INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 108, 57:7-11, 60:5-12
It is believed that inspiration for Psalm 108 is applied to two things:
1) David's PAST battles and victories - specifically with the Edomites, Moabites and the Philistines - that were the basis for his strong faith in the Lord.
2) David's PRESENT challenges - a battle he was to face again with the Edomites.
David used the words of Scripture - parts of his Psalms (57:7-11; 60:5-12), for his present day THANKSGIVING AND SUPPLICATION prayers. We too can do the same in our prayer journals.
In His PRAISE SONG he celebrated His VICTORIES; but he knows that they were truly GOD'S VICTORIES, for he knew he could not have won them alone.
David TRUSTED IN GOD just as we should, knowing that "with God on our side we can do more than we think possible".
Just as David rejoiced in His VICTORIES in the PAST, so we can rejoice in what God has done for us. We can also TRUST GOD, as David did, in our anxieties and trials, as we face the FUTURE.
How do we know that we can trust Him?
* Because God is always us!
* He will never leaver us without an answe to our prayers!
*We can be lifted up with the promises of Scripture which give us courage and strength!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5&6 (NIV)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
"With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." Psalm 108:13 (NIV)
Next time, remember to TRUST GOD as He gives you RELIEF from your anxieties and VICTORY through all difficult circumstances, and TO GIVE HIM YOUR PRAISES!!
PRAISE & WORSHIP - GOD'S LOVE & FAITHFULNESS - Read Psalm 108:1-5; 57:7-11
"Circumstances may be black, but those who fill their minds with God can sing His praises."
Pat & David Alexander
We too can have this same FAITH in our FATHER GOD. David knew God's love was very, very great. He knew that he was a special child of God, and that he deserved all His mercy, compassion and faithfulness. He also passed this wisdom and faith on to his son Solomon.
"O Lord God, there is no God like you, in all the Heaven and earth. You keep you covenant and SHOW UNFAILING LOVE to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion."
2 Chronicles 6:14 (NLT)
"Your SPECIAL LOVE IS GREAT. It is higher than the skies. Your truth reaches beyond the clouds." Psalm 108:4 (EEB)
The first 5 Verses of this Psalm come from another of David's - Psalm 57:7-11. He wrote this one in a time when he was hiding in a cave from King Saul, who had wanted to kill him. Paul and Silas also knew the truth of praising God in difficult circumstances.
"After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. About midnight Paul and Silas were PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:23-25 (NIV)
David tells God that he will always SING HIS PRAISES before the dawn (in the morning) with his harp and lyre (musical instrments). He believed God's love "reached to the skies" and shined to all the glory of creation. We too can sing praises in honour of our Father God, who is truly exalted above the Heavens.
"God I have decided to trust you always. I will sing songs of praise with all that I am, I will pick up my harp and lyre. I will make music as the sun rises! ......God, I will show how great You are, high above the sky! Let everybody on the earth see your glory." Psalm 108:1-2, 5 (EEB)
GOD'S SALVATION & VICTORY - Read Psalm 108:6-9, 60;5-12; Samuel 8
"God proclaims the land and the people of Israel as His own.....He declares His power over Israel's traditional enemies - the Moabites, the Edomites and the Philistines. We have declared David's victories and God's ultimate holiness." David & Pat Alexander
In this Psalm - Verses 7-8, a repitition of Psalm 60:5-12, we have a declaration of David's victories, but these are not his alone, for God would continue in His sovereignty over these lands, to be with David. Ultimately GOD WILL HAVE HIS WILL IN ISRAEL. In Verse 8, we read of the important jobs that God gave His people in Israel:
* IN EPHRAIM AND THE NORTHERN PROVINCES - they were the 'WARRIORS", the strong fighters.
* IN JERUSALEM AND JUDAH - we have their "RULERS", religious leaders and the government.
"Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my sceptor, will produce my Kings." Psalm 108:8 (NLT)
God also declared His authority over the Gentile nations of MOAB , EDOM and PHILISTIA.
"But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia" Psalm 108:9 (NLT)
Although these were said to be God's humble servants, there was a time, we read in Scripture, that Moab and Edom were known to be very proud nations.
