September 28, 2003
Lesson 4
The Book of Praises
In the Wilderness
Focus Thought
Our wilderness experiences help us appreciate the blessings of God and His
church.
Scripture Reference
I Samuel 22, 23, 24
Focus Verse
Psalm 63:1
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee,
my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.
Expositional Passage
Psalm 63
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for
thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water
is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall
praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night
watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will
I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts
of the earth.
10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall
glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
LESSON OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
I. ABSENT FROM THE SANCTUARY
A. The Desert Experience
B. Homesick for Church
II. WHY I WANT TO BE BACK
A. Lovingkindness of God
B. My Lips Shall Praise God
C. My Hands Are Raised in Thy Name
III. REMEMBERING
A. My Soul Is Satisfied
B. My Mouth Praises God
C. My Meditation Is on God
IV. STILL REMEMBERING GOD THOUGH ABSENT
A. Rejoicing in the Shadow of His Wing
B. Following God As He Upholds Me
V. PROPHECY
A. My Persecutors Shall Fall
B. I Shall Return with Rejoicing
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
David?s time in the wilderness of Judah was neither comfortable nor
convenient. He should have been the monarch on the throne in Jerusalem.
Instead, he was relentlessly pursued and his life threatened by the
spiritually destitute King Saul.
Adam Clarke?s Commentary suggests that David wrote Psalm 63 when he
had to flee from the court of Achish. How difficult it must have been for
David to feign insanity (I Samuel 21) and then allegiance (I Samuel 28) to
this Philistine king! Moreover, how ironic that David had risen to national
recognition by slaying Goliath of Gath, yet it is there in Gath that he took
sanctuary from Saul. Even in Gath the song of the Israelites recounting
David slaying ?ten thousands? was known. During this time he suffered defeat
when Ziklag was destroyed and then victory when he recovered those taken
captive. He continued to defeat isolated garrisons of the enemy while he
lived in their midst (I Samuel 27).
David made this wilderness time a season of reflection on the
blessings of God and his uncompromising confidence in the Lord. These he
exhibited through the words he wrote in Psalm 63. May our hearts be
encouraged both to rejoice in the Lord and to renew our commitment to Him,
regardless of our circumstances.
I. ABSENT FROM THE SANCTUARY
A. The Desert Experience
The land the Israelites inhabited is diverse in its terrain. The
elevation ranges from mountain peaks over nine thousand feet high to the
Dead Sea at almost thirteen hundred feet below sea level. This difference in
elevation creates many regions with varying vegetation, temperatures, and
rainfall. Overall, however, Israel?s climate is dry and desert-like.
Among the people of Israel were many shepherds, for whom water was
vital to the survival of their flocks. Further, the people had to irrigate
their crops. The needs of the people and livestock were constantly
considered in light of the water supply in the land. This is the basis upon
which David related his need of the Lord to a desert experience in which he
was continually and desperately searching for water to survive.
God promised in Isaiah 35:6, ?In the wilderness shall waters break
out, and streams in the desert.? The Lord demonstrated His promise even
before Isaiah penned these words.
Abraham cast out his bondmaid Hagar and her son Ishmael following the
birth of Isaac in Genesis 21. Hagar wept in bitter disappointment when her
water supply was depleted. She put her boy under a shrub and walked a short
distance away so that she would not see his death. Then the Lord opened her
eyes and showed her a well of water. With that supply God preserved her life
and that of her son. People of the world today need to have their eyes
opened to what God can provide, and thus they may gain life everlasting.
The amazing story of Moses also was linked to water and its
life-giving importance. He was saved from the water of the Nile River as a
baby. Moreover, some eighty years later the Red Sea was the means of his
deliverance from the pursuing Egyptian army. In the wilderness wanderings of
the people of Israel under the leadership of Moses, God made the bitter
waters of Marah sweet (Exodus 15:25), provided water from a rock (Exodus
17:6; Numbers 20:11), and caused a well to spring up (Numbers 21:16-18). All
these events happened in a barren and desert land!
With the historical importance of water, it is no wonder that Jesus
used it as a metaphor for the satisfaction of spiritual needs. Jesus had His
own wilderness experience, both literally and spiritually, in which the
devil tempted Him. He returned from that experience ?in the power of the
Spirit? (Luke 4:14). One of His first messages following that experience
included a blessing for those who ?hunger and thirst after righteousness.?
