God, Good, Evil, and Me Psalm 73

 

God, Good, Evil, and Me Psalm 73

Introduction:

God’s perspective, it goes without saying,  is not the same as ours. He sees all of time and history through the lens of omniscience and eternity, we can only see through the lens of our lives and a short amount of history. Today’s text is found in Psalms 73 and this Psalms deals with the problem of our perspective compared to God’s. It was a problem in David’s day, just as it was in Job’s and just as it in our ours. It comes down to one of the most fundamental questions about God and man. If we could put it in the form of a question instead of a Psalms, it would be, “God why do you allow evil to exist and why do you not punish those who practice evil?”

Some Background: 

The 5 Books of the Book of Psalms / The divisions of the book of Psalms.

Our book of Psalms is actually a collection or five separate books. These books are arranged by category or subject and that arrangement was probably done over time but especially finalized by the great Hebrew scribe Ezra, during the time period when Israel was return back to their homeland after their release from Babylonian captivity, around 450 BC.

I. Psalms 1–41. Theme is Adoring Worship, Genesis/ Man

II. Psalms 42–72. Wondering Worship, Exodus/ Israel

III. Psalms 73–89. Ceaseless Worship, Leviticus/ Sanctuary

IV. Psalms 90–106. Submissive Worship, Numbers/ Moses and Wilderness

V. Psalms 107–150. Perfected Worship, Deuteronomy / Law and Land

The major types or categories of the Psalms.

1. Didactic / Teaching or Wisdom. Psalms of instruction.

2. History. psalms composed of references to historical events of the nation of Israel.

3. Hallelujah, Praise To The Lord.

4. Penitential. Confession to God.

5. Supplication. Seeking God’s help.

6. Thanksgiving. Giving Thanks to God

7. Messianic. Prophetic Psalms Looking for Christ.

8. Nature. Seeing God in Creation

9.  Pilgrim. Sung during pilgrimages for Passover, Tabernacle and Trumpet Holy Days.

10. Imprecatory. Psalms Seeking Justice from God

Author and Theme:

Psalms 73 Is a didactic or wisdom Psalms. Written by Asaph, who was one of King Davids three chief Psalm writers. Psalms 73–83, along with the 50th Psalm, are all attributed to Asaph, who wrote more of the Psalms than anyone other than David.

Theme of the 73rd Psalm. Why do the wicked prosper?

Secure Stand To Slippery Slope – Psalms 73:1-3

A Believer With Questions

Asaph begins with a strong statement of faith. He is not doubting God’s existence or His goodness, but he is having doubts about God’s administration of justice. First notice his statement of faith.

Psalms 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. There is no doubt here. Asaph declares with full assurance and faith, “Surely, absolutely, God is good to Israel, to his covenanted people, his chosen nation.”  

Asaph further qualifies that statement because not all of the people within the nation of Israel would be blessed by God, so he adds, “even to such as are of a clean heart.” The idea of a clean heart is one that is pure in its purpose of obeying and following the Lord. It doesn’t mean sinless or never having doubts. Later in this very Psalms Asaph is going to confess to both those things.

Jesus may have been thinking of this verse or many others like it when he was preaching the sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. This is where the true follower of God turns his eyes, his life and his purpose toward God and Jesus said that would be their reward.

So far so good, Asaph. God is good toward his people, those who live righteously and seek Him. Asaph wants it understood, “I know this is true. I have no doubts about God and his goodness, his love, his mercy or his grace.”

That would have been a pretty short Psalms if he had stopped there. But he didn’t because the theme of the Psalms isn’t God’s goodness, it is God’s dealings with wickedness. Its about God, Good, Evil and Me. (that would make a good title for a sermon, I think.)

Now look at Psalms 73:2-3 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity (Hebrew: the shalom) of the wicked.

Asaph expresses a real danger personal danger. My feet were almost gone, I was close to falling. His feet, which had stood upon such solid ground in vs. 1, now were in danger of slipping because he couldn’t understand why the wicked had prosperity, peace, seemingly blessings. He was having a hard time trying to walk on the righteous path. Why, he asks, does the holy God, who hates sin, let those who pursue it the most flourish? Why does He let His own people suffer in contrast to the wicked who prosper?

Asaph’s is asking …

 A Legitimate but Dangerous Question

If Asaph’s questions and doubts haven’t occurred to you, then you probably haven’t been around very long. We face this question as soon as we step out into the wide world. From grade school though the rest of our life, we can see what Asaph saw and if we are honest, we will ask the same question.

“Why does that little girl in Kindergarten get away with knocking down my blocks and stealing them for her tower?” Later on, we ask, “Lord, why do you allow arrogant, evil, wicked, corrupt people to prosper as entertainers, athletes, businesspeople, politicians, internet moguls and so many other high places in society?” That little girl in kindergarten who stole your blocks is probably now in Washington DC getting inside stock tips and take bribes from lobbyists. Maybe not, but you get the idea.

The wider and deeper you look at the world, the more wicked and despicable are the people who are running it. Like Job, Elijah, Jeremiah or Ezekiel, Asaph is struggling with this issue. He is being honest with God and through God’s word, honest with us even today. When you think about that it makes the Bible a little dangerous, doesn’t it?

If we try and deal with this problem from our own perspective, we wind up in the situation our nation is in today. Trying to equate or equalize all disparities of justice, wealth and privilege and making the situation so much worse than it was. Movements like LGBTQ, DEI, ESG, phrases like “being woke” or what a SJW does are all attempts by man without God to try and fix the problem Asaph is talking about. (If you don’t know what all those acronyms mean, you’re probably better off than I am and I’m not going to use precious time in the pulpit to define them)

But I will say this, those movements and the social justice warriors who try and ram them down our throats, don’t see God, goodness, or evil as Asaph did. They see the problem but not from Asaph’s beginning solid ground. Asaph had an anchor in his faith, but this present society is adrift in a sea of anarchy with no chart, compass or anchor. Trying to fix the world’s wickedness or your own wickedness while swimming in that wickedness is like trying to throw out an anchor with the rope tied round your neck. The result, because it lacks the solid standing of faith in God, is why our society and lives are so divided, broken, bitter and hopeless today. Seeing the problem but lacking the proper perspective can only destroy not restore.

