A Last Look at Ps. 119

Today we are ending our look at Ps. 119. It has helped me to see what a heart passionate for God and his word looks like. I've learned the value of every aspect of God's word. But I don't always recognize it and live it. Neither did David, though he did a pretty good job… as the man after God's own heart. Yet, in the last verse of Ps. 119, David admits that he strayed. As you would expect, he shows the model of what to do in that case.

Here, savor with me the last four verses of Ps. 119.

Psa 119:173  Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.	Of course, in a crisis, people naturally call out to God for help. That's good, but it's also presumptuous for those who have no relationship with him to think he will answer. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Psa 66:18  But here, David is bold to ask for help because he has chosen God's precepts. May the following never be said of me: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Mat 15:8
(174)  I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.	God's salvation and his law are David's longing and delight. He lives with a conscious awareness of God and his word. Nothing else really matters. In fact, nothing else is real. It takes a mature person to get to the place where they can say, and pass on to others, as David did with his son Solomon:  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: Prov. 6:23
(175)  Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.	David was determined to praise God as long as he was alive. That's a great resolve. And better if God's word is helping us along. It's easier to praise God when we're walking in the path of his word. Remember, we praise God because he is worthy and deserving, not because we feel good. Today I will praise him independent of my feelings and circumstances.
(176)  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.	In this last verse of Ps. 119, David admits he strayed from God. Don't we all? And how did he handle it? He admitted it and asked God to seek him. We know we are to seek God, but can we ask him to seek us? Yes, because he's a good shepherd. David knew about sheep. He himself was a shepherd (remember Ps. 23?). Shepherds seek lost sheep. It's perfectly OK to ask God to seek us when we go astray. "God, come to where I am and bring me back." It's refreshing to think of God as a seeker and not simply a demander. The fact that he sent Jesus to save us shows that He is a seeker of lost souls. Jesus himself saw us as sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36).

A Place for Your Mind

How do you get through emotional turmoil? The first four verses in the last stanza of Ps. 119 give a pattern. It's one I can relate to, and it's pretty simple. Like everything else in Ps. 119, it's related to God's word. But what about God's word. Understand it and claim it. You'll see what I mean.

Psa 119:169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.	This pictures exactly what to do when I'm upset. Rather than let the offending thoughts and feelings take over, turn my focus to God and ask him for understanding from his word of how to handle whatever it is. Better if I already have a list of go-to verses for such times. When I went through a Woman to Woman Bible study 16+ years ago, I was assigned to come up with a helpful marriage verse for each letter of the alphabet. That has become a go-to list of verses for many an occasion through the years. Very helpful.
(170)  Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.	Besides praying for understanding of the verses on that go-to list, I can also pray for deliverance according to the promise verses on the list. So when developing or tweaking your own list, make sure some of them are promises. The "P" word can be Perfect. Psa 138:8  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Or, the "P" word can be Perfect Peace. Isa 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
(171)  My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.	The result of truly learning (through applying) God's prescribed tasks is praise to God. He gets the glory when I have a victory that comes from focusing on and trusting Him and what He said in his word.
(172)  My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.	And when I have that victory, I want to share it with others, and show them the verses that God used to help me. My tongue shall speak of his word. I know that all of his commandments are righteous. There's nothing else I can trust. God's commandments are the highway. Just stay between the lines and I won't lose my way.

Double Prophesy in Psalm 2

We know the Bible is true and believable by the fulfilled prophesies of Christ recorded in the Old Testament before he was even born. Psalm 2 is a tremendous example, not only of his first coming, but also of the coming Battle of Armageddon. It's a double prophesy, that obviously, the writer of Psalm 2 didn't completely understand as he wrote. But God knew, and now so do we. With this outlook, examine Psalm 2 with me.

Psa 2:1-12  Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  (2)  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,  (3)  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  (4)  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  (5)  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.  (6)  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  (7)  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  (8)  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  (9)  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.  (10)  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  (11)  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  (12)  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

The end of these kings of the earth who rise up against the Lord in the tribulation is not pretty. Rev. 19 tells how they are defeated along with the aftermath: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (Rev 19:17-18) And in the midst of this Psalm that talks about that great battle, we have a look at Christ's first coming. Look at what Paul preached at Antioch: And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,  God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. (Acts 13:32-33) And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (Rev. 12:5) Given the double prophesy in Psalm 2, let's be wise. I couldn't say it any better than this: Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. (Hosea 14:9)

The Heart of Encouragement

Our last look at the characteristics of David is possible because David was an avid writer. That's probably one reason why I enjoy learning about him so much. He may have written for his own personal reasons, but his writing became a ministry as he was inspired by God. He wrote prophetically, poetically and inspirationally. At the time he wrote, writing wasn't his main ministry. He ruled the Jewish nation, after all. But his writing is his legacy, and it ministers today.

