Take Your Burdens to the Lord and Leave Them There

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-14-2025

Psalm 39

Introduction:

A.  Psalm 39 is one of the most introspective and sobering psalms David ever wrote. It is a psalm of reflection, restraint, and repentance. David is wrestling with the brevity of life, the heaviness of chastisement, and the need for God’s mercy.

 

1.  In many ways, Psalm 39 is the prayer of a man who has come to the end of himself and is now casting himself wholly on God.  We live in a world where people speak quickly, complain loudly, and seldom pause to measure their words or consider their souls.

 

2.  Psalm 39 reminds us that there are times when silence is wisdom, restraint is godliness, and humility is healing.

 

B. Many personal and private matters should remain that way. I want to express this correctly because there is safety in the multitude of counselors, but some issues need to stay strictly between you and God. It is none of the world's or even other believers’ business. 

 

C.  The greatest example that I can field is that of Christ at Calvary.  Our Lord became sin for us and died in our place that day.  It was between Christ the Son and God the Father.  The world would never understand this, and it was none of their business.  It was personal between the Father and the Son.

 

Isaiah 53:6-7  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  (7)  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

Matthew 27:13-14  Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?  (14)  And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

 

Luke 23:8-9  And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.  (9)  Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

 

D.  It is in these times that we are to “study to be quiet!”  Here we find David speaking to himself!  “I said” was a quiet self-reflection of what was going on.  I often use the phrase “Self, I says.” 

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  David restrains his tongue from speaking his thoughts. He illustrates in three ways that thoughts affect: 

 

Psalms 39:1-2  To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  (2)  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

 

a.  Be careful what you do.  “I will take heed to my ways”

 

b.  Be careful what you say.  “that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle.”

 

c. Be careful what you say and do before the wicked.  “while the wicked is before me.”

 

d.  In front of the wicked.  “While the wicked is before me,”  All of us have said things that are personal before others and learned to regret it.  “Never leave your tongue in gear when your mind is idling!”  Nothing personal needs to be said before those who are not to be trusted.

 

Matthew 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

 

e.  Even the good.  “I held my peace, even from good.”  Some things cannot be discussed before those whom you can trust.  They may not understand or need to hear.  Keep personal matters private.

 

f.  Words spoken when you need to be quiet can be problematic.

 

1)  Words spoken in anger can wound deeply.

 

2)  Words spoken in frustration can dishonor God.

 

3)  Words spoken in haste often become words we regret.

 

2.  Verses 3-4.  David spoke the unspeakable to the Lord alone. 

 

Psalms 39:3-4  My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

 

a.  David spoke to the right Person, the LORD.  “then spake I with my tongue,  LORD “  The Holy Ghost used a verse in the Book of 1 Peter that we all know by heart, but seldom use.  There is nothing you cannot discuss with the Lord as He knows your thoughts afar off anyway.  He knows what is on you heart and mind.  Never be slow or afraid to talk with Him.

 

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

b.  David spoke to the Lord at the right time.  “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,”  David struck while the iron was hot.  The quicker we take our cares to the Lord, the better the outcome.

 

3.  Verses 4-6.  David realizes the brevity of life.

 

Psalms 39:4-6  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

 

a.  David knew his time on earth was short.  “Make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is.”  We may not have time to make things right, as our time may run out quicker than expected.  The best time to make things right with God and men is now!  We plan long but live short!  We worry much, but life passes so quickly! 

 

b.  David knew his frailty.  “that I may know how frail I am”  We view David as a mighty man of war, and he was, but David, as all others, had weaknesses known only to God and self.  Guard your weaknesses!

 

c.  David knew that most of life is spent in vanity.  “verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.  (6)  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew.” 

 

1)  We often hurry but make little progress.  My mother used to say, “The faster I catch up, the behinder I get!”  Much of our lives is spent doing things that have no eternal benefit. 

 

2)  Life is too short for bitterness, too brief for pride, too fleeting for sin, and too valuable to be wasted on vanity.

