Encouraged by Truth

OPENING: A minister was making a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine. As he was pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn’t say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking the lad would leave. But he didn’t. Pleased at the thought that his work was being admired, the pastor finally said, "Well, son, trying to pick up some pointers on gardening?" "No," he replied. "I’m just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer."

APPLICATION: That boy was watching to see how the preacher would respond to pain. How he would deal with pain. How he would handle hurt. The World is a lot like that little boy. It watches how we (as children of God) act when faced with suffering, injustice, and unfairness. The world expects to see anger, resentment, bitterness, and rage. But that’s not what the world WANTS to see. The world wants to see people who can face difficulties in life with grace and inner strength and thus give them hope for their own struggles.

Too often we fail - I fail - to live up to the potential that God has placed within us to meet those challenges. And yet God understands.

One of our foundational beliefs we looked at a couple of months ago is, we believe that God’s Word is true…specifically…The Bible. In this book we call the Bible…by the way the word Bible simply means ‘books’…a book of books. In this Bible we have a book that is a collection of …in reality…songs. Many are from King David himself. And again, in a very real way, his songs cover many of the things he went through…struggles, successes, depression, fear, loneliness, faith, trust…and more. The interesting thing is this: He always points us to God. His songs, or Psalms, are a diary of his pursuit of God.

The one passage we’re going to look at today is this

Psalm 56:3–4 CSB

3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

If the world is watching…and I think it is, then we need to keep moving forward as individuals and as a church family to show God well, to shine His light well, to share His reality.

We’re going to look at a little formula that David uses, over and over again in his life.

And if you know me by know you know I have to give you the context of this passage. Context is super important when you’re reading scripture. So here’s a bit of context.

This, of course is from Psalm 56. If you look back a few Psalms, even to Psalm 51, you’ll find that through these you’ll be able to read the thoughts and the attitude of David through some very difficult circumstances in his life.

Psalm 51 (Bathsheba) looks at his feelings and his struggle with a specific sin in his life. He looks at how this sin has made him stress and stress…and he knows that’s what sin does. But he’s also so thankful that God offers forgiveness. So, he writes, in brutal fear before God, about how he remembered who God really is. And that reality helped him.

Psalm 52 (Saul/Doeg …here David writes about this time in the past when was on the run for his life from King Saul…a very jealous man and after a series of events, a bunch of innocent people lost there lives. He was furious, both with himself and with the evil men that carried this out. But in the end, he writes that even though all of this is so stinking unjust…in the end he still will worship God and God is still in control.

Psalm 53....here David writes about these, as he calls them, evildoers. Then he writes, almost a prayer, for God to restore Israel. That salvation would come from Israel…I think there’s a bit of prophesy in there…salvation did come out of Israel…His name is Jesus.

Psalm 54 (Ziphites) .... here David writes about the next time he is in extreme danger of being caught and killed by King Saul again, in the desert of Ziph…where the Ziphites lived…and they found out that he was there so they sent word to Saul that he was hiding there…and then God orchestrated a series of events where David was able to escape…and David recognizes that God again was his rescuer.

Psalm 55 (Ahithophel)…here David discusses a time when, not a King or an army is chasing him down, but a close friend has turned against him. His trusted advisor has now sided with someone who’s against him....And David doesn’t mix words...”Let death take my enemies by surprize..” …and he says a few more choice words…and then he says this...

…but I call do God, and the Lord saves me....

…but as for me , I trust in you God.

He always has a way of venting…but then coming back to God. He’s human. He fails. He says things he shouldn’t. Does things God would rather him not do. But what is David known for…in the end he is one who publicly humbles himself before God and acknowledges that God is real and is sovereign. Above all. And that God can help and save him.

Psalm 56 (Philistines) is not any different. Here he is focused on a time when he’s captured by the enemy.

The background for most of these Psalms are in 1 Samuel…which contains the storyline of David. You can read the history and circumstances there…and then read of David’s heart, his diary so to speak, here in the Psalms.

I mentioned before that David had a formula for when he finds himself in rough circumstances.

By the way…if you’re finding yourself a bit unfamiliar with David…I’ll take you back to a story that most everyone in here will be familiar with.

David was a young man, a shepherd, when someone came out to the field to find him. They brought him in from the fields, the pastures, to meet the prophet of Israel, Samuel.

Samuel was there to anoint the next king of Israel. His brothers weren’t picked…when David approached Samuel, God said, he’s the one.

Its just after this that there’s a war brewing between the Israelites and the Philistines. There’s a valley between the camps, the valley of elah…you can go there today to visit it. David’s older brothers have been called to the battle. Their dad is worried…so he sends the youngest…David…with some grain bread and cheese. Take these for for your brothers but also check up on what’s happening and let me know.