So, back to this last characteristic. I've hit on it before. He encouraged himself in God. He wrote many of the Psalms, and fortunately for us, we know what was going on his life when he wrote some of them, because the Bible tells us.

He wrote some of his best Psalms when he was going through very hard times, as when he was running from Saul and when he was running from his son Absolum. David wrote his prayers to God, and we get to read them and see just how he encouraged himself in God.  

In one instance, as David was on the run from Saul, David learned that someone had told Saul where he was. In that desparate situation, he wrote Psa 52:7-9:  Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.  (8)  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.  (9)  I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

See how his mind and his prayer went from rehearsing his plight to choosing to trust in God's mercy, wait on his name and promising to praise God forever? We can choose to encourage ourselves in God, too. Just remember anything about God.

There was another time when David found out that someone had told Saul where he was hiding. Look at Psa. 54:1-7  To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.  (2)  Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.  (3)  For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.  (4)  Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.  (5)  He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.  (6)  I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.  (7)  For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

David was obviously inspired to write this. I find it interesting that in the same sentence he promised to freely sacrifice to God, he said he would praise God's good name. That must have been his sacrifice. And that's a lesson in how to encourage ourselves in God. Offer a sacrifice of praise.

Here's a Psalm he wrote when hiding from Saul in the cave: Psa. 142:1-7  Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.  (2)  I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.  (3)  When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.  (4)  I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.  (5)  I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.  (6)  Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.  (7)  Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Think on that one all day. One reason we know David wrote Ps. 119 is because some of the very words and ideas mentioned there come through in places like this. David acknowledged his persecutors here, as he often did in Ps. 119. David asked for deliverance from his persecutors so he could praise God's name. It was for God's glory he prayed for deliverance. We looked at that before.

We could look at so many examples of how David encouraged himself in God. Another great one is Ps. 63. He was running from Absolum here. Take the time to read it. It's full of perspective we need to absorb.

While we're done looking at David's life, we aren't done reading his writings. We will begin looking at prophetic Psalms next.

Pray the Bible

We are almost finished looking at the admirable characteristics of David. One day he was sitting on his throne and contemplating that all was peaceful around him. There were no more enemies to fight. So he turned his attention to his dream of building God a house. But through the prophet Nathan, David found out God didn't want him to build Him a house. It's in this chapter we learn the promise that God made to David regarding the future of his family. Here is part of what God said to David through Nathan:  

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.  I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:  But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Sam. 7:12-16)

That was very interesting information to David. How did David respond to this news? As you can imagine from all we've learned about him, David talked to God about the promise. This is today's characteristic. He prayed God's word back to him. I thought I discovered something phenomenal the day I realized that the best way to assure answered prayer is to pray God's word back to him. But that's nothing new. David did it first, right here in 2 Sam. 7.

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.  And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:  Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. (2 Sam. 7:27-29)

His example here is a tremendous pattern for us. Find God's promises and rehearse them before God, asking him to do what He promised.

There are so many promises we could bring before Him. Here's one for today:

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19) That could be physical, material or emotional needs, to name a few. "God, thank you for that promise and for all the riches I enjoy by Christ Jesus. You said you will supply all my need. Today, please supply my need for xxx, for I trust in you."

And here's another: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5-6) "Lord, I'm trusting you with all my heart. I'm not even going to try to understand what's going on here or how I should handle it. Instead, I acknowledge you, that you know everything and you are all powerful. You can rearrange people and things. Please direct my path. I don't know what's best for me. You do."

By the way, who wrote Prov. 3:5-6? It was Solomon. Who was Solomon? David's son…the very son God made His promise about, establishing his throne.

But that promise extended beyond Solomon.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:30-33)

When David prayed God's promise back to him, I'll bet he had no idea how that prayer would be answered!

Don't Blunder and Bobble

I think we all tend to blunder through the day as it unfolds. But how much of life is lived with a conscience set on God's word and what we know about God? I get caught up in the series of moments, and before long, it's bed time. How much of the day did I have any focus on God? As long as there isn't a crying need, I cruise.

God, at least here at the beginning of the day, I acknowledge you. Help me to see the truths below throughout the day. Help me to focus my attention on you today.

