Fairweather Faith

Psalm 25

ICC’s AM service (5/15/21)

I. Introduction

1. Prayers… Oh Lord, we know that some people hear are struggling horribly right now because of unconfessed sin, or sin that they have asked you again and again to remove, but they cannot win.

i. So I pray Lord, today, use your word to show how merciful and good you are to sinners like us

ii. Bring them change, so your name would be glorified

iii. And may you make all of us a more merciful people

2. Catch- What are you to do when you’re caught red handed

i. If you get a speeding ticket, 20 miles over, you pay the bill, or do traffic court… it’s taken care of

ii. If you do a crime, you pay the time, it is eventually cleared

iii. But to sin against an eternal and perfect God who has nothing he needs from you…there is no paying it off

1. What if everything we ever did or wanted was laid bear for all to see?

2. In the 1800s evangelist John Gough was famously talking with a young man who said, “I do not think I am a sinner.”

3. Gough asked him if he would be willing his mother or sister should know all he had done, or said, or thought—all his motives and all his desires.

4. After considering this, he said, “No, indeed, I should not like to have them know; no, not for the world.”

5. Gough replied, “Then can you dare to say, in the presence of a holy God, who knows every thought of your heart, ‘I do not commit sin’?”[i]

iv. No, the only way to way to deal with our sins is to throw ourselves on the mercy of God…. And he willingly forgives

3. We must Review the context for this Psalm

i. Because God decided not just the words, but also the order of the psalms

ii. In discussing Psalm 24 we say Jesus is the god over all and he requires holy people to worship him

iii. But what happens when you know you’re not Holy, David wants us to know the answer to that

iv. Psalm 26 will go on to address trials when you are innoncent and someone is attacking you for no reason… which does happen

v. But what are we to do when we know we are at fault, or maybe you do not deserve the treatment, but you know your sin was part

vi. This is the beauty of the Psalms… they address the various circumstances of life

4. When did this Psalm take place

i. It is helpful as you study to the psalms to consider what led to this Psalm

1. The next doesn’t tell us directly, as some do, we just know David wrote it

ii. What is happening to David?

1. David is going through some trial where he will be put to shame (v2), where he needs mercy (6-7), and he needs his guilt covered (11), he is lonely (16), he is surrounded by hateful foes (19)

iii. It seems like the best fit would be when David fled by his son Absalom, who tried to take the throne

1. Recall, 2 Samuel tells the story of David sinful adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah

2. David then did not address the sin of his sons and led to one of them raising any army against David

3. He took hostage David’s royal officials and some of David’s best advisors turned on him

4. While many stayed loyal, some of those stayed behind as David fled to try to be spies

5. David knows His sin led to this… he is alone, and enemies are marching after him

So, through David, God teaches us a lesson

II. When you are suffering because of your sin you must follow these 5 tactics

1. Trust in God (1-5)

i. Explanation

1. David trusts God by trusting him with himself

a. Compare his phrase here with Psalm 24:4

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

b. David was a many of many faults and sins, but one thing he got right was he did not go to an idol for help

c. He doesn’t lift up himself as having the solution in himself

d. He goes straight to Yahweh for help

2. Yahweh is his God is his God,

a. There is only one God, but David bears Yahweh’s name

b. Like every christian knows that that Jesus is god over all, but by claiming the name christian, I make a statement that I follow Jesus Christ

c. So I represent him to the unbelieving world

d. Since Yawheh is his God, his defeat will reflect upon Yawheh and his strength.

3. But David has assurance that he will not be shamed

a. His theology tells him that God is all powerful, and though a moment might seem to show defeat, in the end, no follower of his will be ashamed

THe prophets will one day write:Isaiah 25:9- It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

4. So, because God’s ways will not lead to shame, David will continually ask to be taught God’s ways

a. This is the definition of a disciple.. someone who learns

b.

c. Knowing your bible more brings more assurance that this is right and lies are wrong

Psalm 119:99–100- I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

i. Yes, the gospel brings salvation, but it also brings greater faith

ii. A rom 10:17 states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

d. Or as Paul states

1 Corinthians 1:20–24- Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world…. we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,.

e. David makes clear it is not the follower of God who will be ashamed, but the treacherous who turn against Him

ii. Illustration

1. Trusting in God is what we need to do

2. But trusting often involves trusting in God’s timing, which is the hard process of waiting

3. Waiting cannot be passive

a. Like a grandparent waiting in anticipation to see their grandchild walk across that graduation stage after it being cancelled last year… sounds easy

b. BUtour last name is Zelim… so you have to wait..

c. You may have waited in boredeom for the first 24 letters of the alphet, but as you get closer, you get more excited, knowing that zelim name will jump at you quickly

4. We need to weight with anticipation knowing God will come through

iii. Application

1. It doesn’t always appear it at the time, but A fool with a bible is more wise than the most educated scholar on the national stage.

