You Ain’t No Dove and You Can’t Fly

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-4-2022

Psalm 55

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In Psalm 55, we find one of the few times that David was overwhelmed with mourning (Verse 5).

 

1.  Verse 2.  David was a strong man, but this particular circumstance caused him to groan out loud.

 

2.  Verse 4.  David was a brave man, but his heart was broken.

 

3.  Verse 5.  David was a spiritual man, but he was fearful-trembling-overwhelmed.

 

B.   David spent much of his life in peril because one thing or another, but in this Psalm, his reaction to what is going on is different.

 

1.  It was different because of the voice of the enemy.  Many of David’s enemies gave their voice against him but this one was different.

 

2.  David was betrayed by one of his closest friends.

 

C.  Psalms 55:10-14  Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.  (11)  Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.  (12)  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:  (13)  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.  (14)  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 

 

1.  Verse 12.  It was not an enemy but a friend.

 

2.  Verse 13.  It was not a subject but a peer who was close to David.

 

3.  Verse 14.  It was a man trusted with whom David shared his personal thoughts.

 

4.  Verse 14.  It was a man with whom David walked and worshipped with.

 

D.  The man who betrayed this confidence was Ahithophel his counselor.

 

1 Chronicles 27:33  And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:

 

2 Samuel 16:23  And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. (David’s counselor became the counselor of David’s enemy, Absalom—a son who wished to destroy him!)

 

E.  A counselor is one who has your utmost confidence and trust because it is to him that you bare your heart and trust to give you the advice needed when you are not sure of what to do.

 

F.  Who was this “enemy?”

 

Psalms 55:12-14  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:  (13)  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.  (14)  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 

 

1.  It was a friend; it was not an enemy, it was his equal—his guide; it was not an enemy, it was his brother—his friend—his companion.

 

2.  Who was this friend who became his enemy?  It was Ahithophel, his trusted counselor?

 

G.  Why Ahithophel?  Because Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather!

 

1.  Bathsheba, whom David took and killed her husband, was the daughter of Eliam.  2 Samuel 11:3  And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

 

2.  Eliam was the son of Ahithophel.  2 Samuel 23:34  Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

 

H.  Though David confessed his sin in Psalm 51 and God forgave him, Ahithophel never forgot nor forgave what David did to his granddaughter, Bathsheba! 

 

1.  Ahithophel was a man filled with hatred and bitterness WHILE he continued to walk and worship with David!

 

2.  Matthew 10:36  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

 

J.  Have you ever wanted to just get away from it all for a while?  Away from your problems and or your fears.  I think that all of us have been there!  The worst nightmares and problems that your pastor has ever faced came from those from within, not without.

 

K.  We find out what David knew: “You ain’t no dove and you can’t fly!”  You have to stay and face your fears and fight for that which you know is right.

 

L.  Now for my short part of this message.  David had something better.

 

Psalms 55:6-7  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.  (7)  Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

 

l.  Verse 16.  “As for me!”

 

1.  Verse 16.  I have better than the wings of a dove.  David had a Person, the LORD!

 

2.  Verse 17.  I have better than a place far away.  David had a Place of Prayer!

 

3.  Verse 18.  I have better than wandering afar off.  David had a Place of Peace.

 

4.  Verse 22.  I have better than remaining in a wilderness.  David has a Place of Protection.

 

Conclusion:  “You ain’t no Dove and you can’t fly!”  Yes, you can run but you can’s hide!  But God has give us a place where we can Abide!  In Him!  Your problem may persist for a while as did David’s, but the LORD will sustain you and the victory has already been won.