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Text: Psalm 57
In the chorus of this song, David’s prayer is for God to be above the trouble. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth (vss 5 and 11). Notice all the references to God being above the trouble in verses 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 11. Sometimes it’s not the sunshine of his face that comforts, but the shadow of his wings. Over and over in the Bible we’re told to look up. Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God’s perspective is reality because he has a vantage point that is much higher than ours. Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Otherwise you’ll be afraid when you shouldn’t. You’ll make carnal decisions that you shouldn’t. You get infatuated with something that won’t last and drag you away from God’s will. Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Here is the truth presented in Psalm 57: sometimes it’s not about taking steps, but taking refuge.
Stop moving because there is no place to go (vs 1)
- In verse one David has come to the end of what he can do. There are no more places for him to go.
- David’s prayer is not guide me, or lead me, or show me your way, but simply be merciful unto me.
- David doesn’t need a map, David needs a nap.
- David doesn’t need a course of action, he needs confidence in God Almighty.
- David’s obedience to the will of God and Saul’s disobedience to the will of God caused David much trouble. In 1 Samuel 22:1-3, David finds refuge from Saul in the cave Adullam.
- Sometimes it’s not about taking steps, but taking refuge
- You can’t do anything else about this family situation, give it to the Lord.
- You can’t do anything else about your grown children, give them to the Lord.
- You can’t do anything else about another Christian, give it to the Lord.
- Which leads to the next verse…
Stop moving so God can work (vs 2)
- David is at the end of himself and that’s a good place to be.
- Sit still so I can help you!
- Sometimes the answer is take these steps, but other times the answer is Be still and know that I am God.
- Hebrews 6:18-20 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus…
- Your trust in Jesus Christ and in God the Father, is where God’s work will begin to be performed in you.
- Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
- John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
- Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
- The Lord Jesus Christ is the God whose wings David trusts.
- Sometimes it’s not about taking steps, but taking refuge.
Stop moving so God’s help can find you (vss 3-4)
- David is confident when the Lord sends an answer from heaven, it will be salvation from his enemy. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up.
- There is no substitute for air support
- Air support is the lifeline
- Command and control – Command and Control is an essential element to the success of all missions, whether during exercises, contingencies, or actual war. This mission controls the airspace, coordinating and directing air traffic while assisting the ground force commander in planning, requesting, coordinating, and controlling all elements or airborne warfare.
- Resupply
- Fire support
- Med Evac
- Sometimes it’s not about taking steps, but taking refuge.
Stop moving because of the enemy (vss 6-7)
- Saul thinks he knows where David is, but Saul is waiting for David to move so he can be sure. As long as David stays holed up, Saul doesn’t know where to hunt.
- Some things hunt by movement and this enemy is looking for some kind of movement.
- Have you ever hunted quail? These birds live on the ground. So you get some dogs to scare up the quail. When the quail get scared they move and when they move they become targets. You know this world will try to flush you out. It’ll try to make you move from a position in order to make you a target. If you’ll stay still, you’ll be safe.
- You know what the world has done to you? It’s caused you to move from where you started in Christ.
- Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
- Sometimes it’s not about taking steps, but taking refuge.
Stop moving so others can find your God (vss 8-11)
- When David stops going, watch all the people that come find him in 1 Samuel 22:2.
- You’re stopping to make shelter isn’t necessarily about you.
- Your haste will cost you God’s testimony in your life. “I don’t have time.”
- There are some distressed that need you to make time so they can hear about your God.
- There are some in debt to sin that need you to make time to help them to Jesus Christ who paid their sin debt.
- There are some who are discontent with this world, and you’re being caught up in this world is ruining their ability to see what kind of peace your God actually offers.
- Sometimes it’s not about taking steps, but taking refuge.
