GOD FOR US
There is much detail in this psalm and I would like, I trust with the help of the Holy Spirit, to draw out one or two thoughts in it that would bear on us now. It is evident from the heading of this psalm that there had been times of conflict and there had been success. Under God’s hand, David had been supported and strengthened, but he appears to have come to a time in his history in which he had to say, “O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased: restore us again”. That was not a single incident in David’s life; it was a solemn time which drew him up, which God intended that he should pay attention to. David had the sense that there was something to be learned. So he speaks about these things; “Thou hast made the earth to tremble,” and, “Thou hast shewn thy people hard things; thou hast made us to drink the wine of bewilderment”. These were matters that David evidently did not understand, that were testing. The comforting thing is that he saw that they were from God, so he said; “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth, (Selah,)”.
Our brother’s word encouraged me. I believe that what God was doing here was bringing David typically to see Christ in a new way. “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth”. God was working not only with David, but with the people of Israel to bring out in them some new feature of Christ typically, something fresh that they had not experienced before. A banner is an emblem with a message on it, “to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth”. God works in that way. We give thanks for the blessings that we do enjoy, but there are times when He speaks to us in such a way that what we felt we could depend on is no longer there, and God would come in for us in a fresh way. I think that is what is involved in, “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth, (Selah,) That thy beloved ones may be delivered. Save with thy right hand, and answer me”. David was brought to this. He had known victories, but he had come to this solemn time when he had been drawn up and he was appealing to God to help him.
I believe we have been shown a banner; “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee”. The ministry at the weekend was of that character. What we have had in the word that has just been given was of that character; it spoke of Christ and it was intended to touch our hearts. God has done it; “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth”. What is in mind is not defeat, it is not loss; that is not what God has in mind. He has in mind that something should be worked out in His saints that is to be displayed because of the truth. What God is looking for is increase, He is giving us food. He is not telling us to go back or give up, He is saying ‘Go on’; “That thy beloved ones may be delivered”. Our faith is tested at times like this. We may doubt, and ask ‘Does God have our good in mind? Is He really set on blessing us?’ But “That thy beloved ones may be delivered”; we are still His beloved ones, and God still has deliverance in mind; “Save with thy right hand”. Who could stand against God’s right hand? “Save with thy right hand, and answer me”.
I did not read the next section, but it gives the detail as to God’s claim over the land. We might say that things are difficult, there is much going on, but God says, ‘It is all mine; every item, every part of the inheritance is mine’. He says; “Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine”. God would reassert His claim over His inheritance, and say that not only is nothing lost but He would have what belongs to Him. What God has laid claim to, He is not going to let go from His hand. And so it goes on “Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me unto Edom? Wilt not thou, O God who didst cast us off?” I wanted to touch on this particularly. Why appeal to a God who has “cast us off”, in the language of this psalm? We might ask ‘Should we not try something else, seek after another God, look for a different path?’. No, this is faith shining; “Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me unto Edom? Wilt not thou, O God, who didst cast us off?” Faith does not let go of God. Then “and didst not go forth, O God, with our armies?”; that is the God in whom we trust. He may for His own good reasons let us see, or have a sense of, defeat, or a reverse, or something that draws us up and makes us think. “Wilt not thou, O God, who didst cast us off?” But David’s faith was unshaken and unshakeable; “Give us help from trouble; for vain is man’s deliverance”. I think that is one of the things that God would bring us to. Where else can we look? What else can we hold on to, what else can we have hope in, except God and His dealings with us for our blessing! “Through God we shall do valiantly; and he it is that will tread down our adversaries”.
I just want to leave this impression, beloved brethren, that God is for us. He is in control of everything and He has nothing but our blessing in mind. May we be encouraged for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry Grangemouth
17 June 2014
R. Gray
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