"The people of Judah say, "We know how proud Moab's people are. We have heard how they boast about themselves. They think that they can do anhything that they want. But all their pride is empty and useless." Isaiah 16:6 (EEB)
"The Lord said to Edom, "I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly despised. You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. "Who can ever reach us way up here"? you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crahing down." Obadiah 1:2-4 (EEB)
It is believed that previously David was on good terms with the Moabites, until his parents were killed. David was "rescued by God's right hand". In 2 Samuel 8, we read how David conquered the land of Moab, and "those who were spared became David's subjects and paid him tribute money". The Edomites also became David's subjects.
"In fact, the Lord gave David victories wherever He went." 2 Samuel 8:14b (NLT)
Finally, we read how God helped David conquer his greatest enemy - the Philistines. Right from the beginning, as a young lad when David had conquered the great giant Goliath, the Philistines had been his most difficult foe. But with the Lord's help:
"David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath, their largest town."
Samuel 8:1 (NLT)
DAVID'S TRUST - Read Psalm 108:10-13; 2 Chronicles 20
"David believed he was rescued by God's right hand of strength and might in the PAST and he trusted God to do the same in the FUTURE." David Guzik
This final part of David's Psalm is believe to have been written when David was preparing for another battle .
"Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom?" Psalm 108:10 (NLT)
He needed help conquering Edom again. There is no record of David conquering the "unconquerable city of Petra" in Edom, but as David has said over and over again, "WHAT SEEMS TO BE UNCONQUERABLE BY MAN, GOD CAN DO IT!"
"O please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes." Psalm 108:12&13
WE CAN FIGHT A FIGHT WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE
One of my favourit passages in Scripture is 2 Chronicles 20. It tells the story of another great king, and fighter of faith - King Jehosophat, who led the armies of Judah and Jerusalem. He was reminded, like David, that he did not go up against his enemies alone, FOR GOD WAS ON HIS SIDE!
"Oh our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We don't know what to do, but we are looking to You for help......Listen all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen King Jehosophat! This is what the Lord says: "Do not be afraid! Do not be discouraged by the mighty army, for THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD'S......YOU WILL NOT EVEN NEED TO FIGHT. Take your positions; then STAND STILL AND WATCH THE LORD'S VICTORY. HE IS WITH YOU, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged." 2 Chronicles 20:12,15,17
David and Jehosophat were both elite soldiers who knew their men were useless in battle, unless God was with them. We too can be defeated if God is not with us; but WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE. like David and Jehosophat WE CAN HAVE HOPE AND VICTORY!
"Faith is neither a coward nor a sluggard. She knows that GOD IS WITH HER; therefore, SHE DOES VALIANTLY. She knows He will tread down her enemies, and therefore she arises to TREAD THEM DOWN IN HIS NAME." Charles Spurgeon
CONCLUSION - "THROUGH OUR GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY."
Jesus has trodden down our enemies. The Messiah has stepped on Satan. We can do valiantly if we trust Him each day. The Lord will be by our side every day and night, as we seek His presence.
PRAISE AND TRUST THE LORD! For HE WILL WIN THE BATTLE FOR YOU! FIGHT WITH JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SAVIOUR AND LORD, ON YOUR SIDE, AND SEE WHAT, TOGETHER, YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH!
"But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.....May the Lord lead you into a full understanding and expression of the LOVE OF GOD and the PATIENT ENDURANCE that comes from Christ......Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you HIS PEACE AT ALL TIMES and IN EVERY SITUATION..... THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALL. May the grace of of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all," 2 Thessalonians 3:3,5,16&18
Henry, Kent, "Through our God We Shall Do Valiantly," 2020, Songs4Worship/Make a Joyful Noise, Maranatha
"Easy English Bible", 2018, Mission Assist, Wycliffe Translaters
"Thew Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible - 4th Edition", 2009, Lion Hudson
Guzik, David, "Psalm 108 - Praise and Trust from Past for Today", 2020, www.enduringword.com
Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on Psalms", 1885/2021, Christianity.com
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