 

4.  Verses 7-9.  David realizes that his only hope is in God.

 

Psalms 39:7-9  And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.  Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.  I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

 

a.  David awaits God’s answer to his problems.  “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.”  The Lord is the hope of the world in salvation; the hope of the Christian in this world; and the eternal hope of the world to come.  The sooner that we learn this truth; the better life will be.

 

Psalms 43:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

 

Isaiah 40:28-31  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.  (29)  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  (30)  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  (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.

 

b.  David asks for cleansing.  “Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.”  True spiritual Christianity is the realization that the world is not the problem.  The sin within is the issue.  Out of the heart are the issues of life.

 

5.  Verses 10-13.  David throws himself on the mercy of the Lord.

 

Psalms 39:10-13  Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.  (11)  When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.  (12)  Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.  (13)  O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

 

a.  David bows under the righteous chastening of the Lord.  “Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.  When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.”  We need to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.  There is a blessedness in God’s chastening as it is a sign of sonship.

 

b.  David asked God for forgiveness.  “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.  (13)  O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.”  Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there.  As Solomon asked for wisdom, David asks for forgiveness. David does not ask for greatness, riches, or victory. He asks for strength to keep going until the Lord calls him home.

 

Conclusion:  Psalm 39 teaches three great spiritual lessons:

 

1. Guard your tongue, especially under pressure.

 

2. Remember the brevity of life—and live accordingly.

 

3. Seek God’s mercy, for He is our only hope in life and death.

The Performance of the Seed of the Woman - The Virgin Birth of Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 12-14-2025

Matthew 1:18-25

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  At least once a year, especially around the Christmas Season, I preach on the precious doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Christ. 

 

1.  The Virgin Birth of Christ is often called “The Doctrine of Holy Ground!”  “The Pearl of The Ages!”  So, this morning, let us spiritually “remove our shoes” as we approach God as Moses did at the Burning Bush and Joshua did before the Captain of the Lord’s Host!

 

2.  The virgin birth of Christ is the pivotal point between Promise or Prophecy and the Performance of the “Seed of the Woman.”  It is the Centerpiece of Time as the event marks our calendar.  “A day that will live in infamy!”

 

3.  Both the Julian and Gregorian (the calendar that we now use) Calendars mark the Birth of Christ: BC means Before Christ, while AD (Anno Domini) means The Year of Our Lord.

 

a)  The Prophecy of Israel’s Messiah looked forward to His First Advent.  The coming of Israel’s Messiah and our Saviour. 

 

1)  While Israel missed their Messiah, “HE CAME UNTO HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT,”

 

2)  Thank God, “AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM” speaks to us, trusting Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

 

b)  The Performance of the birth of Israel’s Messiah was the Fulfillment of that Prophecy.

 

B.  The Book of Matthew portrays the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the coming of the King of Israel. 

 

1.  Matthew 1:1-17 shows the lineage of Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.  In these verses, we find the names of men who “begat” sons divided into three time periods. 

 

2.  From Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonish Captivity, from the Babylonish Captivity to Christ.

 

C.  In Matthew 1:18, we find the words: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise.” 

 

1.  Showing a deviation from, a differentiation of the natural births of the last 42 generations mentioned, where the seed of men begat men. 

 

2.  The bible is very detailed concerning the virgin birth so that there is no confusion.  Yet, many religions continue to confuse their congregations on the matter.

 

“Espoused wife” and “before they came together” declare a birth like none that preceded it and none that would come after it. 

 

D.  The word “espoused” in Matthew 1:18 speaks of Mary’s relationship to Joseph and is also found in Luke 1:27 and Luke 2:5.  Espoused means betrothed or engaged to. 

 

1.  The virgin birth is well explained within Matthew’s context:

 

Matthew 1:18 - “before they came together”

 

Matthew 1:23 “a virgin shall be with child”

 

Matthew 1:25 - “and knew her not till”

 

2.  The Virgin Birth is further explained in Luke’s Gospel.  Luke 1:34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

 

E.  The Virgin Birth of Christ is a doctrine both sweetly adored by God’s children and severely attacked by the unbelievers. Loved by God’s people and hated by Satan’s people. 