Water was a main theme of Jesus in His teachings in the Gospels. In
John 4 He mentioned ?living water.? He told of ?a well of water springing up
into everlasting life.? This caught the attention of the woman at the well
who went and told others in the city. They, too, came and heard Jesus. They
also believed ?that this is the Christ, the Saviour of the world.? They
realized it was not a gimmick or a sensational attempt to gain followers.
Rather, they realized their need to worship God ?in spirit and in truth.?
Again Jesus used the subject of water to teach a powerful truth in
John 7:37-39. He may have interrupted a religious ceremony of the Jews. On
the last day of the feast, a priest drew water from the pool of Siloam in a
golden vessel and took it to the Temple. Perhaps with that procession in
full view, Jesus cried, ?If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and
drink.? He again mentioned ?living water? flowing with the abundance of
rivers. The Scriptures make it plain that He was referring to the Holy
Spirit, which believers are to receive. This promised spiritual experience
was fulfilled for the first time on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Millions
more have received it through the ages as God has poured out His Spirit upon
mankind.
It was not coincidence that Paul used the verb ?drink? to describe
our baptism into the body of Jesus Christ in I Corinthians 12:13.
?For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be
Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to
drink into one Spirit? (I Corinthians 12:13).
Drinking is generally done with the mouth. Speaking in tongues is the
supernatural sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit
is like filling a vessel with water. Thank God life does not have to be a
desert experience, but it can be a refreshing renewal again and again in the
Spirit!
B. Homesick for Church
God created mankind as social beings. Further, He provided social
structures for interaction with others through the family, church, and
community. Long before psychologists and sociologists discovered the power
and influence of support groups, God ordained these support units for our
spiritual welfare.
The apostle Paul described the church in terms of family structure
and household (Ephesians 2:19; 3:15). The identity, unity, and love one
derives from his family are also benefits he may draw from the church.
Although it is beneficial for the church to be like a close-knit
family, that is not the main reason for one to associate with the church.
Jesus Christ is the main focus of the church. The church provides a person
with the opportunity to receive salvation through Christ and witness His
power and glory at work among the people of God. The blessing of receiving
salvation and being in Christ?s presence with fellow believers is
indescribable!
Through their coming together as a church, believers are able to see
and experience the ?demonstration of the Spirit and of power? (I Corinthians
2:4) through the preaching of God?s Word. Moreover, the writer of the Book
of Hebrews urged us not to forsake ?the assembling of ourselves together?
(Hebrews 10:25). Each opportunity of gathering together provides a venue for
spiritual growth and reception of spiritual strength in Jesus Christ. Jesus
promised His abiding presence in a gathering of two or three who come
together in His name.
II. WHY I WANT TO BE BACK
A. Lovingkindness of God
God is the giver of life. When He breathed into the still form of the
man He had fashioned from dust, ?man became a living soul? (Genesis 2:7).
Sadly, Adam and Eve made the wrong choice by partaking of the
forbidden fruit. Their sinful disobedience damaged their God-given lives and
subjected them to physical death and eternal damnation. From that moment
forward man?s relationship with God was not what it could have been. Though
mankind did not die immediately, he became prey to the power of death and
decay. What a difference one wrong choice can effect a person?s life! But
God did not abandon His rebellious creation.
God continued to reach out to mankind with love. He dealt with him
through a myriad of laws, rituals, and prophets until finally the time came
for His ultimate act of love in reaching out to His creation. He took upon
Himself the form of man through the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Through His birth, life, and sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus purchased
our salvation. What a supreme act of love! Through faith in and obedience to
Christ we once again have the opportunity to enjoy a restored relationship
with God.
Jesus clearly defined the different purposes of the devil and Himself
in John 10:10: ?The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly.? Life is now worth living because of His power and abundant
blessing.
Lovingkindness appears many times in the Bible as a reference to
God?s nature. Often adjectives such as marvelous (Psalm 17:7) and excellent
(Psalm 36:7) are attached to it. Isaiah wrote of the lovingkindness of God
in plural form. He mentioned the multitude of mercies and lovingkindnesses
of the Lord in dealing with Israel (Isaiah 63:7). Likewise, the church today
exists only because of the mercy, compassion, and love of the Lord.
