Psalms | Psalm 60

My name is Steve, I'm one of the Elder candidates here.

I am also part of the musical, Pastor process that we have

going on through the summer here.

But I think you visitors for being here today and I pray that

the the time that you spend with us will be a blessing to you.

I also want to thank you church family, and the elders for again

allowed me the opportunity to speak to you this morning.

I was just sitting in my seat thinking about how blessed I am

to be able to serve, with a group of men are elders, and my

fellow Elder candidate. How blessed I am to be able to

be have those guys at my life and how we are had the

opportunity to get together every week, and in share

together, what's going on in our lives and in pray for you, our

church family, it's it's an awesome awesome time that we

have and I You know, there's a lot of times that the God asks

us to do things that we think that's, that's not good.

After that, I wasn't made for that.

This is exactly one of those things that I was for years and

years, and years thought I was not cut out to do.

I never in a million years thought that I would start

preaching at the age of 62. So I've got a lot of catching up

to do, but I thank you for the Tunity to do this, and bear with

me this morning. So today we're going to continue

in our series. Our summer series of in Psalms

it's called aligning ourselves with God's heart.

So far this summer we've talked about God's Deliverance.

God to Integrity, is the blessing of fearing the Lord,

we've talked about cam trust in the Lord.

Praise to the Lord. God's Works God's eternity.

This week, we're going to be looking at Psalm 60.

It will be looking at a time where Israel has disobeyed God

and is suffering the consequences of that

disobedience. so, again, if you'll turn with me to Psalm 60,

the title of our message today is grieving defeat praying for

restoration. Grieving defeat praying for

restoration. Some 60 tells us of yet.

Another time when Israel has disobeyed God and is

experiencing severe setbacks on the battlefield this time.

We may look back at the history of Israel and with some unbelief

and maybe a little arrogance. We think, how could they

continually turn from God after all, he's done for them.

We're looking at a time period from Moses to David of about 500

years. So there's a lot of things that

have happened in that 500 years. Moses led the Israelites out of

out of Egypt. They saw countless numbers of

Miracles along the way they were given victory over all their

enemies in the Promised Land. We roll up to David's time.

David has been given victory over Saul David has even been

given protection from the rebellion of his own son.

And how many more instances can we think of where God has

blessed them? But, wait a minute, how can we

blame them for their unbelief? When we disobey God, continually

just as they did, but instead of blaming them.

Let's learn from God's word. Let's learn from this sins of

David and Israel and others. Because that's the reason God

gave us his word. I mean, is to learn from those

mistakes. If you're able, would you please

stand as we read God's holy word again, we're in Psalms 60.

To the choirmaster. According to Sean, Edith emit.

Cam of David for instruction when he strove with a ram.

Now, horah team and a ram soba. And when joab on his return,

struck down 12,000 of Edom, in the valley of salt.

Oh God, you have rejected us broken our defenses.

You have been angry old, restore us.

You have been made, you have made the land to Quake.

You have torn it, open repair, its reaches for it tatars.

Verse 3, you have made your people see hard things, you have

given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

You have set up a banner for those who fear you Did they may

flee to it from the bowl? Selah.

That your beloved ones may be delivered.

Give salvation by your right hand and answer us.

God has spoken in his Holiness with exultation.

I will divide up shechem and Portion out the veil of succoth

Gilead. Is mine manasa is mine.

Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin upon either

my cast my shoe over philistia. I shout in Triumph.

Who will bring me to the Fortified City who will lead me

to eat them, have you not rejected us?

Oh God, you do not go forth o god with our enemies.

Oh Gran has helped against the Foe for vein is the Salvation of

man. With God, we shall do valiantly.

It is he who will tread down our foes.

Let's pray. Father, I thank you for your

word. I thank you God, for the

stories, the documentation of things that have happened that

we have an opportunity to study, and we have an opportunity to

learn from I pray now. God is, we take this time to

look through this, Psalm of David, That you prick, our

hearts. That we leave here.

Closer to you. Realizing that we are blessed

beyond measure. To be a child of yours.

Father, I ask these things in the Holy Name of Jesus.

Amen. May be seated unless you want to

keep standing and that's okay with me if you want to do that.

Okay, did the big idea? The main idea that I'd like for

you to leave with today. Is that in order to gain the

victory that God desires for us, we must Lift High.

The banner of the love of God revealed in the person of Jesus

Christ. Me read that again in order to

gain the victory, that God desires for us, we must Lift

High. The banner of the love of God

revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.

Tactics have changed recently in military conflicts but before

the time of voice Communications will battlefields soldier's

always look to find their units by the banner or the flag that

they were assigned to. When they saw that Banner, they

would know where to regroup. So if the signal was given if

the lines broke, if there were was an emergency, they would

look for that banner and move toward that Banner in an effort

to get back together with their assigned group.

