BIG IDEA:
6 CONSTANTS IN THE EQUATION FOR DIVINE DELIVERANCE
INTRODUCTION:
Clearly a Messianic Psalm
I. (:1-3) PATIENCE IS STILL A VIRTUE —
ANSWERING THE COMPLAINT OF THE IMPATIENT DESPERADO
Key = we need to “Wait patiently for the Lord”
A. (:1) The Lord has Forgotten Me = I am all Alone
“He inclined to me”
“and heard my cry”
cf. The plea of Christ from the Cross: “My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?”
B. (:2) I am Sinking in Quicksand = No Way Out
“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay”
“He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm”
Resurrection Theme
C. (:3) I have no Testimony = I am a Laughing Stock
“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God”
“Many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord”
II. (:4-5) PROVIDENCE IS STILL AT WORK —
THE FUTILITY OF SEEKING HELP FROM ANYONE BUT THE LORD
A. (:4) All Other Options Promise but Can’t Deliver
1. The Proud — Boasts of being able to help
2. The Liars — Make all types of false promises (“those who lapse into falsehood”)
“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust”
B. (:5) God’s Marvelous Providential Care has No Rivals
1. His amazing Providential Care
“Many are the wonders which Thou hast done”
“And Thy thoughts toward us”
2. No Comparison
“There is none to compare with Thee;”
“If I would declare and speak of them, they [God’s wonders] would be too numerous to count”
III. (:6-8) PLEASING GOD IS STILL THE MOTIVATION —
RELIGIOUS FORMALISM CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR JOYFUL OBEDIENCE
A. (:6) Rejection of Religious Formalism
“Sacrifice and meal offering Thou hast not desired”
“Burnt offering and sin offering Thou hast not required”
The people had come to put their faith in what had only been intended to be symbolic and a shadow of the true sacrifice that Christ would offer up:
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once for all (rather than continually)
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effectual (rather than symbolic)
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the blood of the perfect God-Man (rather than the blood of animals)
What type of religious formalism are people trusting in today?
B. (:6-8) Joyful Obedience from the Heart in Response to the Revealed Will of God
1. Enlightenment
“My ears Thou hast opened” (:6)
understanding of God’s Revealed Will
“In the scroll of the book it is written of me”
“Thy law is within my heart “
2. Willingness to Obey (even to the extent of dying on the cross)
“Behold, I come”
supreme commitment
3. Joy in Obedience
“I delight to do Thy will, O my God”
“Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross ” (Heb. 12:2)
MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Heb. 10:1-7
IV. (:9-10) PUBLIC TESTIMONY IS STILL THE RESPONSE —
(THE METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING THE GOODNESS OF GOD TO GOD’S PEOPLE)
HIDING GOD’S GOODNESS TO US WOULD BE UNNATURAL
A. Righteousness
B. Faithfulness and Deliverance
C. Lovingkindness and Truth
V. (:11-12) PRESERVATION IS STILL NEEDED —
THE DANGERS AND PRESSURES OF SIN NEVER CEASE IN THIS WORLD
A. (:11) God’s Resources to Safeguard Us
1. Compassion
2. Lovingkindness
3. Truth
B. (:12) The Need for Preservation
1. Many sins
“evils beyond number have surrounded me”
“my iniquities have overtaken me;”
“they are more numerous than the hairs of my head”
2. Little hope
“I am not able to see”
“my heart has failed me”
VI. (:13-17) PETITION FOR DELIVERANCE IS STILL APPROPRIATE
A. (:13) Urgency of the Petition for Deliverance
1. Based on God’s Will
“Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me”
2. Based on my Circumstances (no time like the present)
“Make haste, O Lord, to help me”
B. (:14-16) Effect of Deliverance
1. Shame God’s Enemies
“Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it;”
“Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.”
“Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, ‘Aha, aha!'”
2. Encourage God’s People
“Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee:”
“Let those who love Thy salvation say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified!'”
C. (:17) Urgency of the Petition for Deliverance
1. Based on my Need
“Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me;”
2. Based on my Faith
“Thou art my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God”