Faith Vs. Expediency Series

BIG IDEA:

OUR RESPONSE TO PERSONAL DANGER AND NATIONAL COMPROMISE

MUST BE FAITH NOT EXPEDIENCY

Background:

Tied to Psalm 10

same context of wicked attacking the innocent in secret

same emphasis on the eyes of the Lord seeing both the righteous and the wicked

I. (:1-3) POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO PERSONAL DANGER

AND NATIONAL COMPROMISE

A. The Reality of the Personal Danger ( :2)

“For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,

They make ready their arrow upon the string,

To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.”

B. The Rationalization for Giving Up -- What’s the Use? (:3)

Can one man make a difference or even take a stand when the Nation has compromised?

“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”

C. The Response of Faith (:1a) -- Take refuge in the Lord

“In the Lord I take refuge”

D. The Response of Expediency (:1b) -- Run away

abdicate your responsibility;

try to protect yourself at all costs;

follow the advice of worldly counselors

“How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain’”

II. (:4-6) FROM THE LORD’S PERSPECTIVE, THE WICKED

NEVER POSE ANY DANGER

A. The Lord is Above it All (:4a)

The Righteous Lord Reigns from His Temple in Heaven

“The Lord is in His holy temple;

the Lord’s throne is in heaven”

B. The Lord Sees and Evaluates Everyone (:4b-5a)

“His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men;.The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked”

C. The Lord Will Execute Devastating Judgment (:5b-6)

“And the one who loves violence His soul hates.

Upon the wicked He will rain snares;

Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.”

III. (:7) THE RIGHTEOUS HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR

A. “The Lord is Righteous”

B. The Lord “Loves Righteousness”

C. “The Upright will Behold His Face”

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) Apparently there were times when David chose not to run and hide in caves and other circumstances where he felt it was important to flee and hide. What do you think influenced these different decisions?

2) What does it mean to have the “foundations” destroyed? What can the righteous do in such circumstances?

3) How does the Lord test the righteous and the wicked? What is the Lord checking for? How does the Lord respond to each?

4) When is fire and brimstone preaching appropriate?

Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format

(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)

from:

http://www.bibleoutlines.com