SF851 - WHAT TO DO WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT YOU - 7 of 21 THE LYRICS OF LIFE (Psalm 7)
Psalm 7
Introduction
In his Treasury of David, C. H. Spurgeon elects to call this psalm “the song of the slandered saint.” The reason for this is not hard to find. Historically, this psalm coincides with a period in David’s life when he was hunted from place to place by King Saul and slandered unmercifully (1 Sam. 24-26). This is why many expositors hold the view that the designation, Cush the Benjamite, is a cryptic name for Saul
As we study this psalm, we shall observe five appropriate steps we can take when others talk about us:
1A. We Should Not Be Surprised When Others Talk About Us.
The saints of God have always been slandered. This was not only true of David and other Old Testament saints, but it was equally true of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We read that even when He was accused, despised and reviled “He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
David begins this psalm with a declaration of his confidence in God as his refuge from the slanderous onslaughts of evil men. Literally, these opening words read: “In You have I taken refuge.”
1B. David understood the danger of slander. (7:1-2a)
Slander has a destructive force.
He compared human enemies to beasts of prey. As a young shepherd, he had witnessed the destructiveness of the bear and the lion, and he equated the tearing, rending activity of these vicious animals with the slanders and accusations of evil men.
Slander has a demonic source.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
2B. David understood the relentlessness of slander (7:2b)
Just as a lion fails upon its prey while it is defenseless, so the devil contrives to slander God’s people when, humanly speaking, there is no one to deliver.
This is why David exclaimed, “O Lord my God, in You I put my trust!”
2A. We Should Immediately Examine Ourselves.
“O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there is iniquity in my hands…lay mine honor in the dust. Selah” (7:3-5).
It is both right and healthy when we come under the fire of accusation to challenge our hearts as to whether or not there is cause for the slanderous things that are being said about us.
1B. We must submit to the Lord’s examination. (7:3-4)
Of our attitudes
Psalm 139:23 (NKJV) 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
Of our actions
Ø As David looked back into his life, he could find no cause for Saul’s attitude of antagonism and maliciousness. Indeed, he recalled two occasions when he had delivered his persecutor from death (1 Sam. 24:7, 11; 26:9).
Ø In our self-examination, we need to test whether we have truly returned good for evil.
Romans 12:21 (NKJV) 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ø When our good is evil spoken of and we take it all in patience and loving silence, then we are overcomers!
2B. We must surrender to the Lord’s decision. (7:5)
Too often, that which provokes others to accuse and slander us is our own selfishness and sin.
We must die to sin and self…
Colossians 3:5 (NKJV) 5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth…
Romans 8:13 (NKJV) 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
3A. We Should Turn to God in Prayer.
“Arise, O Lord, in Your anger, lift Yourself up because of the rage of mine enemies.…my defense is of God, who saves the upright in heart” (Ps. 7:6-10).
What David discovered, every true child of God learns from experience: that the ultimate recourse for a slandered saint is the blessing of prayer. When a Christian kneels to pray he ceases to fight in the flesh, and leaves the battle and the issue to the Judge of all the earth who only can do right.
1B. We should pray trusting God to deal with wickedness (7:6,9)
“Arise, O Lord, in Your anger, lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies…Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end” (7:6, 9).
God has promised to judge sin.
Numbers 14:18 (NKJV) 18‘The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty…’
God has promised to put an end to sin.
Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) 8But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
2B. We should pray trusting God to defend righteousness (8)
David prayed that righteousness would be defended publicly. (7)
David prayed that judgement would be given equally. (9b)
David prayed that he would be protected completely. (10)
4A. We Should Trust God to Judge Sin.
Psalm 7:11 (NKJV) 11God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
By faith, David anticipated the day of vindication when God would answer his prayer and clear both his reputation and character. He was confident about two things:
1B. David was confident of God’s wrath against sin (7:11)
It is of the utmost importance to remember that in the presence of slanderous men God is our ultimate vindicator. The text we must never forget is Genesis 18:25: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Because God hates sin, He is angry with those who continue to indulge in it.