Psa 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.	God's law is His instructions and directions. What comes from loving them? Great peace and no occasion to stumble. Sad to say, but that is almost unimaginable in the day we live. We like to do things our own way and don't want anyone or anything telling us what to do. But like a good parent, God has some instructions for us, and if we'll just obey, we'll save ourselves agitation and wrong choices that reap painful consequences. Learn to seek and love God's law.
(166)  LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.	David waited expectantly for God's deliverance, which he apparently felt confident in doing since he had kept God's commandments. Again, back to the parent/child relationship, when children are obedient, the likelihood of loving benefits is more sure. With God, remember, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Psa 66:18  Obedience is step one in a right relationship after salvation. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Sam. 15:22b)
(167)  My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.	I love God's testimonies, too. I like how David not only recognized God's testimonies from the stories he read of how God dealt with his children, but he kept the testimonies, which means he kept what he learned from them. In general summary, what I learn about God from the Old Testament testimonies or stories, is that he hates sin, but He is very merciful when we recognize our sin, repent and turn back to him. So to keep his testimonies today might mean this prayer, "Lord, I know from how you dealt with the Israelites wandering in the wilderness that you hate whining and complaining. So today, I'm going to be grateful. Thank you for whatever comes my way."
(168)  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.	And again, David was strong on applying what he knew. He kept God's codes of wisdom and principles to live by and God's testimonies. He did it because he was aware that God was watching him. If I was consciously aware of that all the time, I wonder how differently I would behave and respond to things. God is aware when I go through trials, I know. But He's also aware when I'm doing and thinking anything. That's something to be conscious of.

Window into the Heart

I can't get enough of David's perspective and example. I think God meant for that. There's a reason why we learn about David in 1 and 2 Samuel, and then we get him again in living color in the Psalms. God said that he was a man after his own heart. So it's wonderful we get a window into what made him like that. God wants us to know what a man after his own heart looks like. We see more of it today from the way he looks at life and events in Ps. 119.

Psa 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.	Proper perspective doesn't come naturally to me. If someone is persecuting me without a cause, I don't naturally turn my focus to God's word. But follow me here. David speaks of the idea of others hating or persecuting him without a cause in six Psalms, some of which are prophetic concerning Christ, who said But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. Joh 15:25. The context was Jesus telling his disciples that the world hated him, so they would hate them also. If they persecuted Jesus without a cause, they will persecute us without a cause. How did Jesus handle it? "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) And "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." (1 Pet. 2:23) Those are verses I stand in awe of.
(162)  I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.	This reminds me of one of the purposes of reading and studying the Bible in the morning. It's great to find a verse that hits me just right and carries me through the day as I roll it over in my mind. It's like finding spoil, or booty or treasures.
(163)  I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.	Lying is the opposite of God's law, God's word. The lying I especially hate is the lying my own mind tells me, accusing me of not being good, strong or worthy enough to be close to God. That's a piece of lie to abhor. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom. 8:1) It's a slap in Christ's face for me to trust myself to be worthy, good and strong before God. He died so I could be right with God. I choose to stand right in him.
(164)  Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.	Seven is the number of perfection. It's a great goal and reminder to stay close to and praise Him throughout the day. It reminds me of Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psa 55:17  David had great prayer and worship habits. I'd love to be like that. It will be my goal today and this week to stop and praise him more often.

Let Kindness Rule

One of the longest-running bumper stickers I've seen is "Practice random acts of kindness." In the olden days, it was an intriguing message, and I always wondered who was behind it. Of late, it's popped up as a seasonal movement.

David was a model of kindness. What intrigues me is that he didn't act kindly just because it was the thing to do. Kind was who he was.

Remember that Saul was king, and he was always on David's trail, trying to kill him. Finally Saul was killed in a battle. Some men from the city Jabeshgilead buried him. “And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.” (2Sa 2:5-6)

David seems to have been a connoisseur of kindness. He recognized it and gave it. He noticed how people felt and how they treated other people. He was alert to that, and it meant something to him.

When David became king in Saul's place, it would have been customary to eliminate Saul's entire household, lest any spring up and claim kingship. But it turns out kindness ruled this situation as well. Jonathan was Saul's son and David's best friend. Jonathan knew that someday, David would be king, and he was OK with that. But he also knew that when David became king, it could mean the death of the entire family. So he spoke with David about that long before Saul died.

Jonathan said And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:  But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. (1 Sam. 20:14-15)

Time passed, and unfortunately, Jonathan died in the same battle as Saul. Here was David's first order of business. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.  And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.  Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.  Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!  And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. (2 Sam. 9:3-7)

There are too many other cases of kindness in David's life to point them all out, but one more. A man named Shimei came upon David and his army and cursed and threw stones at David. “But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed? And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?” (2Sa 19:21-22) It was a day for celebration, not revenge. He kindly spared the man's life and chided those who wanted him killed.

