Thankful For God’s Goodness

Text: Psalm 139:19-24

Introduction

Have you ever had extremely strong feelings toward someone? I am talking about the feelings of love, appreciation, devotion, the kind that would cause you to over extend your life to help, protect, or defend them?

David’s last words in this Psalm is exactly that. All of what he has learned about his God has driven him to have a passionate disposition toward the wickedness of this word and to live separate from those who oppose God. David’s deep-seeded appreciation for God drives him to strive for a relational closeness.

You have to ask yourself the question, “Am I that passionate about God?” You might be lacking in your daily walk with Him! David got to this point by intentionally walking and interacting with God.

1) God’s Goodness Leads You To Holiness

Verses 19-20

David transitions to speaking about the surety of God’s justice.

David classifies a category of people as “the wicked.”

LISTEN…you don’t make an advancement from farmland to the throne room without making enemies!

He illustrates how the wicked continues a life of wicked activity toward God.

His enemies were many and just waiting for the right opportunity.

At this point, David now had a proper view of God. That was something his enemies were not expecting.

APP — Satan hates it when you take the time to grown in knowledge and wisdom regarding the person of God.

(v19) David illustrates to us a desire to live a separated life from the wicked.

It seems like David was saying, “I don’t want to be anywhere around you when God pours out his justice!”

(v20) David describes the actions of the wicked.

David emphasized their language:

1) The nature and motivation of their opposing words were wicked.

This was not just some king of slip of the tongue.

Their words and actions expressed their hatred for God.

2) Their use of God’s name produces emptiness.

You and I must take great consideration when it comes to the company we keep!

Verses 21-22

David now brings out his emotional response toward the wicked.

It is like David was saying, “God, You know I hate the wicked and am grieved by their actions. God, You know my thoughts align with Yours.”

There is such a thing has “holy hatred.”

(v22) Here, David speaks with confidence about the holy nature of his hate and relationship regarding the wicked.

2) God’s Goodness Leads You To Intimacy

Verses 23-24

In the midst of David’s certainty, you notice that Dave has learned that their is only one person who maintains internal and external perfection. That person is GOD!!!

Be aware that to hold hatred in one’s heart for very long can turn sour and turn in to a bitter heart.

These verses give evidence of David being anything but a hypocrite.

David did not try to hide any kind of inner thoughts.

David was willing to place himself under the dame judgment!

David is requesting God to perform a three-fold work: 1) Search me; 2) Try me; 3) Lead me.

A. David did not trust his own heart

“Search” = explore, seek out

Psalm 44:21 “21 Shall not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

Jeremiah 17:10 “10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

“Heart”

Deuteronomy 4:39 “39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 “5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

Deuteronomy 8:17 “17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.”

B. David did not trust his own thoughts

“Try me” — Know my anxieties.

He wants God to search out his cares, those things that would challenge his faith and lead him into sin. Williams, Donald, and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. 1989. Psalms 73–150. Vol. 14. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

Psalm 94:19 “In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.”

Psalm 26:2 “2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my reins and my heart.”

Define: test metals by melting; metaphor. to examine, put to the test.

This is the intimacy that God wants to have with us. He formed us in the womb. He knows our frame. He sees our embryo. He fashions our days. He knows our thoughts. He hears our words. He knows when we sit down and when we stand up. He protects us. His hand is upon us. He who inhabits all things is near to us. We cannot escape His presence. In the light He sees us. In the dark He sees us. We are the continual object of His thoughts. He searches us. He changes us. Here is true intimacy, and if we can allow God to become intimate with us, we can establish a growing intimacy with each other. Secure in His presence and His love, we can risk opening up. We can even risk rejection, because we are held in His hand (v. 10). Williams, Donald, and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. 1989. Psalms 73–150. Vol. 14. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

Conclusion

Believer — David’s hate for sin, disgust toward those who hated God, and separation from those who’s life was in direct opposition toward God was all driven from His learned perspective of the abilities of His God.

Q — Would anything change about your life right now if you had a proper perspective of God?

Unbeliever — You need to see God as someone who has provided everything for you to escape the bondage of sin you are currently in and the future eternal wrath you are heading too! Jesus is waiting for you to cry out to Him in faith, trusting Him as Savior and Lord…inviting Him into your life.