Asaph goes on and addresses the full depths of this question of God’s justice in vv. 4-12.

Struggling With Sinners Prosperity – Psalms 73:4-13

Bewildered By Bad People’s Prosperity

Asaph sees the ungodly, those who aren’t even pretending to follow the Lord and is astounded because they are coasting through life, while the righteous are struggling.

Asaph records five area that he see the wicked being blessed instead of punished.

In vs 3 we already read, he sees their Prosperity In Life – Psalms 73:3 I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

He can’t help but ask, Why should the wicked have it so good, while those who follow God struggle.

In vs 4 He is upset by Their Peace At Death  - Psalms 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

Even when they do die, it is quick and painless, no suffering.

In vs 5 By their Placid Living - Psalms 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men;
neither are they plagued like other men.

He is amazed that the wicked live in sin and yet don’t seem to have any difficulties or problems. The just go from party to party, good time to good time.

 In vss. 6-9 By Their Pride Against God - Psalms 73:6-9 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.  7 Their eyes stand out with fatness:
they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

These people are proud of their wealth, their possessions, their fame and fortune. They flaunt it like the jewelry they wear. Nor are they ashamed of the Violence they use to acquire their wealth. Asaph says they wear violence like a garment. They are corrupt, they set their words against the word of God. They dare to yell in the day, the wicked things, that used to be whispered in the darkest of night.

In vss. 10-11 by their Power over God’s People. Psalms 73:10-11 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. Asaph sees the final consequence of God not taking action against the evil, he says as this continues without intervention from God, then God’s people turn to these wicked evil people, they are given a full cup from the resources of the wicked. The end result is in vs. 11. Psalms 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? How will God found out? Does God really know anything at all about what is happening on earth?

Job expressed this same thought, in Job 21:13-15 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.  15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

Asaph sees all this and even though the evidence is probably amplified by his own feelings, still there is no denying the truth of what he sees. And here is the real danger to Asaph and his faith in God. It’s a danger we face today as much or more, than Asaph.

Asaph’s Peril Psalms 73:12-14 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

His near spiritual fatal fall, his dangerous conclusion is this, “Why am I even trying to live for the Lord? Having a pure heart is worthless and I’m cleansing my life for nothing, because I am suffering and being even being corrected by the Lord all the while the wicked prosper without God.

Now that is brutally honest, and it can be brutally fatal to a person’s walk with God. It brings us down to this question.  

Is it worth it?

This is a question we all must answer. Even if we don’t see everything with the same emotions and filters that Asaph saw, we often come to this same conclusion. Maybe it isn’t worth it to believe in God. Maybe it’s not worth it to try to live a good life and follow God’s word or walk in God’s way.

Is it? Is it worth it to go to church, to share the Gospel, to raise my family as God directs? Is it worth it to read your Bible. Is it worth it to pray to God who doesn’t punish the wicked? Is it worth it to be a child of God?

The last book in the Old Testament written by the prophet Malachi shows that this danger to one’s faith was still strong, and growing stronger because here the people are talking back to God’s prophet, and they say in Malachi 3:14-15 … It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

To the people of Malachi’s time, they tripped over Asaph’s peril and now believe it not worth serving God, the wickedness of the world produces a better reward than serving God.

But, before you answer that question for yourself, let me tell you a true story.

Have you ever heard the story of William Borden?

William Borden was born in 1887 and was the heir to a silver mining fortune, that his father had accumulated in Colorado. He often joked about being mistaken for the guy who created condensed milk, but the family’s money came from metal not milk. In today’s money, William Borden would have been worth millions if not billions of dollars.

While still young, his mother took him to Chicago Avenue church, where R.A. Torrey was preaching. William heard the Gospel and gave his heart to Jesus Christ. Then around 1900, after he graduated high school, his parents sent him with a chaperone on a trip around the world before he would start college. What he saw in places like China broke the young boy’s heart. So many people and none seemed to know anything about the Lord who had died for them. He traveled to London where once again R. A. Torrey was preaching and once again William answered the call, but this time to serve his Lord as a missionary back to China.

He entered Yale Divinity School, when Yale Divinity school still taught the Bible. He began having prayer groups and through those groups a revival broke out that sent from the freshman class right to the oldest senior. He was an athlete, president of Phi Beta Kappa and with his own money he funded a rescue mission in New Haven, where he would go and preach an pray with the derelicts, outcasts and alcoholics.

He went on to Princton in 1909, there he impressed his professor and fellow students with his humbleness and dedication. At only 22 he took charge of the National Bible Institute, was a board member of the Moody Bible Institute, oversaw the operation of four rescue missions and was a member of the North American Council of the China Inland mission society, from which was ultimately sent out as a missionary to the Muslims of northern China. Before he went to China he wanted to learn the Arabic language and went to Egypt to live with a Syrian family.

Doesn’t it make you wonder why most people have never heard of William Borden? This young man before he was 25 had done more for the cause of Christ than most of will ever do in our lifetime. Surely, he would be the greatest missionary to China that ever preached the Gospel. Perhaps it would have been that way, but something happened in Egypt in 1913, William Borden contracted cerebral meningitis and died in less than three weeks. His mother who all those years before had taken him to church and watched him give his life to the Lord, arrived just in time for her son’s burial in Cairo. He never made it to China but instead was  buried away from his family and away from his the mission field where he so desired to serve the Lord.

Was it worth for William Borden, after all he did, after all he sacrificed? Was it really worth it, just to die so far away and seemingly without reaching his goal.

