Ps. 18 - Part 2 - A Testimony Among the Nations (2)

The Rescuing God

Ps. 18:7-17, “

Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the foundations also of the mountains trembled

and quaked, because he was angry.

8  Smoke went up from his nostrils,

and devouring fire from his mouth;

glowing coals flamed forth from him.

9  He bowed the heavens and came down;

thick darkness was under his feet.

10  He rode on a cherub and flew;

he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.

11  He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,

thick clouds dark with water.

12  Out of the brightness before him

hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

13  The LORD also thundered in the heavens,

and the Most High uttered his voice,

hailstones and coals of fire.

14  And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;

he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.

15  Then the channels of the sea were seen,

and the foundations of the world were laid bare

at your rebuke, O LORD,

at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16  He sent from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of many waters.

17  He rescued me from my strong enemy

and from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

We review that this is a Psalm that is put to a song. It would have been sung as a memory of Hod's work in David's life.

But here, we have it that...

When God sees that there is a reason, and purpose and nescessiry to rescue, he will. When a child of his, calls on his name truthfully. 

There is nothing, no power or situation that God cannot change in his rescuing ability. 

He sees the valleys of the deep (ocean) and the foundations of the earth. He sees everything. Everything is exposed via an x-ray, you could say. 

His movement to rescue ia due to justice. God reached into David's circumstance, and sabed him from powers too powerful for him alone to win against and who confronted him.

Where does this lead now?

Due To God’s Pleasure

Psalm 18:18-42, “ They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. 19  He brought me out into a broad place;

he rescued me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.

21  For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22  For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23  I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. 24  So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 25  With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;

26  with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 27  For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. 28  For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 29  For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 30  This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 31  For who is God, but the LORD?

And who is a rock, except our God?— 32  the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 33  He made my feet like the feet of a deer

and set me secure on the heights. 34  He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35  You have given me the shield of your salvation,

and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 36  You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. 37  I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. 38  I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet.

39  For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. 40  You made my enemies turn their backs to me,

and those who hated me I destroyed. 41  They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them. 42  I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

We see that God had taught David, before. David had been discipled, disciplined, by God, and trained to do battle God's way. 

David waited for God, trusted God to act, and then acted when God led him and God gave him victory over those, too difficult and strong for him. 

It was God's grace and strength with David, not merelvid acting. 

God arose, David went forth, and God was with David to take out the enemy.

David was humble, the enemies haughty.

David was patient and trusting God, but the enemies wrre proud and defiant. 

David was a holy man, and because of his righteousness, he was delivered. His enemies were sinful, and lawless. 

David even said, his shield against the enemy is God's saving power and help. 

Not everyone has God with them like this. David's righteousness, is what enacted this. If David was living in sin, it would not have happened like this. 

Results of Righteous Living

Ps. 18:43-50, “

You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me.

44  As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. 45  Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. 46  The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation— 47  the God who gave me vengeance

and subdued peoples under me, 48  who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;

you delivered me from the man of violence. 49  For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. 50  Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

God won David out, by bringing him out on top.

God showed that David was his man.

The rescuing of God many times is shown by exaltation above enemies of God and the person with God's favor.

He gave David victory and peoples came to him, acknowledging his exaltation over them. 

God knew David understood, and would act with this understanding. 

God did not let David succumb to his enemies. David and Israel would sing among the nations because God gave them a testimony and was glorified.

Ultimately, it goes back to the Davidic covenant. God purposed it.

David should and does have an everlasting blessed state among the people of God, due to God's love for him.