David's Song Of Deliverance

DAVID’S SONG OF DELIVERANCE

Ps. 18:1-46

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. A Sam Houston graduate was in College Station and went into a Starbucks. He struck up a conversation with the big cashier, “Hey, have you heard the newest Aggie joke?”

2. The cashier pointed to a big guy at the first table and said, "Do you see that guy, he’s in the Aggie Core.” Then the cashier pointed to a burly policeman near the door and repeated, "He's a real Aggie too!"

3. The cashier finished, "Now think about whether you want to tell that joke, because I'm an Aggie, too."

4. The Bearkat replied, "I guess I won't tell that joke after all. I'd have to explain it three times."

B. TEXT

I love you, Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, & I have been saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. 7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. 9 He parted the heavens and came down… 16He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy…25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful…31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?...32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 34 He trains my hands

for battle…40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight and I destroyed my foes. 46 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! Ps. 18:1-46, abbreviated.

C. THESIS

1. This Psalm is the summary of David’s life and experience with God. “David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of ALL his enemies and from the hand of Saul” (2 Sam. 22:1).

2. David was a man after God’s own heart, that God esteemed above all others except His Son. So we can learn much from this song: David’s relationship with God; his faith; God’s faithfulness and how God delivers.

3. The title of this message is “David’s Song of Deliverance.”

I. DAVID EXPERIENCED DARK DAYS

A. RAIN FALLS ON THE JUST & UNJUST

1. Psalm 18 describes with dark colors the dangers and disasters that David faced. This reminds us that even the most favored of God experience difficulties. Yet God heard and helped him.

2. We’re all going to experience difficulties. We need to be the kind of people who help others in need, don’t judge them, and who honor God with our behavior.

3. HUMOR

a. A young woman, Vicky, was out driving in her native Brooklyn when her car died at a red light. Try as she might, she was unable to restart the engine. Soon a long line began to form behind her.

b. A male driver immediately behind her was particularly impatient, honking his horn continuously.

c. Finally Vicky got out, went to the driver behind and said:

d. "I can't seem to get my car started. Would you see if you can get it started for me? Don't worry – I'll stay here and honk the horn for you!"

B. UNRELENTING TROUBLES OF DAVID’S LIFE

1. God anointed David when he was young to be king. He was always fearless. He defeated Goliath. The nation began to sing songs about him.

2. King Saul became jealous and several times tried to kill David with a spear. David fled. Saul pursued David with armies.

3. For many years David was a fugitive, an outcast. Many times David and his men were fleeing around one side of a mountain when Saul & his men were coming around the other side.

4. Several times David almost despaired; but somehow God pulled him through.

5. After becoming king, David fought many battles against the Philistines, being outnumbered and having inferior weapons. Over and over, God saved him.

6. David was betrayed by his son Absalom who attempted to kill him and take the kingdom, but Absalom failed.

7. Then David moved up to great regional battles, fighting massive armies from the Euphrates River (2 Sam. 8-10) and Damascus.