Transcript

Misguided But Confident-Part Two

Psalms 25:1-22
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Pastor Randy Smith

---

Jonathan Edwards has been called not only the greatest theologian, but also the greatest mind that America has ever produced. He lived in the 1700's and played a critical role in the First Great Awakening. Last week my daughter's high school class publicly read his most famous sermon entitled, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

"O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: 'Tis a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you as against many of the damned in hell: You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment."

Nearly the entire sermon speaks about God's wrath that is upon sinners, reminding the sinner that there is nothing he or she can do to make him or herself right with the Almighty. But while we are helpless and deserving of our awful destination, Edwards provides the biblical hope.

"And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to Him, and pressing into the kingdom of God; many are daily coming from the east, west, north and south; many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in, are in now an happy state, with their hearts filled with love to Him that has loved them and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God."

The wonderful truth is that though we deserve a holy God's wrath and judgment because of our transgressions, God in His remarkable love and mercy has provided a way for sinners to be reconciled with Himself. He gave Jesus Christ to be our greatest gift. Jesus would live the perfect life and go to the cross as our substitute and sacrifice. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, "He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed." And we can receive this forgiveness simply on the basis of faith - faith that Jesus Christ died for my sins that will show itself in a way where I now live my life for His glory.

The first part is easy. You can be a child or someone who heard this message for the first time and give your life to Jesus and be saved right now. That is what grace is all about! But living out the second commitment is a different story. Sure we have the Bible to provide some general guidance, but how do we live for God in this world when we still struggle with sin, deal with so much pain and affliction and oftentimes don't know where to turn for answers?

This morning as we continue our study of Psalm 25, we'll see what the Scriptures have to say.

1. Living in a Real World (Review)

The first point from last week was entitled: "Living in a real world." King David wrote Psalm 25 and frequently throughout the Psalm he spoke of the personal struggles he experienced. Let's remind ourselves that he was a human, dealing with pain and looking for answers similar to us. Let's take a couple minutes and review from last week where David suffered before we examine where David went.

Persecution from Enemies

First, David had persecution from his enemies. In verse 19 he said, "Look upon my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with violent hatred." Jesus Christ came into the world speaking truth and healing people. He never even committed a sin and yet we read Him say, "They hated Me without a cause" (Jn. 15:25). And why did the world hate our Lord? John 7:7, "It hates Me [said Jesus] because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil." You live for Jesus and the world will hate you as well. Here is what the Jews said to the apostle Paul who lived for Jesus: "They raised their voices and said, 'Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!" (Ac. 22:22). David experienced that.

So what did he do and where did he turn?

Spiritual Loneliness

Second, David lamented about his loneliness. Look at verse 16, "Turn to me and be gracious to me [he said], for I am lonely and afflicted." I find it interesting that many of the heroes in the Bible were lonely individuals. Most existed in a time no different than today where the majority of the people wanted nothing to do with God. Despite being surrounded by people, those sold-out for Christ can feel like they are on a deserted island. Peter called us "aliens" (1 Pet. 2:11).

So where did David turn when he felt so out of place?

Pain from Personal Sin

Third David struggled with the pain of his personal sin. People often misunderstand this one. We are not talking about the pain that results when we commit a sin and then have to deal with the consequences of a poor choice. That is painful indeed, but that's not what David is speaking of here. Nor are we talking about the pain that may result from sin because we feel we have lost our salvation. My friends, if we are saved nothing will ever separate us from the love of Christ. All of our sins have been dealt with at the cross and we are eternally forgiven.

Listen to David. Look at verse 7, "Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions." Verse 11, "Pardon my iniquity, for it is great." Verse 18, "Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins."

What David struggled with was knowing how much his God hated sin and how much his sin was hurting his relationship with his God. David was a man after God's own heart and therefore what broke God's heart also broke David's heart.

So where did David turn when he was grieving over his sin?

