Seeing The Good Overshadows The Bad! (Psalm 13) Series

MAKING MUSIC FROM SHARPS AND FLATS IN LIFE

Sermons Based on Selected Psalms

Psalms Sermon III – Psalm 13

David the shepherd lad who became King of Israel was a music maker. He played a harp – the most popular instrument in Old Testament times. The Book of Psalms is a collection of his compositions inspired by both his life experiences and his majestic moments with the Lord God.

As a sheep herder, the boy David became fascinated with the wonders of the out of doors even as he became familiar with the uniqueness of sheep.

As the one chosen by Samuel to be crowned the next king of Israel, David had no choice but to sharpen his defensive battle skills when Saul threatened his life; he had demonstrated his skills as a shepherd lad when he defended his sheep from the attack of wolves, and when he defended his family by killing their enemy Goliath with one stone fired by his slingshot.

David’s favor with God and the people worsened King Saul’s insanity, making him so blindly jealous that he made David the target of a relentless campaign to destroy the king-to-be.

David won the battle; but, more importantly, he won the hearts of the people because he had won the heart of the Lord God who had chosen him.

As king, David ruled righteously in accordance with God’s will; Israel enjoyed the golden years of their history during David’s reign.

Yet, as a man, David sinned; however, as a sinner, he was aware of his need for God’s forgiveness; as a forgiven child of God, he courageously accepted God’s punishment; as one who suffered the consequence of sinning against God, he also accepted the challenge of rebuilding his life for God.

As a Psalmist, David’s innermost thoughts - expressed in the verses of his poetry - have become the greatest collection of spiritual nuggets the world has ever known.

From a lifetime of positive and negative experiences, David has become our hero for making music out of the sharps and flats in life.

Any musician knows that it takes both to make good music. It takes the positives (the sharps) and the negatives (the flats). Arrange them in such a way that they blend into chords, orchestrate the chords into a harmonious melody, and what you get is a work of art that is pleasing to the ear.

Life is like that. The isolated sound of a sharp or the lonesome sound of a flat does nothing for the spirit. Get it all together in conformity with THE Great Composer’s divine plan for our lives, and what you have is harmonious living that is pleasing not only to God but to others as well.

These devotional messages, based on the Book of Psalms, are intended to draw from David’s orchestration of the sharps and flats in his life to help us make music from the sharps and flats in our own lives. Selah

Psalm 13 . . .

King David repeatedly asked a question that many folks of faith have asked through the centuries: “How long, O Lord?” During my ministry, this same question has been expressed in various forms by parishioners who asked, “Why does the Lord leave me here?”

One dear lady comes to mind as I recall her asking me that question on her 100th birthday. What a blessing to visit her in her daughter’s home. She sat each day in her own rocking chair, in her own designated place, in the corner of the den.

It was there that I received a far greater blessing than did she from my visits. She was sharp, had a pleasant wit, and engaging her in conversation was always a delightful experience.

Yet, she wondered why the Lord let her live to be a hundred. She wondered why He didn’t just go ahead and take her home to glory. My response to her was always the same:

“God knows the reason why, but I can tell you that, if you were not part of our lives, there are those of us who would sorely miss your ministry of encouragement. God knows that we need you here more than He needs you there – at least for the time being; so, be thankful to Him and bless His name, for the Lord is good; His loving kindness endures forever. Amen.”

My dear friend lived to be 104 before God took her home; but she is still with us in spirit; and her words of encouragement we shall never forget.

There is a reason why you and I have lived as long as we have; and your presence will continue to be appreciated as long as God deems it in the best interests of others for you to stay here.