I AM WHAT I AM BY THE GRACE OF GOD - PSALM 18
Introduction: The title of this lesson comes from the book of I Corinthians 15:10 where Paul wrote, “But by the Grace of God I am what I am....” It will be impossible for us to cover the entire Psalm in detail in one lesson, but we do want to deal with the main thoughts and make some practical applications.
From the start, it is interesting that this Psalm is recorded twice in the Bible, here and in II Samuel 22. Surely this is to emphasize the importance of its contents.
This Psalm was written by David when he was at the heighth of prosperity and power, about the middle of his reign as King of Israel. This is the Psalm of the warrior, and David gives God the credit for every victory. He acknowledges that the Lord alone made him what he is. II Corinthians 15:10 sums up this Psalm in one sentence, thus we have our title. God had seen David through some difficult times and situations, and now David records how God’s goodness has made him great. David is expressing his gratitude as he considers God’s blessings in his life.
I. DIVINE PRAISE EXPRESSED - vs. 1-3 Someone has said that these three verse reach the “high water mark” of the Old Testament. Notice how David heaps up words as he describes what God has done for him and what God means to him. David is expressing praise to the Lord. He pictures the Lord as both Defender and Deliverer.
A. Stability - vs. 2 “my rock” The Winds and the waves may beat in fury against him, but only to be broken by the
Rock of Ages.
B. Security - vs. 2 “my fortress” Outside, the enemy may be gathered in hateful malignity, but no possible means of
entrance may be found to capture the trusting soul.
C. Strategy - vs. 2 “my deliverer” If God delivered the Israelites of old, surrounded by nature’s walls and pursued
by hating foes, then he will open a way when there is none, and deliver the trusting soul.
D. Salvation - vs. 2 “my trust” Not the fleetness of foot, not the power of his arm, not the number of his
followers, but the Lord himself was his trust.
E. Situations - vs. 2 “high tower” Sometimes the cares and situations of this world will get the child of God down,
but there is a place far above the plains of worldliness where we can dwell in calem restfulness and peace.
Some of these figures present David as a Fugitive, and others as a Fighter. Ever child of God should be both. “But thou, O man of God, FLEE (fugitive) these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good FIGHT (fighter) of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called and hast professed a good profession before many witnessess.” I Timothy 6:11-12
II. DIVINE POWER EXPERIENCED - vs. 4-19
A. David’s Peril - vs. 4-5
1. Three enemies are revealed in these verses, namely: Death, Hell, and Ungodly Men.
2. Sorrows and snares were on all sides. There seems to be no way of escape.
3. David’s foes were threefold.
a. Private -- Saul
b. Personal -- Satan
c. Public -- Sin
B. David’s Prayer - vs. 6 David overcame his foes through prayer.
1. When the Outlook was bad, David tried the Uplook!!!
a. Too many times we are hindered by our weakness to only look around at our problems.
b. We need to do as David did and just take it to God in prayer.
c. “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to
God in prayer.”
2. David’s Peril drove him to prayer.
a. Someone said “Faith is secure when in danger, and in danger when secure.”
b. Trouble has a way of getting us on our knees.
c. Notice that David starts by calling out his prayer and then continues on crying his prayer.
a. He wasn’t just “saying” his prayers; he was pouring his heart out to God.
b. James tells us “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteousness man availeith much.”
d. Prayer is like a precious odor to God, and it is the most fragrant when it rises from a broken heart.
3. All of David’s enemies (Saul, Sin and Satan) felt the weight of David’s prayers.
a. The Queen of Scots professed that she was more afraid of the prayers of John Knox than of an army of ten
thousand men.
b. ARE MEN AFRAID OF OUR PRAYERS???
C. David’s Protection - vs. 7-19 Don’t forget that God will not forsake his own in the storms of life. Sometimes
like the disciples he sends us into the storm deliberately. He sees us in the storm because he is ever watching.
He saves us in the midst of the storm. The Disciples has a greater realization of his deity after they seen him still
the raging waters. Many time God is just trying to get us to realize how powerful and wonderful he really is.
III. DIVINE PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED - vs. 20-31 In this section there is a Divine Principle at work. It is Man’s Attitude that Determines God’s Actions.
IV. DIVINE PROCEDURE AS EXAMPLE - vs. 32-45
A. God’s way which is perfect, makes prefect the way of his Servants.
1. If we will follow his word and his way, we will overcome our enemies.
2. The problems arise when we go to our thinking and our methods in troublesome times.
3. When hard times come, it is a time to seek guidance from God’s Word.
B. The Treatment of the enemies in vs. 37-42 may seem awful harsh.
1. They do not seem to be in keeping with the character of a Child of God
2. But the Word of God is a two-edged sword and records both the good and the bad.
a. Many have spiritualized this section, looking upon David’s enemies as sin which we should trample under
foot.
b. Victory over our spiritual enemies should be as complete as David’s victory over his Physical enemies.
c. In the end they should be no more; or else they should be in complete subjection as vs. 43-45 indicate.
V. DIVINE PRESERVATION EXALTED - vs. 46-50
A. The Last four verses look back to the first three.
1. Once again David breaks into praise.
2. He is so grateful for the past blessings that he ceases not to be thankful.
3. He is not ashamed to put his gratitude into words.
4. He not only wants God to know but also his fellowman.
5. David gives God the glory for every good thing in his life.
B. “Thy gentleness hath made me great”
1. Don’t ever get so high and mighty that you can’t remember where God brought you from and what he’s taken
you through to get you where you are now.
2. “I am what I am by the grace of God!!!”
