Psalm 18: The Reflection of the Battle (Part 1)
Study Through Psalms • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsThe battle has ended, David is reflecting after God once again gave the victory. It is important for us to remember the battles we face to help us in the battles to come.
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Psalm 18: The Reflection of the Battle (Part 1)
Psalm 18: The Reflection of the Battle (Part 1)
I. Remember the Trial
I. Remember the Trial
Remembering How God protected in the trial
A Declaration of Love
1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
Looking back on how God had provided for David caused David to realize how much He loved God
It is always the love of God that inspires love in us
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
It is important to recognize the love of God after the trial, because we often forget it during the trial
A Declaration of Strength
2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
David recognizes God as his strength, shield, fortress, deliver, the one he will trust in, etc.
David was the man that slew the giant, was sung about slaying 10,000’s, yet he knew that in himself he had no strength, his strength was God, and God alone
It is important to recognize the source of our strength after the trial, because we often forget it during the trial
A Declaration of Reliance
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
David had allies he could call on, David had friends in high places (like Jonathan)
David’s decision would be to call on God, because God is the worthy one, and God is the one who truly has the power to save
Often times we forget who has the power to help us in our life. Trials often remind us of how helpless we truly are.
Remembering the Intensity of the trial
There was no hope
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
The intensity of David’s trial was so great that he felt death was on it’s way
A Christian is identified in hope, hope that is everlasting and sure. Yet David, in this trial, felt like his hope was extinguished and death was coming
Trials, battles, storms, obstacles can often times render us thinking there is no hope. Even in the darkest night we have hope because our God promises to take care of us.
There was fear
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
Not only is David feeling overwhelmed by the trials closing in on him, also the countless (floods) of enemies (ungodly men) are causing him to be afraid
There are certain people that we often think are fearless (my dad) and David is one of those men, yet David was afraid in the trial.
Fear is a natural emotion that comes during trials, battles, or against obstacles. Our God has strength for us in any trial.
The world was caving in
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: The snares of death prevented me.
David felt in the trail that the grave (hell, the pit) was closing in on him
There is an overwhelming pressure that comes from being in a trial that is seemingly greater than one can bear. No hope, walls are caving in, there is no where to escape
Often times when our trials, struggles are closing in on us we start looking at the problems, instead of looking up at the solution (Peter walking on water)
Remember the cry during the trial
David cried when distress came
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry came before him, even into his ears.
One thing that is sure is distress will come our way. The question is what will we do when it comes
David’s response to the distress was to call on God for help.
Oliver climbing a tree, then screams out for my help when he got in a place he couldn't get himself out
Make sure when times get rough we go to the right place, we go to God who can actually help
God heard his cry
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry came before him, even into his ears.
The reason why David cried to God in time of distress is he knew God would answer
Not calling someone who won’t answer (for help)
Just as a parent responds when a child cries out for help, our heavenly father responds when we are in help
Even if you feel your prayers have no effect, know that God hears you
David petition was going to the God of the universe
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Not only is God hearing you, but God hears you in His temple (his throne)
4 The Lord is in his holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.
God is the king of the universe and when we cry out to him our cry comes before his ear, and into his ear.
There is great power in a great king hearing your request, but when we pray the almighty king of the universe hears us
II. Remember God’s Response
II. Remember God’s Response
Remember God’s anger
God’s anger is towards the enemy of His servant
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the hills moved And were shaken, because he was wroth.
There are certain people that are really nice generally, but when they get angry, you better watch out
Story of my dad breaking my toothbrush
Realize that when you are under attack for the cause of Christ, or others are doing things to do you harm, they may be thinking they are winning, but they are really just causing their own demise
God’s anger was like an earthquake
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the hills moved And were shaken, because he was wroth.
When reminiscing about the anger of God, when God showed on the scene was God came down and is felt like an earthquake
Thundering walk of a parent (theatrical)
When God comes on the scene to avenge His people He will come and everyone will notice
God’s anger was like fire
8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it.
When we picture smoke coming out of a nose and fire out of a mouth, we do not often picture God, but to our enemies God is just that.
God’s anger towards sin is hot, like fire (4x in Judges)
7 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.
God’s favor is to His people, and God’s anger is towards the children of wickedness
Remember God’s appearance
God brought all heaven down with Him
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: And darkness was under his feet.
When David was sitting back, praising God, and remember the storm that God brought him through, He remember how God came to action, bringing all heaven with Him
When God came down, darkness was under His feet (a sign on conquest)
No matter how bleak the circumstances may seem during our storm, when God shows on the scene, darkness is immediately under His feet.