Perhaps, William Borden is just more evidence of what Asaph was seeing, the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. Asaph has expressed his questions and doubts, but something is about to change and make the issue not only very clear but instead of weakening Asaph’s faith, it would become stronger than when he began his questions.

Go to vs. 15.

Sanctuary Insight - Psalms 73:15 – 22

Back To Solid Ground

Asaph begins to pull back from the edge in vs 15-16 Psalms 73:15-16 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

He knows that not only is he on dangerous ground but if he starts turning his questions and doubts into exclamations and diatribes, he is going to damage more than just himself. He will hurt others in his generation. This leaves Asaph in a terrible dilemma; he can’t say anything and he can’t resolve the wickedness of men and the justice of God. He says, “I tried to understand, but it was just too painful for me to keep trying.”

And yet we have Psalms 73 right before us. Asaph did speak out and that means he did come to an understanding, but it wasn’t due to his own reasoning or observations. No, it came when he went to the Lord’s house. Psalms 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Going into the sanctuary, the temple, gave Asaph the perspective he needed to find the right answer and to keep from slipping into the trap of wickedness and evil.

Asaph went to church so to speak. He was a song leader, a Psalm writer in the service at the Temple and as he went to where God was praised and God was worshipped, he began to understand. His perspective lifted from the wickedness of men around him to the wonder of God above and beyond him. He saw eternity instead of immediacy, He saw the failing of  riches and the wicked who pursue them, and he saw the reward of those who pursue God.

Psalms 73:18-20 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.  19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest,
thou shalt despise their image.

When he went to the Lord’s house, he saw that God wasn’t ignoring the wicked but had allowed them to reach a level and then like someone trying to walk up an ice-covered hillside, they would be completely brought down. God had given them enough rope to hang themselves, is how Asaph would say it, if he was from East Texas.

Asaph’s perspective changed when he considered, not the prosperity of the rich around him, but the promises of God before him, not the wickedness of men in effect now but the will of God that affects eternity.

Centuries later, John the aged apostle would write it in a letter to his “little children” of the faith, 1 John 2:16-17 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Asaph was humbled in the sanctuary and repented before His God and regained his spiritual solid ground. Look at Psalms 73:21-22 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

I was like an animal unable to see the truth. That is a very strong statement of confession.

Sanity in the Sanctuary

You want to make sense of this world? Do you want to understand how all this mess and anarchy around us can be changed, or endured or fought against? The answer isn’t in who you vote for next November, it’s not in planning a civil war or using violence against all those idiots on TV and in your news feed. What you need is perspective because What you see depends on where you stand. And you need to stand on the solid, sure, steadfast ground of faith in God.

What will give you that perspective is being in the Lord’s house. It is hearing praises sung to Him and His people fellowshipping with Him and with one another. It is hearing His word proclaimed and taught as He meant it to be heard then and now. You need to hear God speak, not some pale false prophet of prosperity or personal visions.

This world and its wickedness will never make any sense, it has been saturated in sin, anchored in anarchy and poisoned by perversion though Satan cunning and power but in the midst of that wickedness, stand the Lord’s churches like cities of refuge, like islands in a hurricane, like shelters in a terrible storm.

In The Lord’s House We Can See Later in Psalms 77:13, Asaph would write, “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”

Jesus said, “Matthew 16:18 upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Do you need a foundation that will stand against the attacks of this world? Then stand with the church on the solid Rock of Jesus Christ!

Paul said, Ephesians 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Do you need a shelter from sin where you can meet with God? Then shelter in the church, because it is his dwelling place.

Peter talking to the Gentiles who were the Lord’s church, his new house of witness, his sanctuary, “1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (a special, possessed by God) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Do you need to have a powerful sense of purpose and belonging when the world tosses you away like so much garbage, then be a part of God’s chosen generation, his royal priesthood. Know you are precious to Him because he possesses you and will never let anything take you from His love.

You know I could have preached this whole sermon in just one sentence, “If you want to understand God plans, then go to church.” But what’s the fun in a one sentence sermon?

Look at what going to God’s house did to Asaph’s attitude in vs 23

Singing of God’s Goodness - Psalms 73:23–28

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all thy works.

Better Than Before

Asaph started in faith, but as he walked out in the world and saw it's wickedness and what he thought was God’s unwillingness to execute justice, his faith wavered. He began to wonder, "Is following God  really worth the effort, the suffering and the sacrifice?"

But, then he went to church, aren’t you glad he went. We have this incredible wisdom Psalm today, because Asaph when to church and understood. His perspective changed, His vision was lifted and his heart came back even stronger in faith to his God. Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Will it be worth it?

With the change of perspective comes a change in the question. Instead of asking is it worth, we should ask will it be worth it? Life is short but eternity is forever.

Will it be worth it, in eternity? Will what you sacrifice, suffering, accomplish for God today, count for eternity? Listen to the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I know it’s often hard to see this truth, much less live it and I believe the only way you can is by doing what Asaph did, stand in the sanctuary and understand. Come to the Lord’s house today and find hope for tomorrow.

Conclusion

Remember the story I told you of William Borden?

Let me tell you the end and then you must decide if it was worth it for him, and more importantly you must decide if following the Lord, despite the wickedness around us, is worth it for you.

I told you his mother arrived just to watch her son buried in Cairo, Egypt. On his grave were inscribed words suggested by Charles Erdman: "Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation of such a life." Memorial services were conducted for Borden at Princeton University and at a little African Methodist church where Borden had taught Sunday school for two years. Other services were held at Yale Hope Mission, at Moody Church, at Marble Collegiate Church in New York, and in Japan, Korea, India and South Africa.

In his will Borden left $800,000 to the China Inland Mission and other Christian mission agencies. China Inland Mission built and named the Borden Memorial Hospital in Lanzhou, Gansu, in his memory.