 

A birth like none other.  There has never been nor will there ever be another virgin birth. No man or woman, since Adam and Eve, except for Jesus Christ, came into the world through a virgin birth or without the seed of man involved. 

 

F.  The Virgin Birth of Christ is:

 

1.  The mystery of mysteries, the jewel of all ages, the hope of mankind, and the love of God manifested for the sinner.  The love, compassion, mercy, and grace of God extended as an Olive Branch to humanity.

 

2.  It was a miraculous event.  A miracle is a phenomenon that cannot be explained outside the realm of supernatural intervention. It is an event that supersedes natural law.

 

1 Timothy 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

3.  The immortal became mortal that the mortal may become immortal.

 

a)  Immortality and eternality are attributes of God.  1 Timothy 6:16a “Who only hath immortality” 

 

b)  Mortal became Immortal in Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

 

4.  The Unapproachable became approachable, The Untouchable became touchable.

 

a)  The Unapproachable God – 1 Timothy 6:15-16  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

b)  Became the Touchable Saviour – Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 

1 John 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;.

 

G.  The Virgin Birth was necessary because:

 

1.  The Child born was to be the God-Man.  100% man on His mother’s side and 100% God on His Father’s side.  As three distinct Persons represent the Trinity, Jesus Christ is represented by two distinct persons.  Uniting the fullness of humanity with the fullness of Deity. 

 

2.  The Child was born to be the sinless Son of God.  Sin came through Adam’s seed, but Christ went through the Woman’s Seed without Adamic sin.  Sin came through Adam’s seed, not Eve’s.

 

3.  The Child was born of a virgin to guarantee that salvation would come through Christ alone and not man.  Born sinless because of the absence of the Adamic seed.

 

a)  Sin came through the seed of Adam - Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

 

b)  The Saviour came through the seed of the woman - Galatians 4:4-5  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

H.  The Virgin Birth Prophesied.  Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 

J.  The Virgin Birth Performed.  Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  (“On this wise” sets the birth of Christ apart from the “begats” of the first 17 verses!)

 

K.  The Virgin Birth Purposed.  Matthew 1:21-23  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

 

a.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Sin.  Disobedience to God and God’s hatred for sin.

 

b.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Sinners.  God’s love for the sinner despite sinfulness.

 

c.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Separation.  Man hiding and God seeking.

 

d.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Substitution.  The innocent died for the guilty so that the guilty could become the innocent.

 

e.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about the Saviour.  The coming of Messiah, Christ Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

 

f.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Salvation.  Free to all who would repent and believe.

 

g.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Security—eternal restoration, eternal life, everlasting joy, through an eternal Saviour.

 

L.  Dr. Herbert Lockyer said it this way, “The incarnation is the most stupendous miracle comprehending and involving all other miracles, and because it is a theme both deep and delicate, infinite and incomprehensible, how about “finding out acceptable words”.  The ground we approach is holy calling for the putting off of our shoes.”

 

M.  G. Campbell Morgan said that in the presence of such a holy miracle “there can be no fitting attitude of the human intellect save that of acceptance of the truth without any attempt to explain the mystery.”

 

N.  Another writer expressed it this way, “I will seek to believe rather than to reason, to adore rather than to explain, to give thanks rather than to penetrate; to love rather than to know; to humble myself rather than to speak.”

 

                    The Ancient of Days became a babe at Bethlehem.

          He who thunders in the heavens, crying in a cradle.

He who gives to all their meat in due season, nursing at his Mother’s breast.

                    He who made all flesh now made of flesh.

He who could summon legions of angels, while wrapped in infant’s clothes.

                    The mighty God, now a helpless child

          God and man became one Person.

.

Conclusion:  The Virgin Birth was an event beyond human comprehension!  The Seed of the Woman: a conception and birth without man.  The God-Man, our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Good Conscience Toward God

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-10-2025

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Chapter 10 begins with the word “Moreover,” which indicates a continuation from chapter 9. This is important because Paul emphasizes that the Corinthian believers, who were already saved, should continue living a holy life of service as they run their individual races for Christ.

