Quote from Forum Archives on January 28, 2011, 1:07 pm

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Epistle

                                                                    Dr. Dan Hite, President       FreeWay Foundation      January 28, 2011  

Assassination by the tongue

(Psalm 41:1-13)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

I.  Concentration:  on persecution by the tongue

        1.   Enemies speak evil of me, v. 5.

        2.   Enemies wish for my death, v. 5.

        3.   Enemies speak lies, v. 6.

        4.   Enemies gather iniquity (plot wickedness), v. 6.

        5.   Enemies whisper malicious gossip, v. 7.

        6.   Enemies say that I am dying because of my evil deeds, v. 8.

        7.   Enemies include even a "familiar friend in whom I trusted," v. 9.

II.  Meditation:  on the Lord's grace during verbal persecution

1.      God gives grace and mercy to those who repent and ask, vv. 4, 10.
2.      God will "raise up" (encourage, strengthen) His faithful people, v. 10.
3.      God gives assurance of acceptance and approval, v. 11.
4.      God "upholds" (supports, sustains) His people who walk in integrity,

by revealing His face to them forever, v. 12.

III.  Revelation:  in spite of slander, God blesses His charitable children with . . .

1.      Deliverance: "The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble," v. 1.
2.      Protection: "The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive," v. 2.
3.      Victory: "You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies, v. 2.
4.      Health: "The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will

sustain him on his sickbed," v. 3.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

1.      Recognize that all the fires of hell were heaped upon Jesus by the words

of His enemies: lies, gossip malice . . . even betrayal by a trusted friend.

2.      Continue to pray for and give to ("consider") the poor and needy, even during

those times of persecution as my enemies seek to destroy my influence and

testimony with their malicious gossip.

3.      Rejoice that God ultimately will overcome all evil plots against me.
4.      Walk in integrity and in the abiding presence of the Lord forever.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to

 everlasting! Amen and Amen,"

Psalm 41:13.

Deep calls unto deep

(Psalm 42:1-11)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

I.  Concentration:  on the needs of my soul

        1.   My soul pants . . . I need a breath of air, v. 1.

        2.   My soul thirsts . . . I need a drink of water, vv. 1, 2.

        3.   My soul is poured out . . . I need to overcome my emptiness and loneliness

                  by joining with others in joyful praise and celebration, vv. 3, 4.

        4.   My soul is cast down . . . I need to hope in God's help, vv. 5, 11.

II.  Meditation:  on "deep" (v. 7)

1.      "Deep" means extending far below the surface; wisdom and discernment.
2.      The Spirit searches . . . the "deep" things of God, I Corinthians 2:10, 16.
3.      "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out,"

Romans 11:33.

4.      "That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend

with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - - to

know the love of Christ which passes knowledge," Ephesians 3:17-19.

III.  Revelation:  on the symbolism of verse 6

1.      "Lord of the Jordan" = plain of the Dead Sea, 1,300 feet below sea level;

this represents "depression."

2.      "Heights of Hermon" = far away place of God's revelation (Mount of

Transfiguration); this represents "distance."

3.      "Hill Mizar" = "little" hill; perhaps the rim of a crater of a volcano; this

represents "danger."

4.      I need God . . . when I am down in the valley (depression); when God seems

far away (distance); and when I stand on the brink of hell's fire (danger).

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to know that . . . (Ref. Isaiah 55:6-9)

1.      Weariness, dryness, loneliness, and hopelessness (depression, distance, and

danger) are places of the soul which only may be satisfied by God's "deep."

2.      The "deep things of God."  I Corinthians 2:10, include:
1)      God's prepared blessings for those who love Him, I Corinthians 2:10.
2)      Wisdom and knowledge, Romans 11:33.
3)      Judgments and ways . . . decisions and providence, Romans 11:33.
4)      The love of Christ, Ephesians 3:17-19.
3.      My soul needs God as a choking/drowning man need oxygen; as a dehydrated

man needs water; as a starving man needs food.

4.      In my "deep" times, God provides the breath of the Holy Spirit, the water of life,

the fellowship/communion of worship, and the hope for the future. 

These blessings are my "songs in the night," Psalm 42:8.

"Life is like a coin.  You can spend it any way you wish,

but you can only spend it once."

--Lillian Dickson

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