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THREE PEOPLE AND DAVID
The 3rd Psalm deals with a time in the life of David as he was fleeing from his
son Absalom, who was trying to usurp the kingdom. The historical account of this
is found in Second Samuel 15. This Psalm now flows from the pen of David against
a background of this unthankful rebellion; one that was finally put down and
saw David restored to the throne of
Israel
. In it we see David and three people.
David And His Enemies. He says several things about these enemies. First, they seemed to multiply against
him - "how are they increased" (v. 1). It seems at first that the entire nation
had deserted him, for Absalom had "stolen the hearts of the men of
Israel
" (2 Sam. 15:6). Then these enemies troubled him - as they increased they "trouble
me" (v. 1). Next, they "rise up against me" (v. 1). How quickly the masses are
persuaded! Jesus experienced the same thing, for soon after they praised him at
his triumphant entry into
Jerusalem
(John 12:12f), they were clamoring for his . More than that, they discouraged
him, for he writes in verse two that they are telling him "there is no help" for
him in God. The verbal discouragement is as bad as the physical acts perpetrated
against him! Finally, they threatened him, for he says they "have set themselves
against me round about" (v. 6). Jesus may have had his "ten thousand angels" to
deliver him, and in spite of the "ten thousands of people" around him, David refused
to be afraid!
David And His God. He says several things about God in this chapter. First, God "art a shield
for me" (v. 3). Such a term would come naturally for David, since he was a man
of war. And so among his enemies, he thinks of protection, as from a shield,
and that is God. More than that, God was his "glory." He could glory in God even
while being hounded and persecuted by unthankful men. Next, God was the "lifter
up of mine head" (v. 3). To "lift the head" denoted one being restored to a former
position. Joseph told Pharaoh's butler, "yet within three days shall Pharaoh
lift up thy head, and restore thee into thy place" (Gen. 40: 13). David's reign
was not over yet! At present, he was being persecuted by his own son - but he knows that with God's
help, he will be able to hold his lead high again. More than that, he looked to
God as his "sustainer" (v. 5). He knew that God would hold him up, even as he
seemed doomed to fall. Finally, God was his "savior," for his salvation was
brought about by God (v. 7).
David And Himself. We note now as a result of the foregoing, how David was affected. First, he
could "lay down and sleep," no doubt a peaceful sleep (v. 5). He could do this,
for he knew he was under the protective care of God. Then (ibid.), "I awakened," no doubt with thanksgiving
that God had kept him through the night. Finally, even though his enemies were
myriad, "I will not be afraid..." (v. 6).
David had a relationship with God that should be desired by every one of God's
people. This Psalm is a wonderful account of David as he viewed his enemies, his God and himself. Every one of us must deal with these as well. Will we handle them as well as David? Is our trust
and confidence in God what it ought to be? Are we fearful of our enemies, or
do with know with God's help they can be overcome? When we come to grips with
the notion that God is greater than all our opposition, we too can lay down in
peaceful sleep, and wake with thanksgiving for every way in which he has blessed
us. - Bill Moseley
FAULT-FINDING
I once read somewhere (I don't remember where) of an observation on "faultfinding"
that has always impressed me. It was to the effect that fault finding is the easiest
thing in the world. Why so? As we think about it, not much is required to be a
"fault-finder." In the first place, no talent is required; you can be a faultfinder without an ounce of it. No self-denial is required. You can be a faultfinder and yet be the most selfish and egotistical
person in the world. It does not take any brains to be a fault-finder. The dumbest guy on the block can be a successful fault-finder
it he wants to be. And certainly, no character is needed to be a fault-finder. None of these are prerequisites to get set up
in the grumbling business.
Nobody is opposed to pointing out wrong in anything, providing the criticism
is warranted and just and done in the right way. Often we find folks who grumble
about the church and those in it. They spend more time "talking the church down"
than they do in "talking it up" like they ought to be doing.
Do you really appreciate the efforts of another brother or sister in Christ?
If so, tell them about it. Do they do something that you do not particularly appreciate?
The best thing is to simply clam up about it unless it is a matter of sin. But
where that thing is neither here nor there insofar as God is concerned, the interest
of both parties would be best served by silence.
When will we learn the downside of being a fault-finder, and see how much better
it would be to build up. - Bill Moseley
WEALTH, WORK AND WIVES
It is amazing what excuses folks will use, either for not coming to the Lord
or serving him properly once they have come. It seems that some feel they are
too busy to bother or to clever to come; they are too religious to repent or too
worldly to want to, and yet others are to proud to pray.
Jesus once brought this matter sharply into focus when he told a story wherein
three men came forth with their empty reasons for refusing a great invitation.
Read the story in Luke 14:16-24. As clearly as an artist would, Jesus drew a picture
of each of them and the consequences of their decision.
First, there was the business man, and his excuse was "my wealth!" You see, he had bought some land and had to go "check it out" (see v. 18).
His material possessions were dearer to him that the great invitation that had
been offered to him. We need to be careful of the same thing. possessions, per se, are not wrong - until they get in the way of more important things.
Next there was the working man, and his excuse was "my work!" Sometimes folks get so caught in making a living they forget how to make
a life. We get so wrapped up in working for our bread that we forget about our
blessings. Man ought to work, but he doesn't need to work at a job that that keeps
him working for the Lord.
Lastly, there was the family man, and his excuse was "my wife!" A person's family is a great blessing, but Jesus still said that he must
come first (Matt. 10:35ff). One's husband or wife ought to be someone who can
help one go to heaven, and not hinder that wonderful prospect.
"My Wealth - My Work - My Wife!" Are these our excuses? If so, remember the Lord did not accept them when they
were given in our text - and he will not accept them now. When Queen Elizabeth
II was to be crowned, invitations for the coronation bore the statement: "All
Excuses Ceasing." In other words "be there!" When royalty extends an invitation,
it becomes a command. And our God has bidden all men come to him. Do not take
his invitation lightly, for it will one day cease to be extended. - Bill Moseley
AND ANOTHER THING ...
("I Don't Have Anything To Do Tomorrow")
So said my lovely wife one recent Tuesday evening. Boy, that's a switch, since
she's probably the busiest person I know. Anyhow, that conjured up in my mind
an opportunity to do something nice for her. “Maybe I could take her out for a
nice, leisurely breakfast,” I thought. Or perhaps we might get in the car and
take a nice drive somewhere, and just sort of have some "down time" which we all
need once in awhile. All sorts of good things danced before me, until she suddenly
made the decision.
“I know,” she said. "Tomorrow we will rearrange all the furniture in the living
room." And that, my good friends, was evidently her idea of a good time - at a
time when we had a little time "to do nothing!" Well, she guessed she did need to go to the mall for a kitchen gadget she needed. Had to go buy a "zester"
- whatever in the world that is. Anyhow, wound up in a store called "Bed,
Bath
and Beyond," or some such thing that had more gizmos than 1 had ever dreamed
of. Anyway we walked out with a "zester." Can hardly wait to watch her use it
to see what it does.
So - when your wife announces, "1 don't have anything to do tomorrow," beware.
You might wind up going somewhere you never planned on and looking at things you
never knew existed before. By the way, when all was said and done, and before
the day was over, I still wound up helping rearrange the living room furniture. - Bill Moseley |