Lost in this World

And fourth, still by way of review, David was "lost in this world." A huge problem we still face today as believers - the tension between the two worlds in which we dwell. On the one hand our home is heaven, but on the other hand we live in this world. We are told not to conform to this world (act like them), and we are also told not to live in isolation from this world (ignore them). We are to be "in the world but not of it." Easy to say, hard to strike the proper balance between the two. We'll examine some verses on this one in a minute.

But again, what did David do? Where did he go for answers when he says as he did in verse 17, "The troubles of my heart are enlarged."

Let's move to the new material.

2. Praying to a Real God

Point number two, "Praying to a real God." The one thing that stands out to me in this Psalm is David's continual emphasis on his Godward dependence. Because of his relationship with God, David was continually going to God with will all kinds of prayers and praises.

There were prayers of dedication (that served as bookends of this Psalm). Verse 1, "To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul." Verse 2, "O my God, in You I trust." Verse 20, "I take refuge in You." Verse 21, "For I wait for You."

There were prayers for deliverance. Verse 2, "Do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies exult over me." Verse 16, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." Verse 17, "Bring me out of my distresses." Verse 18, "Look upon my affliction and my trouble." Verse 19, "Look upon my enemies." Verse 20, "Guard my soul and deliver me."

There were prayers for guidance. Verse 4, "Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths." Verse 5, "Lead me in Your truth and teach me."

There were prayers of confidence in God. Verse 6, "Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses." Verse 21, "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me."

There were prayers for forgiveness. Verse 7, "Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions." Verse 11, "For Your name's sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great." Verse 18, "Forgive all my sins."

And there were prayers for others. Verse 22, "Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."

Remember earlier we revealed some of the heartaches David was experiencing? Do you see where David first went for his answers? Prayer is an indication he first went to God and considered God the ultimate source of hope. Remember the persecution from enemies? Verse 2, "Do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies exult over me." Remember the spiritual loneliness? Verse 16, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." Remember the pain from personal sin? Verse 11, "For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great." And remember the lostness in this world? Verse 4, "Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths."

Do you see the difference between the child of God and the child of the world? One makes enemies with God's people. The other has enemies because he is God's person. One without faith has many admirers in the world. The other is lonely in this world because of his faith. One actively pursues sin for happiness. The other hates sin and is unhappy when it occurs. One is comfortable and apparently wise in this world. The other is uncomfortable and apparently foolish in this world.

It is always a blessing to pray through your "Prayer Cards" that are submitted on Sunday mornings. I love them all, but here are two from last week that caught my attention in the way they really reveal the heart in prayer that I am seeking to describe: "Help me to be able to trust You, Lord, when my family and friends gather and subjects come up that do not honor You - so I can speak through You and say words of Your wisdom - and not come off judgmental - so that You will be honored and glorified." And the other one said, "That we will do God's will at all times. That we will never miss an opportunity to spread the Gospel."

This past week I just finished Battle-Tested lesson 22: Idolatry. And in my study of the subject it became so clear to me the awful dangers of idolatry, but yet the deception in not recognizing idols in our lives. You see, we have all been created to worship. There is something or someone out there that each of us look to for our ultimate source of love and security and happiness and peace and satisfaction. Hundreds of idols are begging our consideration. They willingly come so easily into our lives. And when they come they establish dominance. And in this bondage we cling to them and rely upon them and serve them. Idolatry is wrong because it takes the place in our hearts that God rightfully deserves. God is crowded out, but it's ever so subtle that we don't realize it until something catastrophic happens.

Do you have any idols? Psalm 25 gives us a good indication as to how we can know God is occupying first place in our affections. Nobody likes pain, but the pain that David experienced not only resulted because of an intimate walk with God, but based upon where he went with the pain, also revealed a heart that was devoted to the true God. You see, David didn't turn to alcohol or hatred or gambling or food or possessions or drugs or self-pity or worry or complaining or pornography or even other people as his primary solution. David went straight to God because of the priority of his relationship with God. And that is clearly seen in the 18 prayer requests that I read earlier.

So let's pause and ask ourselves two questions? Is Jesus Christ first place in your life? And where is the first place you turn for help? Both questions are inseparable. You can't have one without the other.

