Text: Psalm 31:1-24, Title: Bush University, Date/Place: NRBC, 1/2/11, AM
A. Opening illustration: Billy Graham at Bush University, 1949 in CA
B. Background to passage: “Context, context, context, I know that you have heard me say it before, but it is true. The context of this psalm makes all the difference in the world. You will see that David is in a difficult spot. Maybe he has just dodged another javelin from Saul; maybe he is hidden in a cave in the Judean wilderness holding his breath as a band of soldiers walks by hunting him; maybe he is running away from Jerusalem toward the boundary of Israel at the Jordan river having been dethroned, publicly disgraced, insulted, accused, betrayed, and attacked by Absalom, his son, and by the bulk of his advisors and the bulk of the people over which he ruled, knowing that they will come to kill him now. Whichever one it was, in fear, trembling, despair, and defeat, he bows down helplessly before his God.
C. Main thought: In these verses, David gives us a pattern for prayer in turbulent times that was even borrowed by Jesus on the crucifixion day.
A. Introductory Resignation (v. 1-5)
1. As he bows his head, he has a million thoughts going through his mind. He takes just about 30 seconds to calm his mind, fix it on God, and collect his thoughts before he begins the main part of his prayer. He gives himself a brief summary of what he is going to pray about. Trust in the Lord…hear me…deliver me…be my refuge…lead me…You know the trap…into Your hands. If you are familiar with the psalms, none of these is particularly strange or out of the ordinary, but one, the final one. And in a somber tone, he resigns himself (happily I might add) to God’s care, God’s plan, and God’s grace. It’s almost like the “not my will, but Thine” part of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane; although David doesn’t know what the plan is.
2. Illustration: Dr. W. A. Criswell talks about the kind of faith we have by comparing it to an operation. If you’ve ever had surgery, you go in and the anesthetic is administered usually by a mask. They tell you to count to 3 and you’ll be out. They put the mask over your face and you think to yourself that the gas is never going to be able to knock you out. You confidently count 1, then your out like a light. You put yourself into the hands of the surgeon completely. You’re as helpless as a newborn baby. “it is not only the committal of our lives- it is not only full trust, but it is the abandonment of any hope of any kind in anyone else or in any other way. It is a resignation of ourselves to Christ. There is nothing else to save. There is no one else to turn to. As the Lord said to His apostles, “Will ye also go away?” John 6:67. And finally Peter answered for the Twelve, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living God.” John 8:68 that should come into the world. It is the abandonment of any other hope save in Christ.”
3. Even before a matter of desperate need, sometimes we need to quiet our hearts/spirit/minds so that we can pray well. Knowing that “all things work together,” that God “works all things after the counsel of His will,” and that He loves us more than we could know, we can be at peace even resigning our very lives into His hands and His will. Are you truly willing to accept and even embrace “no deliverance” if that is what He deems necessary? Confess your resignation in Him! He is Your joy and sufficiency!
B. Recounting the Turbulence (v. 6-13)
1. David then embarks on a full account of what’s going on. It’s not that God didn’t know, but this gives David’s perspective on the situation. He says that he is in the wide place, but nevertheless, enemies surround, and slander along with his neighbors, acquaintances, and friends. His life is spend with grief, cut off from God (v. 22), repulsive, hopeless, wasting away (physically, emotionally), forgotten, and grief-stricken. He thinks that it is as bad as it can get. And maybe it was. They want him dead!
2. Illustration: “The whole world is not against you. 99.99% of the world has no idea that you exist.” Begin by fixing what you think is wrong…
3. We are told to come with our needs, and it helps us to be specific, and to gauge our own perspective. It’s OK to tell God how you feel. He can handle it. Don’t let recounting become wallowing. We are not victims, but testimonies, and gold being refined in a fire. Hopelessness doesn’t need to evolve to self-pity. Our focus is to be on Him, not on our circumstances. Know that others have been there before you. And that with God all things are possible, and there is always hope.
C. Making His Petition (v. 14-18)
1. David moves on after his recall of the scenario to pleading with God. After having made two pleas in v. 2-3, David now makes 6-7 more specific requests. Again stating His resolve that his times are in God’s hands, he asks for deliverance, God’s favor to shine on him, that public disgrace would not come to him (or that he be vindicated), but would come to his enemies (and maybe even death), and that lying lips be put silent. Notice however, that the petition part of the prayer is only about 20% of his prayer. It looks like he prayed it, and moved on.
2. Illustration:
3. After confession of your trust, and after laying out your perspective on the problem, tell God what you desire for Him to do. But don’t skip the previous two or the next three. Be specific, not wholesale. Don’t repeat phrases that have little meaning, because you think God will hear them because they sound spiritual. Exercise faith in Christ, knowing His power and His goodness.
D. Rejoicing in God (v. 19-20)
1. Then David just gets excited, and out of nowhere he begins singing a praise hymn. He is rejoicing in God’s goodness (kindness, compassion, mercy, love, tenderness), not simply in the good things that God gives, but in God himself. But this does also include God’s good things that He has stored up for those who fear and trust in Him, and blessings that will be displayed in the eyes of men. Now remember that David has already said that he is resigned to whatever God wants, deliverance or not, and he still rejoices, because his deepest joy is found not in life, but in Christ!