2. There are many ways could apply to us

a. I don’t want to be ashamed with my kids… are they missing out by being here on a Sunday?

b. If I’m giving to others, will I not have enough money for me or my family?

c. My therapists says that calling things sin turns people off and creates more conflict, so should I obey the bible?

3. Where do you need to take sword of the spirt out of its sheath and go into battle?

Seeking God should lead us to see our dirt and thus the second tactic is

2. Tell God you have sinned (6-7)

i. Explanation

1. He speaks because of god’s mercy

a. You know the terror of telling a boss or a family member how you’ve messed up and done wrong, not knowing how they will respond.

b. But David asks god to be merciful, because he knows God is merciful

c. The attribute of mercy is compassionate forgiveness toward his people, especially in light of their distress[ii]

d. God showed this mercy Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes of Israel before saying

Exodus 34:6- The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

e. David knew his bible.. so he knew God

2. God does not forget, but he doesn’t remember… bring these to mind again

a. He promises that he will never again look at the record of our sins

Isaiah 43:25- “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

3. Notice that David knows God forgives for his sake

4. This is great because verse 7, William VanGemeren points out David, “prays that the Lord will deal with him, not in accordance with his lack of loyalty, but according to God’s own commitment of loyalty” [iii]

5. Gerald Wilson points out they we usually see love as because we’re drawn to the person… so we forgive because we like them… but no so with God Instead This is love, not of an emotional sort but of a settled and accepted decision.”[iv]

ii. Illustration

1. Sin must be confessed to God

2. And we are able to do that the same way David was… by looking how God forgave in the past

3. This is one reason it is helpful to remember that God is the same God as your spiritual grandparents and great grandparents.

a. Reading old writers, you’ll find phrases like this from the Scottish Pastor Robert murray Mccynne

b. When he was terrified to confess his sins he would preach

c. The four Gospels are a narrative of the heart of Christ. They show his compassion to sinners, and his glorious work in their stead. If you only knew that heart as it is, you would lay your weary head with John on his bosom. Do not take up your time so much with studying your own heart as with studying Christ’s heart. “For one look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ!” [v]

4. We must confess our sins before God

iii. Application

1. Even today, is there something you need to confess before God?

2. Sin has a way of building up on us… David hear focuses on the sins of his youth, but clearly says in v 11 his current iniquity is great.

3. This shows us how the when you remember your old sins, the solution must be not to focus on yourself, but on asking God to not remember them

a. I know, it seems counterintuitive… my current sin is causing ME to remember, so I must deal with myself

b. But no… you have no hope in yourself… deal with God!

His prayer for forgiveness is answered with the assurance of guidance from God.

3. Theologize about God (8-15)

i. Explanation- Theology should have practice as

1. God’s goodness doesn’t just forgive, it leads

a. He instructs sinners in his ways including forgivness

b. We are to forgive one another just as God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32), so when we grant forgiveness to someone, we are promising that we will "not remember" their sins anymore

c. the bible does not say forgive and forget, but it teaches forgive in order to forget.

2. And if we know God, he will be humbled, because only the humble learn his way

a. These are the humble who have confessed their sin

b. These are the humble who admit they have something to learn

3. And when you learn, you find God’s way to be sweeter

a. Knowing the faithfulness of his paths breaks the stronghold of sins’s deceiving power

b. When you admit your need for pardon (v11), when you fear the Lord, caring about what He thinks above anyone else

c. Then you will be instructed in wisdom verse 12

d. You will be blessed v13

4. While we do not have the promise of the land, Jesus speaks of the blessing of following Him in the beatitudes

Matthew 5:5- “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth

5. And better than the blessing of inheritance is the blessing of God’s friendship

a. Friendship is not just liking each other rand being interested in horses, video games, or sailing

b. This is close and intimate relationship with God.

c. It is those who seek his advice and get it

d. It is the difference between going on google for advice from some famous person like Jordan Peterson who never knows you vs being able to call a friend

6. Yet strangely, the source of friendship is fear of God

a. But what is fear except the humility of verse 9?

b. Sherry Allchin says Fear of God is

Living with an acute awareness of His loving hand in every area of my life, guiding “me through the revealed Word of God, and recognizing that only when I trust and obey Him can life have true meaning and purpose for me. To fear God is to love Him so intensely that I fear doing anything that might grieve Him.”

c. We will not listen to God until our theology get the point that we acknowledge his superiority over us

7. Because of this fear David seeks God continually, like we are to pray continullay

a. Though David is surrounded with his grand army

b. He knows only God is strong enough to trust now.

ii. Illustration

1. Our thoughts about God are important for our relationship to Him

1. And so we need to be good theologians

2. I know some do not want to do theology

a. Yet if you ask… who is Jesus

b. You may rightfully say.. He is the son of God, who died to forgive my sins

c. Wow, that’s great… what do you mean God and Sins, and why did Jesus have to die?

d. Suddenly, you’re doing theology

3. And that theology is allowing you to approach God

iii. One Application of this truth might be

1. The only good theologian is a humble theologian

a. humility is so important, God will let us fail our way into true self-knowledge. Have you asked God to deliver you from some sin, but then saw no response to your requests? God often lets us stew in our problems to deepen our humility. Our need for humility is sometimes greater than our need for deliverance.

b. I have felt increasingly inadequate and sinful as I have drawn closer to God. I have learned that this is a positive sign.

