The Martyr’s Psalm

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-12-2026

Psalm 44:1-26

 

Introduction:

A. Psalm 44 is one of the Maschil Psalms, a psalm of teaching and instruction. There are 13 Maschil Psalms in the Book of Psalms. In biblical numerology, 13 is associated with ill omens. Every psalm is for our admonition and instruction, but the Maschil Psalms are directed to the teaching of the suffering of the saints of God in all ages.

 

B. Psalm 44 has been referred to as the Martyr’s Psalm. Biblically defined, a martyr is a believer who bears witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and suffers death rather than deny Him. Though the word “martyr”, like “trinity” or “rapture”, is not found in the Bible, the root word for “martyr” is found 34 times in the New Testament.

 

C. In Acts chapter one, when speaking to His disciples (Acts 1:2), the Lord Jesus said that they would be “witnesses” (μάρτυς martus, a martyr). These men, with the exception of John the Beloved, would pay the ultimate price for their faithfulness to the truth.

 

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

D. That being said, I want to tie this psalm to Hebrews chapters 11-12. Hebrews chapter 11, “The Hall of Faith,” gives us a history of the price of faithfulness from the death of Abel to our day. With that in mind, let us look at the psalm.

 

1. Verses 1-3. The Martyr’s Record. God’s faithfulness in hardship was taught by our fathers.

 

Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

 

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

a. God has always been faithful. Throughout history, God has stood with His people.

 

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

 

b. God continues to be faithful! Whatever we face, God will be there with us and for us.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

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.

 

c. From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, we can rest assured that God is in complete control of our lives and circumstances.

 

2. Verses 4-8. The Martyr’s Confidence. God’s faithfulness inspires confidence in His children.

 

a. There are times when our confidence is misplaced.

 

Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (9) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

 

b. Confidence well placed.

 

Proverbs 3:25-26 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (26) For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 

c. Verse 8 says, “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.” “Selah” means to pause and weigh something. Meditate upon that!

 

BUT! Verse 8 didn’t last long, did it?

 

3. Verses 9-16. The Martyr’s Suffering.

 

a. There will be times when God is silent, and we will seemingly be defeated. I can tell you, from personal experience, that life is hard and often unfair to all of us.

 

1 Peter 1:6-7 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:

 

b. A dear pastor friend of mine had this written in the front of his Bible: “A faith that cannot be tested, cannot be trusted.”

 

c. Throughout the Bible, we find the suffering of God’s children that often leads to a questioning of God. “Why” and “How long” are frequently found in the hearts and mouths of the best of us.

 

d. Hebrews 11:13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

 

e. They did not die because of sin! They died for living a righteous life!

 

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

4. Verses 17-22. The Martyr’s Submission. Though not understanding, bows to the will of God in suffering.

 

a. The martyr’s faithfulness to God. Though not always understanding, they maintained their spiritual integrity.

 

Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

 

b. The martyr’s following the lighted path of God.

 

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

 

c. Verse 22, The martyr’s suffering.

 

Psalms 44:22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

 

5. Verses 23-26. The Martyr’s Promise.

 

a. God does not sleep.

 

Psalms 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

 

b. God has not forgotten.

 

Psalms 27:9-10 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. (10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

b. God will be on time.

 

Psalms 27:9-10 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. (10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

The Word of God and Wrongful Suffering

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-16-2024

Psalm 119:161-168

 

Introduction:

 

A. Psalm 119: 176 verses broken down into twenty-two stanzas with each stanza correlating with one of the 22 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet. Each stanza is comprised of eight verses which, in the Hebrew Bible, each verse begins with the associated letter of the Hebrew Alphabet forming an Acrostic. What a wonder that we hold in our hands tonight!

 

B. SCHIN ש – The 21^st letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It is thought that the most familiar and known letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the letter SCHIN ש. 

 

1. SCHIN ש is the first letter of שָׁלוֹם (shalom) peace.

 

2. SCHIN ש is also the first letter of the word שַׁדַי (shadai from which we get el-shadai) which is one of the names of God.

 

3. SCHIN ש is also the first letter in the word שֶׁקֶר (sheker) which means a lie or falsehood.

 

4. So, we find peace in God in the midst of falsehood. Falsehood is a crooked thing that has deviated from the straight, honest path to a crooked, dishonest path.

 

C. The letter shin has five definitions. We have the same thing in the English language as the same word or letter can be used in various ways. Bear as an animal, bear as to carry, bearly as to “bearly make it.”  

