Presented, June 5, 2005 pm
HEAR A JUST CAUSE
PSALM 17
Tonight we continue our study of the psalms. Tonight we will examine the 17th Psalm. The superscription of this psalm is simple, “A prayer of David”. Because of that we do not know the exact time in his life that this applies to, yet it says much about David. He is known as a man of prayer, praying at all times. AND this particular psalm is a prayer, where as many of his psalms simply include prayers in them. This particular psalm shows his continued confidence in God to deliver him. Let us notice some lessons from this psalm.
I. Vs. 1-5 – David’s Just Cause
a. His cause IS just (1).
i. David is pleading with God to hear his prayer, his just cause. What he is asking is justified and he feels it is worthy of God’s attention.
ii. David was not always just or innocent, but as he prays this prayer, he is. And his request is a just request.
iii.
Lesson:
If our prayers are to be heard our cause needs to be just.
We need to pray with a proper attitude – James 4:3 speaks of asking and not
receiving because of the way it is asked.
1 John 3:18-22 – If our heart does not condemn us, we can have confidence before
God.
Also 1 John 5:14, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we
ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
b. Jehovah God, the source of his justice (2) –
i. He requests that his vindication come from God.
ii. There are many sources through which one can seek vindication. Often our courts vindicate some wrong. But courts are imperfect and err from time to time. AND there are many in this life who seem to get away with their evil ways.
iii.
God ought to be our source of vindication. Let Him take care of it.
There are many today who dwell in misery because they have been cheated or not
received justice. As Christians, we need to learn to let go of that and trust
in God. Romans 12:18-21
iv. Why is this so? Because God sees that which is upright (2). God is a just judge and He is impartial. Romans 2:11, 1 Peter 1:17.
c. His heart is just.
i. David innocence is proclaimed here (3). With confidence he can turn to God knowing that he is trying. It is as if he is saying, “Lord you know my heart, and you know I am sincere and innocent in this.”
ii.
What about our prayers? Are we that open with God when we pray to Him?
Do we go to Him with a pure heart? Our lives may not be pure when we approach
Him, but our desire to make that pure which is why we go to Him in prayer.
1 Peter 1:7 speaks of a genuine faith that will be found to praise, glory and
honor at the revelation of Jesus.
James 5:16 says the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
d. His conduct is just. (3c-4)
i. He mentions several things he himself has done.
1.
He has determined that he would not SAY anything that would be sinful.
WE know how important controlling the tongue is (James 3:1-12). Let us consider
this in light of David’s circumstances here. David could easily speak evil of
his enemies and “pay them back”. He could look at everything they do with a
critical eye and find evil motives (even when they are not there). He could
gossip about them. Etc. But he didn’t . He made a conscious effort to say
what NEEDED to be said and nothing else!
James 1:19-20, Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words, sin is not
lacking; But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
2.
He used God’s word to preserve him from the works of men (works contrary
to God’s will). Brethren, if we are to insure favor with God we must
continually seek His will in His word. Ignorance is NO excuse.
We have to be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord (2 Peter 3:18)
Ps 119:10-11 says, “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander
from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not
sin against You.”
Solomon wrote of wisdom preserving us in Proverbs 2:10-13
3.
He avoided exposure to their evil ways. It is much easier to serve God
when we remove sources of temptation from our lives.
As Jesus Himself said during His temptation, “Away with you Satan!...”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers… “‘Come out
from among them and be separate’ says the Lord”
ii. In this we see the importance of doing our part before we turn to God. We cannot continue to lives of rebellion and expect God to be there for us when we need Him. That was a major flaw in the reasoning of Israel continually.
e. His desire is just (5).
i. David does not want to stumble. He desires for Jehovah to keep him on the right path. He knows what his condition will be if he rejects God.
ii.
Is our attitude always, “not what I will, but what You will”?
Are we willing to “observe all things commanded” (Matthew 28:20)?
iii.
We must always keep in mind the paths of God lest we become disqualified
–
Hebrews 2:1 – we do not want to drift away.
