Progressive Images Of Victory Series

BIG IDEA:

THE LORD SHOWS HIS GOODNESS AND LOVINGKINDNESS BY LEADING US TO VICTORY WHEN DEFEAT SEEMS IMMINENT

"Thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ!" 2 Cor. 2:14

Note the Messianic applications throughout the psalm

INTRODUCTION (:1-4) THANKSGIVING FOR HIS:

- GOODNESS

- LOVINGKINDNESS= EVERLASTING

- let Israel say ...

- let the house of Aaron say ...

- let those who fear the Lord say ...

I. (:5-9) IMAGE OF PROTECTION: THE LORD IS MY REFUGE

A. Imminent Defeat: "my distress" -- lit. "a tight place"

pressure from all sides

B. Calling Upon the Lord

C. Key to Victory: "The Lord is for me!" (:6-7)

D. Experience of Victory: "set me in a large place" (in contrast to a tight place)

E. Lesson Learned: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord !"

- than to trust in man

- than to trust in princes

II. (:10-14) IMAGE OF DELIVERANCE: THE LORD IS MY SALVATION

(MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG)

A. Imminent Defeat:

- surrounded by enemies = all nations

- surrounded by enemies -- like by bees

B. Invoking the Name of the Lord

C. Key to Victory: "the Lord helped me"

Confidence: "I will surely cut them off"

D. Experience of Victory:

actually was successful in cutting them off.extinguished them like a fire of thorns (very quick combustion with nothing left)

E. Lesson Learned: "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."

III. (:15-18) IMAGE OF POWER: THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD DOES VALIANTLY

A. Imminent Defeat: "disciplined severely"

disciplined almost to the point of death

"He has not given me over to death" (but it was close!)

B. Joyful Celebration:

"the sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous"

C. Key to Victory: "the right hand of the Lord does valiantly"

D. Experience of Victory:

- the right hand of the Lord is exalted

- I shall not die but live

E. Lesson Learned: the works of the Lord (accomplished by His valiant right hand) are Powerful

- I should give testimony and "tell of the works of the Lord"

IV. (:19-21) IMAGE OF TRIUMPH: THE LORD IS MY CONQUERING HERO

VICTORY PROCESSION THROUGH THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

A. Key to Victory: only "the righteous" can enter thru the gates of righteousness = the gate of the Lord

B. Lesson Learned:

- Triumph should always lead to Worship and Thanksgiving

- God answers and becomes our salvation

V. (:22-28) IMAGE OF BLESSING: THE LORD IS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE

A. Imminent Defeat: "the stone which the builders rejected"

this was true of the nation of Israel: rejected by the other nations, yet central focus of God’s plan for history

this was true of the Messiah: supreme rejection and humiliation

this will be true of all God’s children: yet we are choice and precious in the sight of God -- 1 Peter 2:4

B. Calling Upon the Lord for Salvation and Prosperity

- "O Lord, do save we beseech Thee"

- "O Lord, we beseech Thee, do send prosperity"

C. Key to Victory: "This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes"."Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord"

D. Experience of Victory: "has become the chief cornerstone"

"The Lord is God, and He has given us light "

E. Lesson Learned: rejoice each day because of confidence in the Lord’s triumph and blessing

"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it "

"Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar."

"Thou art my God, and I give thanks to Thee; Thou art my God, I extol Thee"

CONCLUSION (:29) THANKSGIVING FOR HIS:

- GOODNESS

- LOVINGKINDNESS = EVERLASTING

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting"

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) The psalmist speaks of God throughout most of the psalm, in an impersonal way. What change has happened for God to now become personal, in verse 28? How can this be so in your life?

2) The Christian escapes spiritual death through God’s gift of life. What does living now mean for the believer?

3) In what ways is the Lord’s mercy shown to us? How does that cause us to place our trust in Him instead of man?

4) How is God shown to be not only the source of our deliverance but also the means of our salvation?

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(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)

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