A Psalm of Thanksgiving
Psalm 30:1-5
Primary Purpose: To declare the importance of a thankful heart and giving God the praise He deserves.
David had been through many dangers in his life. God Himself calls David a man of bloodshed and therefore doesn’t allow him to build the house of God. It was probably after an extended illness that David is dedicating his new house to the Lord. During this time he is reminded and reminds others of how good God has been to him. Some of the reasons he gives for praising God are:
1. God lifted him out of the depths. The phrase “lifted me up” signifies as one drawn from a well. This may have been physically in illness, but also spiritually and emotionally. God lifted him out of illness and the depression and despair, loneliness, discouragement and hopelessness that comes with some of the trials we face. It was God’s Presence and His love that lifted David out of the depths.
**Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” God comforts us, so we can in turn comfort others. Our pain can make us more sensitive to others hurts.
Recently, I suffered a leg injury. I am still taking medication for it now. I went to the doctor in Beaumont and he gave me an exam. I pointed to the spot where it hurt. He put his finger on that spot and pushed in and I nearly screamed in pain. He asked if that was the spot and I exclaimed that it was so. It was a spot of pain which was very sensitive. Doctors tell us that when muscle and tendons tear, scar tissue forms in that spot. It tends to be an area that is more sensitive that other areas. Sometimes our pains and hurts can be like that. The sensitivity can make us bitter or better. It can make us more willing to help others going through the same thing or it can just make us mad. I think this is what made David a great king. He understood the pains of others and was sensitive to it.
2. God didn’t allow his enemies to gloat over him. God gave him victories when the odds were often against David. He realizes that it was God who allowed him to have the victories. David didn’t take credit for his successes, but he gave credit to God. He still had a humble heart about what God had done in his life
3. God healed. Often when trouble arises it is referred to as a affliction. So, being released from that is referred to as a healing. He is the God who can restore and heal. He is the God who meets us at the deepest point of our need and heals. God heals us not only of physical illness, but our sinful depravity which is the greater sickness.
4. God spared him from the pit. The word pit means death or Sheol. Evidentially, David thought that he was near death at some point. We don’t know when this was, but we know that David was threatened often by Saul and by the armies he fought against, Goliath and others that opposed him, even Absalom, him own son. He indicates that he believes death is a place where nobody praises God v.9.
5. God’s favor lasts a lifetime while His hand of discipline and reproof in comparison lasts only during the night. God is only too willing to forgive and love us in return if we will only ask. When God pronounced his name before Moses he described himself as “ The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;......” Exodus 34:6-7a In comparison to God’s hand of discipline or correct, it can be compared to a night, while his love is a lifetime.
Lessons We Can Learn from David
1. We need to remind ourselves and others of what God has done for us. When God does something for us, it is meant to be shared both with the people of God for their encouragement and for unbelievers as a witness. God doesn’t do a work in our lives or teach us anything to keep to ourselves.
2. We need to regularly express our praise to God. It helps us keep a healthy perspective. We were created to worship him. Praising him meets a need in our lives.
3. We need to remember what a compassionate God we serve and to follow that example. I need to remember that when I am in a pit that God didn’t put me there and wants to lift me out of it.