1 Corinthians 9:27 – Paul was concerned that he himself would become
“disqualified”
II. Vs. 6-9 – David’s Confidence in God
a. He turns to God (6), with complete confidence
i. Whether he could turn to others on this occasion we don’t know, but regardless, he knew he could turn to his Lord. We can ALWAYS turn to the Lord.
ii. Notice his faith – I have turned to You, (past tense), because You will (future tense) hear me. This is true faith – he believes he will receive his request even though it has not happened yet. Like the examples of Hebrews 11 who died in faith no having received the promises (11:13-16). A good example is Joseph (Heb. 11:22)
iii. Let our prayers be with faith – James 1:5-6, Hebrews 11:6
b. Because he knows God will deliver those who trust in Him (7-9)
i. In these verses I see one who doesn’t expect God to change, but rather to continue to do what is according to His own will. God is a just and righteous God – Ephesians 2:4-5, etc.
ii. He just simply wants these things applied to Him. He is expecting God’s help.
iii.
Do we expect help from God when we go to Him with our needs? We ought
to. Not that we make demands of Him, but we truly believe that He can and will
answer us.
Hebrews 11:6 – we must believe that He is…
Where is your faith?
c.
“Keep me as the apple of your eye” (8) – David’s desire to remain
cherished by his Lord. More than anything, David wants to be pleasing to God.
Is that our goal? 2 Corinthians 5:9 – we make it our aim to be well pleasing
unto Him
III. Vs. 10-14 – The World’s Lack of Confidence in God
a. They have closed up their fat hearts (10). As the term is used here it has reference to gluttony and a self-satisfied attitude. They are “at ease” and therefore see no need for God in their lives. In fact it is the reminders of God that bothers them most – hence their desires to rid themselves of the righteous (because they expose their worldly ways).
b. They are proud – filled with arrogance and bragging. Such attitudes are not to be part of the Christian’s life - James 4:16
c. They oppress the just (11-12). As already just mentioned - See also John 3:19-21, James 2:6-7.
d.
David requests that God cast them down. (13) Why? This could be either
for selfish motives, because he wants a better life down here and for his
enemies to suffer OR so that God’s will prevails. In this context, I am
confident David is requesting the latter. He has already expressed innocence in
his speech and as this psalm concludes he is looking toward the next life.
Also, David is not taking matters into his own hands – but laying his requests
at the Lord’s feet.
What is our attitude toward those who are evil in this world? We certainly do
not want them to prevail, but we should not rejoice in their downfall – because
souls are being lost.
Nevertheless, if it is for the will of God we seek the world to be defeated –
that is noble and righteous. 1 Timothy 1:20 is an example of this.
e.
They are satisfied with this life’s good – they have their portion
(though they do not consider the source of it). One of the biggest frustrations
we often face is to ask why the wicked do so well. The reason is because God
blesses all, including those who are against Him. But know that in the end, God
will call all things into account.
They are satisfied with children reasoning that what they have will be their
inheritance (14).
IV. Vs. 15 – David’s Ultimate Confidence
a. I will see Your face in righteousness, I will be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
b. Let this verse show that David believed in life after death. He believed in heaven and knew that if he remained faithful, one day he would see the Lord face to face.
c. In this verse we also find that David is willing to accept whatever fate God has in store, because he knows there is something better waiting on the other side of death.
d.
Is that our goal? We may have many goals in this life – but none is as
important as preparing to die. And the reason we are like this is because of
what we have in store –
Philippians 3:20-21 speaks of our citizenship in heaven when we will be
transformed and conformed to His glorious image. Also 1 John 3:2-3
1 Peter 1:3-5 – we look forward to an inheritance, incorruptible – reserved in
heaven for us.
Thus we have another psalm of David. Let me ask, CAN YOU PRAY THIS PRAYER? If you are not a Christian, you cannot. It is the prayers of the righteous that God heeds. IT is a privilege of Christianity. If you are not a Christian, become one today and enjoy this privilege. If you have left God – you need to come back to Him. God is waiting and so are we.