Toward the end of his life, David wrote what he thought about the topic of kindness and mercy. It shows his heart. “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.” (2Sam 22:26-28)

It's little wonder that kindness is to be a top characteristic in our day. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Eph 4:32). It's also in the virtuous woman list. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Prov. 31:26)

The point today is, let's make it a goal for kindness to be not just in our mouth, but in our heart, as it was in David's. Sometimes these characteristics can be put on. But this one seems to work best when it's sincere.

How to be a Quiet Warrior

David left a legacy as a warrior. The same day that he killed the giant Goliath from Gath of the Philistines, the Israelite women came out and danced in the streets saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

Later in his life, when David wanted to build a house for the Lord, the Lord told him no. "Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou has been a man of war…" (1 Chron 28:3b)

Between his coming-of-age event when he killed Goliath and when he wanted to build a house for the Lord, he won many battles. Some of those were while he was a king in waiting, as Saul was still king.

Not all of David's battles were as public as the Goliath challenge. But all were as important.  Consider the time before David was king, when he and his own army of men were running from Saul, who was jealous of him and trying to kill him. David figured the only way to avoid Saul once and for all was to go live with the enemies of Gath in Philistine territory. Remember, that was where the defeated Goliath was from. David made friends with the king, Achish, and asked if he and his men could have a little piece of land so they could stay out of his way. Achish agreed, and so David and company lived a quiet life among the enemy. Well, quiet maybe, but David still carried on as a warrior, defeating the enemies of God, even while he lived in their midst. It's quite the fascinating story.

Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.  And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.  And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.  And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.  And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.  And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.  And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever. (1 Sam. 27:6-12)

The king of Gath didn’t realize that David and his men defeated three cities and that he had just expanded the Israelites' land. Notice how David acted like everything was normal when he visited the enemy king. Meanwhile, the true king of Israel, Saul, didn't even know that David had fought and won these battles. No one was going to dance in the streets over these victories. They were quiet, but necessary and sure victories.

And the point is, sometimes we have to be quiet warriors for God. The enemies we have to fight off are not people. The enemies we fight off sometimes are our thoughts that carry us away. We use our thoughts to imagine things that haven’t even happened yet. Our thoughts cause us to worry, or doubt, or be afraid. We can’t let those enemy thoughts get control of our minds.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

We battle with negative, destructive thoughts. We battle unkind thoughts and thoughts that condemn ourselves or others. We need to cast away those negative thoughts. That is our battle. No one else may know about these battles, but they must be won.

The winning strategy is to stop listening to ourselves. Stop paying attention to our thoughts that aren’t true. The Bible even tells us what kind of thoughts to allow into our minds:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8)

We have special gear to wear to this battle. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph. 6:11-18)

In summary, to stand against enemy thoughts and enemy temptations, we need to know the truth of the Bible and apply it to our thoughts and actions. We need the shield of faith so the fiery darts of the wicked will bounce off. Let's become experts in that like David was an expert warrior.

Reset Your Mind

David was very much like Christ in the way he saw people. He tended not to look at them through the lens of how they treated him. We see it in the verses from Ps. 119 we are looking at today. And actually, David was called "a man after God's own heart." So he really does picture Christ.

Here we have a look into the window of his heart. We see how he looked at others and his heart toward God and his word. He trusted God's word, and he clung to Him. In what way? We will see.

Psa 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.	It's hard to control my thoughts and imaginations when I have opponents who, by definition, aren't on my side, and in fact, who try to make my life miserable. David had those kinds of  persecutors and enemies. Yet he didn't decline from God's testimonies. I love that. I have testimonies I can look to when I have such enemies. My one-time enemy was a new boss who didn't like me and wanted to see me go. Christ's testimony below was what got me through that: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Pet. 2:21-23)
(158)  I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.	But a perspective I have not mastered is David's perspective here. I don't grieve for those who disregard God, not keeping his word. David was also an example of Christ in this. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Matt 9:36) Folks don't keep His word because they don't know Him, and the way they behave is a reminder that they need to know Him.
(159)  Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.	Now David asks God to consider him and how he loves His precepts. And therefore he feels justified in asking God to enliven him with His lovingkindness. My way of saying that is "God, I love you, please show me a lovingkindness today." And I do pray that. And God does answer. Try it. His lovingkindnesses are his little acts of love that he shows to us because he loves us. When I pray for a lovingkindness, I don't know what it will be, but I know it will be something, and he delights in showing lovingkindness to those who expect it.
(160)  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.	This verse is a great acknowledgement prayer. "Just so you know, God, I recognize every word in the Bible is true, and everything you've said happened, happens and will happen." For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matt 5:18) If it wasn't for that, we'd have no hope. And whoever doesn't believe it has no hope.

