In Whom Does the Lord Delight? (2)

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In Whom Does the Lord Delight? (2)

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Psalm 18:19-27


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NOTE: By way of reminder.  This is the only lesson presented for this date.  Being our 4th Sunday, our evening service is a singing service. If you are in our area, you are certainly still invited. TATJR

 

Last week, we began a brief study dealing with those in whom the Lord delights.  In that lesson we addressed our text,  Psalm 18:19, He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.  This was a psalm of reflection later in David’s life after a formidable victory against the Philistines as he considered the blessings of God throughout his life.  In that lesson we defined what it means that God delights – a word meaning, “to incline toward” and implies one who takes pleasure in and is pleased with someone or something.  We examined a few passages that use the word and then noted that God’s delight OUGHT to be our goal.  We then noted several examples of those whom the LORD delighted in: 1) David – the focus of our text and described as “a man after God’s own heart; 2) Enoch who “walked with and pleased God – Hebrews 11:5; 3) Job who was described as blameless and upright and one who holds to his integrity (Job 1:8, 2:3), 4) Abraham whose faith earned him the description, “he was a friend of God” (James 2:23); 5) Moses with whom God spoke “face to face” – Numbers 12:6-8; 6) Daniel describe as one greatly beloved (Dan. 9:23, 10:11, 19); and 6) ultimately, Jesus in whom the Father was well pleased (Matthew 3:17, etc.)   Finally, we concluded our lesson by noting a few examples of what God did for those in whom He delighted.  And what He can do for us if He delights in us.

Today, we want to continue our study by noting the one in whom the Lord delights.  In particular we will focus on David’s text as he praised God.  We will notice Psalm 18:19-27.  As you will see in this lesson, it is a matter of the heart.  The heart that is inclined toward him and is seen in our attitudes and actions.

  1. He rewarded me according to my righteousness. IT is adhering to what is required.  In the case of our text, it is about submitting to God’s will.  BUT, in David’s case, it went deeper as David’s righteousness stemmed from his heart.  He loved God and was described as “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 13:14).  God knew that what David did was MORE than superficial.  David’s righteousness is described in the following terms in our text.  And his righteousness is described in the remainder of the text.
  2. Clean hands –
    1. First, “clean hands” is a legal term (civil) that means one had no part in something wrongful. They cannot seek judicial relief if they have acted unfairly or dishonestly in the situation.  It is designed to emphasize fairness and honesty in legal dealings.
    2. Biblically it describes one who is innocent, either in a given situation or the manner of his life. He has clean hands because he has not participated in something evil.  He has purified himself.  Many refer back to the cleanliness required of the priests before entering the tabernacle (cf. Exodus 30:21).
    3. In this expression, David is declaring that he is honest and has acted without deceit in his dealing with others (of course, we know he was not perfect – cf. 1 Kings 15:5 which speaks of Abijam reigning wickedly in Judah, Nevertheless for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.)
    4. Psalm 24:3-4, Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully…
    5. We need to be living with “clean hands” to be pleasing to God. While not sinlessly perfect, we are trying to live without sin.  AND when we do sin, we take care of it. 1 John 1:9 notes, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    6. Obeying the gospel is an act of cleansing – Acts 22:16, Hebrews 10:22, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
    7. James 4:8. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
  3. He kept the ways of the LORD, with His judgments and statutes.
    1. David was a man of obedience. 1 Samuel 15:21-12 – he had kept the ways of the LORD… His judgments and statues were before him.
    2. God has always demanded obedience to His will. Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not the things that I say?”
    3. James 1:22-25 calls for us to be doers of the word and not hearers only.
    4. Faithfulness – there is a reason the words “faith” and “faithful” are derived from the same Greek root word. Faith is about trusting God.  Faithfulness is acting on our faith with loyalty and integrity.  It is about keeping God’s word regardless of the cost to the point that you can be counted on.  1 Corinthians 4:1-2 – stewards are to be faithful.
    5. Note also Matthew 6:24 – no one can serve two masters… loyal to one…
    6. What He demands is pure obedience – Psalm 51:16, Isaiah 1:11-12. Amos 5:21-22.  In each of these texts, we find that God does not want MERE sacrifices, but obedience.
  4. He did not wickedly depart from God –
    1. Not rebellious, hypocritical or corrupt.
    2. God does not delight in the one who lives a double life.
    3. An oft condemnation of the Pharisees was their hypocrisy – saying one thing and doing something different. In Matthew 23 – 7 times Jesus called them hypocrites.
    4. James 1:8 speaks of the double-minded man. James 3:10-11 speaks of the tongue that contradicts.  1 John 4:20 speaks of the one professing to love God and hates his brother; Titus 1:16 speaks of the one who professes to know God but in works denies Him.
    5. The life of a disciple is continual – 7 days a week, all year long. God is pleased when He sees consistent faithfulness in our lives.
  5. He was blameless before Him –
    1. To be blameless means that no charge can be levied against one. It did NOT mean David was perfect.  We know that, but His loyalty to God was never in question.
      1 Chronicles 29:17, David declares, I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things;…    Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.  Can we genuinely pray this to God?
    2. Recall Job – Job 1:8 – described as blameless and upright.
    3. Philippians 2:15 we are called to be, …blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
    4. Understand that we are not perfect, but we have a Savior who can cleanse us when we comply to His will, and present us blameless before God – 1 Thessalonians 5:23, also 2 Peter 3:14 – be diligent to be found in Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
  6. He kept himself from iniquity – see the previous point addressing this.
  7. He was merciful –
    1. David showed incredible mercy on many occasions. Twice he had opportunity to slay Saul. He sought to protect his lineage showing kindness to Mephibosheth.  He was forgiving when he could be.
    2. Micah 6:8, He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
    3. God will show Himself merciful to the one who is merciful. Matthew 5:7 says, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.  On more than one occasion we find similar language.  James 2:13, etc.
    4. WHY will God show mercy to the merciful? BECAUSE He delights in them.
  8. He was pure –
    1. Matthew 5:8 tells us, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
    2. Psalm 24:3-4 again notes that to ascend into the LORD’s presence we need BOTH clean hands and a pure heart. Recall that David was described as a man after God’s own heart.  You see this as the default demeanor of David from the time he enters the Biblical picture until he leaves.
    3. As we have noted in times past, purity can mean 2 different things: 1) Undiluted and 2) Unpolluted. Our spiritual hearts need to be both.
    4. Again, James 4:8. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
  9. He was humble –
    1. Our text notes, “You will save the humble people.” (Vs. 27)
    2. Again we note David had flaws, but in these flaws we can also see his humility. 1)After his sins with Uriah and Bathsheba you find his humility as he is ready to accept God’s punishment (but God mercifully spares him) – 2 Samuel 12:12-14, Psalm 51, etc.;  2) 2 Samuel 24 as he numbers the people against the wishes of God, he realizes he was wrong (2 Sam. 24:10) and goes to God asking forgiveness.  After a 3 day plague, which is stopped at the threshing floor of Araunah David buys everything to offer a sacrifice to God (cf. 2 Sam. 24:17, 24).  That is genuine humility.
    3. Isaiah 57:15, For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
    4. 1 Peter 5:5-6, Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
    5. Romans 12:3, For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. We need to know our place before Him.
    6. IF God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble, surely it is a quality that He delights in.

 

In this lesson we have seen a handful of qualities that will cause God to delight in us.  We could add more, but what we have noted is sufficient to understand the type of heart God delights in.  As you examine your life, what does God see in you.  What do you see in yourself? If the answers do not align, you have work to do.  Think about it.

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