Sunday, January 28, 2007 pm
LORD BE MY HELPER
Psalm 30
Tonight, we study another psalm of David. The
superscription of this psalm says, “A song at the dedication of the house of
David.” The house of David could refer to at least 2 different things. 1) David
presents this praise when he dedicates his own house that he has built noting
how blessed he truly is. 2) A psalm sung as the Temple of Solomon, his son was
dedicated. David would have written it later in his life (which most believe)
after the Lord’s promise in 2 Samuel 7 that established his throne forever and
gave permission for the temple to be built, by his son. If that be the case,
this psalm was written in hope and faith by David.
It would also be appropriate to sing at the rededication of the temple after
peril or destruction, such as the occasion of Antiochus Epiphanes defiled the
temple during the Greek Empire (Psalm 30, McClaren, via Biblical
Illustrator Old Testament, PC Study Bible).
The psalm itself deals with a delivered David. I too believe it is written later in David’s life as he looks back and reflects on all that the Lord has done for him and promised him. In this psalm you find deliverance, grace, humility, repentance and forgiveness & joy.
I. Deliverance (1-3)
a. Again David’s source of deliverance is God. In his life he has experienced different types of pain and misery. He has been threatened by enemies numerous times, including his own household and often outnumbered. He had faced death. But here he stands, delivered from everything and with hope.
b.
The Lord was the source of his deliverance. In many
instances in his life, we know the Lord had a hand in his physical well being.
But also spiritually he had been delivered. God had forgiven him for his
terrible sins and had mercy on him (cf. 2 Samuel 2:13).
Many of his psalms reflect his salvation Ps 119:81, “My soul faints for Your
salvation , But I hope in Your word.”
Ps 13:5, “But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your
salvation”
Complete deliverance also involves sustaining. The Lord constantly delivered
him.
c. Deliverance in our lives.
i. Has God delivered us from physical adversities? Possibly He has. He does answer prayers today just like He did for David. He does work providentially (though not miraculously).
ii. He delivers us from temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 6:13, 2 Peter 2:7-9
iii. Spiritual deliverance – we are sinners and destined for eternal condemnation. He has provided the way of escape. He has forgiven all our sins. Romans 6:17-18, 23.
II. Grace (4-5)
a. David calls for others to join him in singing praises to God and giving Him thanks. He is not ashamed of his confidence in God and wants to rejoice with others of a like mind.
b.
He is a jealous and angry God (Joshua 24:19). When we
sin against Him, we ought to expect consequences (Romans 1:18 – speaks of His
wrath).
For those who are His, we ought to expect chastening (Hebrews 12:5-7).
BUT His anger is short lived. He is willing to take us back and forgive us. No
matter what the sin might be, He can and will forgive – IF we ask in
repentance. 1 John 1:9, Romans 3:26 – He is just and the justifier of the one
who has faith in Jesus.
c. His grace is eternal. The word “favor” is descriptive of His grace. He gives to us good things, even when we don’t deserve them. After we have endured grief for awhile joy will come. No matter what happens to the godly in this life, it will all be made up for in the end. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 refers to it as our light affliction. John 16:20-22 – Jesus assured His apostles.
III. Humility (6-7)
a.
Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, And
a haughty spirit before a fall.”
David was prideful at times. In having Uriah killed and his affair with
Bathsheba. Later in his life, when he numbered the people in spite of the
warnings of Joab (2 Samuel 24) he showed this arrogance.
Vs. 6 of our text shows pride. Sometimes that pride is a result of prosperity –
like the rich fool in Luke 12:16-20. It causes us to forget God or at least put
Him on the back burner.
b. But God humbled him. He hid is face from Him.
c.
A real tragedy in life is when one has never
experienced the goodness and grace of God. He doesn’t know what he is missing
when he turns away from Him. True believers know of His goodness. But that
only comes with TRUE commitment! And the one thing they dread more than
anything else is the absence of God in their lives. See Romans 2:4 – the
goodness of God leads to repentance.
I am convinced that is what Jesus feared most as He faced the crucifixion (cf.
Matthew 26:39, 27:46, etc.)
IV. Repentance (8-10)
a. David cried to the Lord. He pleaded with the Lord. David expressed genuine fear at the thought of the Lord not being there. He feared his fate after this life if he remained in such a condition.
b.
The conscience is a wonderful thing God has provided
for us. Romans 14:22-23.
As long as we don’t ruin it, it will help us live as we ought to live. When we
are not what we ought to be we ought to be afraid – Matthew 10:28; 2
Thessalonians 1:8-9
c. This fear will lead the godly to true repentance – like David had. Again Romans 2:4.
d. Turn to the Lord for help. 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6 – let your requests be made known to God.
V. Forgiveness and Joy (11-12)
a. David had been delivered. David was forgiven. Therefore David rejoiced and David praised God.
b. We too can be forgiven of our sins. If we have never obeyed the gospel – they can be washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16). IF we will repent as erring children, He will forgive us again and again (Acts 8:22, 1 John 1:9)
c.
Rejoicing comes after the storm. Rejoicing comes
AFTER forgiveness. We can rejoice in this life because we know our sins are
forgiven. We can rejoice because of our hope – 1 Peter 1:3-5, Luke 10:20 –
Jesus told His disciples to rejoice because their names were written in heaven.
We will rejoice when we are in heaven for all of eternity.
Don’t ever turn from the Lord. He can help you through this life and into the next. No matter where you are He can deliver you by His grace, but first you must humble yourself and repent. Only then will you see true forgiveness and the joy that follows. Can you rejoice like David did?