E-pistle for April 8. 2011
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation April 8, 2011
In the shadow of God's wings
(Psalm 57:1-11)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on God's blessings to David (and all believers)
1. God gives His people refuge "in the shadow of His wings," v. 1.
2. God performs miracles ("all things") in behalf of His people, v. 2.
3. God, in His mercy and truth, saves his people, v. 3.
4. God, in His righteousness and justice, punishes those unbelievers
who attempt to harm his people, vv. 3-4.
II. Meditation: on David's praises to God
1. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, vv. 5, 11.
2. Let Your glory be above all the earth, vv. 5, 11.
3. My heart is steadfast . . . so I will sing and give praise, v.. 7.
4. "I will awaken the dawn' . . . begin each day with a song, v. 8.
III. Revelation: on the implications of living "in the shadow of God's wings"
1. God is our shelter from the storms of live.
2. God is our protection from our enemies.
3. God is our warmth from the chilling winds of adversity.
4. God is our comfort . . . sense of being loved, of belonging, at being at rest.
Compare these truths with Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34:
"How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks
under her wings, but you were not willing."
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Realize that only God is my refuge, my shelter from the storms of life . . . and
receive this blessing from Him.
2. Realized that God's eternal, omnipotent protection is available for me . . . and
receive this blessing from Him.
3. Realize that the presence of God's Holy Spirit warms my cold heart . . . and
receive this blessing from Him.
4. Realize that God's compassionate love is extended to me for my peace and rest
. . . and receive this blessing from Him.
Snakes and snails
(Psalm 58:1-11)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the works of the wicked
1. They speak words of righteousness, but in their hearts they work wickedness,
vv. 1-2.
2. They pretend to judge uprightly, but in reality they issue verdicts (make
judgments) which lead to or include violence, vv. 1-2.
3. They are estranged (alienated) from God, having been liars from the day of
their birth, v. 3.
4. They spiritually poison everyone and everything they touch, v. 4.
II. Meditation: on snakes (vv. 4-5)
1. Unbelievers are like their father, that old serpent, Revelation 12:9; John 8:44.
2. Unbelievers are like "the deaf cobra that stops its ears," v. 4 . . . unable to
Hear God's "spiritual music."
3. Unbelievers are like serpents which will not heed the charming voice of God
The Holy Spirit, v.. 5 . . . unwilling to hear and obey His commands.
4. Unbelievers will spend eternity with such snakes, Revelation 20:2; Matthew 25:41.
III. Meditation: on snails (v.8)
1. Snails are soft-bodied mollusks that crawl very slowly.
2. The name "snail" apparently means "moist one" or "slimy one."
3. "Snails" (NKJV) are listed among the "unclean" animals (not to be eaten or even
touched, Leviticus 11:29-31) . . . but the word "snails" is translated "skinks" in
the NIV and "lizards" in the KJV.
4. In Psalm 58:8, snails represent lazy, slow-moving, slimy, unclean persons who
simply will melt away in the light of God's glory.
IV. Revelation and Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Beware of hypocrites whose words and actions often mask and hide their true
hearts and motives.
2. Be able to recognize Satan's activities and those persons who are controlled or
Influenced by Him.
3. Realize that inability and/or unwillingness to hear and obey God's voice is
snake-like).
4. Understand that "slimy, unclean, and spiritually lazy" persons cannot and will
survive in the light of God's glorious judgment day.
"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day,
so I won't have to live without you."
--A. A. Milne
Winnie the Pooh
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