Islington Baptist Church September 18, 2005
Text: Psalms 59 Scripture: 1 Samuel 19, 1 Peter 3
Like a pack of snarling dogs
This week, by means of the Internet, I spent some time in Australia researching wild dogs. In Australia, wild dogs are a major problem. Every year they slaughter and eat thousands’s of sheep and young cattle. The problem is so bad that in Western Australia the government is considering building a 1500 kilometer fence to keep the dogs at bay. This is in addition to a bait dropping and a bounty program (hunters are paid $20 per dog skin) that is already in place.
The reason I have begun today by talking about the wild dogs of Australia is because in Psalms 59 David compares his enemies to wild dogs.
This is not the only time David describes his enemies in less than flattering terms. If you read Psalms 57-61 this week you, would have noticed that in Psalms 57, David there described his enemies as lions, ravenous beasts who are looking to devour him. In Psalms 58 David further pictures his enemies as dangerous cobras, filled with deadly venom, who cannot be charmed no matter how skillful the charmer is.
Now the big question is: Why does David speak of his enemies in such a way? To answer this you will have to turn with me to Psalm 59.
General info before reading
1. We have this Psalm because of a great trial that David faced and made it through.
1Samuel 19:11, which we read during our Scripture reading this morning, recounts for us the circumstances that gave rise to this worship Psalm; Jealous King Saul trying to kill David yet again (this time sending men to kill him as he lies in his bed).
2. This Psalm is a prayer for deliverance, but not a gloomy one. This Psalm is full of confidence and faith.
READ TEXT
BROAD LESSONS OF THE TEXT
1. We’ve got, or will have, our own snarling dogs to deal with.
While it may not be terribly polite to say that someone is like a snarling dog, the fact is, no matter how we say it, there are and will be people who hate us and who want to harm us.
Now of course, people may dislike a us for a variety of reasons.
i. Sometimes we bring stuff on our own heads and deservedly so because of the way we treat others.
ii. Sometimes a person may start to hate us because of jealousy and envy
iii. We will have enemies because of our commitment to Jesus and holiness. Of such ones we can properly say, “they are like snarling dogs”
In John 15:18-20, Jesus warns us of the opposition we can expect to face as his followers. "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."
In 2Timothy 3:12-13 the Apostle Paul also says “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."
II. When you hear the howl of those who are like snarling dogs, don’t be afraid; instead, exercise your faith in God and call out to Him.
The taunts, attacks, and intimidating actions of those who make themselves our enemies can scare us.
-If we are right with God we should not be afraid, because as John says in 1John 4:4, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
The taunts, attacks, and intimidating actions of those who make themselves our enemies can also at times lead us into a wicked response
i. Revenge, retaliation, grudges, bitterness of heart.
Yet in the Bible, God clearly says in Romans 12:17-21, "do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:’It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ’If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
ii. Hesitation or refusal to acknowledge that one is a follower of Jesus
While the attacks of our enemies may scare us and tempt some of us to retaliate we are called to exercise our faith in God and to call out to Him.
In this Psalm that we are studying , David exercised his faith in God by calling out to Him. Note again v.1-2 wherein he says “Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men.”
In 1 Peter 5:6-7 it says, “humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
After reaching out to God and casting ourselves upon His mercy what ought we to do?
WAIT UPON HIM. “Blessed are all who wait upon Him” Isaiah 30:18.
Trust Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
III. When you hear the howl of those who are like snarling dogs, bear in mind, like any bad dog, they will be “put down.”
When I read this passage to you one of the things I hoped you noticed was the incredible sense of confidence in God that resonates within the text. Note verse 9, and then v. 14-16 wherein David says “They return at evening snarling like dogs and prowl about the city. They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. But I will sing of our strength in the morning. I will sing of your love, for you are my fortress, my refuge in time times of trouble.”
Six reasons for why David so confident of this when his very life hung in the balance?
1. He knew that God was personally aware of his situation
God misses nothing. He sees all.
2. He knew that God was hearing and marking down the murderous threats of those who were against him. v.7-8
What is whispered in the ear is as clear to God as what is shouted from the roof tops.
3. His “hands were clean”. He was innocent. He had done nothing that warranted Saul trying to take his life (V.9).
Note: Sometimes when trouble comes our way it is a rightful consequence. We deserve it. As such we need to take it as discipline from the Lord. At other times our situation may be more like David’s- we have committed no great sins, there is nothing that warrants the attacks we are facing from others.
4. He knew that he was loved by God.
In verse 9 and verse 17, both of which serve as a refrain in the text, David speaks of the fact that God loved him.
While it’s true that God loves everyone, demonstrated by the fact that Jesus died on the cross for all people, He specially loves those who are in right relationship with Him. We, who love Him are the apple of his eye.
5. To him, God was like a fortress
In our text, there are two powerful word pictures: 1. David’s enemies described as snarling dogs 2. God described as an impenetrable fortress.
In the ancient world cities were fortified. Great walls were built around the cities. Defense towers were erected. Giant gates regulated who went in and out.
When trouble came, the citizens of the land hurried into the city and shut the gates. If the city was fortified properly, they could stay in there for years- with food, water, and shelter from the enemies at their gates.
To David, God was like a fortress, but like no fortress on earth- for with God there is perfect security.
Trouble came and where did David go? He ran to God. He took shelter in the Shadow of the Almighty. He drew near to God and sought refuge under his wings. Because of this, in spite of the dangers that lurked out his very window, David felt and was secure in God and his spirits were lifted.
6. He knew that the end of his enemies was coming.
David knew what we know; “bad dogs get put down”.
David knew, looked forward to, and prayed for the day on which God would deal with his enemies. David knew that justice would be done and that God would not let the wicked go unpunished. Such is our confidence. Such is the promise of the Scriptures.
What a great day it will be when Jesus comes for his church. What a great day it will be when Jesus comes to judge this world and to be an end to all the injustice and evil that grows in depth every day. What a day of rejoicing that will be.
CONCLUSION
At various points in our lives there will be people who are actively out to get us.
This ought not to surprise us. Persecution, particularly for our faith in Jesus, is something the Bible tells us to expect.
The first thing to do, in response to those who make themselves our enemies is this: Call out to God. Run to him as one would run, in the old days, to a fortress for safety
-resist the urge to retaliate
-don’t give in to fear
-don’t compromise your faith and Christian morals
The next thing to do, in response to those who make themselves our enemies is this: stay confident, stay committed to the praise and worship of God, for He is in the midst of working on your behalf.
-justice will be done
-the wicked will not go unpunished
Closing scripture
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, ’whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:9-12
Supplemental
A potentially disturbing feature of the text concerns David’s prayer that God stretch out his judgments against his enemies and the enemies of his people Israel.
The reason for the request is starting in v.11, “or my people may forget”.
Point: If in one day, all their enemies (personally and nationally), were dealt with then, the propensity to forget such a great and sudden act was high. Hence the prayer that God’s judgment would be spread out over time so that the people of God would give God the praise and glory he is do for clearing up injustice and wickedness.