Grasp the Hope

When we know God, we have a sure hope for deliverance when we go through trials and anguish. Our two examples are David and Christ. David appealed to God's mercies, because he knew and walked with God. When Christ was anguished, he also prayed to God, also leaving us an example. His was a prayer of expectation, but also one of surrender. That's the balance.

We have a hope that others don't have. Let's learn to live in that hope. Here's something to pray for today:

Lam 3:21-26  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  (22)  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  (23)  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  (24)  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  (25)  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  (26)  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Psa 119:153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.	Whenever I experience trouble and misery, I don't have to sink as low as others might. I have God. He is able to deliver. David expected deliverance because he didn't forget God's laws. He was walking with God. It reminds me of the continuous, unbroken relationship between father and obedient child. Here, he starts his plea as only an obedient child can dare pray. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15) Christ provides the balance of a prayer for deliverance: And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36)
(154)  Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.	David continues his plea for deliverance, and it's interesting he asks God to plead his cause. We actually have an intercessor who can plead our cause, and it's Christ, who suffered like we did, only without sin (as in Mark 14:36 above).  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:15-16)
(155)  Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.	Because God is my father, I can expect salvation or deliverance, unlike the wicked who don't seek God. Even if they do pray, God is not their father. They don't seek his statutes and He will not answer.
(156)  Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.	What David knew best about God is his tender mercies. Ten Psalms, most of them written by David, either pray for or acknowledge God's tender mercies. Because that's a part of who God is (Ex. 34:6-7), we can appeal to him based on his mercies. Because God's tender mercies are great, David asks to be enlivened according to God's judgments, or his acts of deciding a cause.

The Art of Bouncing Back

David was doing so well. You would have thought he was perfect. But then there was Bathsheba. What went wrong?

Obviously, all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16) But I eluded to another issue in the recent post, "Watch Out for Whims." David acted impulsively or spontaneously in this matter, unlike his usual habit of consulting God about things. Combine the two, and you have the lust of the eyes/flesh and an impulse to act on those lustful feelings, and sin is born.

There's also another perspective to David's sin. As we've been studying Ps. 119, we've seen that David had a healthy respect for God's commandments. Here are some of the things he said about them:

• (131)  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. 
• (143)  Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. 
• (151)  Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

Considering that, it's interesting to read what the prophet Nathan said when he confronted David about his sin in 2Sa 12:9-14.

 (9)  Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.  (10)  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.  (11)  Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.  (12)  For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.  (13)  And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.  (14)  Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

The truth is, we still sin. And when we do, it's against God. It gives unbelievers an occasion to blaspheme. "You call yourself a Christian, and look what you did."

The other truth is, God is merciful. David wisely knew God well enough to appeal to that when he prayed and asked for forgiveness. Here was his prayer after Nathan confronted him.

Psa 51:1-4  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  (2)  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  (3)  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  (4)  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

And that is our lesson for today. We know better. But sometimes we sin. Or our family members sin. Instead of dwelling on our despicable aptitude to break God's commandments after the fact, choose to pray sincerely and dwell on God's lovingkindness and the multitude of his tender mercies. He forgives. We still face the consequences, but He forgives, and so should we.

In the same Psalm, he moved on from his sin when he prayed, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. (Psa. 51:10-13)

A Testimony of Righteousness

My favorite word for the word of God is testimony. I've said this before. It is the stories in the Bible that we learn about God from. We learn what God thinks of things and how he treats people. And we learn from Bible characters and how they interacted with God and others and how God responded. David loved God's testimonies too. He said The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalms 19:7b)

Little did David know that he would be such a part of the Bible himself, and his stories would become testimonies.

Today we are going to look at the righteous. That is, being righteous in conduct and character. "The righteous" are just, fair and stay within the law or the rules. This will be practical righteousness vs. positional righteousness, which is being declared righteous by God after trusting Christ and being justified by grace through faith.

It's not popular to be righteous, especially when you're around those who aren't righteous. When you don't join in with them in whatever unrighteousness they are doing, you'll likely hear sarcasm…"Oh, you think you're so righteous."

That's their perspective. Here's God's perspective: For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1Pet 3:12) 

Back to the testimonies of the Lord and David's life. He was righteous in conduct and character. He was just, fair and stayed within the rules. He is our testimony today of what practical righteousness looks like.

