Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

II. DAVID’S REJECTION - 9-18 “ Have mercy on me, Lord…“,

David cries out for God’s mercy and then lists the challenges that he is facing: • …for I am in distress. • My sight is blurred because of my tears. • My body and my soul are withering away. • I am dying from grief; This verse may give us clues into the cause of Christ’s death, his grief over bearing our sins and the separation from his Father. • …my years are shortened by sadness. • Misery has drained my strength; • I am wasting away from within. We cannot endure this level of sadness for long, the cycle must be broken or we will die. Only Jesus can bear our sorrows and deliver us from such darkness. “ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.”(1 Pet. 5:7) • I am scorned by all my enemies… This happened to Jesus as he hung on the cross. • …and despised by my neighbors-even my friends are afraid to come near me . After the soldiers came to arrest Jesus the Bible says: “ At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.”(Mt. 26:56) • “ When they see me on the street, they turn the other way.”(11) A bystander was forced to help Jesus: “ As they led Jesus away, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country just then, was forced to follow Jesus and carry his cross.”(Luke 23:26) • “ I have been ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.”(12) • “ I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror.”(13) False rumors can generate fear that is often out of proportion to what is actually happening. • “ My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.”(13)

We must remember these amazing facts in the horrible times of suffering:

1. He is my God- “ But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” (14) 2. He has a future planned for me- “ My future is in your hands.” (15)

3. He will rescue me- “ Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.” (15) The oppres- sions of life are often constant and unremitting.

4. He will shine his favor on me- “ Let your favor shine on your servant.” (16)

5. He will never fail me- “ In your unfailing love, save me.”(16)

“Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave. May their lying lips be silenced-those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.” (17,18) The ‘disgrace of the cross’ has turned out to be the ‘glory of the cross’ as God turns ‘disgrace’ into ‘grace.’ We are not to be ashamed when we go through ‘crucifying’ seasons; there is new life ahead. The lips of those who mocked Jesus during his crucifixion lie silent in their graves to this day.

III. DAVID’S REJOICING – Your Goodness is so Great! 19-24

“ Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.” God has an intense desire to show us his goodness, blessing and protection. David showed this un- deserved kindness to Mephibosheth, the crippled son of his closest friend Jonathan. “ Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them in any way I can.”(2 Sam. 9:3) Like a mirror of God’s kindness, David restored Mephibosheth’s land to him and let him eat at his table as a favored son all the days of his life.

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