PSALM 143 - DAVID'S FINAL CAVE PRAYER

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 143, 1 Samuel 

This Psalm of David is another cry from a time of affliction and crisis, when David was in a tent, hiding from his enemy, Saul. He was in the Cave of Adalluum, and it is numbered  among seven Penitential Psalms - prayers of confession and humility before God. Yet, in this prayer, in distress and persecution, DAVID FIND'S HOPE.

David prayed earnestly, while "oppressed by his enemies" and "weak in the Spirit": 

* GOD WOULD BE WITH HIM ALWAYS , "not hiding His face from Him."

* GOD WOULD ME MERCIFUL, forgiving his sins and "showing him favour."

* GOD WOULD GUIDE AND DIRECT HIM ", as "he followed God's will."

* GOD WOULD DELIVER HIM FROM HIS TROUBLE, "dealing with his persecutors".

We too need to HOPE IN THE LORD, believing that God is in control of our life. All we need to do is TRUST IN HIM. 

"Because God has proven Himself TRUSTWORTHY IN THE PAST, we can TRUST HIM WITH OUT FUTURE." Ruth Chou Simmons

"TRUST IN THE LORD with all your heart, and LEAN NO ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all your ways ACKKNOWLEDGE HIM, and He will DIRECT YOUR  PATHS."                                                                                                             Proverbs 3:5&6 (NIV)

DAVID'S PRAYER FOR HOPE - Read Psalm 143:1-6;                                                                                    Romans 3:9-26

CRYING OUT IN PRAYER

"Lord, HEAR MY PRAYER, listen to my CRY FOR MERCY; in your FAITHFULNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, come to my relief." Psalm 143:1&2 (NIV)

Before he was crowned King, David wanted to develop his relationship with his Father God, through PRAYER. He knew that he needed to "cry out to the Lord". It was a REAL PLEA for a REAL GOD; and he needed to "be heard". 

David used "parallelism" - repetitive language, with a same idea, to make it clear. Eg. "" Hear my prayer", "hear my supplication". He asked God to be "faithful and righteous" He asked God to be "faithful and righteous", according to His character. David knew he could be judged, but he was asking for mercy.

"Don't judge me, your servant, because no one alive is right before you." Psalm 143:3 (NCV)

"As it is written: "There is NO ONE RIGHTEOUS, not even one......for ALL HE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10&23 (NIV)

"Lord, I know that YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS, and I am not. Yet I come to you, as YOUR SERVANT, asking you to act on my behalf, because of YOUR MERCY." David Guzik

DAVID'S FEARS AND ANXIETIES

"My enemy pursues me and crushes me to the ground. He makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. I am afraid, mu courage is gone (my spirit grows faint within my heart within me is dismayed)." Psalm 1433&4 (NIV/NLT)

David knew suffering of many kinds - physically; but this was "his soul" that was tormented. He felt.

* "Crushed to the ground."

* "He lived in darkness."

* "His spirit was overwhelmed."

* "His heart was distressed". 

DAVID'S WORSHIP

"I remember days of long ago (what happened). I meditate on your works, considering what your hands have done. I LIFT MY HANDS TO YOU IN PRAYER! I thirst for you like a parched land (that need water)." Psalm 143:5&6

How can you find COURAGE in a BAD SITUATION?

1. Remember the GOOD THINGS GOD HAS DONE FOR US. David chose to "thing about the positive". David was considering the "days of old". He meditated carefully on his past and how the Lord has blessed him. 

"When we see nothing that can cheer us, let us think about old things. We once had merry days, DAYS OF DELIVERANCE, JOY and THANKSGIVING. Why not again?" Charles Spurgeon

2. KEEP WORSHIPPING! Worship can be "an oasis" in difficult times. David was praising the Lord, "lifting his hands up to the Lord". 

"The posture of PRAYER AND PRAISE was genuine HOPE for David in the midst of his misery of the soul. "I STRETCH FORTH MY HANDS UNTO THEE", as if I were in HOPE that Thou wouldst TAKE MY HAND  and DRAW ME TO THEE." David Guzik/Charles Spurgeon

PARCHED IN THE SPIRIT

Do you ever feel "PARCHED IN THE SPIRIT'? Have you ever been so "THIRSTY IN YOUR SOUL", that your greatest desire was TO BE CLOSE TO GOD? 

