Finding the Sparkle In The Darkness

The Cry In Darkness (vv.1-10)

1. Know Who God Is.

Know God as warrior.

Psalm 35:1–3 NLT

O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say, “I will give you victory!”

Know God as Savior

New Living Translation Psalm 35

Let me hear you say,

“I will give you victory!”

2. Know that God is able to fight our enemies.

God is able to overcome any attach for his defense is that great. God is mighty in battle.

3. God is able to remove our enemies.

Just like in football the defense is to stop the offense.

The psalmist moves to pray for God to avenge him.

Know that God cand

Psalm 35:4–6 NLT

Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me; turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. Blow them away like chaff in the wind— a wind sent by the angel of the Lord. Make their path dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

The wicked are to be

Disgraced

Turn them back

Blow them away like the chaff

By a wind from the angel of the Lord

Making their path dark and slippery

Being chased by the angel of the Lord

Defends himself before the Lord

Live in righteousness before the Lord.

Then your conscience will be clear.

Psalm 35:7–8 NLT

I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me. I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me. So let sudden ruin come upon them! Let them be caught in the trap they set for me! Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.

This is the first vow to praise

Who is like the Lord. (No no no nobody)

There is none Like our God.

Who can you compare the Lord too?

Psalm 35:9–10 NLT

Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. With every bone in my body I will praise him: “Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”

Be Faithful under Persecution (vv.11-18)

Pressure in the darkness.

Diamonds have to go through pressure to be formed.

We see the finished product found on the earth surface.

The diamonds are found from a result of volcanic eruption many, many, many years ago.

When being attacked and falsely accused the psalmist did good.

The psalmist repays their evil with good.

Psalm 35:13 NLT

Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.

b. He prayed for them and fasted for his enemies.

c. He loved them as his family.

Psalm 35:14 NLT

I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother.

The enemies rejoice of his suffering.

Do not allow the enemy keep you down.

Know that God is able to deliver you.

Psalm 35:17 NLT

How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions!

New Living Translation Psalm 35

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?

Rescue me from their fierce attacks.

Protect my life from these lions!

Praise the Lord for your deliverance

You need to always be mindful to give God the glory.

New Living Translation Psalm 35

18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.

I will praise you before all the people.

Call on the Righteousness of God (vv. 19-28)

Do not let the lies of the enemy break you.

Psalm 35:19 NLT

Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat. Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.

They will hate you without cause and they also hated Jesus.

Know God is our great witness.

Psalm 35:22 NLT

O Lord, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord.

Call on the Lord with Confidence v.23

New Living Translation Psalm 35

23 Wake up! Rise to my defense!

Take up my case, my God and my Lord.

Psalm 35:23 NLT

Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord.

God does not sleep.

This a plea a cry for God to move on our behalf.

Just like Jesus Got up to calm the sea, so we can call on God to save us from our issues.

May God give us victory

Psalm 35:26–28 NLT

May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!” Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.

The third vow to praise is to be shouted before the congregation.

God is to be exalted and blessed for his saving grace.

God will judge and the righteous will stand before him.