Like the psalmist, we can relate to the lovingkindness of God as
being better than life. Moreover, it is the means of eternal life since
salvation comes by the grace of God. We can experience it day by day as we
live for Him.
B. My Lips Shall Praise God
As a result of God?s mercy and salvation, it is normal and
appropriate that His people praise Him. He has done many marvelous things
for us, but the greatest of all His acts of mercy is His provision of
salvation through the Cross. Moreover, just the life He has given us is
sufficient cause for us to praise Him. The Scriptures conclude, ?Let every
thing that hath breath praise the Lord? (Psalm 150:6).
It is important that both the life we live and the words we speak
lift up the Lord. It is inadequate only to purpose to praise and glorify
God; our purpose should also be our practice. In Matthew 15:7-9, Jesus
quoted Isaiah 29:13 when He condemned the practice of human traditions that
modify the commandments of God. It does no good to draw close to the Lord
with mere words when the heart is distant from Him.
Paul and Silas in Acts 16 dealt with error that failed to live up to
this principle. On the surface it would appear the announcements made by the
demon-possessed girl following Paul and Silas was free advertisement of the
apostles? ministry and words that glorified God. However, Paul became
grieved by her continual words, turned to her, and cast out the demonic
spirit. He discerned that her life did not match her words. He apparently
did not want his ministry and the work of the Lord to be associated with the
wrong influence. Though Paul and Silas were then beaten and imprisoned, they
continued to practice the principle of praise, and God delivered them from
the prison and brought salvation to the prison keeper?s household.
The Scriptures clearly instruct us that it is the will of God for us
to give thanks in everything (I Thessalonians 5:18). The apostle Paul did
not say ?for everything,? but ?in everything.? May our lips continually
praise God regardless of circumstances.
C. My Hands Are Raised in Thy Name
Worship is the prerogative and privilege of the redeemed. Believers
render worship to the Lord out of willing hearts, not because of forced
compliance. They gladly raise their hands in surrender and reach out to
receive the touch of God in their lives.
?I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting? (I Timothy 2:8).
The Lord is pleased when we involve our hands in either worship or
work in His name. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem intending to do the
work of the Lord, he spoke of the hand of God that was upon him and the
favor of the king for the task. This encouraged the people to continue to
rebuild and they ?strengthened their hands for this good work? (Nehemiah
2:18).
The wise king who penned Ecclesiastes had many inspirations of wisdom
from the Lord. One is particularly important when considering the work of
our hands. He wrote, ?Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy
might?(Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Twice Jesus mentioned the possibility of cutting off hands that
offend or cause sin (Matthew 5:30; 18:8). How much better it is to employ
our hands in good efforts that please God! What a blessing to worship God
with upraised hands!
III. REMEMBERING
A. My Soul Is Satisfied
The results of serving God are positive and the benefits numerous.
The devil promises much, but delivers little. This is not so with the Lord.
David wrote, ?The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want? (Psalm 23:1). He
had found the Lord to be the provider of all things.
The psalmist David wrote with a sense of both satisfaction and
confidence in God. He expressed an awareness of God providing for him with
abundance. His confidence in the Lord caused him to believe that if God
would only open His hand, it would satisfy the desires of every living thing
(Psalm 145:16). How wonderful that the Lord did not clench His fist in
deserved judgment of mankind but willingly opened His hands to be nailed to
the cross so that we could be satisfied with so great a salvation!
David took refuge in the presence of the Lord. Even when he was being
pursued relentlessly by King Saul, who desired to destroy him, David put his
trust in the Lord. He was both satisfied and yet hungry to experience more
of God. He expressed his hope and desire in Psalm 17:15: ?As for me, I will
behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with
thy likeness.? This is a secure hope we all can cling to in anticipation of
being in the presence of the Lord forever.
B. My Mouth Praises God
As Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, some of the
Pharisees were critical of the crowd?s worship of Jesus. In the midst of the
multitude, they said, ?Master, rebuke thy disciples? (Luke 19:39). Jesus
replied, ?I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones
would immediately cry out? (Luke 19:40). How important it is to determine in
our hearts that stones will not take our place in praise, nor will we
hesitate to offer up our praise to Him!
God did not create our mouths to speak vile profanity, inhale harmful
smoke, drink deadly liquor, or ingest dangerous drugs. His purpose was for
us to use our mouths to praise Him.
David said he would praise the Lord with joyful lips. The influence
of the Lord on His people is always positive and joyful. What a contrast to
a world where there is too much negative influence!
Another prayer of David concerned his words and meditations. He
wrote, ?Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer? (Psalm
19:14).
Remembering what the Lord has done for us produces praise in our
hearts. Being thankful causes us to rehearse God?s blessings to us, which in
turn encourages faith.
C. My Meditation Is on God
As a young shepherd David reflected on the goodness of God during the
night watches. When things became still and quiet and the day?s
responsibilities were done, he meditated on God and the blessings that came
to him from God. Whether as a shepherd or as a fugitive king in waiting,
David?s changing circumstances did not change his attitude of meaningful
meditation.
Psalm 1 provides a contrast of the righteous and the ungodly. The
psalmist compared their way of life (verses 1-2), their productivity (verses
3-4), and their ultimate end after this life on earth is complete (verses
5-6). He noted that the righteous are blessed and that they find delight and
meditation in the law of the Lord both day and night. This also reflects
God?s instructions to Joshua prior to Israel?s victory in crossing the
Jordan and destroying Jericho (Joshua 1:8).
To meditate means ?to ponder, imagine, muse, and study? (Strong?s
Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary). Moreover, one?s insightful reflection upon
God and His goodness results in his receiving additional blessing from God.
Psalm 119 is unique in that almost every verse mentions the Word of
God in some form. Though there are a few verses that do not allude to God?s
Word in some way, it is clear that the theme of the chapter involves the
various means of God speaking to His people. Eleven times ?meditate? or
?meditation? is mentioned in Psalm 119. Clearly, it is good to spend
devotional time meditating on the Word of God.
IV. STILL REMEMBERING GOD THOUGH ABSENT
A. Rejoicing in the Shadow of His Wing
Psalm 91 is a favorite of many because it assures us of God?s care.
The first verse includes ?dwell? and ?abide,? words that indicate a
long-lasting relationship with God. The ?shadow of the Almighty? implies a
closeness and protection that means safety for the believer. Verse four
mentions feathers and wings that also are figurative of His protection and
care for us.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37-39. He used the word
picture of a hen gathering her chicks under her wing to describe the
compassionate protection He wanted to extend to the people of Israel. Even
with their history of killing the prophets and messengers sent to them, the
Lord still was willing to gather them to Himself in mercy. Instead, they
chose not to receive His mercy and were left to face future desolation. A
much better choice is to live in the protection of the Lord and to rejoice
in His blessings.
B. Following God as He Upholds Me
David reflected on the Lord being his shepherd in Psalm 23. He told
of the leading of the Lord ?beside still waters? and in ?paths of
righteousness for his name?s sake.? That kind of leading deserves a
following from us, His people.
The dictionary defines a path as a ?trodden way, a track specially
constructed for a particular use.? It brings to mind a small, narrow trail,
contrasted by a huge roadway, or freeway with speeding vehicles. Jeremiah
6:16 instructs us to ask for the old paths where the good way can be found.
It is there that one may find rest for his weary soul. Following God in the
straight and narrow path of truth eventually leads to spiritual abundance
with many benefits.
In John 10, Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd (John
10:14). Verse 4 illustrates some strong truths about following Jesus.
First, when He puts His sheep forth, He goes before them, leading the
way. Whether we go to a new neighborhood, nation, or continent with the
gospel of Jesus Christ, He is already there. If we continue to keep our eyes
on Him, He will lead us to the place of ultimate rest and
victory?eventually, our heavenly home.
Second, the sheep follow Him because they know His voice. It is
comforting to read the Scriptures and have them minister to our exact needs.
The Word of God helps us through the tough times because God knows and
understands what we are experiencing. He is also the Word made flesh (John
1:14) who has victoriously faced the same challenges that we deal with
(Hebrews 4:15). Through His victory He can sustain us as well! (See John
16:33.) Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and He can speak peace to a
troubled soul and embattled believer.
