20/20 Vision—dependence Produces Delight

20/20 Vision—Dependence Produces Delight

Text: Psalm 28:1-9

We live in an age of dependency. I feel confidant that though dependency is mentioned a lot these days, usually with a negative spin placed on the word—dependency, it was never meant to be negative, but positive!

In Psalm 28, David pleads with the Lord for 2 specific things:

• Hear me (v1-2a)

• Help me (v2b)

- His petition is clear … seeking only what God can give

• Preserve the innocent (v3)

• Punish the impure (v4-5)

- And as always, He praises God for all that He does.

• Again First, God has heard him (v6)

• And second, God has helped him (v7-9)

He is my strength; He’s powerful.

He is my shield; He’s my guardian.

He is my song; I become the worshiper.

He is my salvation; He brings renewal.

He is my shepherd; and my protector.

Psalm 28:1TLB I plead with you to help me, Lord, for you are my Rock of safety. If you refuse to answer me, I might as well give up and die.

Most Bible scholars agree that David wrote Psalm 8 during times of great temptation and trial.

Psalm 28:1TM Don’t turn a deaf ear when I call you, God. If all I get from you is deafening silence, I’d be better off in the Black Hole.

Think for a minute about your life without God; A life of despair and misery, A life of hopelessness—Again verse 1, David said, “I’d be better off in a black hole!”

Psalm 28:2TLB Lord, I lift my hands to heaven and implore your help. Oh, listen to my cry.

“I can’t speak for you, but there is something special about spreading my hands out before the Lord!” P.H

I hear God saying, “For the year 20/20 and beyond, I want my Church-My Body- The Living breathing Life force of God to give Me inward and outward love.’ ‘A love without walls, a love without boundaries.’ ‘A love that’s colored blind, a love for Saints and a love for the sinner. A unquenchable love for God—King Jesus!”

David cries out again in Psalm 143:6NIV I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

The Psalmist continually returns to sit at the Lord’s feet in prayer. In Psalm 143, David feels this inner emptiness and describes it as a dark pit, a place where the Lord’s face is hidden from him.

In that pit, in that dark place, is where David spreads out his hands onto the Lord.

Paul wrote Timothy in, 1 Timothy 2:8NKJV I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Again listen to Psalm 28:2TM I’m letting you know what I need, calling out for help And lifting my arms toward your inner sanctum. (Heaven, The Ark of Covenant).

Psalm 28:2AMP Hear the voice of my supplication (specific requests, humble entreaties) as I cry to You for help,

As I lift up my hands and heart toward Your innermost sanctuary (Holy of Holies).

David is saying, “That in my minds-eye, ‘I picture my heart and hands lifted as I position my entire being along with every petition, right in the middle of the Ark of God—The Holy Place!”

Here’s one better than that; “As a NT believer we direct our prayers right in the center/middle of the grace of All Mighty God!”

In Psalm 28:3-5TLB David goes farther telling God who to punish and why. 3 Don’t punish me with all the wicked ones who speak so sweetly to their neighbors while planning to murder them. 4 Give them the punishment they so richly deserve! Measure it out to them in proportion to their wickedness; pay them back for all their evil deeds. 5 They care nothing for God or what He has done or what he has made; therefore God will dismantle them like old buildings, never to be rebuilt again.

“I remind you this morning that God will be ultimate judge of the righteous and the unrighteous.” P.H

Again verse 3, David says, “The wicked can speak sweet, but then turn around and kill their neighbor.”

Verse 4, David cries out to God, “Give them the punishment they deserve.”

Verse 5TM, Because they have no idea how God works or what He is up to, God will smash them to smithereens and walk away from the ruins.

Always remember, there is one judge.

James 4:12ESV There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

David leaves his enemies in God’s hands. He leaves prayer and enters praise! Psalm 28:6TLB Oh, praise the Lord, for he has listened to my pleadings!

“How can David say with surety that the Lord God has heard his pleading?” “—Every prayer warrior knows when they have…prayed through—.” P.H