Title: My cry (Psalm 69:1-14)
Contents
★Introductory words
Have you ever observed a butterfly breaking out of a cocoon from its pupa state? When the pupa becomes an adult, it pierces a small hole and comes out through the narrow hole, but the hole is too small to be rubbed, twisted, chewed, or convulsed, and it desperately struggles to come out. A man was watching the scene and feeling sorry for him, he cut a cocoon with scissors and made the hole bigger. The butterfly, which came out effortlessly and easily, flapped its wings and prepared to fly. It looked prettier than other butterflies. The other pupae also hatched, and they floundered and staggered for a long time. After a while, the butterflies flew into the air. However, only one bird flapped its wings and could not fly. It was that beautiful butterfly that bore the hole. It was the pupae's difficult passage through the hole in preparation for the next step. However, it was regrettable that a large hole was drilled, which caused the butterfly's future to be unhappy.
When hardships come, people also suffer in mind and body, and they want to pass easily if they can. However, God does not inflict useless suffering on the saints.
- Psalm 119:71, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes" / Hebrews 5:8, "Even though he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered" / Philippians 1:29, "Christ It has been granted to you for your sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”
This psalm is set in the background of the rebellion of Adonijah in the last years of David. Adonijah was the son of David, the younger brother of Absalom, and the older brother of Solomon.
- 1 Kings 1:1,5-8,10 (The basis for the background is verse 8 of the text)
Adonijah's older brother Absalom also rebelled against his father David's throne and was killed by David's servants. Adonijah succeeded his brother and rebelled in the last years of his father's loss of power.
David's life was a series of hardships to the end. In the midst of extreme hardship and unrighteous persecution, David looks to the God of salvation and judgment and pleads for his condition and salvation. In particular, David shows his absolute faith to rely on the Lord even more in the midst of suffering. This is the secret and charm that makes David love God. For this reason, this poem is the second most important prayer poem in the New Testament after Psalm 22.
1. Let's look at David's reality first.
Verse 1 expresses the severity of David's suffering now. "Waters have flowed into my soul." It was said that the degree of suffering permeated not only the body but also the soul. The words “water”, “deep bog”, “deep water”, and “big water” appearing in verses 1 and 2 are expressions of the tribulation that David is experiencing now is life-threatening. What specifically was this great suffering that David was facing?
① Verse 4 the hatred of the wicked without cause
② Until the end of verse 6, the thought that the people who fear God and follow David will be disappointed and frustrated because of God's non-response.
③ Verse 8, the reality of being ignored and marginalized by the closest family.
④ Verses 9-11, his faith in God alone became a source of ridicule.
⑤ Verse 12 The reality that the king himself has become the object of ridicule of the princes and the people.
Why did David have to suffer so much?
Verse 4 // David had no reason to suffer these things. Even today, like David, there are times when the saints suffer only because they fear God, that is, they believe in Jesus. As such, there are times when the saints chosen by the Lord will suffer innocently and vaguely while they live in the world. But the suffering that the saints suffer because of Jesus Christ is a beautiful thing. Because Jesus Christ also went through this path of suffering.
- 1 Peter 2:19-24, "It is beautiful if you suffer afflictions and endure sorrows in the mind of God, but what praise is there if you endure being beaten for sin. This is beautiful in the sight of God, to which you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps."
Seeing David's sufferings, no one sympathized with David or worried about David's sufferings. even the family.
- Verse 20 of the main text
However, these sufferings that the Lord suffered first are recognized and rewarded by God. Therefore, when life is difficult and difficult, believers should not rely on people or anything else or fall into resentment and frustration, but should tell God about it.
- James 5:13-15, "Is anyone among you afflicted? I should pray. Is there anyone that rejoices? Let me sing praises. Is there any sick among you? I will call the elders of the church. They will anoint you in the name of the Lord. and pray for him. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven."
2. David's way of overcoming the crisis
Text verses 13-19
Verse 13 says, “A time of acceptance”. This is a promise from God, and he said that the supplications in suffering will be heard.
- Exodus 22:23, "If they cry to Me, because you harm them, I will surely hear their cry." 2 Chronicles 20:9, "If any calamity or strife or reproof or pestilence or famine come upon us, the name of the Lord In this temple we stood before this temple and before you, and we cried out to you in this affliction, and you hear and you will save us."
David is pleading with God based on this promise. (The name 'Jehovah' is often used in reminders of promises.) David did not rely on anything else in his excruciating affliction. However, he fell on his face before God, recalled the word of God's promise, and pleaded for salvation. We see here the fine example of prayer through David.
Verse 16, “O LORD, your mercy is good; answer me, and turn to me according to your abundant mercies.”
It is only through the kindness and mercy of Jehovah God that life can escape from suffering and move on to the path of salvation. Kindness and mercy are God's love for creation. In other words, the basis on which a sinful life can be saved is God's kindness and His compassionate love for sinners.
- Luke 1:77-79, "I will make known thy people salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the mercy of our God. So that the sun rises upon us from above, to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." He will shine and guide our feet in the paths of peace." / Isaiah 54:10, "Mountains will depart and hills may move, but my love will not depart from you, nor my covenant of peace." I mean"
What is an Insignia? Kindness (仁), one who has mercy (慈). (kindness of God). This speaks of God's warm affection. In other words, like a father who welcomes the returning prodigal son, even though he is a sinner, it is God's love that he embraces with warm parental love. What is mercy? Compassion to pity, compassion to alms. (mercy of God). This is a love that forgives sinners who die without punishing them. Therefore, those who pray to God should ask for God's mercy and ask for mercy.
- Psalm 51:1, "According to Your lovingkindness, have mercy on me, O God, according to Your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions."
As such, David's way of overcoming the crisis was to turn to God.
3. The Most Important Fact
Text verses 30-36
In the midst of life's extreme crisis, David made known his circumstances to God. And now he is giving thanks and praise to God in his deep trust in Aron.
Verse 30, “I will sing praises to God’s name with song, and with thanksgiving will say, ‘God is great.
This comes from the strong conviction that God has heard and answered their prayers. This kind of faith must be possessed by our members. Without this kind of faith, we cannot expect God's answers. And thanksgiving and praise are the sacrifices that God is most pleased with.
- Psalm 50:23, "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; I will show the salvation of God to those who do it right." Deuteronomy 10:20-21, "Fear the Lord your God and serve him, "Be friendly to him and swear by his name. He is your praise and your God. He has done for you these great and terrible things, which you have seen."
Of course, thanks and praise are not forced. Also, it's not something that can be forced. It should be thanksgiving and praise from the heart. Therefore, it must be remembered that all things are under the sovereign providence of God. When I realize that all the work and processes of my life are under God's intervention, I depend only on God, and only then will true gratitude and praise arise.
Looking at David's life, he always walked with God in this way, and he became a lord who looked only at God's grace. God even called this David “a man after his own heart.” But how can you not answer the prayer of suffering?
Spiritual reciprocity (有備無患), which is to walk with the Lord every moment of every day and continue spiritual dialogue When faced with difficulties, do not rely on people or worldly things first, but rely on God first, ask the situation, and wait with trust.
I pray in the name of the Lord that the lives of the saints can achieve the spiritual beauty of invincibility like David.