Praising In The Pit Series

• The Lord allows afflictions – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (19). God has not promised a trouble-free life as Jesus said in John 16:33 says: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 1 Peter 4:12 adds, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” Alexander McClaren writes, “Many are the afflictions, but more are the deliverances.”

• The Lord fulfills prophecies – “He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken” (20). David endured many battles and yet not one of his bones was broken. John 19:36 references Psalm 34:20 to describe the crucifixion of Jesus: “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of His bones will be broken.’”

• The wicked will be condemned – “Afflictions will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned” (21). The Bible is clear that the wicked will be condemned forever.

• The Lord redeems – “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned” (22). Those who receive Christ will be redeemed. The same word “condemned” is used in both verse 21 and verse 22 and means to be “held guilty.” When we are “crushed in spirit” and take refuge in Him through the new birth, we will not be condemned. Have you found redemption and refuge in Jesus?

This is a song about David’s life and it’s also a psalm about the life of David’s son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who fulfilled multiple Old Testament prophecies by dying on the cross for our sins (we’ll unpack Psalm 22 in late July).

Several months after coming to our church, my friend got saved, and I had the privilege of baptizing him. He liked to joke that the water boiled for 35 minutes after he was dunked!

I hadn’t heard from him for a while until he reached out to me about five years ago because he was scheduled for a triple bypass surgery and was afraid. He asked me if I would do his funeral if he didn’t make it. I asked him if he was ready to die.

He said he was 95% sure he would go to heaven. I asked why he wasn’t 100% sure. He told me he’s still in process and he’s no Mother Theresa. I reminded him even Mother Theresa couldn’t get into heaven by her works but only by trusting in the finished work of Christ.

I rehearsed the gospel with him and he confessed he was trusting Christ alone for salvation. He told me the Lord had been bringing Romans 8:1 to his mind. This is the same verse he quoted when he was baptized: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

I encouraged my friend to forgive anyone who had wronged him and to ask forgiveness from anyone he had wronged. He was quiet for a few seconds before agreeing to do this. The night before his surgery he told me he had done it. He said: “I’ve forgiven all those who’ve done me wrong. This was really hard to do, but I’ve let it go. In the end, God is judge.” He was living out Psalm 34:14: “Seek peace and pursue it.”