The reason for this was for safety, for the soldiers, it was

to strengthen their resolve to fight, but most importantly, it

was to regroup and lift the spirits of the soldiers for them

to fight again. my prayer this morning is that when you leave,

you will desire to Rally around our Battle Flag which is the

banner of love, which is Jesus Christ.

So let's jump in as I've mentioned before we never need

to skip over the introduction. And this this passage that we

are looking at this morning has a rather long introduction and

got Bunches of hard words in it. But we're going to look at it

anyway because there are things that it might tell us that might

be important. So we want to make sure.

First off, we're tell you that the battle that David is

involved in David, and Israel is involved in this.

Battle is described in second, Samuel and First Chronicles,

it's not named specifically. But it is contained in those

accounts. So, this Psalm is written to the

choirmaster to the tune of Lily of the testimony.

And it's submit cam. You buy know what AM it?

Cam is? Nobody.

Well, the truth is that nobody knows really what a myth cam is.

It can be closely associated with other Hebrew words that can

mean writing engraving or simply a technical term to God, the

singer, or to denote the tune to be played.

But the main idea of a myth cam is that it is preserved.

It can be. I looked at At one source that

said that they have found Psalms written actually on tablets of

gold and they think maybe that might be what a mid cam is.

So this Psalm is it's written for instruction.

David is the author and he intended this song to be

remembered and used in times of trouble.

So since it's called a myth cam, it was probably preserved in

some special way to Insurance consistent use Little historical

background. Your Bible may say that Israel

was fighting with hard word. I'm not gonna lie.

I've already said it once I'm not going to say it again.

And with around Zumba or it may say Mesopotamia and Syria of

Joba. So this is not a history class

and I am not a professor of Antiquities.

So all we're going to do is is say that since Mesopotamia was

part of Syria. Israel was in that was at Battle

or in battle with Syria on their northern border.

The next statement is about joab, the edomites and the

valley of salt and that refers to edom's almost simultaneous

attack on Israel from the south Israel fights in a lot of wars

that we see in the Old Testament, but it appears as

though they were frequently, fighting Edom.

The edomites were the descendants of Esau and the

Israelites, the descendants of Jacob.

So those of you that have been in some school over the last

several weeks, what's the relationship between Esau and

Joseph? We were brothers.

They were brothers that had disagreements.

They were brothers that had fighting when they were around

and so their descendants are still fighting to this day in

David's time. So, let's move on Psalm 66 up

this whole Bible theme of The Promised Land.

At stake in this battle in this defeat that Israel is

experiencing at stake. Is God's ancient promises to

Abraham that God would give Abraham's Descendants the

Promised Land. God placed Adam and Eve on a

small portion of the Earth, but their mandate was to spread out

and subdue. All of it. they rebelled against

God and he later called, Abraham to go to the land.

He would show him, Abraham's Descendants.

The Israelites would wind up in captivity in Egypt.

God brought them back to the land, through Moses.

But even after settling in the promised land, Israel is still

fighting or it God had pledged this land to his people.

So was he going to go back on that promise?

Absolutely not. God can't do that.

Israel's disobedience. In this case was the source of

the continued conflict. Other than our text today.

There are many times, many other writers of Psalms, who cried out

for help during times of Defeat of Israel.

Psalm 44 is another cry for help.

In this case, Israel has been defeated despite their faith and

obedience this time. This Psalm says that you have

given us up like sheep intended for food.

The suffering of Israel though, not understood.

May be described as a battle scar that demonstrates loyalty.

Psalm 79 is another cry to God, in times of disaster.

The author was angry with God, but even so our trust must

remain in him. Psalm 80 a prayer for Revival

and restoration. After the After experiencing

destruction, God is our only hope for salvation. once you to

bear with me for a minute and try to picture this in your

mind, Picture this scene. We've got King David.

King David. The man who killed lions and

bears as a boy, protecting his sheep.

The man who again, is a boy kill Goliath with a single Stone.

King David, whose many victories in battle are documented in

first and second, Samuel first and second chronicles.

King, David described as a man after God's Own Heart.

But here in the case of Psalm, 60, this picture him, maybe,

maybe he's on his throne in his Palace.

Maybe he's out on the roof of his Palace.

He's looking northward to where the battle is.

And he's greatly concerned about how it's going.

But then there's a message for ought to him about another

battle. The surprise attack of Edom to

the South. David has divided his great

Army. Between the most, the majority

of his army being in the north, fighting the syrians on that

front. But he's left a small contingent

there at the palace to guard the king.

