Lesson 226 - Junior
Memory Verse
Notes
A Testimony
David always remembered the experiences he had had when he was a refugee, fleeing from his enemies. God had helped David and protected him many times and in many ways. From David's experiences, his faith and hope in God had deepened into a confidence and trust in God that put a certainty and an assurance into his heart. When David trusted God, he knew that he was secure.
This Psalm was inspired when God helped David in a particular danger. Abimelech here is a title like Pharaoh, king, or president. No doubt, David was referring to Achish, king of Gath, of whom he was sore afraid ([1SM:21:12]). David realized that God had helped him to escape. As David thought on these things, he felt that he owed God many praises. This Psalm is David's testimony.
Continual Praise
David said, "I will bless the LORD at all times." Here he announced his intention to praise God under all conditions. Some people can praise God when all things seem to be going well with them. Others give praise to God once in a while. David knew that there was always a reason for praising and thanking God. Even in times of fright and danger, David's heart was trusting in God. When distress and affliction came to David, he still had reason to trust and praise God. David said that the praises of God would be upon his lips continually, at all times, and upon all occasions We, too, are instructed by the writer of the Epistle to the Ephesians to give "thanks always for all things unto God" (Ephesians 5:20).
Giving Glory to God
David had done many courageous deeds in his life -- like using his slingshot to kill the giant Goliath who was an enemy of God's people, like catching the lion by the beard to slay it when it had tried to steal one of David's lambs, like killing the bear and out of its mouth rescuing a lamb of David's flock. David was not boasting of his brave deeds or of anything he had done. David was giving glory to God, because he knew he could not have done any of these things without the help of God. The Apostle Paul spoke some words very similar to those of David. Paul said, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14). Have we ever boasted? Was it about ourselves, or about the things that God has done?
David wanted other people to know what God had done for him. David felt that hearing such things would bring gladness to their hearts. Giving credit to God made David happy, and others happy, too. After David had told others his experiences, he then called them to praise God with him. They had heard of his deliverances, and he felt that they should share his thankfulness.
Answered Prayers
David told why he praised God -- the Lord had heard David when he prayed. The Lord not only heard David's prayer but answered it, too. David praised the Lord because God had also taken the fear from David's heart. When the love of God comes into a heart, the fear that torments is gone and peace and trust take its place. In writing about the perfect love of God John mentions this same thought: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment" (I John 4:18).
No doubt all of us have had our prayers answered. Is this not a cause to praise God? We owe Him our praise and thanks for answered prayers Of course, we have received other blessings, too; but even if God had done no other thing for us, we should praise Him because of answered prayers.
Guardian Angel
That was not all that God had done for David. The Lord had sent an angel to protect David. Some people call this a guardian angel, who protects them from danger and delivers them from peril. Most children like the picture that has been painted of two children crossing a narrow bridge high over tumbling waters. Beside the children is an angel of the Lord to help them safely across the bridge. This picture reminds us that God sends His angels to be near those who fear Him.
This is a different kind of fear from the tormenting fear that God took from David. This fear does not put terror and dismay in one's heart. It is a reverence for God which would cause us to worship Him and which would warn us from doing that which displeases the Lord. A godly fear causes us to serve the Lord. The Bible states that, "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" and "the beginning of wisdom" ([PRO:1:7]; [PRO:9:10]).
Fear of the Lord
There are other blessings promised to those who have the fear of the Lord. David was concerned about others. He wanted all to have the blessings he had. David said he would teach us the fear of the Lord, if we would take heed to his words. David probably could have taught others to play a harp, for he was a musician. Or David could have taught others the use of' the sword, for he was a mighty man of war. David did not mention these things, because he knew that the fear of the Lord was the most important.
David said, "O taste and see that the LORD is good." He urges us to try the Lord for ourselves. We can have the same experiences as David had, for God will help us as He did David.