At his bedside they found a note in his Bible, that he had written while he was dying. It simply read, “No reserve, no retreat, and no regrets.”

Borden’s life and death in this world seemed short and wasted but his sacrifice, and the lives he touched with the Gospel are still paying dividends in eternity.

Will it be worth it? As we stand this morning in God’s house, with God’s people, hearing God’s word we can see that the answer is Oh, yes! 10,000 times 10,000 times over yes!

 

Hallelujah: The Hallel Psalms: Psalms 113-118

 

Hallelujah: The Hallel Psalms: Psalms 113-118

Introduction:

This Sunday is the Jewish Passover and I thought it would be appropriate to take the occasion and talk not just about the Passover but about the celebration of the Passover. We are also going to recognize the Passover later this afternoon by observing the Lord’s Supper which for Christians replaced or, perhaps we should say, fulfilled the Passover.  So, lets take some time the morning to learn and appreciate the Passover, how it was observed, and especially the use of designated Psalms during the observance of the Passover.

Those Psalms are the 113th through the 118th. They are known as the Hallel Psalms, we would call them the Hallelujah or Praise Ye The Lord Psalms.  These scriptures were used then and are still used today by the Jewish people during the Holy Day / Sabbath feasts and festivals, especially the family observations of Passover.

Lets begin by reminding ourselves of the reason for the celebration, the remembrance of the Passover. The first Passover is found in Exodus 12.

The First Passover - Exodus 12:3-12

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: … 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. …11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

This Day A Memorial

We are pretty familiar with this story. On the night of the 10th and last plague of Egypt the Death Angel passed over the homes of Egypt and those homes which were marked with the blood of a lamb upon the lintel and the side posts of the door would be spared the terrible consequence of the death of a firstborn in every house.  This was the horrific consequence and terrible judgment of God upon those who did not believe and refused to obey the true God

On that same night the Hebrew slaves were told to gird up their loins have their shoes on their feet and be prepared to leave. Before they left, they were to eat the Passover meal which would commemorate from that time forward the deliverance of Israel from the death and slavery of Egypt.

Each family would take an unblemished lamb, slay it, collect the blood and put it upon the doorposts and lintel, then they would eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Centuries later, after Israel returned to their land from their first captivity in Babylon and Persia, the Passover was observed with more ceremony because it now represented not just the deliverance from Egypt but also their return to Jerusalem. When the Temple and city was rebuilt by Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, they celebrated with a new Psalms, Psalms 118. Later, this Psalms was incorporated into the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. As the some of pilgrims would come into Jerusalem, they would join in a procession bringing their lambs to the Temple to be sacrificed. As they approached the Temple mount, they would sing the 118th Psalms.

Psalms 113-118 the Hallel Psalms

The History of the Hallel Psalms

The Jews have been saying some kind of Hallel since the time of Moses, then David adapted it to the service of the Levites in the Temple and finally after the return from captivity it is all gathered together in Psalms 113-118.

If any part of the book of Psalms may be considered more sacred than any another, especially to the Jewish people, it would probably be these six psalms from Psalms 113 to 118, which rabbinical literature refers to as “The Hallel” or sometimes “the Egyptian Hallel” while Psalms 120-136 and especially Psalms 136 is referred to as the Great Hallel in which every verse exhorts the reader to Psalms 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

At Passover and other feasts and Holy Days, these Hallel Psalms were sung, emphasizing the word that word Hallelujah over and over. Translated the word is, as we read in our English translations, Praise The Lord.

Psalm 117 and 118, that we are looking at today, lay out the sacrificial offerings of Passover in song form.  Psalm 117, which is the shortest of all the Psalms, is an introduction to Psalms 118.

Psalms 117

Psalms 117 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

The first thing we notice in Ps 117 is that it is a call for the universal praise to God from all nations. It stands out because it for all peoples and nations to praise the Lord God for his merciful kindness. This is the OT world for grace, the undeserved love and favor of God. Psalms 117 exhorts all people to praise God for His grace is great and His truth endures forever.

Secondly, we notice in Psalms 117:1 That we have two words for praise. This doesn’t stand out in English but it is plain in Hebrew. The first “praise” is the Hebrew word hallel from which we derive our word, “hallelujah” which means, “praise the Lord.” This praise has the idea of praising upward toward God. The second “praise” however is a different Hebrew word,  shavah. This word also has the idea of praise, but our praise is directed outward towards others. It means “to boast, to extol,  to laud.” Taking these together it means thanking God and then telling others. And what do we tell them about God? It’s here in vs 1. We praise God for his merciful kindness, His grace, is great toward us, and His unfailing truth endures for ever. So, what you think of those two things, what else can you do but shout a Hallelujah, Praise the Lord just like Psalms 117 does at it ends.

As 117 ends and begins in Hallelujah. Psalms 118 continues the theme. In some older manuscripts Psalms 117 and 118 were put together as on Psalms and you can see why. The theme of praise runs through both and the same theme is found in all the Hallel Psalms.

Now go to Psalms 118

Psalm 118 – Singing The Festival Psalm at Passover

A Psalm of Procession and Profession

Psalm 118 is a Psalm of procession as those who are sacrificing the Passover lamb climb the hill up to Jerusalem and then into the Temple itself. As they march into the city, the profess their faith in God and sing His praise.

In the first verse the Levite who is leading the procession is call to the different people coming up the hill sing.  Each of them then answers by echoing him with their own line:

Let’s do something different this Passover Sunday. Lets wake everyone up by having some simple congregational participation, what used to be called congregational scripture reading. Never done this before, probably never again, unless a revival breaks out. But lets give it a try, I’m going to act as the Levite who would lead the procession and you are going to act as pilgrims marching into Jerusalem with your sacrificial lambs. I’ll read my verses and then I’ll look to you to read yours in unision, out loud, everybody. If anyone is asleep give ‘em a nudge and tell them to join in. Ready? I’m not sure I am but lets do it anyway. I’ll start in vs. 1 and you echo or read what is in parenthesis here on the screen or from you Bible when its time.

