E-pistle for April 4, 2011
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation April 4, 2011
Betrayed by a close friend
(Psalm 55:1-23)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on David's complaints to God
1. I am restless in my complaint and I moan noisily, v. 2.
2. My enemies hate, oppress, and trouble me, v. 3.
3. My heart is severely pained within me (I am discouraged!) v. 4.
4. Fearfulness, trembling, and horror have come upon me . . . have
overwhelmed me, v. 5.
II. Meditation: on David's heart-felt emotions
1. David yearned for God to make him fly away like a dove to a place
of safety and rest, v. 6.
2. David desperately wanted to escape from life's windy storms and
tempests, and he cried out continually for God's help ("evening and
morning and at noon"), vv. 8, 17.
3. David was angry about the evils and wickedness being done in God's
holy city, Jerusalem: violence, strife, iniquity, trouble, destruction,
oppression, and deceit, vv. 9-11.
4. David was hurt and upset because his former friends now had become
his enemies, v. 12.
III. Revelation: on the foreshadowing of Judas' betrayal of Jesus
1. David was particularly grieved over the betrayal of a trusted friend
("a man my equal, my companion and my associate") who had
counseled with him and who had worshipped God with him, vv. 13-14.
2. Jesus was betrayed by a close associate, Judas . . . one of the Twelve,
Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50; Mark 14:43-46; Luke 22:47-48; John 18:1-12.
3. "The words of his mouth were smoother then butter, but war was in his
heart," v. 21 . . . well describes Judas' words, "Greetings, Rabbi!" in
Matthew 26:49.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Come boldly to God's throne, even if my petitions to God include complaints,
fears, and doubts, Hebrews 4:16.
2. Pray for God to rescue me from the storms of life . . . or to take me trough
those storms.
3. Search Old Testament Scriptures for prophetic pictures of God's promised Messiah
. . . to give myself affirmation and assurance that Jesus, indeed, is the Christ.
4. Realize that I, too, have betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ by my words and deeds . . .
and repent and ask for forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration . . . claiming the
promise in Psalm 55:22, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you."
Put my tears in your bottle
(Psalm 56:1-13)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on David's need for God
1. Because enemies threaten to "swallow" him up, v. 1.
2. Because enemies fight against and oppress him; they "hound" him all day
long, vv. 1-2.
3. Because enemies twist his words and plot evil against him, v. 5.
4. Because enemies lie in wait to ambush him, v. 6.
II. Meditation: on David's faith in God
1. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You, vv. 3-4.
2. God numbers (knows the details of) my wanderings (journey of life), v. 8.
3. God preserves and honors the tears I shed:
1) Tears of repentance,
2) Tears of suffering,
3) Tears of frustration, and
4) Tears of rejoicing.
4. God keeps a complete record book of my life on earth . . . my thoughts,
my words, and my deeds, v. 8.
III. Revelation: on David's praises and thanksgiving to God
1. Because God is for me . . . I will praise Him for His promises, vv. 9-10.
2. Because You, O God, have delivered my soul from death, v. 13.
3. Because You have kept my feet from falling (providing preservation and
protection for me), v. 13.
4. Because You give me life to walk with God, v. 13.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Call upon God in faith whenever I am afraid, v. 11.
2. Realize that God knows all about me . . . and that He cares about me, v. 8.
(See Matthew 10:29-30 . . . hairs numbered; fallen sparrows observed.)
3. Praise the Lord for His salvation and deliverance, vv. 12-13.
4. Fulfill all the spiritual vows which I have made unto the Lord, v. 12.
"Do all things with love."
--Og Mandino
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