God came like a conquerer
10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: Yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
Often times when Alexander the Great is depicted, he is shown riding on a horse as a conquering champion
When God comes on the scene, he is riding a cherub like a horse (cherub is a powerful angelic being)
15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
5 And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Alexander the great may have rode in on a horse, but our God rides in on an angelic being of great power
God rained hell on the enemies
12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, Hail stones and coals of fire.
13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, And the Highest gave his voice; Hail stones and coals of fire.
God’s mere appearance rained all hell down on the enemy
thick clouds, hail stones of fire, thunder came down, and his voice shook the world
We should remember when we cry out to our God for help, when He comes all will know it
Remember God’s action
God strikes down the enemy
14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; And he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
God sent his strikes, it scatters the enemy
GAGA Ball at camp - going intense striking fear
It is amazing that the enemy that was causing David such great fear in four is now running for their lives in fear
God uncovers all wrong
15 Then the channels of waters were seen, And the foundations of the world were discovered At thy rebuke, O Lord, At the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
God uncovers all wrong, no rock is left unturned
because of the rebuke of God, the fire of his nose that all evil is turned over
God see’s all evil, and will judge all evil.
God delivered His servant
16 He sent from above, he took me, He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Navy seals being sent in to rescue (captain Philips movie)
God sends in for the rescue of His suffering servant
God protects us, and delivers us from destruction
III. Remember Who God is
III. Remember Who God is
God is our protection and our reward
God delivered from the enemy
18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: But the Lord was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
When the attacks came in the worse days, it was God who protected David. It was God that brought David to a point of safety and comfort, and the reason was because God liked David
Joke of guy praying for a parking spot, then thinking he was the one who got it
Let’s not forget after the trial ends that it was God who brought us out. Our reliance should be on God, as David’s was and we need to not allow pride to arise in us after the trial ends.
God rewarded faithfulness
20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, And have not wickedly departed from my God.
God loves the righteous, but God rewards those who live out who they are. God rewards righteousness
Throughout the trial with Saul, David would not strike God’s anointed, David would not start a rebellion. He relied on God and God rewarded him.
We must remember that God honors, and rewards those that do things the right way. Vengeance, retaliation, judgment, etc. these things belong to God. We need to focus on: speaking ill of no man, doing wrong to no man, and slandering no man
God judged righteousness
22 For all his judgments were before me, And I did not put away his statutes from me.
23 I was also upright before him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.
24 Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
Just because we are saved does not mean we are not accountable for the things we do on earth
David confesses that God judged his actions, and found that he did the right thing and lived in righteousness (contrary to Saul)
We can lose out of the blessings God has for us, and the things God has for us to do if we do not live life righteously
God is merciful and Just
God shows merciful to the merciful
25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; With an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; And with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
Once again our actions on earth can show God’s blessings to us on earth. God rewards mercy for mercy. God will deal purely with the pure, and harshly with the froward
We cannot expect to live like the devil and enjoy God’s blessings in our life
Do we show mercy to others? Or are we focused on how others are treating us?
God deliverers the afflicted
27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; But wilt bring down high looks.
28 For thou wilt light my candle: The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
29 For by thee I have run through a troop; And by my God have I leaped over a wall.
We see throughout the Psalms that God takes care of the afflicted
14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, To requite it with thy hand: The poor committeth himself unto thee; Thou art the helper of the fatherless.
18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: The expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
God knows that His people will be oppressed (if the world hates me they will hate you) and God promises to look on our affliction and deliver us in His time
There is only one God who can save
30 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God?
David recognizes that God is the one perfect and reliable one. Only God’s word stands true every time. Even when everyone else thought David would never be king, God provided on his promise to him
Our salvation, our trust is only in God
God is our strength
Declaring God’s strength
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, And setteth me upon my high places.
David once again declares God as his strength
It is amazing how the mighty man David knew he had no strength outside of God
Often times in success we think it is our strength that caused it. David realized that he had nothing outside of God
Declaring God’s development
34 He teacheth my hands to war, So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: And thy right hand hath holden me up, And thy gentleness hath made me great.
Often times when we have nothing we realize we are nothing, when we have done nothing we realize we know nothing, but when success comes our way, when our knowledge grows with our experience we forget that it is God that develops us
David recognizes that God taught David how to war, God gave him His shield. David knew without God he would not know what to do
What we have in knowledge and wisdom comes from what God has given us, don’t ever forget that
Declaring God’s success
36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, That my feet did not slip.
It is humerus when an athlete gets a big head and believes that he is the reason for the success of the team. Then you remove that athlete from the team and he finds out the team continues on and the athlete does not find the same success.
I often wonder how God thinks when we allow pride to swell up in us, thinking that our success is our own.
David recognizes that it was God that enlarged his steps and caused him not to slip, it was God that provided success, he would have no success without God