 

1. The first is shein, which means “tooth,” or “teeth.” To chew or, in a spiritual sense, meditate upon the Word of God.

 

2. The second is lo shanisi, meaning “stead­fastness in one’s faith.” In troublesome times, maintain your stability by resting on the Rock, Christ Jesus the Word.

 

3. The third is shinoy, which is “to change for the good.” Never allow your circumstances to define who you are or will be. Rise above your problems and do good.

 

4. The fourth is shuvah, which means “to return.” Understand that problems, for the most part, so if you have strayed to some degree under duress, return to where you were before the problems began.

 

5. The fifth is shanah, or “year.” Weeping endureth for a night but the morning will come and the next year may be one of the best of your life.

 

D. The general use of one’s teeth (shein), or one’s teeth, is to chew food. The teeth break up and grind our food. This action represents an indi­vidual who carefully “chews over,” or is careful with his actions. 

 

E. To make sense of all this, things that are good can be changed to things bad, truth can be changed to lies or falsehoods. In our first verse, we find a falsehood told on the writer of the Psalm (more than likely, King David) that is detrimental.

 

1. When a falsehood is told, we are to maintain our integrity through the precepts, statutes, and judgments of the Word of God.

 

2. We are only accountable for our actions and reactions, not for the falsehoods or lies of others.

 

F. One can rarely prove his or her innocence but can continue to walk in truth and integrity. It is here that we find the Psalmist.

 

G. The Key to this stanza is, when slandered or persecuted for righteousness’s sake, we must learn to wait upon God by being obedient to His Word.

 

1. Verse 161-162.

 

Verse 161. Wait upon the Lord in Reverence of God’s Word. Awe means to be startled.

 

Verse 162. Wait upon the Lord in Rejoicing.

 

a. The psalmist has been persecuted without a cause which means that a lie or falsehood has been said about him by the “authorities.” Many believe that Psalm 119 is Davidic. David certainly was subjected to falsehoods and lies from Saul to Absalom.

 

b. In the New Testament, we find both Christ and God’s men lied about.

 

c. In the New Testament Church Age, many times lies and falsehoods will circulate about God’s men and God’s people. I remember, when out on visitation many years ago, when people knew who I was affiliated with, they would attack another preacher with things that I knew were not true. I would always uphold this older pastor as my silence would be condonement.

 

d. A word of admonition tonight: be careful who you listen to; be careful what you believe; be careful what you pass on to someone else. ALWAYS give the one spoken about the benefit of the doubt as things are not always what they seem to be.

 

f. The blessing during times when lied about. The psalmist never left his wonder and admiration for God’s Word. He was in awe of it and rejoiced in it in both good and bad times. His faith in an unchanging Word!

 

2. Verses 163-164.

 

Verse 163. Wait upon the Lord in love.

 

Verse 164. Wait upon the Lord in Worship.

 

a. The psalmist hated and abhorred lying. God hates the sin of lying! I personally hate to feel the necessity to explain what I have been lied about. Over the years, people have said that I either said or did something that I did not and will never do.

 

The Ninth Commandment: Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

 

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

b. My wife’s grandmother used to say, “A lie will go around the world before truth can get its boots on, but the truth will stand when the world is on fire.”

 

c. The psalmist said seven (a perfect number in the Bible) times a day he praised God for His enduring truth and judgments. This leads me to believe that he found it necessary at various times through the day to have a loving and forgiving spirit.

 

3. Verse 165.

 

Verse 165. Wait upon the Lord in peace.

 

a. This is a verse that I use often when people get offended. The context is in the realm of lying or telling falsehoods on an innocent man.

 

b. When lied about, we are to find our peace in our relationship with the Word of God. If we stand righteous there, then nothing else matters at that point.

 

Matthew 5:43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 

c. As Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. would say: “Do right!” You do right if the stars fall from the sky! Two wrongs never make it right.

 

Isaiah 32:17-18 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (18) And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

 

4. Verses 166-168.

 

Verse 166. Wait upon the Lord in expectation.

 

Verse 167. Wait upon the Lord in faithfulness.

 

Verse 168. Wait upon the Lord in confidence.

 

a. Verse 166. The psalmist’s hope is in both hoping in the Word of God and keeping the Word of God. Steadfastness in hope. This is not a doubtful hope but a promising hope! Rest assured, God knows what is said and how we react to what is said. Better? Bitter? Choices that we make after those who lie about have made theirs.