2. Illustration: "Suddenly something happened," he said. "I can’t explain it. I can only call it a miracle. I felt as if I had been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into a warm, brilliant sunlight. I felt as if I had been transported from hell to Paradise. I felt the power of God as I had never felt it before." –JC Penney, this attitude sustained Luther, CS Lewis, Lottie Moon, Adoniram Judson, Hudson Taylor, Brainerd, Livingston, William Carey, the Moravians, Whitefield, and countless millions more,
3. The key to rejoicing in the presence of your enemies and in the face of possible destruction is to find your truest, deepest joy in Christ. Because whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s, and nothing can take that away. And if our stuff gets burned, it’s OK, my joy is in Him. And if our family member passes, it’s OK (yes, we will have pain), because Christ is enough. If we lose a job, or a spouse, or all our retirement, or our health, we can still rejoice because Christ is all that we need to be happy. Where is your highest joy? No, really, don’t give the answer the preacher wants to hear, I am praying the Spirit will search you now.
E. Public Proclamation (v. 21-22)
1. David knows that God wants his worship, and that he was made to worship. But he also knows that part of that worship is making much of God. And so he turns to whoever is near, or maybe penned the last few lines after he was restored, and bursts out in public praise. He is the woman that tasted the living water who went and told the whole village; he is the beggar who found bread going back to get the others. He has drunk from the fountain, and wants everyone to know how good the water is! And think about it…those men who just heard David’s prayer at his lowest, now are hearing praise and confidence.
2. Illustration: one of my favorite times in the membership class is hearing the testimonies of members
3. We are called to share what God has done among the congregation. It brings glory to God and encourages church members and encourages fellowship and intimacy among the people. You and I should demonstrate our commitment to worship all the time by sharing what God has done. Have you testified to anyone this week about something that God has done for you? Are you willing to give him glory after the worship service or on Wed night?
F. Instructing the Saints (v. 23-24)
1. David makes application here to those within the sound of his voice, and to those for generations that would read this psalm. To the God who has allowed him to be in the lowest circumstances in his life, David acknowledges that he loves God, and exhorts others to do the same. This is what being a follower of the Lord is all about; not just about fear, or worship, or keeping His commands, but about an unbridled love affair and deep affection to Jesus. And his final word, based on the faithfulness preservation of God is to be courageous (with an overcoming strength), and having confidence in God, He will strengthen you, giving you boldness and steadfastness. Words are synonyms, strange, “do it, and He will do it.” But that is biblical. He is saying “hang in their, cowboy up, show some bulldog,” knowing that God will strengthen and sustain you.
2. “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.” -1 Cor 16:22
3. Illustration: “more like falling in love, that something to believe in; more like losing my heart, than giving my allegiance…it’s like I’m falling in love…” Jimmy Stewart shared the story about the filming of the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. “It’s hard to explain. I, for one, had things happen to me during the filming that never happened in any other picture I’ve made. In one scene, for example, George Bailey is faced with unjust criminal charges and, not knowing where to turn, ends up in a little roadside restaurant. He is unaware that most of the people in town are arduously praying for him. In this scene, at the lowest point in George Bailey’s life, Frank Capra was shooting a long shot of me slumped in despair. In agony I raise my eyes and, following the script, plead, ‘God . . . God . . . dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope, Show me the way, God. . . .’ As I said those words, I felt the loneliness, the hopelessness of people who had nowhere to turn, and my eyes filled with tears. I broke down sobbing. This was not planned at all, but the power of that prayer, the realization that our Father in heaven is there to help the hopeless, had reduced me to tears.”
4. We should be like the father with the child with the demon, “I believe, yet help my unbelief;” we are to say, “I love you, but help me love you more.” Love Him based on His impeccable, loving, faithful, merciful character! Check your affections for Him, and see if they rage with passion. Love the God who fights your battles, and put your hope completely in him. So if you are going through a rough patch, between a rock and a hard place, down in the valley, depressed and anxious, put your trust, hope, and love in the Lord God Almighty, and He will strengthen you. Deliverance is coming, hold on!
Luk 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Isa 25:9 And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa 60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
A. Closing illustration: Robertson McQuilkin, former president of Columbia International University (Columbia, South Carolina) wrote this testimony:
Life was heavy on me. My dearest friend and intimate companion, my delightful wife Muriel, was slipping away, one painful loss at a time, as Alzheimer’s disease ravaged her brain. Just as the full impact of what was happening to us hit home, the life of Bob, our eldest son, was snuffed out in a diving accident.
Two years later, to care for Muriel, I left my life work at its peak. I was numb. Not bitter, let alone angry. Why should I be? That’s the way life is, life in a broken world. But the passion in my love for God had evaporated, leaving a residue of resignation where once had been vibrant faith.
I knew that I was in deep trouble, and I did the only thing I knew to do—I went away to a mountain hideaway for prayer and fasting. It took about twenty-four hours to shake free of preoccupation with my own wounds and to focus on the excellencies of God. As I did, slowly love began to be rekindled. And with love came joy.