Like David, we need to humbly PRAY each day, asking the Lord to relieve us from our troubles. We need to PLEA FOR MERCY and FORGIVENESS; looking at the past, as you go into the future. Take note of GOD'S WORD and HIS BLESSINGS.

"This is the best course we can take, when our SPIRIT IS OVERWHELMED, so we do not sink under the load, and fin a way to ease ourselves." Matthew Henry

DAVID'S PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE - Read Psalm 143:7-10,                                                                  Psalm 5; Romans 8:31-39

IN GOD'S PRESENCE

"Answer me quickly Lord, for my SPIRIT FAILS. Do not hide your face, or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me WORDS OF YOUR UNFAILING LOVE, for I have put my TRUST IN YOU." Psalm 143:7&8 (NIV)

"Listen to my words Lord, consider my lament. HEAR MY CRY FOR HELP, my King and my God for to You I PRAY. In the morning, Lord, HEAR MY VOICE; in the morning I LAY MY REQUEST BEFORE YOU and You wait expectantly." Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)

David cried out to the Lord because he was "at the end of his rope".  When we feel this way, we too need to TURN TO GOD. David felt an urgency for GOD TO ANSWER HIM. David's experience teaches us that GOD'S TIMING IS BEST. We too sense this urgency, like David, TO BE IN GOD'S PRESENCE.

"What then shall we say in response to these things. IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US." Romans 8:31 (NIV)

We know that if God is on our side, nothing can bring us down. David needed to hear of GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS, and if we trust in this, we can wake up each morning, ready to face a new day.

GUIDED BY GOD'S WILL

"Show me where to WALK (the way I should go), for I give myself to You. Rescue me from my enemies. Lord, I RUN TO YOU (hiding myself in You). Teach me to do THY WILL, for you are my God; may your good (gracious) Spirit LEAD ME ON THE LEVEL GROUND (forward on firm footing)" Psalm 143:9&10  (NIV/NLT)

"Lead me on the RIGHT PATH, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. MAKE YOUR WAY PLAIN FOR ME TO FOLLOW." Psalm 5:8  (NLT)

Listen for GOD'S GUIDANCE. It's encouraging when we LOOK BACK and we can see HOW GOD HAS GUIDED US. We too can do this, "sheltering in God's love" and not the things of the world. We, like David, needed to be "enveloped in GOD'S LOVE". We can trust in "GOD'S FAVOUR  and COMFORT.

"No, in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS, through HIM WHO LOVED US. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, neither the PRESENT nor the FUTURE, nor any powers, can SEPERATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:37-38 (NIV)  

"It is the desire and endeavour of GOD'S SERVANTS to know and do GOD'S WILL, and to STAND, COMPLETE IN IT." Matthew Henry

The Lord wants us to be 'ENLIGHTENED BY HIS WILL". With the Holy Spirit's HELP AND GUIDANCE, we can do just that. 

DAVID'S PRAYER FOR REVIVAL - Read Psalm 143:11&12

"Lord, let me live so PEOPLE WILL PRAISE YOU. In YOUR GOODNESS save me from my troubles. In your LOVE defeat my enemies. Destroy all those who trouble me, because I AM YOUR SERVANT."  Psalm 143:11

David prayer for RENEWAL. He wanted God to SAVE HIM, for he knew this would bring GOD GLORY. Based in his relationship with God, he wanted to be "ENLIVENED", so he would be quickened to SERVE. In God's OWN TIME AND WAY David would be DELIVERED from his troubles. 

Davis would soon be KING as the Lord had ordained him, but at this stage he was still a refuge, hiding from Saul. He still had troubles to face, but he knew Gods would redeem him.

"Jesus said: "Let not your heart be troubled. TRUST IN GOD, TRUST ALSO IN ME."                                                                                                          John 14:1 (NCV)

"The GLADNESS, TRIUMPH, the awe of the memories of VICTORY....these are a symbol of the LORD'S PRESENCE, and are wonderfully expressed in this Psalm."                                                                                               Alexander McLaren

CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 143; 1 Samuel 22

"O Lord, TEACH ME and DELIVER ME and BRING ME OUT OF MY TROUBLES."

