A Godly Fear of Falling

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-16-2025

Psalm 28

 

Introduction:

 

A.  David, a man after God’s own heart! Several possibilities in the Psalm need to be addressed. David was fearless in physical battles but fearful in the spiritual realm of conflict.  As with David, our greatest conflict and battle is within, not without. 

 

B.  The best way to understand a Psalm is to break it down into its parts: to outline.

 

C.  In verses 1-2, we find David’s Petition:  “Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock” 

 

1.  Verse 1.  David’s Plea.  “be not silent to me”  He realized that his help “cometh from the LORD.”  One of the greatest characteristics of spiritual growth is the realization that we are not alone, and the battle is the Lord’s.  So many times, prayer is a last resort instead of our first one.  “You have not because you?”  “Ask not!”

 

2.  Verse 1.  David’s Possibility.  “lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.”  He was keenly aware of his propensity to fall.  Over his lifetime, this godly man had failed God terribly at times when his flesh took precedent over his spirit.

 

3.  David’s Position:   “When I lift up my hands.”  It is a position of humility and faith, a lack of confidence in himself and his ultimate confidence in God. 

 

Proverbs 3:26  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 

4.  David’s Place.  “toward thy holy oracle”  Oracle – the innermost part of the sanctuary: the Holy of Holies.  The place where the blood was applied.  The importance of God’s House cannot be denied in the Scriptures.  It was the “Center” of Israel.  By the same token, the local church should be the centerpiece of the child of God.  Stay faithful and stay close in these last days.

 

D.  Verses 3-5.  David’s Possibility.  “Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity”

 

1. Verse 3. David’s Fear. “Draw me not away.” Away from what? To be drawn away, he must have been somewhere. David wanted to stay on solid footing with the LORD. He understood that having the LORD on his side was the only source of peace, joy, and fulfillment! “Perfect peace” is found in the believer who places their trust and life in God's hands.

 

2. Verses 4-5. David’s Faith. “Give them according to their deeds.” He knew that a thrice holy God would ultimately address the ways of wickedness! Though seemingly prosperous at times, this is only a temporary outcome. 

 

James 1:15-16  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  (16)  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 

E.  Verses 6-9.  David’s Praise.  The LORD heard and answered in the right way. 

 

Jude 24-25  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  (25)  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

 

1.  Verse 7.  “The LORD is my strength”  Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

2.  Verse 7.  In the LORD, David found Protection. Proverbs 21:31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

 

3.  Verse 7.  In the LORD, David found Help.  Psalms 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 

4.  Verse 8.  In the LORD, David found Rejoicing.  Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

5.  Verse 8.  In the LORD, David found Worship.  Psalms 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

 

Psalms 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

 

6.  In the LORD, David found Deliverance.  2 Timothy 4:17-18  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

7.  In the LORD, David found Blessing.  Psalms 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

F.  What brings the child of God to the place of being drawn away with the way of the wicked?

 

1.  Defilement.  Defilement in general is a subtle path of disobedience to God’s Word and the precious Holy Spirit.  Hear, harken, and heed both!

 

2.  Disappointment.  When we ask God, His answer is not what we want or expect.   Yes? No? Wait?  These are how God answers and the only one that we really want and expect is Yes!  Learn to trust God with His answers as they will be right ones!

 

3.  Discouragement.  Walking in a world in which we do not belong or fit into.  “Change and decay in all around I see” was written by a wise songwriter.  Heads up!  God is still in control.

 

4.  Division.  There are right divisions, ecclesiastical, sinfulness, and doctrinal, and there are wrong divisions, selfishness and ignorance.  Stay in church and stay in love with God and each other!

 

Conclusion:  A godly fear of falling is essential to not falling.