 

b. Verse 167. Keeping God’s Word is the image of the psalmist’s soul. It is not an act of obligation, but it is an act of love.

 

1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 

c. Verse 168. The world may lie about you and those who you thought were your friends may “show their colors” and forsake you, but God sees all and God knows all and that is all that counts. The world hated our Lord and the same world will hate us. The world lied about our Lord and the same world will lie about us. Let us do as our Lord did when reviled.

 

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.

 

Isaiah 53:7 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.

Thorns Or Roses?

Temple Baptist Church - 7-28-2019

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Introduction:

A.  There is much controversy about what Paul’s “thorn” was.

1.  Some believe that it was a physical suffering because of his eyesight - Galatians 4:15  Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Galatians 6:11  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

2.  Some believe that it was a spiritual suffering because of his persecution. – 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

3.  Some believe that it was a mental suffering because of his past - 1 Corinthians 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Galatians 1:13  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

4.  I believe that the Bible is clear within the context that it was a personal devil that followed him with the power to attack Paul in some way – “the messenger of Satan to buffet me.”  (Messenger in the Bible is a reference to an angel.  “Messenger of Satan” is a reference to an evil or fallen angel.  As the Lord lifted the “hedge” in the life of Job, He also lifted the “hedge” in the life of Paul.)

B.  Regardless of your position on the subject, we all realize that life is full of hard spots.

1. There is the possibility of complaining to God.  Everybody loves the “rose,” but nobody likes a thorn!  Life has more “thorns” than “roses.”  Paul did not enjoy suffering any more than we do.  Even our Lord asked that the cup be removed from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane!

a)  Paul’s initial reaction to the thorn:  “besought…thrice”  Verse 8

1)  His prayer was rightly directed – to God and not to man.

2)  His prayer was earnestly directed – thrice.

3)  His prayer was specifically directed – this thing…it.

b)  Paul’s ultimate reaction to the thorn:  “gloried…took pleasure”  Verse 9-10

1)  The thorn brought glory to Paul’s God.

2)  The thorn brought the power of God in Paul’s life.

2.  There is the possibility of thanking God.  Paul thanked God for the thorn.  It is easy to give thanks for roses but not for the thorns!

C.  God’s answer to Paul’s prayer was:

1.  Unexpected – God answered contrary to Paul’s request.

2.  Purposed – our faith must surpass our feelings.  “A thorn is the stem upon which the flower of divine glory is to bloom!”

3.  Assuring – it was for Paul’s good (Romans 8:28) and for God’s Glory (Galatians 6:14).

D.  Paul’s reaction to the “thorn.”

1.  He Gloried in the “thorn.”  (To ascribe honor!  He gloried in what the Lord was doing.)

2.  He took Pleasure in the “thorn.”  (To think good or to be pleased!)

3.  I wonder how we would react to the “thorn?”

1 Peter 1:7  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:

1 Peter 4:12-13  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  (13)  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

E.  I believe that the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, allows us to see into the personal lives of some of God’s greatest men.

James 5:17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

1.  God’s men had problems like everyone else.  Some, God removed while others, God allows to remain.

2.  God’s men were men of like passions as we are.  Ups and downs in life.

3.  God’s men often had problems of their own making.  Paul’s was the potential of glorying in self.  MANY OF MY PROBLEMS ARE SELF INFLICTED!

4.  What is my problem this morning; what is my thorn?  What is yours?

F.  Paul thanked God for the “thorn?”

THE DIVINE RESULTS OF THORNS IN YOUR LIFE

1.  Thorns Teach Us To Lean Upon Christ – Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

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

2.  Thorns Teach Us That God Is Greater Than Our Problems – 1 John 4:4   Ye are of  God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  (Not God over came them, but we overcome them through grace and strength.)

1 John 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Romans 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him that loved us.

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

3.  Thorns Teach Us About God’s Sufficient Grace – 2 Corinthians 12:9a And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

4.  Thorns Teach Us That God’s Strength Comes At The end Of Ours – Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

2 Corinthians 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

5.  Thorns Teach Us To Praise God In The Bad Times – 1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ephesians 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Job 1:21  And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

6.  Thorns Teach Us About God’s Power To Do God’s Will – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

7.  Thorns Teach Us To Appreciate The Roses!

Conclusion:  A man once said, “How beautiful the rose that blossoms out of a stem of thorns!”