6/17/07

The Essence of Christ in the Psalms: Our Encourager

Psalm 27:1-14

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?  [2] When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.  [3] Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.  [4] One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple.  [5] For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.  [6] And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.   [7] Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me.  [8] When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek."  [9] Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!  [10] For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.   [11] Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path, because of my foes.  [12] Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.  [13] I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.

This is one of those Psalms that you want to put on your refrigerator, or on your computer desk, or some other visible place because it is such a practical, encouraging song.  In fact, this was one of the first scripture songs that I ever remember singing after becoming a Christian.  It is such a personal, intimate psalm.  Throughout the song, there is a real sense that the writer has a personal, intimate relationship with God.  There is a confidence that bubbles over in David’s heart.  As such, he walks in the strength of the Lord.  He has seen the faithfulness of the Lord and delights in His ways.

The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. Psalm 121:7

This Psalm is actually divided by two different themes reflecting the images of Christ as He is portrayed a both Deliverer (verses 1-6) and Advocate (verses 7-14).  Verses 1-6 give his declaration of the faithfulness of his Protector and verses 7-14 reveal his prayer to his Advocate or High Priest.  Other psalms that have the Protector/Advocate images are 5, 17, 30, 31, 35 and 40.  Of course, there are others, but I just wanted to give you a sampling.  What we see is that the psalmist declares some quality of God and then he calls upon God for some kind of response, i.e., deliverance, help, provision, protection, and so forth.  In this one, David declares that God is his “light”, “salvation” and “defense”.  Isaiah echoes this thought:

 Like flying birds so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it;  He will pass over and rescue it. Isaiah 31:5

[1] The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? [2] When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.  [3] Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. 

A strong faith in God is reflected in a bold confidence. David says that the Lord is the ruler of darkness, because He is his light.  Light always conquers darkness.  The “darkness” spoken of here is not more of a metaphor than referring to actual physical darkness.  It refers more to the “darkness” of the future, or that which is unseen or the uncertainty of the time.  It speaks to the unknown things of life. It is in line with what we looked at in Psalm 23, “the shadow of death.”   Notice how David personalizes his statement: MY light and MY salvation. 

For You light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness. Psalm 18:28

One of the strongest meanings of the word “salvation” is that of “deliverer”.  The root of the word “deliverer” is the same root for the Aramaic word for Jesus…Yeshua.  Jesus, as our deliverer is not only the defender against enemies, but He is the defender of life, itself.  He has become our life and, as such, is the One who, both gives life and indwells us.  Since He never leaves us or forsakes us, He will finally deliver us into the Kingdom of the Father.  So, the answer to David’s questions: whom shall I fear and whom shall I dread is no one.  What can mere man do to us? 

The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Psalm 118:6

Remember, last week we saw how God is changing our hearts to be focused on Him and not on the evildoers…to trust in Him and not worry about what goes on around us.  There are times when those evil doers will actually become our active adversaries and enemies.  But even then we are not to worry for God has something in store for them.

For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; and I will make you like a warrior's sword.  [14] Then the Lord will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning; and the Lord God will blow the trumpet, and will march in the storm winds of the south.  [15] The Lord of hosts will defend them.  [16] And the Lord their God will save them in that day as the flock of His people; for they are as the stones of a crown, sparkling in His land.   Zech. 9:13-16 

Even as God defended His people then, so He is faithful to His people now.  We, like David, may sense there we are surrounded by evil people, horrible circumstances, events way beyond our control.  Yet, we too, in the power of the Spirit of God may declare…even in the midst of the storm and tears… “I will be confident…I am confident.

For Thou art my hope; O Lord God, You art my confidence from my youth. Psalm 71:5

For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:26

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge. Proverbs 14:26

For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. Hebrews 3:6

Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28

The word “confidence” is synonymous in the Greek with the word “boldness”.  God wants us to be bold or confident in our understanding that He is a Faithful God.  What great encouragement that is to us.  We must be encouraged by His faithful work in us. 

[4] One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple.  [5] For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.  [6] And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

David speaks in these verses the acknowledgment as to why he is confident, as to why he is encouraged.  It is because of the presence of the Lord in his life.  The Old Testament knew no other conceptual reality of the presence of God other than as it pertained to the temple.  The “house of the Lord” or the “temple” are words that are synonymous for the dwelling place of God.  The Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell people before the death of Christ.  There is a phrase that is found in numerous places in the Old Testament that refer to this. One is in Judges where it mentions Samson that the “Spirit of the Lord came upon him.”

Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and behold, a young lion came roaring toward him. [6] And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a kid though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. Judges 14:5-6

So to David, the best way to live in intimacy with the Lord was to be where He was, the temple.  It is in the temple where the glory and majesty of the Lord was to be experienced.  It was in the temple where one could go to offer sacrifices for sins.  It was the nearness of God that gave comfort during times of trouble and distress. It was there that one would go for consolation and peace.  It was the place for quite meditation to recall all the ways that God had been faithful.  It was the place to go to sing of His wonderful works and to offer sacrifices of praise.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that God has brought His “abiding place” to us?  How encouraging to know that He has not just “come upon us”, but that He actually lives inside of us!  We have become His temple.  Just take a moment to let that soak in.  That which only the high priest could experience once a year, i.e., moving into the Holy of Holies to make atonement for man’s sins, is present with us at all times!  The Holy of Holies is no longer in a building, but resides, “tabernacles” with us.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

However, even though we are the habitation of God’s spirit, we should never take it for granted or approach Him with any less reverence and awe than David did or the priests. 

[7] Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me.  [8] When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek."  [9] Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!  [10] For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.   [11] Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path, because of my foes.  [12] Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.

This Psalm not only reveals our light, our deliverer, our tabernacle, but it also reveals that our Lord is our “advocate” and “High Priest.”  David’s prayer in verses 7-12 reveals the finite condition of man.  There is an inherent weakness in our ability to completely find that place of peace and trust in God.  Because He is transcendent (He lives in a realm that we cannot be a part of…yet) and though He has made His promises to us so explicitly, we still find ourselves in the dilemma of always being able to trust Him.  Sometimes the circumstances of life cause us to ask or think “where are you God? Don’t you care?  Are you listening?  Are you aware of what is going on?”  And at other times, in our sinfulness, both intentioned and unintentioned sins, we wonder does He still love me, can He forgive this sin, does He even want to hear from me, or what will I have to do to win back His favor?

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Perhaps our greatest struggle in life, when it comes to our sinfulness, is that we ascribe to Him human attributes.  Because He is transcendent, completely righteous, holy, just, faithful, etc., He cannot be anything that He is not.  We as humans can be.  We can act like we love someone, when we really despise them.  God cannot do that.  He is always what He is.  In reference to our sinfulness, He is always forgiving; He is always merciful; He is always gracious.  He will never forsake us, as humans can (v. 10), nor will He ever give up on us (v.11).  In verses 9, and 12 we find two “Do nots”… “hide” and “deliver”.  The assumption is not understood to mean that God might do that.  God cannot because it would go against His nature.

and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. [29] "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. John 10:28-29

David concludes with a thought that has entered the heart and mind of us all, at one time or another and that is, “I would have not known what to do; I would have despaired; I would have given up; I would have thought that life was not worth living ‘unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’”  If we did not have the assurance of the Holy Spirit of God, there would be no hope.  But, Jesus promises us that we “shall never perish”.  He is our light, salvation and deliverance.  And, since He is with us always, we are to be encouraged.  He is our encouragement.  He is our strength.

 Our waiting on the Lord does not mean that we sit and do nothing.  The word translated “wait” in the Hebrew has a number of different facets that I think open up the meaning.  It can mean “look for”, “eagerly await for”, and “expect”.  Paul spoke to the Ephesian church about this expectancy in chapter 6 verses 10 and 13 when he said, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” and, “having done all, to stand.”  The point is that we must always have in us the expectancy that God is at work.  We must never think that He has deserted us, or left life up to ourselves.  Be strong in the courage of the Lord is our call today.  It doesn’t matter what is going on in your life…be strong in His might.  Humble yourself before the Lord.  Don’t grumble or gripe.  God has you right where He wants you.  He is doing something that is for His glory.  Shouldn’t that enough for us to hang on to?  We should not be so concerned with the “why’s”.  Our focus should be on the “WHO”.  Stand and watch what the Lord is doing and is going to do.  Be encouraged, for the Lord Jesus Christ is with you wherever you go.