David goes, drops off the supplies at the supply tent…goes a bit further and starts talking to some guys about the battle. Nothing is happening. Standstill. And then he hears, from the valley below, a Philistine…yelling out and defying the army of Israel. Making fun of God as well.

David says, who’s this guy? This is the reason we’re not doing anything. Have you seen him? He’s a warrior! He’s huge! No one will go to fight him! The king has said that anyone who goes out and defeats him gets the kings daughter in marriage, a ton of cash, and freedom from taxes for the person’s whole family.

David seems not too worried…just said, the guy is defying our God. Who’s going to take him out? If no one else will I will.

The king says…you’re only a young man…he’s a seasoned warrior. David replies listen, I’ve taken care of my sheep. If a bear or lion comes in, I take off after them, rescue my sheep, and take care of the animal. This guy will be no different than a lion or a bear.

King Saul says…ok…but take my armor with you. David says…I’m not used to wearing this stuff. Just let me go as I am.

What are David’s thoughts? Where’s his heart? How…How is he thinking?

What’s his worldview? Worldview meaning…since these things are true…then these things follow. What’s his decision making process? Is it self-focused? Is it risk assessed? Is he looking around the camp and taking a poll?

“Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine.”

1 Samuel 17:45 (CSB)

45 ...“You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him.

His focus is here…truth. God is real. His name is most powerful among all the nations and their (g)ods. Therefore, I have nothing to lose. Meaning literally…I will lose nothing in this battle. God is for me…therefore…who can be against me.

The truth of God seems to me to be David’s encouragement. Now…there is something more here.

Last week, at the very end of the message, we talked just a couple of minutes about greek roots…encouragement. Paraklesis - encourage, lift up, exhort, console. Paraclete is the nickname of the Holy Spirit…God’s spirit…the one who encourages. And here I think I can add…encourages with truth.

David, when he was anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel, also received, in the Old Testament way…God’s Spirit. David had God’s spirit with him. In fact at one very low point, David is begging God to not take His spirit from Him. He recognizes where his encouragement (courage) comes from.

David…when in a tough spot goes to truth. I know I’m going through these things but this is true! Therefore....

Psalm 56:3–4 CSB

3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

When I’m afraid + I trust in you = I’m no longer afraid

Easy formula…and you see this all through David’s life. In many of the Psalms.

How many of you have or are going through a time or a season in life right now where you have questions about the next step?

Maybe you’re up against something that you really have no clue how to handle. There’s a mystery to it. You would love to have a timeline and a systematic approach written down but there’s no such thing.

Maybe you’re in a spot where something is happening to or around you that is causing fear and doubt.

Maybe you’re in a spot where things have happened and you’re angry, vengeful.

Maybe you’re dealing with depression or anxiety yourself…like I think David did a lot.

If you’re a believer in Christ guess who is with you. God’s spirit. The ultimate encourager. The one who can set your heart at ease. The one who can bring peace to a crazy and scary and painful situation you may be in.

God is with you.

I’m afraid. But I trust in you God. Therefore…I really have no reason to be afraid. And because of that, I can lift up my head. Walk a bit steadier. Have a peace that no one on this planet will understand. But I’ll have it. And then I won’t be afraid.

You finish the sentence…from David’s 23rd Psalm. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…I will fear no evil because....you are with me.

CLOSE: Thomas Andrew Dorsey was a black jazz musician from Atlanta. In the 20’s he gained a certain amount of notoriety as the composer of jazz tunes with suggestive lyrics, but he gave all that up in 1926 to concentrate exclusively on spiritual music. "Peace in the Valley" is one of his best known songs, but there is a story behind his most famous song that deserves to be told.

In 1932, the times were hard for Dorsey. Just trying to survive the depression years as a working musician meant tough sledding. On top of that, this music was not accepted by many people. Some said it was too worldly - the devil’s music, they called it. Many years later could laugh about it. He said, "I got kicked out of some of the best churches in the land." But the real kick in the teeth came one night in St. Louis when he received a telegram informing him that his pregnant wife had died suddenly.

Dorsey was so filled with grief that his faith was shaken to the roots, but instead of wallowing in self pity, he turned to the discipline he knew best - music. In the midst of agony he wrote the following lyrics:

Precious Lord, Take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn,

Thru the storm, thru the night, Lead me on to the Light;

Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home.

If you live long enough, you will experience heartache, disappointment, and sheer helplessness. The Lord is our most precious resource in traumatic times like these. David knew that. You can too.

And guess what…look around ....we have a church family that can help us through those times. We’re not perfect. We miss things and get busy with things…but God put us in a family so we can help remind each other of truth. So we can be with each other…so we can encourage each other and lift each other up.

The world is watching…and I think....some might be watching to see what we’ll say when we hit our thumb with a hammer so they can point the finger at us…but I think many are hoping that they’ll see something they feel is missing from their lives. Hope…in the truth that God is always there for us.

Amen.

Let’s pray.