And that's all he's got to defend against Edom.

The message that he's just gotten includes casual to

casualty reports that are shocking disheartening.

So the king of Israel, Momentarily drops his head.

And then he raises it crying out to his God.

Oh God, you have rejected us the most painful words King David

could ever imagine. Verse 1 of of Psalm 68.

Oh God, you have rejected us broken our defenses.

You have been angry over store us.

The song begins by laying out the heart of the matter.

The people of Israel. They see themselves as if God

has completely forgotten them. The word Us in this verse refers

to the people of God, as a whole who are supposed to view

themselves as God's treasured possession, called for his own

purposes. But in his anger against the um,

he has smashed down the nation's defenses, leaving it helplessly

exposed to enemy attack. Verse 2, you have made the land

to Quake. You have torn it.

Open repair, its breaches for it tatars.

The blow that God has struck has convulsed the whole land, and

the people in it. We're not told whether this was

an actual earthquake. If so, that might have been what

caused the defeat in on the northern border?

This may just be. Imagery this used to show the

economic political and social Devastation of the defeat.

But regardless, the very walls of their society are cautery.

If Only God would repair the breaches and bring his people

back to some level of normalcy. The Bible has used an earthquake

many times to show God's anger, or to display his power.

Psalm 18, 7 tells us that the Earth Shook and trembled the

foundations of the hills also, quaked and were shaken because

he was angry. I'll say a 64.

One says oh that you would Rend the heavens and come down that

the mountains might Quake at your presence.

And then in Joel chapter 3 verse 16, the Lord Roars from Zion and

Joel 3:16

utters his voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and the earth

quake. Verse 3.

You have made your people see hard things, you have given us

wine to drink that made us stagger.

So instead of the wine of blessing from God, God has given

them the cup of judgment. God's rejection was intended to

bring them back to himself, the outpouring of divine vengeance,

is represented under the figure of presenting a cup, which the

doomed man is forced to drink. The prophet Isaiah writes of the

cup of Staggering describing God's Fury against Judah, say

and Isaiah 51 verse 17. He says Wake yourself, wake

Isaiah 51:17

yourself, stand up o Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand

of the Lord, the cup of his wrath, you who have drunk to the

dregs, the bowl, the cup, Cup of Staggering.

In the same chapter of Isaiah verse 22.

He says thus says the Lord, the Lord your God.

Who pleads the cause of his people behold.

I have taken from your hand, the cup of Staggering the bowl of my

wrath. You shall drink no more.

The wine of suffering that Israel is experiencing as cause

them to stumble like a drunkard. Verse 4, you have set up a

banner for those who fear you that they may flee to it from

the bow. So what does it mean for God to

be our Banner? If you remember the Israelites

as they can't in the wilderness, they pitched their their tents

by the standard. The standard is another word for

Banner or flag so they pitched their tents by the standard of

their trial meaning that they all gather together under their

flag. banners are also used to remember and commemorate,

Banners are rallying points in battle for those of a single

allegiance to gather. We as Christians gather together

under the banner of Jesus Christ.

God loves truth and the people who belong to God will rally to

truth like soldiers to their flag.

The Apostle, John wrote, when he, the spirit of Truth is come.

He will guide you into all truth.

Let the truth of God's word, stir you to action and rally you

to his cause Verse 5. There's a change.

David abruptly changes from complaining.

To prayer. He calls on God to save them, so

that the people he loves might be delivered from destruction,

and he declares the certainty of God's Victory will cause the

surrounding nations are subject to him.

David reminds God. As if God needed reminding that

these people of Israel are your beloved ones.

It's one of these words are so touching here and why he can

confidently. Pray for restoration, the

Salvation David confidently praised for his success in their

military Endeavors with a view toward Israel.

Being able to fulfill its calling and world The Bible.

Believers commentary says prayer is born From the Ashes of

humiliation. Speaking for both himself and

his people, the psalmist implores, the Lord for

deliverance, Victory, and the renewal of communion verses 6

through 8. Talk about.

The different nations that are involved.

That God wants to speak of here. David and now encourages himself

by reference to the aspect and assurances given earlier in

regard to the possession of the land of Canaan and to victory

over his hostile Neighbors And that he has his eyes specially

on the blessing of Jacob and Moses.

If these assurances are to be depended on, Israel, cannot now

be about to be defeated by Edom as God is Sovereign Over All

Nations. God has also spoken in his

Holiness. As for God is Holy, he cannot

cannot falsify his promises. The ESV Study Bible says that

these verses seem to recall an oracle that gives God's plan for

Israel's place in the world. The place is mentioned in verses

6 and 7, shechem succoth Gilead Manasseh.