 

B.  I believe that three things are taught in 1 Corinthians 10:1-11: 

 

1.  Verses 1-4.  A history lesson concerning the Nation of Israel.  The Corinthian Church knew some of Israel’s past, but not all of it.

 

2.  Verse 5.  An admonition to not do as Israel did, and therefore, what happened because Israel disobeyed God.

 

3.  Verses 6-11.  A stark warning to the Corinthian Church not to fall into the same condition and also suffer the consequences along with us who now live.

 

C.  It is interesting that the Holy Ghost used the word “baptized” in verse two. 

 

1.  Baptism was a New Testament rite, a public confession of salvation that expressed the believer’s oneness with the Gospel. 

 

2.  There is no mention of baptism in the Old Testament because there was no death, burial, and resurrection of Christ yet to be fulfilled.

 

3.  Baptism means to immerse or submerge. 

 

D.  When I baptize a new believer, I use these words: “Upon your profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, I baptize you, my brother/sister/son/daughter, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Buried in the likeness of His death and raised to walk in newness of life.”  This comes from two portions of Scripture:

 

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Romans 6:1-6  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  (2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  (3)  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  (6)  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

E.  Paul gives this example of Israel’s baptism “unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” to the Corinthian believers.  Israel, after God had opened the Red Sea, chose to cross to the other side in faith that God would protect as well as lead them.  They could have just refused to go into the deep (I can only imagine how scary that scenario looked to the people of Israel) and returned to Egypt, a type of the world. 

 

F.  Baptism is a public confession of faith in the finished work of the Gospel and a dedication to follow Christ.  I Peter calls baptism “the answer of a good conscience toward God.”  The phrase “a good conscience” appears five times in the New Testament, each time referring to our life after salvation.  The best Biblical definition of baptism is this:

 

1 Peter 3:18-21  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:  (19)  By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;  (20)  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  (21)  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

 

G.  The word “Moreover,” ties chapter ten to chapter nine.  In chapter nine, Paul stresses the importance and blessing of living for Christ to these new believers. “A good conscience toward God!”

 

1.  “A good conscience toward God” will lead and protect the believer during the most challenging times, the deepest valleys, and turbulent seas of life!  If God did this for Israel, God would do the same thing for you!

 

1 Corinthians 10:1-2  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  (2)  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

 

a.  No matter how difficult the task ahead seems, you can trust and follow God.  No matter how powerful the enemy, in Job’s darkest hour, a time when he did not understand what God was doing and saw no easy fix or way out, Job said:

 

Job 23:10-12  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  (11)  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.  (12)  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

 

b.  The Christians’ life is one of faith, not sight. 

 

2 Corinthians 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

 

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

2.  “A good conscience toward God” will feed you both physical and spiritual food. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:3-4  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;  (4)  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

 

a.  God can meet our physical needs.  Manna from heaven was their food for 40 years in the desert, sufficient for their entire journey to Canaan. 

 

1)  Manna from heaven, angel’s food!  Psalms 78:23-25  Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,  (24)  And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.  (25)  Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

 

Matthew 6:30-33  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  (31)  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

2)  Water from the Rock.  Moses spoke to the Rock, and God brought forth an artesian well.  Psalms 78:15-16  He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.  (16)  He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

 

Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

b.  God can meet our spiritual needs.  Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

1 Peter 2:2-3  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  (3)  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

 

3.  “A good conscience toward God” will ensure that God will be there with us and for us through thick and thin, hard times and good times.  We need to understand that God would have gone on without them if some had turned back.

 

1 Corinthians 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

 

a. Israel was protected both front and back.  The pillar of cloud and fire led them and protected them.

 

b.  The Rock that was Christ followed them.  For 40 years, Jehovah God, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, led, fed, and protected a rebellious nation.  Talk about the goodness of God?    Now, look at these Corinthian believers along with us at the end time.

 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

Conclusion: Let us study Bible history so as not to repeat the mistakes of those who have gone before us. The philosopher George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”  Though not Scripture, it is Biblical.

