2005-03-27 - Special Deliverance

Psalm 3, Part 4

Verses 7-8: Finally, David calls the Lord to action grounded on past experiences of God's aid. He has defeated the enemy in the past, and he can do so again. Defending the throne is to bless the people. All those that rebel against the Lord can look forward to is destruction. But with the action of the Lord comes the salvation of the nation and the blessing of the people.

David now waits on the Lord for his actions. David was seeking special deliverance, and if you look back into 2 Samuel, you will see that he got it. Unfortunately for him as a father, included with that deliverance came the death of Absalom. Even for David, there was no escaping the consequences of his own actions.

Application: We, too, are also looking for special deliverance. By this, I mean we are looking for God's direct intervention in our trials. But it is important we recognize what deliverance isn't. Contrary to some popular views, God's deliverance is not intended to remove us from pain. It is not His goal for our lives that we are comfortable. Comfort includes material prosperity, health, in fact any of the "good" things we desire. But look at these two examples.

"Three times I (Paul) pleaded with the Lord to take it (his thorn in the flesh) away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'" (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).

Paul desired health, and this was an appropriate desire. But God knew it was better for Paul to continue with this problem. It was better for him because of his need to be dependent on God.

"He (Jesus) withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:41-42, 44).

Jesus was suffering great personal torment as he looked to what was to come: the trial, the cross, and separation from God, but He knew it was for this, that He had come. While Jesus certainly desired to have relief from what was to come, (and this was an appropriate desire), his goal was obedience to the will of the Father.

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org