                                                        Pat & David Alexander

We have learnt many things from David in this Psalm, and the others he wrote while in the Cave of Adullan:

*The Lord GUIDES AND LEADS US.

* The Lord will NEVER ABANDON US.

* The Lord will STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT US from the evil one.

* The Lord will continue to do GREAT WORKS IN US/

* The Lord is our ROCK, REFUGE and STRONGOLD. 

"MY GOD IS MY ROCK and I can run to Him for SAFETY. He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender and my PLACE OF SAFETY. The LORD SAVES ME from those who want to harm me. I WILL CALL TO THE LORD, who is WORTHY OF PRAISE, and I WILL BE SAVED from my enemies." 2 Samuel 22:3&4 (NCV)

We trust in the Lord and rely on His promises. He is a FAITHFUL FATHER and HE GIVES US GRACE to TRUST IN HIM. Jesus is the "same, yesterday, today, forever." His compassions will not change, and LIKE HIS FATHER GOD, HE TOO IS FAITHFUL. We can also TRUST IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, as we know He will be with and in us always.

"GOD IS FAITHFUL  and will NEVER LEAVE US..... GOD'S GRACE holds us and guides us EACH STEP OF THE WAY." Ruth Chou Simmons

We are "standing on God's promises", we can be truly secure, even if things are not going well. Some people feel insecure in new, different circumstances. David was at first, but then he learnt that by FOLLOWING GOD'S WILL, he could TRUST HIM to ANSWER HIS PRAYERS.

"Tis' So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" (1000/2023) Louisa M Stead (Composer), Alan Jackson (Performer), Gaither Music/You Tube

"Standing on the Promises of God", (1920/2017), Kelso Carter (Composer), Alan Jackson (Performer), Gaither Music/You Tube

"The Holy Bible - New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson

"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblical

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

Alexander, Pat and David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible - 4th Edition", 2009 Lion Hudson Publishers

Chou Simmoms, Ruth, "Pilgrim - 25 Ways God's Character Leads Us Onward", 2023, Harvest  House Publishers

Gumbel, Nicky and Pippa, "The Bible - Classic Version", 2024, Alpha, You Version

Guzik, David, "Hope for a Persecuted Soul - Enduring Bible Commentary", 2020, www.enduringbible.com 

Henry, Matthew, 'Commentary on Psalm 143",1706/ 2025, www.BibleStudyTools.com

Maclaren, Alexander, "The Life of David Reflected in the Psalms," 1888, Hodder& Stoughton

Spurgeon, Charles H, "Psalm 143 - Commentary: Treasury of David, 1885, 2009 www.Christianity.com

PSALM 142 - David's Prayer From a Cave

 INTRODUCTION - Psalm 142, Psalm 57; 1 Samuel 22&23

David endured a lot of hardship while he waited to be anointed King. Yet he still trusted in the Lord each step of the way. David fled into Israelite country, after he had been in Gath with the Philistines. In Gath he had acted like an "epileptic", because he wanted to be thrown out of town. Yet, after they did this, he had no where else to go. He was still on the run from Saul, so he couldn't go back into the palace in Jerusalem.  So he found REFUGE IN A CAVE!

"Sure he went "wacko" for a couple of days, but later in the Cave of Adallom he gathers himself together. The faithful shepherd boy surfaces again. The giant killer rediscovers his courage. He had no where to lay his head, but at least "he kept it" Max Lucado

In the Cave at Adallom, DAVID CRIES OUT TO THE LORD. He knew God was his ONLY REFUGE. He returns his focus onto God, and in this Psalm, like Psalm 54, we find David as a "wilderness survivor". Wherever this cave was, specifically - probably in the wilderness of Bethlehem - we know in it, DAVID FELT SAFE from his pursuers.