So, as we move to the third point, how do I get there and stay there with a heart like David? How can I trust in a real hope?

3. Trusting in a Real Hope

The answer is rather simple and it just comes down to faith. We are saved by our faith, and our faith in what God has revealed to us in the Bible is the lifeline that sustains a vibrant relationship with God.

Think about it this way, David could have been a very successful man of the world. He didn't need to experience the spiritual hardships we referred to earlier. So why did he make the choices that put God first that resulted in situations that brought about tremendous anguish? Answer: faith. It was faith that believed, despite the pain that it entailed, that led to life choices that were wise both for his good and God's glory.

Why did Moses (in Hebrews 11), "Refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, [and] choose rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin?" Because he "considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward" (Heb. 11:24-26) Answer: faith!

Why did Paul (in Philippians 3) take all the "things were gain to [him], [and count them as] loss for the sake of Christ. [Why did he] suffer the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that [he] may gain Christ" (Phil. 3:7-8). Answer: faith!

Why did Jesus (in Hebrews 12), "Endure the cross" with the immeasurable shame and pain?" Answer: "for the joy set before Him" (Heb. 12:2). It was His faith!

Now this faith is not a blind faith. It is a faith that takes God's revelation in the Bible and believes it! It is a faith that then understands the character and will of God and throws oneself without reservation into His sovereign, wise and loving arms, following Him in obedience regardless of where it might lead me.

And this is what we see with David in Psalm 25. What did he know about God? What can we learn from this inspired author of Scripture that might help us love and trust God with all of our hearts? Let me point out a few truths that will completely change your life. I will contrast each of these truths with the lies of idols. Then you can decide where you want to place your faith.

First, let's look at the character of God. After all, a good question is, "Who is He?" In order to trust someone, I need to know if they are worthy of my trust.

Verse 6, "Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old. God has been and always will be compassionate and loving. The end of verse 7 says it again, "According to Your lovingkindness remember me, for Your goodness' sake, O Lord." Again in verse 10, "All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth." Verse 8, "Good and upright is the Lord." The Lord is just and always doing what is right. And in verse 11 we learn that He acts for "[His name's sake"].

God is independent from His creation and does all things unto the greatness of His glory. So this is a God that is both majestic and transcendent and yet intimate in a kind and loving way with His people. Can idols make this claim of greatness?

Second, God will guide His people in a personal and direct and wise and gentle manner. He is the Good Shepherd. His paths always lead to peace and joy. David in verse 9 can declare, "He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way." The end of verse 8 also affirms, "He instructs sinners in the way." Can idols instruct and bring you guidance?

Third, God blesses His people but quite often His blessings are a result of our obedience. Verse 10, "All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies." Verse 12, "Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose." Verse 14, "The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant." Can idols promise and provide this type of satisfaction?

Fourth, David can have confidence that despite his circumstances, God is always working for His people, and with God David was never without hope. David declared in verse 5 that God was "the God of [his] salvation." And because of assurance of this eternal relationship and the goodness of the One forever holding it and the entire universe in the palm of His hand, he could say at the end of verse 5, "For You I wait all the day." Because, verse 3, "None of those who wait for You will be ashamed."

Name that last idol that is worth waiting on and then left you unashamed after giving it your allegiance?

CONCLUSION

God did promise us pleasures beyond our imagination in a painless existence where He will wipe away every tear from our eyes in the world to come, but He never promised us a bed of roses in this world which we currently dwell. There will be suffering and potentially more than others if we choose to follow Him faithfully. But during these times God did promise us His presence and the hope that despite the pain and confusion, He would be using all these things for our good. It all comes down to a walk of faith in the promises of God that He has revealed to us in the Bible.

Do you have a relationship with God like King David? Can you identify with his struggles? They are not pleasant, but they are definitely an indication that he and you are doing something right! Can you identify with his heart for God? Imperfect like all of us, but one that trusted God and found comfort in a relationship that put Him first. Can you say with David as he did in verse 15, "My eyes are continually toward the Lord?"