Remember that Saul was king, even though David had been anointed by Samuel to be the next king. David was a king in waiting, and Saul was trying to kill him because he was so jealous of him. You remember that during the chase, one time David found Saul and his men asleep, but David didn’t kill him. And then, that same thing happened another time. This time David found Saul in a cave. Rather than kill him, David cut off a piece of his robe. Then he stood in front of Saul and showed him the piece of his robe and explained that he chose not to kill Saul, even though Saul was trying to kill him. David reminded Saul that in no way did he sin against him. He said:

The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  (13)  As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  (14)  After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.  (15)  The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.  (16)  And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.  (17)  And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.  (18)  And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.  (19)  For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.  (20)  And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. 1Sa 24:12-20

It’s interesting that it was David’s enemy who pointed out that David was righteous, and he didn't do it sarcastically. David chose to trust God to eliminate Saul rather than eliminate Saul himself.

God did reward David good for what he did. He later did become king. David's emotions may have wanted to kill Saul those two times. He could have done it and claimed self defense.

But here's David's testimony: The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand (vs. 15). This is an Old Testament testimony of the following New Testament command: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Rom. 12:19)

Years later, before he died, here's how David looked back at that time.

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.  For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.  For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.  I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.  Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. (2 Sam. 22:21-25)

Watch Out for Whims

Spontaneity can be kind of fun at times, especially if you tend to be rigid. But doing things on a whim can't become a lifestyle. I doubt that God operates through impulsiveness very often.

David was not spontaneous, except when it came to Bathsheba. And in that case, impulsiveness turned his world upside-down.

But we won't look at that today. Instead, let's notice a few times when he didn't do what might have struck him in the moment, and instead prayed and asked God what he should do.

In our first short story, Saul was still the king, and he had an army. But David also had an army, though he wasn’t king yet. The enemy Philistines show up in this story.

1Sa 23:1-5  Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.  (2)  Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.  (3)  And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?  (4)  Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.  (5)  So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Keliah was a city on the border of Judea, and the enemy Philistines had invaded the city. Rather than assume he should go fight the enemies, David prayed and asked God. God said to go fight them. But David’s men weren’t so sure. They were afraid of the Philistines. I think it’s interesting that David responded, not by becoming angry with his men, but he prayed and asked God again.

It’s also interesting that God wasn’t angry with David for asking again, when God had already said to go. It's better to pray and be sure than just jump.

Was it David's habit to pray first and think later? Well, there's another story, and this time king Saul had died and David was the newly established as king.

2Sa 5:17-25  But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.  (18)  The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.  (19)  And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.  (20)  And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.  (21)  And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.  (22)  And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.  (23)  And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.  (24)  And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.  (25)  And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

See how things turned out when he prayed and asked? He received actual words from God, somehow. Now, in our day, we can and should pray and ask, but it's likely that the way God is going to tell us how to proceed is in his written word. So, what our scenario would look like is that we would not just plow forward with whatever we think or want to do, but we would pray with our Bible in our lap and ask God to show us what to do. It might take a little time, so we have to get out of our instant mindset and really look to God.

Pro 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Impulsiveness just isn't the preferred way.

Proper Perspective

Can you think of someone present in your life (likely who doesn't know God), and you aren't sure how to respond to or handle him/her? You're coming from somewhere completely different, and that person's words and actions are stunningly contrary to God.

How do you deal with that? David gives the blueprint in the four verses from Ps. 119 we're looking at today. Prayer and perspective are the two keys. Remember, he had people in his life who disregarded God. They were in his face. He had to figure it out.

Psa 119:149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.	God's lovingkindess is his goodness and mercy toward us. It's who He said He is in Ex. 34:6-7. The words goodness and mercy used there are the same Hebrew word that is translated lovingkindness here. It's my favorite characteristic of God. Because He has promised to show lovingkindness, I can appeal to Him and ask Him to show me lovingkindess, and he does. I may not know what form it will take, but He will show it to me. Here, it's Hear my voice according to your lovingkindness.
(150)  They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.	This verse explains why David needed God to hear his voice and to enliven him according to his judgment, or act of deciding a matter. Men were approaching David who paid no attention to God and who only followed after their own wicked devices. David needed to know how to handle that. More, he wanted to be enlivened as to how God would handle the matter.
(151)  Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.	In a perplexed state regarding how to handle a person who is right there who disregards God, the consolation is that God is right there too. He is there, and all his commandments are truth. That's important, because that wicked person doesn't have truth. But we do. All His commandments are splayed out before us.
(152)  Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.	Acknowledge God's testimonies, or the stories in the Bible of how he handled people. That's what His testimonies are. "Oh, here's what you think of this and how you handled it." So the point is, I can get a solution by looking back at how God dealt with a similar situation. God founded those testimonies, and they are good forever. That is solid advice. "Lord, please show me today the testimony that goes with my situation."