2. Too often we are focused much on the stop sinning, that we forget Ephesians 4 tells us to renew our minds and put on as well

a. Think… not just what do I need forgiveness from

b. But what do I need forgiveness to

c. Do you pray? When you find yourself in sin, do we just say… Lord, don’t make me sin, or do we say, Lord, teach me your ways. It is not enough to stop doing something bad, we need to start doing something right.

d. The gospel message says Jesus died because of your evil actions, your evil thoughts even though he had never done anything wrong. he paid the price you could never afford

e. So that appear of Grace should make our zealous to do good works for him (Titus 2:11)

So, Trust in God, leads to telling God our sins, because our theology can handle it… so like should be perfect right… not for David. Thus the 4th tactic.

4. Take your troubles to God (16-18)

i. Explanation

1. David is lonely and without help as these attacks are coming upon him

2. His confession doesn’t lead to instant good life

3. Instead, David’s dependency on the Lord is also brought out

4. His only response can be.. help God, once more please forgive me

ii. Illustration

1. David takes his troubles to God once again

2. If we didn’t have troubles, we may not think we need God

3. John Piper and David Powlison both had caner at the same time

a. It didn’t look good for either of them for a while, so they wrote the small book, Don’t waste your cancer

b. They reflected on what God was teaching them through the harm,

Cancer is designed to destroy the appetite for sin. Pride, greed, lust, hatred, unforgiveness, impatience, laziness, procrastination—all these are the adversaries that cancer is meant to attack. Don’t just think of battling against cancer. Also think of battling with cancer. All these things are worse enemies than cancer. Don’t waste the power of cancer to crush these foes. Let the presence of eternity make the sins of time look as futile as they really are. [vi]

4. What is God trying to teach you with your afflictions?

iii. Application

1. We may need to learn the spiritual battle is bigger than the physical one

2. Dig deep, but know God si doing good

After asking for forgiveness again, The Psalm summarizes with the final tactic

5. Tally while you wait for God (19-22)

i. Explanation

1. He counts

a. his foes once more

b. their threats of violence and hate

c. his need to be protected and delivered from the shame of saying he trusted God

2. The psalm gathers all these confident thoughts and turns them into prayer for the particular circumstances of trouble

3. And he counts his hope… refuge in God

4. Integrity= blamelessness or moral goodness

a. How can David be upright when he just admitted sin?

b. Because God has cleansed him

5. His waiting on God is a reflection of his fear of God… no one else can decide the future, and David finds the wisdom of

Proverbs 14:27- The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

6. Then David does what he prayed in Psalm 51- He teaches others his ways

a. All Israel joins in this cry to help, admitting their need

ii. Illustration

1. The tally of what God has done help us and helps others

2. This is the beauty of hearing someone else’s story

3. I remember thinking at one point… wow, I’m the only one who struggles with these sins and then some peoel started sharing how they struggled as well.

4. Transition to audience= how we connect to illustration

5. We need to tally our troubles and God’s strength.

iii. Application

1. Parents, the best thing you can do for yoru children is fear God more than your children

a. IN Gospel-Powered Parenting William Farley writes

The fear of God equips parents to overcome the fear of their children. They can disappoint their children, but they dare not disappoint God. Why? They believe that God is sovereign over their children’s hearts. God holds all the strings. He is in control. Those who really believe this are free to be God pleasers rather than child fearers. Parents lacking this confidence will often be slaves to their children’s approva

b. Which will destroy them

c. The best thing a parent can give is their own need for a savior

III. Therefore

1. Since we have seen (Cohesion)-

i. We must trust in God by bringing our sin before him

ii. WE must tell God we have sinned, because he already knows

iii. WE must theologize about God, learning the opposite of sin

iv. We are then free to take our troubles to a god who cares

v. And we tally as we weight for god to solve it

2. Because God is one we can trust we must be

i. we be a church where it is good to confess sin, but also help people walk away from sin

ii. Instruction doesn’t just take place in reading your bible by yourself, but getting in with others.

iii. David made this Psalm of confession public

iv. How can we help each other grow?

IV. Closing prayer

1. Lord God, grant us trust in you today, so that your name will be praised

[i] Prosise, Ron. Preaching Illustrations from Church History . Kindle Edition [ii] J. Owen Carroll, “God’s Mercy,” in Lexham Survey of Theology, ed. Mark Ward et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018). [iii]Willem A. VanGemeren, “Psalms,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 5 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), 228. [iv] Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms Volume 1, [v] Robert Murray McCheyne and Andrew A. Bonar, Memoir and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne (Edinburgh; London: Oliphant Anderson & Ferrier, 1894), 238–239. [vi]John Piper and David Powlison, Don’t Waste Your Cancer (2006): 5.