Ø It is only God’s long-suffering that holds back judgment.
As C. H. Spurgeon puts it: “Judgment may tarry, but it will not come too late.”
And the Greek proverb reads: “The mill of God grinds slowly but it grinds to powder.”
2B. David was confident of God’s weapons against sin (7:12-16)
Spiritual weapons (7:12)
Ø God’s sword is His Word
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Ø God’s bow is His Spirit
John 16:8 (NKJV) 8And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Natural weapons
But along with the spiritual weapons there are also natural weapons which God is using here and now. We might call them the laws of retribution. To illustrate these laws, David uses three word pictures in verses 14-16:
Ø The first picture is of giving birth (7:14).
James 1:15 (NKJV) 15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Ø The second picture shows us a trap (7:15).
Just as a trapper may be caught in the very snare he has set for his victim, so a slanderer will ultimately fall into the pit that he has dug for others.
Ø The third picture illustrates the law of gravity (7:16).
Numbers 32:23 (NKJV) 23…be sure your sin will find you out.
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Thus, whether God uses spiritual or natural weapons, man can never escape the stroke of judgment, whether in time or in eternity. God says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Rom. 12:19).
5A. We Should Praise The Lord For Who He Is.
1B. He is our perfect promise keeper.
“Jehovah” – Lord, the God of covenant
“righteousness” – He is without sin, He can do no wrong!
2B. He is our powerful personal keeper.
“Elyon” – Most High, the God of control
Not only does He care about us He can do something about our circumstances!
Application
What we must do if we are to overcome.
We can expect to be talked about.
We must be quick to examine our attitudes and actions and allow God to judge us.
We must turn to God in prayer, trusting in Him to do what is right.
We must resist taking matters in our own hands and trust God to judge sin in His way and in His time.
We must praise the Lord in the midst of our circumstances because He is worthy.
The key to all of this is our personal relationship with Christ.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Have repented of your sins and placed your faith in Christ.
The Lord is calling you to repentance and faith now.
WHAT TO DO WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT YOU
The Lyrics of Life – Part 7 of 21
Sunday, September 5, 1999 - Psalm 7
1A. We Should Not Be ___________________________ When Others Talk About Us.
1B. David understood the ________________________ of slander. (7:1-2a)
Slander has a ____________________________ force.
Slander has a ___________________________ source.
1 Peter 5:8
2B. David understood the relentlessness of slander (7:2b)
2A. We Should Immediately _____________________ Ourselves.
1B. We must submit to the _______________________ examination. (7:3-4)
Of our __________________________
Psalm 139:23
Of our __________________________
Romans 12:21.
2B. We must surrender to the _____________________ decision. (7:5)
We must _______________________ to sin and self…
Colossians 3:5; Romans 8:13
3A. We Should Turn to God in ___________________.
1B. We should pray trusting God to ________________ wickedness (7:6,9)
God has promised to ________________________ sin.
Numbers 14:18
God has promised to put an _______________ to sin.
Revelation 21:8
2B. We should pray trusting God to ________________ righteousness (8)
David prayed that righteousness would be defended _____________________. (7)
David prayed that judgement would be given equally. (9b)
David prayed that he would be protected __________________________. (10)
4A. We Should Trust God to _________________ Sin.
1B. David was confident of God’s _________________ against sin (7:11)
Because God ____________________ sin, He is angry with those who continue to indulge in it.
2B. David was confident of God’s __________________ against sin (7:12-16)
Spiritual weapons (7:12)
Ø God’s sword is His Word (Hebrews 4:12)
Ø God’s bow is His Spirit (John 16:8)
Natural weapons
Ø The first picture is of giving birth (7:14; James 1:15)
Ø The second picture shows us a trap (7:15).
Ø The third picture illustrates the law of gravity (7:16).
Numbers 32:23; Galatians 6:7
5A. We Should Praise The Lord For Who He Is.
1B. He is our perfect _____________________ keeper.
2B. He is our powerful ____________________ keeper.