No Lack of Good Things
We are encouraged to trust God and to seek God. We then shall have God's blessing, and shall not want any good thing. David did not say that we would have everything we want. He meant that God would furnish the things that are good for us. We shall not be in need of any good thing, any spiritual blessing. for God has an abundance. We need not lack any good thing, for it is promised to those who seek God and trust Him. We can live by faith and lack nothing.
A Good and Happy Life
Is there anyone who would not desire a good life, a long and happy one? Everyone is seeking to have a happy life. David tells us how he found it, and how we, too, can have a good life here and a good life hereafter.
David's instruction is that we should avoid evil, either in speaking it or in doing it. God does not like evil. He hates it. God turns His face from those who do wrong. "Evil shall slay the wicked." Sin brings destruction. It will destroy, and bring eternal death to those who do wrong. David could say nothing good about sin and evil. He wrote many verses, though, about the blessings that come to the righteous and those who do good.
Repenting
There may be some who would like to do right but seem to be always doing wrong. They get angry, say mean things, and then are sorry that they lost their temper. They tell lies, and then have such a fear that they will be revealed. They get into trouble and must suffer the consequences. David knew that God could help just such a person who wanted to do right. No one can live a righteous life without God.
When a person calls upon God to help him, and is repentant and sorry for the evil in his life, God will hear and answer that prayer. God is near to those who are of a broken heart, and the Lord will save those who show a sorrow for their sins. God will help the repentant soul and give to him the power to live a righteous life. God's eyes are ever upon the righteous to see their needs. God's ears are always listening for the cry of His people. "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear" (Isaiah 59:1).
Doing Good
David said, "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." It is not enough that one would do no harm to others. We must "do good" -- be useful and helpful. When we studied about Deborah and Barak (
, we learned that the city of Meroz received the curse of the Lord because it did nothing. The inhabitants did not hinder God's people but neither did they help when they could have done so. "They came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty" (Judges 5:23).Doing good is not all that God requires of a person. One must also depart from evil. There are those who do good deeds but they are not truly happy until they have departed from evil. "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil" (Proverbs 16:17). "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity"(II Timothy 2:19). A way that is contrary to God's way is an evil way. There is evil in the breaking of God's Word. Many people do not like to admit that they have evil ways, but everyone who is not saved is failing to keep God's commands. Disobedience to God and unbelief in Him cause an unhappy life here and punishment throughout eternity.
Afflictions
"All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not ([ECC:9:2]). There is quite a difference, however, between the wicked and the righteous. When trouble and disaster comes to the wicked, there is none to help them. Those who do evil must suffer, but God delivers the righteous. The Lord sends help to those who trust in Him. David said that the righteous man has many afflictions but God delivers him out of them all. Would it not be better to have a deliverer from many afflictions than to have only one affliction and no one to deliver?
Desolate
David gives a contrast between the ungodly and the godly. Those who do not seek God and do not trust in Him live miserably under God's displeasure, and will stand before Him in judgment. They will be desolate -- forsaken, alone, condemned, perhaps afflicted. They will have none to redeem them, because they failed to call upon the Lord before it was too late. Desolation and condemnation will be their everlasting portion. But the Lord redeems those who seek Him. None who trust the Lord will ever be desolate, friendless, or without a helper.
Confidence
As we read of David's experience, does it not inspire us to trust God more? It is possible for us to have the same confidence in God that David had. How did David get such confidence? David was humble, and prayed. David relied upon God, not upon his own strength or wisdom. David proved God and obeyed Him. Because David dared to trust God, he had an assurance of God's help and protection. He knew that God would deliver him. We, too, can be just as confident in the Lord, for His promises cannot fail.
Questions
1. When did David praise the Lord?
2. In whom did David boast and glory?
3. How did David know that the Lord heard him when he prayed?
4. What does God do for the righteous?
5. What will the Lord do for those who are of a broken heart and of a contrite spirit?
6. Who delivers the righteous his afflictions?
7. From how many of his afflictions will the righteous be delivered?
8. Around whom does the angel of the Lord encamp? For what purpose?
9. What is confidence?
10. How did David get confidence in God?