Psalms In My Palms - Book 2 -SOVEREIGNTY

But God...!

Psalms 31:1-24

          Now we have seen in Psalm 24 the perfect Savior, Jesus as our Sovereign King. He not only is King but He has been King and always will be King. The position shows authority and power over persons, territories, creation, salvation, cleansing, and triumph. He is coming back for the redeemed. He is Lord of battles. The outcome of Armageddon is already in His control.

Again David wrote a strong Psalm of trust but it grew out of confession of trust that occurred in two ways. Verses 1-18 cover the context of trust and verses 19-24 presents the praise as a result of trust. (NKJV)-"In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed." (TEV)-"I come to You, Lord, for protection; Never let me be defeated." One thing we are guaranteed in our trust in God is that He will never bring us to shame but we will be conquerors through Jesus Christ. That's why David went on to say, "Rescue me because You are the God who always does what is right." (Read Psalm 22:5-(NKJV)-"They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in You and we're not ashamed."; 11:1-"In the Lord I put my trust , I have called upon You , for You will hear me, O God!"; 17:6&7-"I have called upon You, for you will hear me, O God,"; Proverbs 3:5&6). The scriptures are unending verifying God's care for us in times of need. No matter what circumstance we are faced with we can trust God to take care of us. He is in control and as our SOVEREIGN GOD we will be victorious through it all.

David went on to say, (TLB)-"Answer quickly when I cry to You; bend low and hear my whispered plea. Be for me a great Rock of Safety...You are my Rock and my fortress (Images of God). Therefore for Your Name's sake lead me , guide me." (Read Psalms 7:2; 86:1; and 102:2. All Reveal God's ear is open to our cry). We get a strong picture here of a young bird fearfully putting his head into his mother' s feathers for refuge. Trusting fully in her maternal instincts for protection. (Psalm 91:1-4 says, (NKJV)-"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, ...in Him will I trust." Read on through verse 4. Also read Psalms 18:2; 23:3; and 25:11).

So tuck your head in and let Him listen to your plea. He will answer you! He is a Rock which is solid and is not easily moved or a fortress insurmountable. HE IS SOVEREIGN GOD.

David said, (CEB)-"I entrust my spirit into Your hands; You, Lord, God of Faithfulness -You have saved me." Even Jesus when He was hanging on the cross in Luke 23:46-(NKJV)-"cried out with a loud voice. He said, 'Father, into Your hands, I commit my Spirit. Having said this He breathed His last." Trust even unto death was the final occasion of the resurrection 3 days later. Complete trust in God, as God has an eternal plan and wants us to accept His plan. Trust will result in resurrection in our own life to eternal life

Stephan also found his victory in the words in Acts 7:29-(NKJV)-"Lord Jesus , receive my spirit." Deuteronomy 23:46 makes it very clear-" He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are Justice, a God of Truth and without injustice, Righteous and Upright is He." John 10: 27 uses David's term of sheep when it says, "My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me." Need I say more on this? I think not!

Next David gave a plea for mercy. His theory was tell it and God will be with you through it all. So he said: (CEB) verses 9-13

1. "I am depressed"

2. "My vision fails"

3. "As do my spirit and body"

4. "My life is consumed with sadness"

5. "My years are consumed with groaning"

6. "Strength fails me"

7. "My bones dry up"

8. "I'm a joke to all my enemies "

9. "Still worse to my neighbors"

10. "I scare my friends"

11. " I am forgotten like I am dead"

12. "Like a piece of pottery, destroyed"

13. " I've heard all the gossip"

14. "Many gang up together against me"

15. "They plan to take my life"

As if that were not bad enough, does this sound like our complaints about all we face!

David does an about face to all his problems (TLC verses 14-8)-"But I am trusting You , O Lord. I said, 'You alone are my God; my times are in Your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly (Saul sought David's life and pursued him to kill him.). Let Your favor shine again upon Your servant; save me just because You are so kind! Don't disgrace me, Lord, by not replying when I call to You for aid. But let the wicked be ashamed by what they trust in; let them be silently in their graves. Their lying lips quieted at last- the lips of those arrogant men who are accusing honest me of evil deeds." Completely dependent on God for retaliation when he admits "My times are in Your hands. (Read Deuteronomy 32:30; Psalms 4:1; 18:19; 6:7; 64:8; Job 19:13; 14::5; and Isaiah 53:4).

The David bursts into a song of praise which sounds like a congregational hymn for any worship service today. Many are facing the same problems David faced. Our country is being attacked by people who desire to destroy Christianity, seek to take God out of our schools, churches, and public places. They want to remove our loyalty to God by removing his name from the flag salute, public buildings, and our country! They are opening themselves up to the condemnation of Almighty God and He is not happy with them!

To those who declare Him publicly David says in his praise in verses 19-22-(TLB)-"How great is Your goodness...You have stored up great blessings... ( to those who trust and reverence You). Hide (Your love ones) in the shelter of Your presence, safe beneath Your hands, safe from all conspiring men. Blessed is the Lord for He has shown me that His never failing love protects me like the walls of a fort... You listen to my plea and answer me." Last but not least, David defines a Christian in the last two verses of Psalm 31. He encourages the community to join him in praise. He says of a Christian:

1. "The Lord preserves the faithful ...;"

2. "Be of good courage..."

3. "he shall strengthen your heart..."

4. "All you who hope in the Lord."

(Read Romans 2:4; 11:2; Psalms 27:5; 32:7; 1; and Job 5:21).

I will close this with two complimentary verses. Hebrews 13:15-(NKJV)-"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifices of praise to God, that is the fruits of our lips, giving thanks toHis Name." Got it? HE IS SOVEREIGN GOD. The second verse is Psalm 27:14-(NKJV)-"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage , and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

HE IS SOVEREIGN GOD. BETTER BELIEVE IT!

Next time...