“Psalms 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Then he says, Psalms 118:2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. (“His mercy endureth forever)

Psalms 118:3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. (“His mercy endureth forever.)

Psalms 118:4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. (“His mercy endureth forever!”)

After each group had responded to their call by praising the Lord, all the pilgrims would now begin to make their way up the hill toward Jerusalem and they would begin to sing of all the ways God has delivered them.

Psalms 118:5-14 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?  7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. 11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

Then the song changes. After the last line declares that Jehovah Himself has become their salvation, they can begin to hear the songs of the people within the walls of Jerusalem.

They acknowledge what they hear, in Psalms 118:15 Read vs 15 with me, The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

Now we hear the Psalms being song by both those in the procession and the choirs inside the city gate as they continue praising God for His deliverance by the power of his right hand. Psalms 118:16-18 (Choir inside) The right hand of the LORD is exalted: (Procession outside) the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. (Choir inside) 17 I shall not die, but live, (Procession outside) and declare the works of the LORD. (Choir inside) 18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: (Procession outside) but he hath not given me over unto death.

All these calls and responses have been between singers without and those within but now the pilgrims have reached the gate of the city and the choir leader calls out to the guards at the gate, Psalms 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: Then The guards reply: Psalms 118:20 This is gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

The pilgrims now enter in and as they enter the temple grounds they sing out, “Psalms 118:21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

As they march along the road to the Temple they see the stones of the city and soon the stones of the Temple and they sing: Psalms 118:22-24 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.  24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

To the ancient pilgrims this may have been a metaphor for Israel returning and rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. But we know that this is a Messianic prophecy which referred to Jesus their Messiah who would be rejected but one day, on that day which the LORD will have made, He will return and be seen by all as the chief cornerstone, the capstone, of all of God’s plan to save Israel and mankind.

This last line announced why they have come, to celebrate the deliverance of the Lord and now they enter the courtyard of the Temple and cry to the Lord to keep giving them his unending mercy, grace and blessings, Psalms 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

The Levitical priests in the Temple choir now call out in welcome, Psalms 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

The pilgrims reply to the priests and give them their animal to be sacrificed: Psalms 118:27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

As the animal is being sacrificed the choir leader then praises the Lord: Psalms 118:28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

Finally, the choir leader turns to all those assembled in the Temple grounds and they all bring the song back to its beginning by together singing, Psalms 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever!”

The Greatest Passover

The Passover In Jesus Day

About 18,000 lambs were sacrificed in the Temple on Passover. The rest of the lambs were slaughtered and dressed in the home without a trip to the Temple grounds. Since there were between 1 and 2 ½ million people in Jerusalem and the surrounding area for Passover there could be no way to sacrifice the number of lambs that would be needed for each family. The last Passover that Jesus observed before His death seems to be one done at the home of the people He and the apostles were staying with. There is no record of them walking in the procession to the Temple from outside the city. But they would still sing the Hallel Psalms finishing with Psalms 118.

You can only imagine what the Day of Passover must have been like in Jerusalem in the days of Jesus ministry.  Millions of people coming to the city, the feast of unleavened bread starting 7 days earlier so a whole week plus one day of feasting, singing and praising the Lord for the long ago deliverance from Egypt and for the return from Babylonian captivity. Now in Jesus days they prayed as they offered their Passover lambs and ate the Paschal meal, for a new deliverance. Deliverance from the Romans who were now their overlords and masters.

The Last Passover

One Passover though stands out above and beyond all others that went before it since that first Passover in Egypt, it is the Passover week that began when Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a Donkey’s colt as it was prophesied by the prophet, Zechariah in chapter 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Let’s imagine that day if we can.

For a over 3 years, the rumors have flown throughout Judeah about Jesus of Nazareth. Many claimed to have seen him perform incredible miracles. They say He had healed the sick, given sight to the blind, caused the deaf to hear, the lame to walk and even brought the dead back to life. His apostles and disciples proclaimed Him the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. He was the Messiah, the anointed prince of peace, the son of David who would rule and reign, seated upon a throne in Jerusalem, the city of King David.

Then at the beginning of that last week the people are preparing for the Passover that would take place on the 15th of day of the month, about 5 days before the Passover meal is to be observed and there is a sound of voices calling out and singing coming from outside the walls of Jerusalem. No this is not the procession to the Temple, it is too early, but something different is happening, not at all part of the traditional observations but something more, more exciting, more moving and there is a sense of watching history being made this Passover.

The voices come closer and those inside the city walls hear what they now realize are shouts of praise. We read from Matthew’s Gospel, Matthew 21:8-9 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Luke writes, Luke 19:37-40 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

All of Jerusalem is praising their coming king, calling out “Hosanna, Save us,” to the son of David, the Messiah, their finally coming King. So powerful is the praise and the truth they are proclaiming that Jesus says tells the Pharisees who want it to stop, “If you could make them be silent then even the rocks of Jerusalem would break out in praise.“

The disciples and people take off their cloaks and lay down palm branches to smooth his way and they praise Him with words from the Hallel, Psalms 118:25-26 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.  26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD.

Closer to the Hebrew it would sound like this, Psalm 118:25–26 (TLV) 25 Hoshia-na! Please, Adonai, save now! We beseech You, Adonai, prosper us! 26 Baruch haba b’Shem Adonai— Blessed is He who comes in the Name of Adonai.

They cried out for their Messiah to deliver them, save them physically as a nation from their Roman conquerors. But they were calling out for the wrong deliverance. One day Messiah will come and deliver Israel from the false Messiah, from the anti-Christ but in this time, He comes to save them from something much more oppressive and deadly than a pagan nation.