"Several years had passed since he first fled from Saul, and the effect on David's spiritual nature was a deepening of hos unconditional dependence on God." Alexander McLaren

"Hear  my prayer God, listen to what I say. Strangers turn against me, and cruel people want to kill me. They do not care about God.  Selah! See, GOD WILL HELP ME; THE LORD WILL SUPPORT ME."                                                                                  Psalm 54:2-4 (NCV)

"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I TAKE REFUGE. I will TAKE REFUGE in the SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS, until the disaster has passed." Psalm 51:1 (NIV)

David cried out for HELP AND MERCY, like he had done many times before, but he also wanted to CELEBRATE and "praise the Lord in public." He wanted to share his faith with others, so they too would be "showered with God's blessings." He knew he would eventually become their king. 

This is also a PRAYER OF CELEBRATION. Although David was, at first, alone in this cave, he was later joined by family and other desperate men who wanted to support him. These 400 men, we believe, may have been soldiers. They were "wild and tough", and were encouraged by DAVID'S WORDS AND ACTIONS. 

This was a Psalm of Instruction (a Maskel), because of "the lessons David learnt himself in the save.", as he PRAYED TO THE LORD, and DESIRED TO TEACH OTHERS. 

"David left Gath and escaped to the Cave at Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt, gathered around him, and he became their commander. About 400 men were with him."                                                                                                     1 Samuel 22:1-2 (NIV)

"David longed to PRAISE GOD for answering his prayers. He promised that when God rescued him, he would continue to WORSHIP HIM. He will gather his men together and CELEBRATE GOD'S GOODNESS. It is important to celebrate our answered prayers, because this INCREASES OUR FAITH and LOVE OF GOD." Nicky Gumbel

GIVING OUR NEEDS TO GOD -  Read Psalm 142:1&2,                                                                                Philippians 4:4-9

"Who hasn't struggled with demoralizing seasons of darkness? We all suffer from grief and sorrow from time to time, but DEPRESSION is a different matter altogether..... DEPRESSION  has been described as a "black hole", an "abysmal cave", which includes discouraging feelings that refuse to go away. Yet, it is much deep and complicated, lasting longer than just despondency.  Depression is a feeling of listlessness and discouragement, and is much more serious." Charles Swindoll

"I CRY OUT TO THE LORD. I plea for the LORD'S MERCY. I pour out MY COMPLAINTS and and tell Him ALL MY TROUBLES." Psalm 142:1&2 (NLT)

There are 4 important parts of these opening verses:

1. David writes this MASKIL to give him insight into how to handle times of OVERWHELMING DEPRESSION. For David, "the beginning and end of his troubles" could only be helped by "pouring out his laments to God". Pour out our  "troubled thoughts" - BRING THEM TO THE LORD. 

2. David was TROUBLED BY HIS CIRCUMSTANCES. , yet he called out his heart and soul to the Lord. He encourages us to never hold back "our complaint and cares" - our "our supplications". His prayers were not just "silent emotion", which often lead to FURTHER ANXIETY. The Lord needs to HEAR OUR VOICE. 

"You can cry out to the Lord  with THOUGHTS, FEELINGS and ACTIONS, but David cried out to the Lord with HIS VOICE." David Guzik

3. David was in a cave - ALONE AND DESOLATE. We don't know know exactly which cave this was. He spent a lot of time in the CAVE OF ENGEDI and the CAVE OF ADULLAM, but it was more than likely the latter one.

"Caves make good CLOSETS FOR PRAYER; their gloom and solitude are helpful for the EXERCISE OF DEVOTION. If David had prayed as much in his palace as he did in the caves, he may never have fallen into the acts which brought him such misery." Charles Spurgeon

4. David's cry was more than just ASKING FOR HELP, it was an "ALLEGIANCE TO YAHWEH". It was actually a PRAYER and nothing held him back! He comes FACE TO FACE WITH GOF, and was 'TOTALLY HONEST". 

"TWICE he calls to the Lord, and TWICE he brings to Him his complaints.....From the interior of the cave David "thunders out his pitiful needs and heartrending groans....He felt  WORTHLESS and completely DEPRESSED. He needed to feel NEEDED and NECESSARY." Charles Swindoll

Sometimes we feel this way, we "hit rock bottom" and our "self image is shot". God longs to HEAR OUR PRAYERS. Express your THOUGHT AND WORRIES - don't worry HE'S HEARD WORSE.

" Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,  BY PRAYER AND PETITION , WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE OF GOD which transcends all understanding, will GUARD YOUR HEARTS IN CHRIST JESUS." Philippians 4:6&7 (NIV)

GOD IS MY REFUGE - Read Psalm 142:3-5; 1 Samuel 22:1&2

"When my spirit grows faith within me, it is YOU WHO WATCH OVER MY WAY.   In the PATH WHERE I WALKED,  people have hidden a snare for me." Psalm 142:3 (NIV)

David was "swallowed up in struggles", but he had GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT, knowing that GOD HAD A PLAN FOR HIS LIFE - God knew HIS JOURNEY AND HIS PATH - even though at this stage, he couldn't see it for himself. David knew that God knew the "snares" that were set before Him and He depended on God TO SAVE HIM.

"Traps were laid by Saul and his men. Spies were everywhere. He was a marked man. I used to wonder why we ever needed to utter words in prayer, since already GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING .....In the middle of confessing his darkest thought, David acknowledges that GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING, even the THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS he had not shared with anyone else." Charles Swindoll

We throw that we too have problems and difficulties (our snares and traps), the CHALLENGES that we have ahead of us. We know that GOD CARES FOR US, just as did David, and even though people may forsake us, we know we can COMETO GOD and FIND REGUFE AND STRENGTH. We can TRUST  our powerful God, for HE IS ON OUR SIDE. We don't have to face the bad times ALONE. Many times it seemed that David had no inheritance, but God was his "PORTION". He wanted to be victorious in the land of the living.

"Find REFUGE IN GOD'S PRESENCE. Find COMFORT IN GOD'S PEOPLE." Max Lucado

"Look at the right and see; for there is no one who regards me. There is no escape for me; no one who cares directly for my soul. I cried out to the Lord, I said: "YOU ARE MY REFUGE AND MY PORTION in the land of the living." Psalm 142:4&5  (NASB)

David expressed his loneliness and his fears, but also HIS TRUST IN GOD. Surrounded by Saul and his enemies, David knew that God knew everything about his situation. David knew that GOD WOULD NEVER ABANDON HIM. David's prayer "reflects a man" who would not let his feelings CUT HIM OFF FROM THE LORD and the HELP HE WAS PROMISED. 

Later he would be surrounded by a group of "righteous people". He was reminded of this when his family and a group of "discontented people gathered around him". He would later be joined by an army of 400 men. 

"David escaped Gath and escaped  to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were distressed, in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. And 400 men were with him."                                                                                                    1 Samuel 22:1-2 (NASB)

"We are not alone in our struggles. God has surrounded us with a A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE to LOVE AND SUPPORT US. We can choose to find COMFORT AND STRENGTH in or relationship with Him and other believers."Cindy Tutch

GOD GIVES FREEDOM AND SAFETY -                                     Read Psalm 142:6&7

"Set me FREE from my prison, that I may PRAISE YOUR NAME. Then the righteous will gather around me, because of YOUR GOODNESS." Psalm 142:6 (NIV)

David's prayer ends with a "CRY OF DELIVERANCE" - confidence that the LORD WOULD ANSWERE HIM. David understood his weakness, but he also knew that GOD WOULD STRENGTHEN HIM. As David has told us his troubles, he has highlighted two things:

1. HE FEELS LIKE A FUGITIVE AND A PRISONER.

2. HE LONGS TO BE FREE AND SAFE.

There ware times we feel this same way, and it is "human nature" to dwell on our difficulties, in a "spirit of despair". Like David we can feel isolated and trapped, but when we share our troubles with the Lord, our FREEDOM can lead to "CELEBRATION AND PRAISE". Hopefully, as David did, WE CAN SHARE OUR FAITH WITH OTHERS.

"Looking into the future, David declares, "The righteous will surround me and deal bountifully with me." Psalm 142:7 (NIV)

"David wanted to teach the desperate men who were with him , to seek HELP FROM GOD. like he was doing." David Guzik

What FAITH David had! He was looking forward and claiming VICTORY! He knew that they would be asking him to be king - as a leader over God's people. Because we TRUST IN GOD in the difficult days, HE STRENGTHENED US TO BE HIS SERVICE. We can "REST IN ASSURANCE" that God will heal us physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

'Now David was to be king over Israel. What was the way to Jerusalem for David? What was the way to the throne? Well, it was round by the way of Cave Adallum." Charles Spurgeon

"Those who emerge with emotional stability and inner strength - those are the ones who can MINISTER TO OTHERS." Charles Swindoll

CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 142, Psalm 34; Romans 8:8-32

David began his song with COMPLAINTS, but ended it with CONDIFENCE and TRUST, PRAISE and CELEBRATION. David began with a sense of ISOLATION, bur ends it with COMPANIONSHIP AND SUPPORT. David began in PRAYER and WEAKNESS, but closes with the knowledge of GOD'S GOODNESS, leading to a BOUNTIFUL BLESSING.

