E-pistle for May 11, 2012
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E-pistle 
FreeWay Foundation May 11, 2012
A rebuke is like excellent oil
(Psalm 141:1-5, 8)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on David's heart cry (v. 1)
1. It was personal: "Lord, I cry out to You."
2. It was an urgent plea for God to hurry: "Make haste to me,"
3. It was an earnest request for God to hear: "Give ear to my voice."
4. It pre-supposed an act of faith . . . believing that God would hear and
answer the prayer.
II. Meditation: on the four great concepts in this Psalm
1. God's people should pray and lift up their hands, which actions are
seen by God as spiritual incense and submissive sacrifice, v. 2.
2. God's people should invite the Lord to "set a guard" over their mouths,
to keep them from evil, wicked words of iniquity, vv. 3-4; Psalm 19:14.
3. God's people should manifest a teachable spirit, receiving rebukes and
corrections from others "as excellent oil" upon their heads, v. 5.
4. God's people should keep their eyes upon the Lord, for only in Him can
they find security . . . "refuge," v. 8.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of this Psalm
1. "Incense" and "sacrifice" (v. 2) were daily religious practices in the Old
Testament era; New Testament believers also should pray and take up their
cross daily, Luke 9:23.
2. My words are a mirror of my thoughts and my attitudes . . . and these secret,
inner sins of the heart precede the overt, visible sins of the flesh, Matthew 15:17-20.
3. Believers mush not become defensive when someone rebukes them with
"constructive criticism" offered in kindness (the loving spirit of Christ); rather,
such correction is to be received as a beneficial blessing from God.
4. In all circumstances and situations of life, believers should lift their eyes unto the
Lord, with the assurance that His eyes always are on them.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Set aside a quiet time every day to study and meditate on God's word and to pray
for His guidance, strength, and revelation.
2. Guard my thoughts and my words, being careful to speak only those things which
will edify others, I Thessalonians 5:11.
3. Crucify my pride and arrogance; grow spiritually by humbly being teachable regardless
of whom brings God's words or message to me.
4. Look up in faith to the Lord, Who knows all about me, and Who supplies all my needs,
Philippians 4:19.
My spirit was overwhelmed within me
(Psalm 142:1-7)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on why David's spirit was overwhelmed
1. Because his enemies secretly set snares for him, v. 3.
2. Because he felt that no one in the kingdom acknowledged him as the true and
legitimate king, v. 4.
3. Because he had no safe place to hide (no refuge), and because he felt that no
one cared for his soul, v. 4.
4. Because his soul was in prison (held in the bondage of depression) by his strong
persecutors, who were stronger than he was, vv. 6-7.
II. Meditation: on David's prayer from his place of despondency
1. David cried out to the Lord in supplication . . . to the only One who could give him
the aid he needed, v. 1.
2. David poured out his complaint before God, and declared to him his specific troubles,
v. 2. (See "Concentration" above)
3. David had faith in God, Who saw and knew his situation . . . "path," v. 3.
4. David trusted in the Lord, Who was his refuge and his "portion in the land of the living"
. . . his spiritual inheritance as long as he lived on the earth, v. 5.
III. Revelation: on God's blessings which David requested
1. Deliverance from his persecutors, v. 6.
2. Freedom of his soul from the prison of depression, v. 7.
3. Being surrounded by loyal, righteous supporters, v. 7.
4. Bountiful provisions to meet all his needs, v. 7.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Pray to the Lord about my problems . . . because God cares for my soul.
2. Know for certain that God sees and knows all about my troubles, and that He is my place
of rest, Matthew 11:28-30.
3. With living faith, trust in the Lord's mercy and grace to become operative in my life . . .
accomplishing His destiny through me.
4. Be a vital part of a group of righteous people . . . church members who give each other
mutual spiritual support, Galatians 6:2; John 13:34-35.
"If a man does his best, what else is there?"
--General George S. Patton (1885-1945)
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