Jesus, the Christ was also Jesus of Calvary. Jesus, the seer was also Jesus the Savior, Jesus the rabbi, was also Jesus the redeemer, Jesus the son of Mary was also Jesus the Son of God, Jesus who gave life to Lazarus was also Jesus who would lay down His life for sin. Jesus was the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world, and that eternal salvation, that eternal deliverance was much greater than the deliverance that so many in Israel that day were looking for.

The Hallel Psalms Today

Today the Hallel Psalms 113–118 are still sung at the in millions of Jewish homes at Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles and many other Holy Days. At Passover Psalms 113–114 are sung before the meal, and Psalms 115–118 are sung after the meal.

When they come to Psalms 118:22-24, they read, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

They read it but they don’t recognize it is speaking of their Messiah who already has come. He is the rejected stone that their forefathers, the builders that rejected. And so they miss the miracle of vs 23, “This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvellous in our eyes.” They miss the day of their own personal salvation when they see Jesus as Savior. Then vs. 24, would have such meaning and fulfillment to them, “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Our Own Day of the Lord

That day is yet to come for the nation Israel, but I can’t help but wonder how many of us have also missed our own day that the Lord has made. The day when we truly see Jesus and in Him we find  our salvation from sin, that day of rejoicing because we realize that forgiveness, reconciliation, and the washing away of our sin accomplished in the Lord. It is Christ’s work in us and it is truly a marvel, a miracle when we see it happen to us.

You may think like the Jews of Jesus time that you have it pretty much figured out, who Jesus is, what Jesus did and how Jesus fits into your life. But if you don’t see him as Lord and Savior, if you don’t see Him as the One who died to pay your ransom by his own shed blood then you won’t cry out, “Hosanna, Please Lord, save me now.”

Conclusion

Less than 40 years from the Triumphal entry and a few days later the crucifixion, Jerusalem will be destroyed by the Romans when the Jews revolt. The city that once echoes with the joyous praise of Psalms 118 would now be filled with the cries of suffering families. Husbands, wives, children are being killed or captured and then made into slaves. The Temple where the Paschal lambs were slain was torn down until not a stone remained sitting atop another stone. The first part of the prophecy of Psalms 118 was fulfilled and the stone had been rejected but now there was no stone left and the Temple was gone and has not been rebuilt to this day.

But the wails of anguish and the cries of grief that day when the Temple was torn down will be mere whispers compared to the sound of those who reject Jesus as their savior. The Bible tells us that those who don’t see Jesus as savior will be judged for all eternity. Jesus said there will be weeping, mourning and the gnashing of teeth in pain. Revelation 14:11 says, And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night..

But do you remember where we started, do you remember Psalms 117 and its invitation to all, to come and praise the Lord. Lets finish today by returning to that invitation for it has stood open from the time of Ezra and even before.

Psalms 117 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

That is what I want to experience for all eternity, not the Lake of Fire but the Love of God, not the cries of pain but the calls of praise for God’s tender mercy, this loving kindness, His grace that saved my soul. Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.

 

Winning Against Giants - 1 Samuel 17

Winning Against Giants - 1 Samuel 17

Battle Before The Battle  - 1 Samuel 17:3-11
10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

Fearing The Giant 

Goliath was the Philistine’s champion. Literally the word in Hebrew means a man between the two camps;” This was a warrior who did not fight in the ranks like an ordinary soldier, but came forth into the space between the hostile camps to challenge the mightiest man of his enemies to come and fight him. 

He stands 9'6” to 9”9" tall, his chain mail weighs 125 pounds, his spear head weight 15 pounds. Just his armor probably weight as much as David. Goliath is one of the Anakins, a family of giants from Canaan. When the 12 Hebrew spies saw them, they told the rest of Israel it was impossible to conquer Canaan. But of course, Joshua and especially Caleb had run them out of the promised land, and taken over the very mountain fortress they once owned. Some of the Anakins had found refuge in the land of the Philistines. Now here in 1 Samuel,  once again an Anakin giant is causing fear in the armies of Israel. 

Goliath’s challenge caused so much fear among the Israelites, that they fled and simply would not fight. (In another Jewish writing, it is said that Goliath boasted of having killed Hophi and Phineas, Eli’s sons and was the one who took the Ark of the Covenant from Israel.)

The Philistines were a great seafaring people who basically ruled the Mediterranean coastlines countries until the time of the Greek and Romans. The Philistines of Canaan have been the arch enemies of Israel, since before the time of Samson. One of the reason they were so dominate is that they could smelt and fashion iron before other nations learned how and they guarded that process as a national secret, denying weapons of iron to other nations like Israel. So not only was Goliath much bigger, much stronger, more experienced in war than David but he also had weapons that were far superior to anything in the Israel war camp.

Fearing Our Giants

In our battles of faith, our enemy is Satan and like Goliath, he uses fear to try and dominate us. In fact, most of the spiritual battles that we should be engaged in, are not lost but instead are never fought. Like the armies of Israel in the valley of Elah, we, the warriors of the Christian army of the Lord are too often afraid to engage the enemy. We are afraid we will lose and therefore we don’t enter into the battles that we have been left on this earth to fight.

Fear is the most effective weapon that Satan has in his arsenal. If he can make us afraid to fight, then he wins every time. 

We don’t fight the battle of Creation vs. Evolution, because we fear that atheist and evolutionists have better reasons for believing in billions of years instead of thousands of years. 

We are afraid to fight the battles against societal sin and without excuse or exception, call sin, sin, abortion, the murder of a unborn child, Homosexuality a perversion and Transsexuality a mutilation of one created in the image of God. 

I’ve been accused on places like Facebook and recently even in a person’s home, of condemning homosexuality too much. I’ve been told it’s just another sin and you should single it out. Actually, homosexuality and all the sexual sins that flow from it, like transsexuality, and pedophilia are not just a sin against God’s law, but a rebellion against God’s creation of themselves and a sin against society. It is a sin that affects not just one person but families, their futures and a nation. 