"Taste and see that the LORD IS GOOD; blessed is he who TAKES REFUGE IN HIM."                                                                                                                  Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

David out cried out to the Lord with his troubles, and the Lord had HEARD HIS CRIES, and DELIVED HIM from his troubles. The Lord will do the same for us, IF WE SEEK HIS PRESENCE.  In the "cave of depression" PRAY TO THE LORD and hold nothing back. Tell Him all your troubles and TRUST AND RELY ON HIM, ALWAYS! Stand firm in YOUR FAITH! Remember the CAVE may "seem endless", but it is part of "HIS  DIVINE PLAN".

"The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:17&&18 (NIV)

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.....And we know that in all things, GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE LOVE HIM, and have been CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE." Romans 8:18&28 (NIV)

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"The Holy Bible - New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson

"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

GUMBEL, Nicky and Pippa, "The Bible - Classic Version", Alpha, You Version.

GUZIK, David, "Psalm 142 - My Only Refuge - Enduring Word Commentary", www.enduringword.com

LUCADO, Max, "Facing the Giants - God Still Does the Impossible," 2006, Thomas Nelson

MACLAREN, Andrew, "The Life of David Reflected in the Psalms", 1888, Houder & Stoughton

SPURGEON, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on Psalms - Volume 6", 1885, Logos Research System Inc.

SWINDOLL, Charles, "Living the Psalms - Encouragement for the Daily Grind.", 2012, Worthy Publishers

TUTCH, Cindy, "Believe His Prophets - Daily Bible Readings", 2023, www.revivalreformation.com

PSALM 141 - GOD'S PUN ISHMENT AND REBUKE

INTRODUCTION -  Read Psalm 141; 1 Samuel 26; Hebrews 12,

                                                

                                                   Revelation 3:7-22

No one ever enjoys being REBUKED AND PUNISHED when we do something wrong, but we can LEARN SO MUCH - especially that GOD CARES FOR US. David, when writing this Psalm regards discipline and rebuke as a KINDNESS, and we need to continually LIFT OUR PRAYERS UP TO THE LORD. 

"Let a RIGHTEOUS (godly) MAN strike me - it is a KINDNESS; If they correct (rebuke) me, that is SOOTHING MEDICINE (oil on my head). Don't let me refuse it, for my PRAYER is still against evildoers (the wicked) and their deeds." Psalm 141:5 (NIV/NLT)

"God's discipline is always GOOD FOR US, that we might share is in HIS HOLINESS. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening! But afterward, there will be a PEACEFUL HARVEST OF RIGHT LIVING for those who are trained in this way." Hebrews 12:10-11 (NLT)

"As we go through the REFINER'S FIRE, it is in the form of DISCIPLINE. He wants us to be EARNEST AND REPENT." Nicky Gumbel

When Jesus allows us to go through rebuke and discipline, it is because HE LOVES US. John writes some messages from Jesus to the Early Churches, reminding them, that even though they may often fail, we still have HIS ENCOURAGEMENT. 

"Look, I will force those who belong to Satan's synagogue...... to come and bow down at your feet. I will acknowledge that you are the ONES I LOVE." Revelation 3:9 (NLT)

How do we respond to these challenges:

* BY MAKING THE MOST OF EVEVY SITUATION. Doors may "open and shut", but we, like the Christians in Philadelphia, need to "endure patiently". Jesus promises to be with us always, through all trials.

"Because you have obeyed my command to PERSEVERE, I will protect you from a great TIME OF TESTING, that will come on the whole world." Revelation 3:10a (NLT)

* OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS. Like the Christians in Laodicea, we are not to be "lukewarm" in our faith, or "spiritually poor". Jesus wants us to go through the "open door" and to have a meal with Him.

"Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and OPENS THE DOOR, I will come in and EAT WITH THAT PERSON, and THEY WITH ME." Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

David wrote this Psalm (prayer) to show how he was dealing with the sin and evil in his life. David promised David, as He does us, that we can cast all our anxities (troubles) on Him.

"Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

WORSHIP AND PRAISE THE LORD - Read Psalm 141:1&2

"Lord, I lift up my hands and my voice IN WORSHIP. I FIX MY EYES UPON YOU. Set a guard over my mouth and lips and keep my heart from evil."  Nicky Gumbel

"May my prayer be set before You like INCENSE, may the lifting of my hands be like an evening sacrifice." Psalm 14:2 (NIV)

When a child cries out to his father, he HEARS HIM, just as the LORD HEARS US as we "lift our hands" and voices to him in PRAISE AND WORSHIP. The lifting of our hands symbolizes the whole "opening of our body to God". 

"Prayer RISES TO HEAVEN like incense. Prayer PLEASES GOD as incense has a pleasing smell. Prayer NEEDS FIRE TO BE EFFECTIVE, as does incense." David Guzik

David wrote this Psalm in a cave, when a fugitive from Saul. The incense was used for his evening sacrifice and WORSHIP, when he couldn't go to the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. INCENSE connected to WORSHIP needs to be "pure and prepared", as prayers are offered to God. 

"Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls FULL OF INCENSE, which are the PRAYERS OF GOD'S PEOPLE.... worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered - to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength, and HONOUR AND GLORY AND BLESSING."                                                                                            Revelation 5:8b&12 (NLT)

COMMITTMENT TO RIGHTEOUSNESS -                          Read Psalm 141:3-7, Matthew 5:3-16; 1 Samuel 26

"Therefore, confess your sins to each other and PRAY FOR EACH OTHER so that you may be healed. The PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (NLT)

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS, for they will be filled."                                                                                                         Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Our commitment to righteousness is seen in the WAY WE LIVE - our integrity with words and actions, the correction that comes as "soothing medicine' and our leadership which is in God's hands.

1. INTEGRITY SHOWN IN OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS

"Set a guard over my MOUTH, Lord. Keep watch over the door of my LIPS. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil." Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

David didn't want the MOUTH used in worship, to be for sinful words (lying, bad language, complaints). He asks God to 'GUARD HIS MOUTH AND WATCH OVER HIS LIPS". When ever we speak to people or perhaps share with them, with the preaching of a sermon, it is important that we pray for the Lord's blessing over our words.

David also didn't want his HEART to be affected by the evil around him. He didn't to be filled with a vengeful spirit. He did not want to follow people "iniquity". When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, He told them: "Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil." We too need to make sure our hearts and thoughts are not drawn into evil. Our actions need to "become our habits", and these become a "righteous character". The Holy Spirit helps us develop these righteous ways.

"But seek first His Kingdom and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things will be given to you too." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

2. CORRECTION COMES AS SOOTHING MEDICINE.

"Let the godly strike me! It will be A KINDNESS! If they correct me, it is SOOTHING MEDICINE. Don't let me refuse it. But I pray constantly against the wicked and their deeds." Psalm 141:5 (NLT) 

"Blessed is the one whom God corrects; do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."                                                                                                          Job 5:17 (NKJV)

David was willing to accept the "righteous (godly)" correction from the Lord, for it was HEALING AND HELPFUL, "as oil in the head" - soothing medicine. He would accept the kind rebuke from a friend, like Jonathon, and he prayed constantantly for his enemy Saul. He too would rebuke him in kindness.

"David answered Saul: "Let the young men come over and get your sword. The Lord rewards everyone for their RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FAITHFULNESS. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD'S ANOINTED. As surely as I value your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from my trouble." 1 Samuel 26:22-24 (NIV)

"As many as I love, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN. Therefore, be zealous and REPENT."                                                                                                                   Revelation 3:19 (NKJV)

3. LEADERSHIP IN GOD'S HANDS

"When their leaders have been thrown down a cliff, the wicked will listen to my words." 

