TITLE: GOD IS NO SLEEPING GIANT
(He’s a Giant but He’s not Sleeping!)
BIG IDEA:
GOD’S ENEMIES FACE SHAME AND DESTRUCTION
WHEN GOD SPRINGS INTO ACTION
(:1) INTRODUCTION -- CALL FOR ACTION
"Do not remain quiet "
"Do not be silent "
"Do not be still"
I. (:2-8) GOD’S ENEMIES CONSPIRE TO DESTROY GOD’S PEOPLE
(CONSPIRACY)
A. (:2) Pride Talks a Good Game
makes an uproar
exalts themselves
God’s enemies forget that they are opposing the God of the Universe
a lot of arrogance and bluster
cf. Tower of Babel incident = don’t try to exalt yourself or make a name for yourself
B. (:3-8) Plans of Conspiracy can appear very Threatening
1. (:3a) Diabolical Plans ("shrewd plans")
shrewd, sneaky, crafty, deceitful
2. (:3b) Delusionary Plans -- Directed against God’s Precious People
Comforting to know that God’s people are precious to Him
"Thy people"
"Thy treasured ones"
3. (:4) Destructive Plans
wipe them out
erase their memory
4. (:5-8) Defiant Plans
Unity is no problem for the enemies of God
conspired together
with one mind.Lots of willing Partners (list of surrounding nations)
II. (:9-17) GOD’S ENEMIES WILL BE CONSUMED BY SHAME AND
DESTRUCTION (CONSUMPTION)
A. (:9-12) Examples from History of God’s Destruction of Enemies (study Judges)
1. Midian
2. Sisera and Javin at Kishon
3. Oreb and Zeeb
4. Zebah and Zalmunna
Fatal Flaw in all these examples: Fighting against God, His People, Their Land
"let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God"
B. (:13-15) Examples from Nature of God’s Destructive Force
1. whirling dust / chaff before the wind
2. fire that burns the forest / flame that sets the mountains on fire
3. tempest / storm
C. (:16-17) Destiny = Shame and Destruction
(:18) CONCLUSION -- CONFIRMATION OF THE MAJESTIC RULE OF GOD OVER ALL THE EARTH
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) What are some of the false assumptions made by the proud and arrogant when they fight against God?
2) What can we learn from studying the book of Judges about the specific enemies of Israel mentioned in this psalm? In what sense were they deserving of the judgments decried against them?
3) How do the forces of nature remind us of the destructive power of God’s judgments – before which even the most powerful are blown away?
4) Does our life reflect the peace of being in submission to the Most High who rules over all the earth (v.18)?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