A Psalm of Praise

Temple Baptist Church - 12-7-2025

Psalm 138

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 138 is Davidic.  King David was both a warrior and a worshipper.  He understood how to fight, but he also knew how to worship.

 

1.  The Lord taught David to fight - Psalms 144:1-2  A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:  (2)  My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

 

2.  The Lord taught David to worship through His Word, His Spirit, His instruction, His presence, and through the valleys and mountains of his life.

 

3.  The Davidic Psalms, for the most part, have to do with troubles, trials, deliverance, and praise (worship). 

 

4.  The value of trials and tribulations.  I know that none of us like the hard, unexplainable times when trouble comes our way, but these trials are necessary to strengthen us spiritually and cause us to call upon God for help.

 

1 Peter 1:6-9  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  (8)  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  (9)  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

 

5.  “If need be” are the key words here.  “Trial of your faith … might be found unto praise and honour and glory.”  The Lord taught David to worship during the hard times, which inspires these Psalms, and encourages us to do so also.

 

B.  In verse two, which we looked at last week, we find David’s worship based upon the Word of God.

 

Psalms 138:2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

 

C.  In light of this verse, we find that Psalm 138 is one of wholehearted praise!  It is a beautiful declaration of wholehearted thanksgiving and confidence in the Lord. It is a Psalm written from a heart overwhelmed by God’s mercy, truth, and faithfulness. In these eight verses, David lifts his voice in praise—not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful.

 

D.  This Psalm teaches us how to praise, why to praise, and how to trust God when life becomes overwhelming.  With that thought in mind, let us break the Psalm down into its parts.

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  David’s Praise For Who God Is.

 

Psalms 138:1-2  A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.  (2)  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

 

a.  David’s praise was not mechanical (repetitive or liturgical, just something that needed to be done).  Too often, God’s people go through the motions.  Someone said that we just “got good at it!”

 

b.  David’s praise was not half-hearted.  “I will praise thee with my whole heart”  His heart and mind were stayed upon the Lord: His greatness, His goodness, and His grace.

 

c.  David’s praise was in the right place, the place where God chose.  “I will worship toward thy holy temple.”  We can certainly worship the Lord everywhere we go and that is a great thing, but so many are not faithful to “the assembling of ourselves together” and become more of the “as the manner as some is”.

 

d.  David’s praise was because of who and what the Lord is.  His lovingkindness, faithfulness, reliability, and integrity.

 

2.  Verse 3.  David’s Praise For What God Did. 

 

Psalms 138:3  In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

 

a.  God Responded. David remembers a time when he cried out and God answered. “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me.”  The Lord named Ishmael, “The God Who Hears,

when Hagar was banished.

 

b.  David Strengthened.   “And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”  God did not remove David’s problem; He strengthened David for the task at hand.  God is a refuge and very present help in time of need.  You may get some help from the world, but only God can strengthen your heart.

 

3.  Verses 4-5.  David’s Prophecy of Praise.

 

Psalms 138:4-5  All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.  (5)  Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.

 

a.  When will the kings of the earth praise God?  David prophesies of the end-time when all nations will bow down and worship God.

 

b.  Why will the kings of the earth praise God? “When they hear the words of thy mouth.”  The Word of God can humble nations while exalting the poorest of sinners.

 

c.  How will the kings of the earth praise God?  “Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.

 

4.  Verse 6.  God’s Love for His People. 

 

Psalm 138:6  Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

 

a.  God’s in infinitely high, yet immeasurably humble.  Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

b.  Almighty God became sin for us.  Philippians 2:6-7  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 

5.  Verses 7-8.  God’s presence with, and protection of His people.

 

Psalms 138:7-8  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.  (8)  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

 

a.  God revives us when in trouble.  Psalm 138:7a Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me…”  Though not if!  Problems will come, but God will strengthen. 

 

b.  God will protect us in trouble.  Psalm 138:7b … Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand… and thy right hand shall save me.

 

c.  God will perfect us.  Psalms 138:8a  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me …

 

d. God will never forsake us. Psalm 138:8b … thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.