                                                     Psalm 141:6 (NLT)

The meaning of this verse - having "judges and leaders" thrown over a cliff, is unsure. David could have been talking about King Saul, his chief enemy. Over his years of wandering, David had learnt  about TRUSTING AND WAITING ON THE LORD. He knew that one day he would be a King - the leader of God's people. Yet, unlike King Saul, who was indeed, "the Lord's anointed one." and had fallen away in his service of the Lord, David had developed a "true integrity" when it came to sin and forgiveness - living a life worthy of His Father God. HE WAS INDEED THE LORD'S ANOINTED ONE. 

"Then Saul said: "I have sinned. Come back David, my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong. Here is the king's spear .........May you be blessed, David, my son; you will do great things and SURELY TRIUMPH". So David went away and Saul returned home." 1 Samuel 26:21&25 (NIV)

TRUST IN THE LORD - Read Psalm 141:8-10;                               1 Samuel 26:9-11;  Hebrews 12:1&2

"But my eyes are fixed on the SOVEREIGN LORD. HELP ME TO TRUSY IN  YOU (my refuge). Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they lead for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets. LET ME PASS BY SAFELY." Psalm 141:8-10 (NIV/NLT/CEV)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a such a great cloud of witnesses. and let us throw off EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS and the SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES. Let us run with PERSERENCE the race that is marked for us, FIXING OUR EYES IN JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of OUR FAITH." Hebrews 12:1&2

We are urged to FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS. Even though, we may still, at times, have some evil thoughts, we shouldn't PUT THEM INTO ACTION. With our eyes on the Lord, we can trust Him and follow His will for our lives. 

David knew that he needed GOD'S PROTECTION. He trusted in the Lord to KEEP HIM SAFE from all his enemies' "traps and snares". We too know that we can be SAFE IN GOD'S HANDS. We will not "grow weary or lose heart", if we keep our eyes on our SOVEREIGN LORD AND HIS SON JESUS.

"But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy King Saul. Who can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the Lord lives, He himself will strike Saul, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed."   1 Samuel 26:9-11 (NIV)

"GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY IS ABSOLUTE! Nothing can overrule HIS PLANS. Because of GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY, we can REST AND TRUST IN HIM. We can know that in EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE IN OUR LIVES, we are in GOD'S CARING HANDS." Ruth Chou Simmons

CONCLUSION 

"No matter how great the difficulty we face, GOD IS GREATER." Ruth Chou Simmons

Do you feel unable to bear your burdens and worries ALONE? Are they weighing on your HEART? Do you lack courage at times to continue your journey?  God is always ready to be with  YOU. He will give you PERSEVERENCE. GOD SUSTAINS US in His will.  God is our SUSTAINER, our STRENGTH, our SUPPORT , our RESCUER, COMFORTER AND PRESERVER. 

"Even in your OLD AGE, with grey hairs, I AN HE, I AM HE WHO SUSTAINS YOU. I have made you and will CARRY YOU; I will SUSTAIN YOU and I will RESCUE YOU." Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART, and my PORTION FOREVER."  Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

David's journey to KINGSHIP was not an easy one, but because He never failed to follow the Lord's path with his whole body - his 5 senses, his heart and the Holy Spirit, he was a SURVIVOR! Even when he took those steps back to Jerusalem, as the KING OF ISRAEL, we see a committed and strong FOLLOWER OF THE LORD.  

Our PRAYER, like David's is that we too will PUT GOD FIRST IN OUR LIVES, wherever and however DIFFICULT THE JOURNEY.

FLINT, Annie Johnson, "He Giveth More Grace" (Pilgrim- 25 Ways God's Character Leads Us Onward), 1930/2023, Harvest House Publishers

"The Holy Bible - New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson 

"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica Inc. 

"The Holy Bible - New King James Version", 1987, Thomas Nelson

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation" 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

CHOU SIMMONS, Ruth, "Pilgrim - 25 Ways God's Character Leads Us Onward", 2023,        Harvest House Publishers.

GUMBEL, Nicky & Pipppa, "The Bible - Classic Version", 2024, Alpha, New Version

    

GUZIK, David, "Psalm 141 - No Compromise, Enduring Bible Commentary", 2020, www.enduringword.com