The Lukewarm Generation

I'm thinking of the time I was born in--the Laodicean church age, and I identify with the struggle that those in this age are prone to. It's a challenge that I don't think was common in other ages, at least not with David. So when I read about David's heart, I almost can't relate. And that's sad. Here's the description of our age and the leaning of our hearts: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  (15)  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:14-17 

David' heart and life are the opposite of this description. I can't help but be in awe with his passion for the Lord, a pattern I would like to learn from. Today we're looking at Ps. 119:145-148.

Psa 119:145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.	I don't take it for granted that David cried with his whole heart. He was, after all, a whole-hearted person, and it's a quality I wish I had. He did several things with his whole heart, just in Ps. 119. He sought God with his whole heart (10); he promised to observe God's law with his whole heart (34); he intreated God's favor with his whole heart (58); and he promised to keep God's precepts with his whole heart (69). Our whole heart is our heart, mind, will and understanding. When he cried with his whole heart, his cry was "hear me, O Lord." No doubt, God does when we cry that with our whole heart.
(146)  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.	More about David's cry. He didn't just ask God to hear him, but to save, or deliver him. And why should God do that? So he could be more comfortable? No, it was so he would keep God's testimonies. In the previous verse, he would keep God's statutes. It was for God's glory he wanted to be heard and saved. It's an outlook like this that made David a man after God's own heart. May my motives be so God-directed and not self-directed.
(147)  I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.	He came to meet with God before dawn and cried and hoped in God's word. His habit of doing that is where we get the idea that morning is the best time to meet with God. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  Ps. 5:3 Ever how early I get up, it could be earlier, and I'd have more time to hope in his word. The days we're living in are no less periless than his day, just in a different way.
(148)  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.	But then, night time is a good time to meditate in God's word too. David's morning dab didn't do him. He went before the night and pondered God's word. And in his day, there wasn't as much of God's word to ponder. But the point is, how much of a place does God's word have in my heart, mind, will and understanding? Perhaps trials and circumstantial desperation is what brought David to that place and what will also bring me. I'm back to that whole-hearted passion David possessed. Can I have just a half-portion of his heart?

Be Independent and Dependent

Take a look at the time David and his army were away fighting a battle, and when they returned, they found that some enemies had entered their village and taken their wives, sons and daughters captive and burned the village. It's in 1 Sam. 30.

Obviously, this was devastating to everyone. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. (1 Sam 30:6)

We are observing the character of David, and notice that he is numbered with the men who cried until they were too weak to cry any more.

David's two wives were among those taken captive. But there was more to his grief: And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters…(1 Sam 6:6a)

So how did he handle it? …but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. (6b)

This shows me that he was independent and dependent at the same time. He was independent of his army as they all stood against him right then. That's the case with any leader. When everyone else is down (and down on you), you can't cling to them and sink with them. You still have to lead.

He was dependent on God. He encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Only when he was independent of everyone around him was he forced to be completely dependent on God, because that's all he had. And fortunately, God is enough. God is the ultimate source of strength, hope and courage.

He had to call to mind all that God is. He depended on God, and he did it alone. Fortunately for us, we know how David encouraged himself in God, because there are Psalms he wrote to show us. He talked to himself. Here are some of the things he said to himself:

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Ps 42:5)

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (Ps 56:3-4)

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. (Ps 56:11)

David developed quite the testimony of depending on God. Remember, he was anointed by Samuel to be a king, but it was years before he became king. He waited for God to remove the current king, which was Saul. Remember how Saul chased him and wanted to kill him. Much of David’s adult life, he was running for his life. And in the midst of it, we have this story of his own army turning against him. But eventually, David was king and no one was chasing him. But he had developed a habit of depending on God. This is what he later wrote:

2Sa 22:1-7  And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:  (2)  And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;  (3)  The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.  (4)  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  (5)  When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;  (6)  The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;  (7)  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

David gave God all the credit for any emotional and physical strength he had. We should do the same.

All of 2 Samuel 22, David praises God. It’s a beautiful chapter in the Bible. “It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.” (22:48-49)

Cancel Condemning

We are on to another characteristic of David, which will become evident. One time, while David and his men were out fighting battles, some enemies came into their village and took their wives and sons and daughters and burned the village. When David and his army came back, they found their families were missing and their village burnt down.

David, whom we have seen was a wise man, prayed. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.  (9)  So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.  (10)  But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor. 1 Sam. 30:8-10

Here's the picture. He had an army of 600, but only 400 went with him to chase the enemy because 200 of them were too exhausted to help out. How many spiritual leaders can you think of who would likely grant grace to the 200 who were feeling wimpy? How many of the 400 who went with David do you think were compassionate toward those 200 faint men?

