BIG IDEA:
THE LORD SHOWS HIS GOODNESS AND LOVINGKINDNESS BY LEADING US TO VICTORY WHEN DEFEAT SEEMS IMMINENT
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ!” 2 Cor. 2:14
Note the Messianic applications throughout the psalm
INTRODUCTION (:1-4) THANKSGIVING FOR HIS:
– GOODNESS
– LOVINGKINDNESS= EVERLASTING
– let Israel say …
– let the ho use of Aaron say …
– let those who fear the Lord say …
I. (:5-9) IMAGE OF PROTECTION: THE LORD IS MY REFUGE
A. Imminent Defeat: “my distress” — lit. “a tight place”
pressure from all sides
B. Calling Upon the Lord
C. Key to Victory: “The Lord is for me!” (:6-7)
D. Experience of Victory: “set me in a large place” (in contrast to a tight place)
E. Lesson Learned: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord !”
– than to trust in man
– than to trust in princes
II. (:10-14) IMAGE OF DELIVERANCE: THE LORD IS MY SALVATION
(MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG)
A. Imminent Defeat:
– surrounded by enemies = all nations
– surrounded by enemies — like by bees
B. Invoking the Name of the Lord
C. Key to Victory: “the Lord helped me”
Confidence: “I will surely cut them off”
D. Experience of Victory:
actually was successful in cutting them off
extinguished them like a fire of thorns (very quick combustion with nothing left)
E. Lesson Learned: “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
III. (:15-18) IMAGE OF POWER: THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD DOES VALIANTLY
A. Imminent Defeat: “disciplined severely”
disciplined almost to the point of death
“He has not given me over to death” (but it was close!)
B. Joyful Celebration:
“the sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous”
C. Key to Victory: “the right hand of the Lord does valiantly”
D. Experience of Victory:
– the right hand of the Lord is exalted
– I shall not die but live
E. Lesson Learned: the works of the Lord (accomplished by His valiant right hand) are Powerful
– I should give testimony and “tell of the works of the Lord”
IV. (:19-21) IMAGE OF TRIUMPH: THE LORD IS MY CONQUERING HERO —
VICTORY PROCESSION THROUGH THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. Key to Victory: only “the righteous” can enter thru the gates of righteousness = the gate of the Lord
B. Lesson Learned:
– Triumph should always lead to Worship and Thanksgiving
– God answers and becomes our salvation
V. (:22-28) IMAGE OF BLESSING: THE LORD IS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE
A. Imminent Defeat: “the stone which the builders rejected”
-
this was true of the nation of Israel: rejected by the other nations, yet central focus of God’s plan for history
-
this was true of the Messiah: supreme rejection and humiliation
-
this will be true of all God’s children: yet we are choice and precious in the sight of God — 1 Peter 2:4
B. Calling Upon the Lord for Salvation and Prosperity
– “O Lord, do save we beseech Thee”
– “O Lord, we beseech Thee, do send prosperity”
C. Key to Victory: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes”
“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord”
D. Experience of Victory: “has become the chief cornerstone”
“The Lord is God, and He has given us light “
E. Lesson Learned: rejoice each day because of confidence in the Lord’s triumph and blessing
“This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it “
“Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.”
“Thou art my God, and I give thanks to Thee; Thou art my God, I extol Thee”
CONCLUSION (:29) THANKSGIVING FOR HIS:
– GOODNESS
– LOVINGKINDNESS = EVERLASTING
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting”