Facing the Threat
Facing the Threat
Text: Psalm 3
Big Idea: God delivers those who make a mess of their lives.
Purpose: To demonstrate God's assurance to people, even when they may feel responsible for their situations.
Subject: What can we do when we make a mess of our lives?
Complement: We can ask God for His mercy based on His compassion.
Introduction:
When’s the last time you thought, “I should have handled that differently”?
-you realized you made a mistake
-you were embarrassed by your actions, the way you handled the situation
-and as a result, you had a hard time praying
-or even talking to anyone
Maybe you made a poor decision, and as a result, you were threatened.
-safety
-reputation
-job
-relationship falling apart
When we face these threats/troubles – can cause sleepless nights
-maybe wondering what we could have done differently
Parents – fear for the safety of their children,
-mixed with nagging question – what could I have done differently
It is hard to find someone to turn to with those kinds of questions
-want to find people – who will reaffirm us
-but we are afraid to tell them what we have done
-for fear – we might just hear – well, you deserve this
David, the famous king of Israel – endured an experience
-where he faced a threat
-and could directly trace his handling of the situation to this problem
In the book of Psalms – we have a prayer he prayed during this time recorded
-see in it – how he finds reassurance despite his culpability (guilt)
Even though we make errors – God hears our prayers
-even when we have sinned – God does not give up on us
Sermon Body:
Movement 1: *David faced a threat that caused him to question his actions.
Vss. 1-2 – how many are my foes
-many say, God will not deliver him
-even David himself wondered
-if this was the consequence of his own sin
Story actually goes back to David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba
-In 2 Samuel 11 – story of this sin
-turned from covet to adultery to murder and betrayal
Following story – Nathan said – your family will suffer calamity
Years later – story told in 2 Samuel 13 (but the very next episode in the story)
We see that calamity unfolding
Amnon – David’s son – develops an attraction to his half-sister, Tamar
Amnon devises a plan
-tricks Tamar into his room
-and forcefully takes advantage of her
Tamar’s brother, Absalom is enraged – takes care of his sister
David heard of the story – was furious – but did nothing
-there was calamity in his house
-may have remembered the words of Nathan
-thought this was his fault – did nothing
I wonder how often we neglect responsibilities because of our guilt.
Don’t scold children for smoking – we smoked
Don’t teach others to tell truth – we have lied
Allow sin to go unchecked – because we have sinned
Don’t hold a friend accountable – because we’ve misbahaved
Maybe we even feel badly about our sin
-and wish the sin of others would stop
*We should not allow our guilt to keep us from our responsibilities.
David was furious, but took no action toward Amnon - and should have.
David may have remembered his own sin - Bathsheba
-and Nathan told him his family would be cursed because of his sin.
But David did nothing
Absalom took action
-two years later – invited Amnon to a party
-when Amnon had too much to drink – all his friends jumped him – took his life
-and Absalom fled
-perhaps justified – at least understood
-in Absalom’s mind – seeking justice
Later – David allowed Absalom to return to Jerusalem
-but refused to talk to him
Inciting Absalom – to take justice into his own hands
-started gathering a group of people – knew him as a just leader
-and he rebelled – causing David to run
When David left the city, he didn't know His status in God's eyes.
In 2 Samuel 15:25-26 – He wondered if he had lost favor in God’s eyes
-yet He trusted God in prayer to shelter him.
Transition to our reaction to threats - how do we turn to God.
-when we have been wrong
-and are facing the consequences
-maybe consequences we believe we deserve.
Movement 2: *David turns to God while facing his threat.
-This is a lesson for us all by itself
-Our natural tendency – when we have reason to question ourselves
-is to get defensive, make excuses, justify our actions
-we often place blame on others – isolate ourselves
-sadly – we even isolate ourselves from God
-sensing that our guilt will be exposed
The Psalms – helps us give voice
-helps us talk about God
-proclaiming what He has done
-remembering our struggles
Psalms also help us talk to God
-not just when the struggles come from outside
-but when our struggles are brought by our own sin
Jesus Christ came to free us from sin
-we can come into His presence – with our guilt
-ready for the consequences
-yet, eagerly expecting mercy
*The Outline of David’s Prayer:
*1. He remembers God's nature. (vs. 3-4)
God has always cared for David – exalted him to the status of King
-God’s nature – is to bless those he loves
-do we have the eyes to see His blessing
I have to think God could easily grow frustrated with us
-we worry about His disposition toward us
-is He angry, does He love me
-if we remember what He has done – that question is answered
*2. He confesses His trust in God. (v. 5-6)
Because David remembers God’s track record
-he can confess He trusts
This is not always easy
-and sometimes there is a difference between our heads and hearts
-we confess – what we know is true
-even when we emotionally have questions
Example: God is with us.
-Confess it is true
-we know it in our heads
-but our hearts sometimes feel differently – wonder if He is
-wonder whether He will make all things right
The act of confession – draws us back to what is true
-so that our unreliable emotions do not govern our lives
*3. He asks God to act (v. 7-8)
After confession – He asks God to act on His behalf
Makes a specific request – break the jaw of my enemies
-take him out of power, Lord
Remember – David is not sure God will do this
-We don’t pray to God with the assurance
-that he will say yes to everything we ask
We pray with assurance
-that He will hear
-that He will care for us
-that He will make all things right
-reflected in David’s final confession
-from the Lord comes deliverance
-blessing on God’s people
David’s prayer for deliverance, not based on innocence
-but on God’s goodness and mercy
Movement 3: *God does not deliver us because of our nobility, but because of His compassion.
We pray based on his love
We don’t pray with the posture of the Pharisee
-who felt so worthy of God’s favor
But with the posture of the guilty
-who love the Lord, have been called by Him
-and who look to Him for restoration
-for His will to be done
David was resolved to God’s will
-and willing to accept that
-admirable
David can face the consequences of sin
-even if God says no to His request
-a bold request
-isn’t certain whether God will
Conclusion:
Maybe it hasn’t happened to you for a while
-the day will come
-you have to acknowledge
-in some way – you made the situation worse
It may be in the privacy of your heart
-and you want to deny it
-you want to blame someone else
-BUT you will know that you are responsible for the mess
Where can you turn for comfort?
-to God in prayer
-who may not tell you that you were innocent
-but will reassure you that He delivers