Like abortion it is considered an abomination by God because it is destructive to all who are affected by it. Yes, we must continue to love those caught up in it but you cannot approve of it, nor be afraid to battle against it with truth and love. But most Christians won’t because we are afraid our families which are begin destroyed by these sins against nature, will not have anything to do with us, and our friends will call us haters, racists and bigots. 

But the battle we most fear to fight is the battle for men’s eternal souls, we are afraid to tell the Gospel, to witness to a lost and dying world, because we are afraid we won’t have all the answers or that someone will ridicule or shame us. 

Fear, when it stops us from being in the heat of these spiritual battles is a sin because it defies the commands of God and it ultimately, gives victory to Satan. Fear robs us of most of our Christian victories.

Paul’s instructions to Timothy: His son in the faith, Timothy, had a problem with fear and Paul addressed it in 2 Timothy 1:6-8 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Timothy had to fear not just ridicule but death, and yet Paul says, “stir up the gift of God and don’t be ashamed.”

Before any battle can be won, you must overcome fear. You won’t win every battle, but you won’t win any if you let fear keep you from the battle. Overcome the fear and now like David, you can fight for the Lord. 

Battle Begun - 1 Samuel 17:26-32
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.  28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 

Fighting For A Cause

In a sense David has to battle his own people and family before he can battle Goliath. He uses God’s promises and purpose for Israel to prove his point. 

He tells the men in the army, 1 Samuel 17:26 who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 

David is reminded the men of Israel that they were God's people, God's nation. Chosen by Him through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; delivered from Egypt by Him through Moses, conquerors of the promised land by Him through Joshua. They shared a unique and special relationship based upon God's covenants and promises to them as his chosen people.

Secondly to Eliab, his oldest brother, he says in 1 Samuel 17:29 “ And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” Goliath the champion of the Philistines was challenging all of God’s army, and all of God’s people. They must stand up and fight because of who they are and because of who God is. That is the cause, that is the reason. David rebukes both the army and his brother for not standing for the cause of God. 

David remembers what Moses told the Hebrews in Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (NCPB) 1 ‘When thou goest out to battle against thy enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, 3 and shall say unto them, “Hear, O Israel, you approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; 4 for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you”.
David had faith in God’s promise from Deuteronomy 20 but the rest of his family, his nation and his King seems to have forgotten the Word of God. 

Fight because…

We are called to fight for the same reasons that David knew and understood. We are the new covenant people  of God.

Like Israel, we share an unique and special relationship to God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. You are a child of God, a soldier of the cross, a worshipper of the Lamb. One day, when Jesus returns as the Captain of the Lord’s host, we will join Him and ride from the heavens in the army of the returning King as he defeats the armies of the anti-Christ, saves Israel and then claims this world as His rightful kingdom. 

If we are going to be warriors on that day, then shouldn’t we be warriors today? If we will win on that day when Jesus leads us to victory, then I will also win today because He is right now leading me to victory.
 

Psalms 144:1-2 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war,
and my fingers to fight:  2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust…There is a cause for us to fight for now. Your marriage is worth fighting for. Your children, family and friends are causes to fight for. Your country is a cause to fight for and again the most important cause is the cause of salvation. Sin is destroying people today and it will drag them to Hell one day, but we can fight the battle of the Gospel this day and win hearts, lives and souls for the cause of Jesus Christ. 

David Livingstone prepares to cross over.

David Livingstone had spent sixteen years in Africa but had not faced  such peril. The white man was surrounded by hostile, angry natives in the heart of Africa. He was in danger of losing his life and contemplated fleeing in the night. He recorded it in his diary that January 14, 1856:

Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all my plans for the welfare of this great region and this teeming population knocked on the head by savages tomorrow. But I read that Jesus said: "All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." It is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor, so there's an end to it! I will not cross furtively tonight as I intended. Should such a man as I flee? Nay, verily, I shall take observations for latitude and longitude tonight, though they may be the last. I feel quite calm now, thank God!

Battle Experience - Samuel 17:33-39
And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 

Finding Fortitude

David's confidence in this public battle was based upon the battles he had fought privately. In the hills and hills, he had found God's power and protection when he fought with marauding lions and bears while protecting his flock. Now because of that earlier stepping out in faith, he was ready to protect God’s flock Israel. 

Finding Faith To Fight

To win over giants in your life, you must first gain experience and you can only gain that experience by being in battles. You must know what it is to step out in faith and experience the victory through faith in the small battles or you will never step out in faith and win the big battles. 

Listen if you can’t trust the Lord to provide your needs after you give your tithe, then when real need comes into your life or your families life you won’t have the assurance of the times He gave you back much more than you gave Him. 

If you’ve never tried to serve in your local church, it’s not likely you’ll be able to serve on a foreign mission field. 

If you’ve never taken a stand with the word of God in correcting your child then it will be impossible to take a stand with God’s word when confronting a depraved, lost world that thinks that the worst sinful slavery is a celebration of freedom. David wouldn’t have had the faith to fight Goliath, if he hadn’t found the faith to fight the lion and the bear.

Remember how Paul put it? Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. We move from little faith to great faith by fighting little battles until we can fight the big battles.
 
David has one more lesson to teach us from 1 Samuel 17 before the big battle begins and it is essential if there is going to be victory. Look at vs 38 and the way David made his last preparation before He defeated the giant. 

Battle Prep – 1 Samuel 17:38-40
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. 40 ¶ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a bag; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

Fight With Weapons David Knew

David refused Saul’s armor, helmet and sword because he was not a soldier and had not used these weapons of warfare before. “I cannot go with these for I have not tested them.” He was unfamiliar with those weapons. Instead he took the weapons he was familiar with a shepherds rod and a sling. Didn’t seem like much against a giant whose armor weighed more than he did, but they were the weapons David knew and has used many times before. 