Reading 1 Sam 30:16-19, you find that David and the 400 found the Amalekite enemies eating, drinking and dancing as they celebrated their great "victory." David and his army whipped them and got all their families and all their possessions back, plus more.

When David and the army returned home with everyone and everything that had been stolen, those 400 men thought they should get to keep everything, and the 200 who didn’t go shouldn’t get anything, because they didn’t help.

I don't know if there's just one word that summarizes how David handled this matter. We already know he was wise. Here he shows another characteristic. Let's look at this together and choose how we will describe this.

1Sa 30:21-24  And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.  (22)  Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.  (23)  Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.  (24)  For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

I want to use the word fair, because obviously he was. Unselfish and uncondemning are other appropriate words. How could he be this way? Because of his upward focus. The 400 looked at the 200 with disdain. David looked to God. Do you see how he viewed the situation? …Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. The 400 thought they were the heroes. David knew that God was the hero.

It's easy to fall prey to a condemning attitude. From today's verses, I see that a condemning attitude comes from a failure to see that God is in control. Really, others can mess up, and it doesn't mess up God's determined plan. Remember, David had prayed first, and God told him Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Where there's a promise from God, there's no need to condemn other people. God is going to come through.

1Pe 3:8-9  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:  (9)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. -- Let it go.

The Ups and the Downs

In the four verses we are looking at from Ps. 119 today, it's interesting that the first and third verses, David talks about what a mess he is, and in the second and fourth verses, he focuses on God's righteousness. There is a huge salvation lesson in that, because we all have challenging times mentally, emotionally and spiritually, but if we know Jesus as savior, his righteousness is put to our account, and our disposition swings don't matter so much. But I get ahead of myself. We have great verses to look at today.

Ps. 119: 141  I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.	David is self-depreciating. Is that a good thing? I have thoughts on that, but I'd be interested in knowing others' thoughts. At any rate, while he didn't think much of himself at the time, David thought highly of God's precepts (codes of wisdom and principles to live by) all of the time.
(142)  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.	What is lasting? So many things are fleeting, including positive thoughts about myself. God's righteousness is everlasting. It's a good thing, because I have God's righteousness, which was put to my account in exchange for my sins when I accepted Christ as my savior on Sept. 23, 1972. That righteousness is everlasting, and it needs to be in order for me to be accepted by God. And here's another question. What is the truth? It's not up to individuals to decide that. God's law is the truth. And by the way, it is the law that condemns me and tells me I'm not righteous in myself. When I agree that his law is the truth, and I don't keep the law, then I need to have his righteousness put to my account, because I'm not righteous in myself.
(143)  Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.	In this life, I still have trouble and anguish, just like David, who really had trouble and anguish. After all, I've never had someone hunt me down and try to kill me like David did. But he managed to find delight, not in his circumstances, but in God's commandments. That's remarkable to me, because the parts of God's word that I find delight in aren't his commandments. Maybe his testimonies, but his commandments? I'll have to talk to David when I get to heaven and ask him about that.
(144)  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.	Ah. Here David goes to the part of God's word that I easily go to… his righteous testimonies. The way God dealt with people in the Old Testament is a testimony of God's righteousness that I can see. It's a great idea to pray for understanding as I read his testimonies. I want to learn the lessons, which are like jewels to be found and treasured.

The Origin of Spiritual Passion

It’s Monday, and who is going to be with me all week? God is. He is loving, merciful and faithful. Our Monday Ps. 119 focus is God, and our example to be closer to God is David.  He just pretty much lived in God’s presence when he wrote his Psalms. I can relate to him, because I also easily feel closer to God when I write. It helps me direct my thoughts. David makes a great coach and cheerleader in that. I may never achieve his zeal, but I can follow his heart to God.

Psa 119:137  Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.	No prayer request here. Just praise.  It’s a great way to start a rainy Monday morning. Lord, I agree that you are correct, right and just, and the way you decide to handle things is completely right and perfect. I align myself with you.
(138)  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.	David’s prayer continues. Let’s join him. Lord, you decide and determine how matters are handled and how they turn out, and the way you do that is correct and true to who you are. I’m with you.
(139)  My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.	Turning this verse around, as David realized the spiritual state of his enemies, that they had forgotten and so disregarded God’s word, it made him all the more zealous or fervent for the Lord. His intensity for the Lord ate him up. Where does passion for the Lord like that come from?
(140)  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.	I think David’s spiritual passion came from two places: the word, which he thought was very pure and which he loved—and also from the fact that he had the Spirit of God. Remember 1 Sam 16:13:  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. I also have the word of God and the Spirit of God. That’s a start to having a heart like David’s.