V. PROPHECY
A. My Persecutors Shall Fall
?No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every
tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is
the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me,
saith the Lord? (Isaiah 54:17).
While the enemies of God plot and plan destruction, God assures His
people of victory. We have a rich heritage in the Lord. Since our
righteousness is of God and not of ourselves, it is eternal. Nothing that
the enemy does against God?s people will prosper, for He is the final
victor.
Jesus promised His disciples in Luke 10:19, ?Behold, I give unto you
power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.? One verse before He told of
Satan?s fall like lightning from his place in heaven. Satan?s fall will
include the bottomless pit, and finally, the lake of fire (Revelation 20:3,
10).
If we stumble and fall in our spiritual walk, it need not be fatal.
Or if we make mistakes and fail, it need not be final. Micah wrote some
encouraging words, ?Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I
shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me?
(Micah 7:8). We can always get up and keep going forward through the help of
our God.
B. I Shall Return with Rejoicing
In Luke 10, the disciples returned with joy from being sent out two
by two. They rejoiced that the devils were subject to them through the
mighty name of Jesus. However, Jesus directed them to rejoice ?because your
names are written in heaven.? The eternal victory of salvation is what we
can really rejoice about, knowing that Satan is defeated, along with death
and the grave.
The believer can embrace the wonderful promise of Isaiah 51:11:
?Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto
Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain
gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.? This theme is
repeated from Isaiah 35:10. The people of God can obtain gladness and joy,
knowing that the sorrow and sighing of sin will one day vanish.
When Christians attend church services, they ?come before his
presence with singing? (Psalm 100:2). They ?enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise? (Psalm 100:4). We return to
His presence in praise time and again, but to return to the presence of the
Lord for eternity will be an unspeakable joy!
In spite of the difficult circumstances he found himself in with Saul
pursuing him, David identified himself as the king who shall rejoice in God
(Psalm 63:11). It may not always be easy to rejoice, however. One time David
had to encourage himself in the Lord (I Samuel 30:6). But we can always find
reason to rejoice! In spite of his location and circumstance, Paul the
apostle was determined to rejoice (Philippians 4:4).
?Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice? (Philippians
4:4).
?And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you? (John 16:22).
CONCLUSION
When things became difficult for David, he went back to the basics.
He affirmatively declared, ?O God, you are my God.? He determined to seek
the Lord from his thirsty soul that would not be denied.
In Psalm 27:8 he said, ?When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart
said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.? He decided in his heart to
seek the Lord. He would continue to lift up his prayer and praise to the God
of his youth.
David chose to see the power and glory of God rather than focus on
the problems he was facing, knowing that the God he served would help him
through his problems. He trusted in the lovingkindness of the Lord that he
knew would bring him ultimate satisfaction. He was persuaded that he could
find true protection and provision in the presence of the Lord.
David resolved to follow ?hard? after the Lord (Psalm 63:8). The word
?hard? expressed his determination and intensity for following God. Someone
has truthfully said, ?If you live hard for the Lord, it will be easy; but if
you live easy for the Lord, it will be hard.? David was certain that victory
would ultimately be the outcome in his life while his enemies faced sure
defeat.
Circumstances should not affect our praise and worship to the Lord.
Bible prophecy refers to ?perilous times? in the last days. Jesus spoke of
signs that will come to pass that will cause great fear prior to His coming.
Yet He assures us through His Word, ?Your redemption draweth nigh? (Luke
21:28). We do not have to fear the troublesome times ahead. Whatever
circumstances we may face in life, whether wilderness or desert or fruitful
plain, we can go forward with faith as long as our hand is in Christ?s
nail-scarred hand.
REFLECTIONS
? Discuss why a desert or wilderness experience describes a difficult time
that may come while we are serving God.
? Discuss some examples from the Bible that point out the importance of
water and how God can provide that very thing in the time of need.
? What is the importance of our lips and heart being unified in our worship
of the Lord? Discuss.
? How can we be both satisfied and yet hungry for the blessings of the Lord?
Discuss.
? Discuss the benefits of living under the ?shadow of the wings? of God.
A fruitful harvest requires faithful service.
Galatians 6:9 states,
And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.
YBIC, Thomas, And YSIC, Linda.
twilliamson2@...
pofm@...