which the wind driveth away. <b>[5]</b>
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in
the congregation of the righteous. <b>[6]</b>
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the
ungodly shall perish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But there is a turn now from the man who is on the path
of the godly, who is pictured as a flourishing tree, to the man who is on the
path of ungodliness. He is not like a
tree but rather is like the chaff which is the dry husks that are around the
grain. It is a dry scaly material that
wraps around the fruit and is good for nothing but to be tossed to the
wind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The picture here is what takes place at the winnowing
during the harvest. The threshed corn is
taken and tossed up for the husks and fragments of straw to blow away, leaving
behind only the grain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-It is a picture of a man who lives an empty, worthless,
and godless life. If only they could see
this! Instead they mock godliness and
righteousness because of their internal corruption. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They say godliness
is foolishness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They say that the
righteous never have any fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">They say that the
godly are wasting their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-The world shouts out, “If you want to amount to
something and enjoy yourself while you are doing it, get on the fast track of
sin. Reach out to whatever whim you
desire and do it. Take all you can and
be happy!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-But Romans 1 gives us the picture of the man who is on
this downward spiral:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Romans 1:25 KJV</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"> Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for
ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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-There is a sad outcome that will ultimately catch up
with them and that is that they are condemned in judgment by God. The ungodly will not stand in judgment with
hope nor will he gain a place among the righteous! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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. . . <i>the way of
the ungodly shall perish!</i> What does
that mean? To perish is used in many
senses. In Psalm 1 it gives the
indication that it is a road or course that comes to nothing or to ruin. But in other places in the Bible it has this
meaning:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hopes or plans that
are frustrated—Ps. 112:10; Prov. 11:7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Creatures that get
lost—Ps. 119:176<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Men whose
achievements come to grief—Ps. 2:11; 9:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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-We cannot afford to take this path!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>III.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>CONCLUSION—WHAT
PATH ARE YOU ON?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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-The great question for every one of us—what path are we
on? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Are you in the
danger of walking in the counsel of the wicked?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Are you standing in
the way of sinners?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Or. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Are you reading and
delighting in the Law of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0;">Are you bearing
fruit that can only come from God and His Word?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Philip Harrelson<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
December 15, 2013<o:p></o:p></div>
Philip Harrelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15753029495705699901noreply@blogger.com1