Presented, January 3, 2010 pm
LEAD ME TO THE ROCK
Psalm 61
Tonight, we continue
our study of the psalms. We
have here a short psalm of David.
The occasion is not revealed, but from the context it seems to be
later in David’s life (after he is king – vs. 6) and probably while in
exile (vs. 2 & 6 – it is a traumatic time where he desires to abide with
the tabernacle) which would place during the rebellion of Absalom.
This is another
psalm of faith and trust and praise.
In this psalm David proclaims 4 things that he will do.
We will use these as our outline this evening.
a.
Hear my
CRY, O God – notice this is a
cry to God - An earnest prayer approaching God.
There is NO other way to properly pray.
Matt. 6:8, “Hallowed by
Your name”;
Psalm 111:9, “Holy and
awesome is His name.” DON’T
treat God common!
Philippians 4:6-7 calls
for us to with prayer and supplication let our requests be known to God.
Contrast this with the superficial prayers of the Pharisees and others –
Luke 18:9-14, James 4:6,
also
vs. 3 which speaks of
prayers offered for selfish reasons.
James 5:16 says, “The
effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
b.
Attend
to my prayer – David intends
to keep praying until God hears (answers) him.
Let us remind ourselves of
1 John 5:14-15 – He hears
our prayers.
c.
From
the end of the earth I will cry
– it matters not where David is, he will pray.
We sometimes speak of our assemblies as time to pray to God.
In times past, some services were known as “prayer meetings.”
Perhaps we need more of those as prayer is so important!
BUT, while we cherish such times, what about the times when we are not
assembled? OR worse yet, when we CANNOT assemble?
Do we pray all the time?
1 Thess. 5:17
d.
When
his heart is overwhelmed – cf.
James 5:13, Jesus in the
garden, etc. Sometimes, when
we are overwhelmed we don’t want to pray or we don’t think to pray – but
then is when we need it the most.
HOWEVER, let it NOT be inconsistent.
e.
“Lead
me to the rock that is higher than I” – an acknowledgment that God is greater than him.
While David cannot save himself, He can trust in God who CAN save
him.
This is a true consideration for us and our salvation.
Without Jesus, we CANNOT be saved.
May we be led to Him!
In our song books, song
#126 is based upon this
verse.
1 Corinthians 10:4, while
addressing a different occasion – Israel in the wilderness makes
reference to the spiritual drink which they drank.
“For they drank of that
spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
f.
You
have been a shelter and a tower from the enemy
– David reflects upon God’s past deliverance which happened often.
We have referenced this continually in our study of the psalms.
As we mature in the faith, we gain greater confidence in God as
we overcome and we see that all things do work out.
a.
The
tabernacle was the meeting place of God with Israel
(Exodus 29:42-43, 30:6, 36).
David often referred to it as “the house of the Lord” (cf. Psalm 23:6,
27:4, etc.)
b.
David
was concerned about the meeting place of God.
He moved it from Shiloh to Jerusalem.
He also offered to build God a permanent house (2 Sam. 7).
David loved God and loved being in His presence.
While he was not a priest, and respected God’s boundaries
concerning the tabernacle, it was of great comfort to be in the presence
of God (and on His side).
c.
Our
tabernacle is the Lord’s church today
– It is the TRUE tabernacle (Heb.
9:11, 8:1-2). We
find in Hebrews that the tabernacle was actually a type of the church to
come. Understanding
this, do we seek to abide in God’s presence in His church?
Consider here Hebrews 10:25.
d.
ALSO,
ultimately we should strive to enter heaven when this life is over.
That is where God’s throne is (Rev. 4-5) and where our Lord Jesus
is, sitting at the right hand of God (1 Peter 3:22, Heb. 10:22)
a.
Once again
in the psalms we see the faith of David. It is a mature faith that
trusts in God, even when the things of this life seem to be without
hope. We ought to gladly
anticipate that day that we have such faith (cf.
2 Tim. 3:11, “And out of them all the Lord delivered me.”)
b.
“You have heard my vows”
– God DOES answer prayer, but not always
as we want it. Regardless of
how He answers, we need faith (James 1:6-7).
c.
“You have given me the heritage of those
who fear Your name.”
In the English language, the word heritage is often associated with
something one receives by birth or family association.
The Hebrew word for
Heritage here means a
possession or an inheritance (Word Study Dictionary of the OT).
NOTE the life of David and his heritage.
God had promised that His throne would be established forever (2
Samuel 7:12-16). The
ULTIMATE answer to David’s heritage was Jesus Christ seated on
his throne (Mark 16:19).
HERITAGE – a worthy
way to consider our hope as Christians. WE
are “join heirs with Christ.” (Rom. 8:16-17).
Colossians 1:12 speaks of our inheritance.
d.
Vs.
6-7 – he expected to be
preserved. God had
promised such to Him. So
David is only demonstrating his trust that God would do what He
promised. He knew he would
return to his throne in Jerusalem.
But ultimately, he looked to abide with God forever – a hope of
heaven after this life.
e.
HOW?
With mercy and truth – both
are necessary to our salvation.
We cannot be saved without God’s mercy.
AND we need His truth to know what we ought to do – John 17:17,
8:32.
f.
NOTE:
Some view vs. 6-7 as Messianic.
And when you consider the promise to David we just discussed,
these verses would find ULTIMATE fulfillment in Christ coming and dying
for our sins and NOW reigning upon David’s throne.
It was the message Peter preached on Pentecost – Acts 2:22-36.
a.
In typical
Davidic fashion, David’s faith provokes him to praise God in song.
His praise of God was not hidden, but open!
Don’t ever be ashamed of our Lord.
When you sing, do it without shame (Colossians 3:16, James 5:13,
cf. Acts 16:25).
b.
“That I may daily perform my vows.”
The daily life of a Christian – be loyal to God.
Do we keep our vows to Him?
Don’t have a faith that is ALL take and no give!
Considering God’s love for us, we need to love Him back –
1 John 4:19, “We
love Him because He first loved us.”