Ephraim and Judah are all parts of the land.

God promised to Israel. The places in verse eight, Moab

Edom and philistia Our neighboring lands which also

belong to the Lord. Israel exists to bring blessing

to the Gentiles in the time of David.

This normally happened as the nation's came under Israelite

sovereignty. Thus the military campaign is

put in such context of Israel's Mission as mirror territorial

expansion as such was not a part of Israel's calling, God said in

the cities and territories of Israel?

Excuse me. God said that the cities and

territories of Israel where he is, and he knew the future of

each of these nations. When the world seems out of

control, we must remind ourselves.

That God owns the cities and knows the future of every

nation. God is in control.

In and through him, we will gain the victory.

Look at verse 7, verse 7 says that Judah is my scepter this,

this comes from versus a verse in Genesis 49:10, that says, the

Genesis 49:10

scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the ruler staff from

between his feet until tribute comes to him and to him shall be

The Obedience of the people's This verse speaks of the coming

of Jesus Christ. Jacob's son, Judah inherited the

leadership. Aspect of the firstborns

inheritance, the leadership position.

Among his brothers myth that the eventual Kings of Israel would

come from Judah and from, and that the Messiah would

eventually come from the tribe of Judah.

Hence, the land of Judah could never totally be conquered by

the enemies of the Lord. God, verse 8 is interesting.

Moab is described as a wash pot. That means that Moab will wash

the feet of Israel. They will be enslaved and

treated harshly. Also, interesting over Edom.

I will cast my shoe. to cast a shoe or as sometimes said to

draw off a sandal, Was a common way to confirm a transaction.

So Edom is confirmed as a possession of God verses 9

through 12. Outline.

God's Redemption. Verse 9 who will bring me to the

Fortified City or the words of David longing.

For the day, when the capital city of Edom will fall into the

hands of the Israelites. So to arrive in Edom is the

culmination of the military campaign.

If it is to do God's work, the army of Israel must seek God's

help to rely merely on their human capacities.

Would not only be fruitless, but as verse 11 says, vain in the

salvation of man, It would mean they were rejecting God's

calling. Verse 10.

Says. That God is no longer a company,

Israel's Army as a guarantee for victory.

But in verse 11, David pleads for God to fight once again on

behalf of his troubled. People.

Divine help is indispensable, the help of man is useless.

Is David spiritualize, gain their focus?

God's attributes come more clearly into view and his

accusations against God are substituted with words of trust.

Psalm 44 5 tells us through you. We will push down our enemies

through your name. We will trample those who rise

up against us. And in verse 12, David declares

his assurance that although God has appeared for a while to have

abandoned his people, he will now rise and enable them to gain

victory. Seeing God is Refuge David

understands that God's protection God.

Protects his people because he loves them.

Not because they are worthy of his love.

David remembers that God is Sovereign over Nations. this

absolute sovereignty is seen in all of Salvation history,

finally, culminating in Jesus Christ, Confessing God's

sovereignty, turns to the believer toward a valiant

courage. That only our God, the ultimate

conqueror can give Romans 8:37 reminds us that in all things we

Romans 8:37

are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Ultimately through Jesus Christ God fulfills his promises to

Abraham and the New Testament tells us that God's way of

continuing to fulfill his promises is through faithful

Christian witness extending not just to the promised land of

Israel with to the ends of the Earth.

Worship team. L can start making your way up

here? While they're coming. let's take

a quick look back at the big idea or this sermon In order to

gain the victory that God desires for us, we must Lift

High. The banner of the love of God

revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.

God is our Banner because we live to celebrate and honor.

His faithfulness to us, shown in countless ways from the Rising

Sun to the Risen Christ. God through Jesus Christ is our

Banner because we remember all his deeds.

And his words graciously given to us through scripture.

God through Jesus Christ is our Banner because he gives us

identity in our label, as God's children because of the saving

work of Jesus. God through Jesus Christ is our

Banner because we are his representatives to the world,

making him visible, and showing the beauty of his transforming

work. God through Jesus Christ is our

Banner because all of this is an invitation, a pool, a summons, a

tug to anyone, who would believe.

Jesus Christ. Deeply wants you to join him

under his Banner of love. Our enemies are the world and

the Flesh in ourselves, we are powerless to conquer them.

The only Victory is through the Lord.

Jesus Christ, those who trust in him will gain victory over sin

and the eternal life available only through the blood of

Christ. If you've not made the decision

to follow Christ to gather under his Banner with other

Christians, please don't wait do that today. if you have any

questions, Or whatever, just like to talk.

You see Kyle or Jasper Allen James myself after the service

or call us anytime we'd love to have the opportunity to talk

with you.