David then stoops down by the stream between the two mountains and picks up 5 smooth stones. These stones had been tumbled by the stream for years until they were smooth and as near to round as possible. The smoother and rounder the stone, the more it would fly straight at its target. 

In the Old Testament and even up to the time of the Romans a sling was a powerful weapon. Most times it was used like artillery, the slingers would stand at the back of the army and sling their stones so they fell like a hailstorm upon the heads of the approaching army. The stone could be as big as baseballs when slung as artillery. The Romans made sling stones out of lead and shaped them like acorns so that as they flew through the air they would whistle and distract the enemy as they charges. 

The Bible talks about the 700 Benjamites who were so skilled as slingers that they could use the right or left hand and “could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss” (Judg. 20:16; 1 Chr. 12:2). That kind of slinging would require as round and smooth a stone as David had collected from the stream. These weren’t for an artillery barrage they were for sharp shooting. 

Then the Bible says, “and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. His preparation was over, he had the weapons he knew how to use and the five stones that he knew would fly the straightest. He then walked right toward that almost 10 ft tall giant.
 

Fight With Weapons You Know

Our weapon of spiritual warfare is the Bible. This is our sling. You better be familiar with it use. Not only read it, but study it, memorize it and be able to navigate it correctly. You can’t win the battle if you don’t know how to handle the weapon the Lord gave you. 

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

In Hebrews 4:12 we read, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit and you need to know how to wield it in battle or you will lose the battle. 

Five Smooth Stones to pick up and use. Let me give you 5 smooth stones that you need to have prepared before you go into those spiritual battles. 

The Cornerstone of the Savior

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.  

You better have Jesus the chief-stone in your arsenal. You won’t win with unless you are built up on Him as cornerstone of your life. The cornerstone determines the beginning, and the boundaries of a building and Jesus is your cornerstone. You better know your saved by grace through faith. You better know that salvation is eternal and cannot be earned nor lost. You better know how Jesus wants you to live your life. For if you don’t possess this stone, then you have no hope to win the battle of eternity or any of the battles of life that come before eternity. 

Stone of Supplication.  

Paul tells us in 1Thess 5:17  Pray without ceasing. Jesus tells us that Men ought always to pray and not to faint.”

You need to have experience in prayer and its power. If you don’t know how to pray, personally, intimately, and desperately to the Lord then you can’t win spiritual battles.
 

Stone of the Gospel

The battle for eternity is fought with the story of Jesus death and resurrection. He said, John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
 

It not about your words, your eloquence or your powers of speech, its about the One who was lifted up on the cross and died for all mankind.
 

If you really want to win the battle for the souls of men then you must know and tell the story of Jesus coming, living, dying and risen again. He is the rock that either falls on us in judgment or we fall on Him in repentance.
 

Stone of Hope

You have to have hope in your sheperds bag and you have to be able to launch hope to those who have not experienced it through Jesus Christ.
 

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Stone of Sacrifice
 

This stone in your shepherd’s bag means you are willing to give all to Christ and to give up all for Christ.
 

Philippians 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
 

There are many other stones in your Bible just as there were many other stones in the stream when David chose his five, the main point it that you pick them up and know how to use them effectaviely in your own life battles and in the other’s battles of life and eternity.
 

Now David makes his preparation and moves to fight Goliath.

Battle Won - 1 Samuel 17:41-53

And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance….
 

Facing The Giant

The giant Goliath stands and fights in his power and in the power of his gods. 1 Samuel 17:43-44 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
 

But notice the declaration of David. He stands and fights not in his own power but solely in  power of the God of Israel. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.
 

David’s entire hope for victory is based upon that last verse. “The Battle is the Lord’s”  David would stand, David would fight, David would use his experience, his sling and the stones he would pick-up but it wasn’t David’s battle. The battle belonged to the Lord and the He would win the Battle.
 

David was but a young man, without armor, shield or sword. He was probably 3 or 4 feet shorter than Goliath and Goliath knew that he would have an easy victory over such a sorry opponent. What Goliath didn’t know was that it wasn’t David he was fighting it was David’s God. And against the God of heaven and earth, the God of creation, the God of eternity Goliath never stood a chance.
 

Facing Our Giant

No matter what spiritual battle you are facing, the adversary that you must ultimately face is Satan. He was the power behind the Philistines, and the power behind Goliath. When we fight our own giants, remember it is the power of Satan you face.
 

Like David, you can’t defeat the Champion of Hell in your own power. He will trick you like he did Eve, he will blind you like he did Samson, he will afflict you like he did Job, he will make you deny Jesus like he did with Peter.
 

Isn’t that what Jesus said to Simon Peter? Luke 22:31 the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
 

You can't beat face that giant on your own, so you better listen to what Jesus told Peter in the next verse, Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
 

When Jesus fought the battle of the cross, He was also fighting for Peter’s faith and our faith in the battles against Satan.
 

Our spiritual battles must involve us, but we must realize the victory is already His. You may be fighting a battle against lust, or apathy, or bitterness, or laziness, or doubt or fear. You may be on the battlefield, but you must see what David saw and hear what Peter heard, The battle is the Lord’s. And because it is the Lord’s battle, then when you stand with God, His power will sustain you.
 

In God's power you'll run like Elijah though apathy and unconcern, you'll beat bitterness like Gideon defeating the Midianites, you'll cross the obstructions of doubt like Moses crossing the Red Sea, you'll walk on the stormy waters of fear like Peter on Galilee because Jesus is beside you. 

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.
 

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Joshua 1: 9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee wherever thou goest.
 

If you are fighting in the Lord’s battle then you have the Lord’s power and by His sure promise and unfailing word, you will have the Lord’s victory.

Conclusion
Song: Victory in Jesus
I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory
O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
Let’s fight the battles, lets face our giants, because God is fighting for us!