The Lord Is On Our Side Series

BIG IDEA:

BECAUSE THE LORD IS ON OUR SIDE,

WE ESCAPE BEING DEVOURED BY OUR ENEMIES

I. (:1-2) THE LORD MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN ANY BATTLE

As powerful as David was, he had a large number of close calls where it was clear that only the protection of the Lord had enabled him to escape

with his life.

“Had it not been the Lord who was on our side”

It should not be surprising when enemies rise up against the people of God and against God’s program for the age; Satan is actively on the attack

“When men rose up against us”

II. (:3-5) THE INTENT OF OUR ENEMIES IS TO DEVOUR US

A. Driven by Anger

“When their anger was kindled”

B. Images of Destruction

1. Fierce Military Attack or Catastrophic Earthquake

“they would have swallowed us alive”

2. Raging Flood

“waters would have engulfed us”

“The stream would have swept over our soul”

“the raging waters would have swept over our soul”

III. (:5-8) ESCAPE COMES FROM THE LORD

A. Motivates us to Worship

“Blessed be the Lord”

B. Images of Escape

1. From Wild Animal seeking prey

“has not given us to be torn by their teeth”

2. From the Cunning Hunter and his traps

“Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper”

cf. the image of the freedom of a bird that is flying away

vs. the frustration of the hunter who returns to find his trap or net empty

C. Sufficiency of our Helper = the Lord

1. His character

“Our help is in the name of the Lord”

2. His credentials = Creator

“Who made heaven and earth”

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) Where is Satan actively attacking God’s people today? Any personal attacks that have been directed against you? “The snare is broken and we have escaped” – What types of deliverances have we experienced (maybe from sin or addiction or other forms of bondage)

2) If God is on our side, who can be against us?? Read Romans 8 -- Why do we feel sometimes like the Lord has deserted us or that something has separated us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus? No one can harm us unless the Lord permits it.

3) What are some historical examples of how the Lord rescued David?

(Or some other OT examples of where the forces of Israel were greatly outnumbered, but the Lord came thru for His people -- cf. Gideon.)

4) Does our worship reflect this sense of escape from dire straits? We are often very slow in expressing our gratitude.

Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format

(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)

from:

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