Temple Baptist Church - 10-23-2022
Psalms 57:7-11; 108:1; 112:7
Introduction:
A. Here, we find David still in the midst of troubles. As we go through the Davidic Psalms, we find a continual thread of problems, prayers, and protection. I want to give a short outline of the Psalm.
1. Verse 1 – David’s Prayer. God’s mercy is found here. I am sure that David, in the times of trouble, remember penning down the 23rd Psalm in which he wrote, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
2. Verses 1-4 – David’s Protection.
a. God’s Protection – “shadow of thy wings … my refuge, until these calamities be overpast”
b. God’s Performance – “unto God that performeth ALL things for me.” He knows the way that we take and can do all things for us.
c. God’s Power – “from heaven” All power in heaven and earth are at His disposal.
3. Verses 5-11 – God’s Praise.
a. Verses 5-6. David’s exaltation in praise – to lift up.
b. Verses 7-8. David’s excitement in praise – to wake up early.
c. Verses 9-11. David’s expression in praise – to publicly make known.
B. I want to key on the word “Fixed” in verse 7: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed!” Fixed defined. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines fixed as: Settled, established, firm, fast, stable
C. The word “Fixed” is used only 4 times in the Bible with three of these brief mentions being in the Old Testament one mention in the New Testament. I will give the New Testament mention first as it gives a great definition of the work.
1. The New Testament – Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (The gulf in Hades was fixed between Abraham’s Bosom and the flames of Hell. It was immovable. It was permanent.)
2. The Old Testament – 3 mentions of the word “fix” that are found here.
a) In Psalms 57, it is in the context of great persecution from David’s enemies. It is a time of great trouble, and his heart is fixed upon the Lord in worship. Beholding His glorious person instead of his great persecution.
b) In Psalms 108, it is in the context of David’s great conquests against the enemies of Israel. He is looking to God for both strength and victory.
c) In Psalms 112, is in the context of evil tidings. In all three of these mentions, the heart is fixed amid almost over whelming adversity. Instead of fixing the heart upon problems, the admonition is to fix the heart upon the Lord of Heaven!
D. We, because of our weakness of flesh, are prone to fix our hearts upon the circumstances instead of the Lord who controls them! May the Lord help us to fix our hearts upon Him.
1. We know that He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
2. We know that nothing is impossible with Him and He certainly “thinketh upon me!”
3. We know that we are worth many sparrows and yet not one of these falls to the ground without His knowledge.
4. We know that He can and will supply our physical needs in this life.
5. We know that He goes before us and has suffered all that we will ever suffer.
6. We know that He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and ever liveth to make intercession at the right hand of the Father.
E. Our lives are in His hand - John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Hebrews 12:2 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.
Job 23:13-14 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
F. A fixed heart does not:
1. Look never looks back - Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
2. Look never looks around - Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
3. Look never looks down - 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.
G. A fixed heart ALWAYS looks up - Psalms 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
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