E-pistle for April 29, 2011
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation April 29, 2011
I will lift up my hands in your name
(Psalm 63:1-8)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on David's heart-felt desire for God
1. David's yearning to know and experience God was extremely personal:
"You are MY God," v. 1.
2. David sought God early in each day . . . as well as early in his life, v. 1.
3. David's soul thirsted for the living God as a parched man thirsts for water
in a dry, barren desert, v. 1.
4. David earnestly looked for God to manifest Himself with power and glory
during periods of worship in the sanctuary, v. 2.
II. Meditation: on God's blessings upon David
1. Loving-kindness (grace and mercy), v. 3.
2. Satisfaction, v. 5.
3. Help and protection, v. 7.
4. Guidance and security, v. 8.
III. Revelation: on David's responses to God's blessings
1. "My lips shall praise You," vv. 3, 5.
2. "I will bless You," v. 4.
3. "I will lift up my hands" (in worship and surrender), v. 4.
4. "My soul shall be satisfied," v. 5.
5. "I will remember You on my bed," v. 6.
6. "I will meditate on You in the night watches," v. 6.
7. "In the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice," vv. 5, 7.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Cultivate a close personal relationship and fellowship with my Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.
2. Early in each day, spend some quiet time with Him.
3. "Hunger and thirst" after God's presence to guide and to encourage me.
4. Expect, with faith and hope, for God to manifest Himself with power and glory
as I sincerely praise Him (with up-raised hands signifying a worshipping,
surrendered heart).
Stumbling over their own tongue!
(Psalm 64:1-10)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the words of the wicked
1. They plot rebellion and iniquity against God, v. 2.
2. Their tongues are swords; their bitter words are like arrows aimed at God's
faithful people, vv. 3-4.
3. They encouraged each other to do evil, v. 5.
4. They brag about their shrewd schemes which no one sees or knows (except
God!) vv. 5-6.
II. Meditation: on how God rewards such wicked words
1. God shoots His arrows (of conviction) into their hearts, v. 7.
2. God makes them "stumble over their own tongue," v. 8 . . . He causes their
conscience to produce stuttering and stammering . . . unclear, vain, and
confused speech.
3. God causes such evil people to fear and flee from His wrath, v. 8.
4. God will cause mankind "to declare the work of God; for they shall wisely
consider His doing," v. 9; Philippians 2:9-11.
III. Revelation: on David's words of petition to God
1. "Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation," v. 1.
2. "Preserve my life from fear of the enemy," v. 1.
3. "Hide me" . . . protect me from their evil plots," v. 2.
4. Finally, David praises and thanks the Lord in advance for answering the
petitions listed above: "The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him.
and all the upright in heart shall glory," v. 10.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be aware that Satan and those who follow him will lie about (and plot against) those
who follow Christ.
2. Ask God for His sure protection during such threatening times.
3. Know that God is able to bring good out of bad . . . to change cursings into blessings
through His transforming power.
4. Trust in God; rejoice in Him; give Him all the glory!
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.
It's the life in your years."
--Abraham Lincoln
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