From the Desk of Pastor Toby Powers
Truth Baptist Church
Hwy 78
Bremen, GA
Great Deliverance
Psalms 18:46-50
Intro: The Psalmist writes about the power of God in delivering him from his enemy. This is a Psalm of David. We do not know specifically which battle that he wrote it for, but it seems that it is written after he becomes king. It shows God’s delivering power from the hands of his enemies. Seven times the word deliver or some derivative thereof is found in this chapter (v. 2, 17, 19, 43, 48 twice, and 50). God is a God of Great Deliverance. It may be that David is referencing his first battle against the Philistines as king. There was:
I. Great Deliverance in the Fight: I Chronicles 11:14 "And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance." David had been anointed and accepted by all Israel as king of Israel following the death of Saul. No sooner had he been made king, than a battle came. For every battle there is deliverance. How was it sent?
A. By Water: from the well of Bethlehem
B. By Warriors: David did not fight alone, but this chapter tells of the mighty men
C. By Warfare: David had to fight. The battle is his, the victory is mine, and victory is sweet!
II. Great Deliverance for the Famished: Judges 15:18 "And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?" God clave a hollow space in the socket of the teeth of the jawbone, and water came forth. Some say that the jawbone was the name of the place "Lehi." Others say that it was a space in the midst of this actual bone that Samson used. Regardless, Samson drank and called the name of his place of deliverance "En-hakkore," which means "the criers well." When we are famished and thirsty, I’m glad that there is still a hollow place, a crier’s well where we can find help!
* Genesis 24, Rebecca met the servant by the well
* John 4, The Samaritan woman met the Savior by the well
* Rev 21 & 22, the church will me the Sovereign God at the well. (Rev 22:1 pure river proceeding forth from the throne of God).
Interestingly, the Rabbi’s teach that "clave a hollow space" means God split it open. It shows us how God split his own Son to provide water for us John 19:34
III. Great Deliverance for the Family: Genesis 45:7 "And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." Joseph was sent by God into slavery to save his brothers. There was another who was not like us but made like unto us that was sent to preserve it for us. Because of him in these days of famine, your family and mine can have bread!
Conclusion: Hebrews 2:1-3, We are under great condemnation, but God has provided great deliverance. But how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?
