Another Lesson Learned about God’s Grace

Berean Baptist on October 10, 2016

Psalm 60

Psalm 60 is a great reminder for every Christian not to presume we are always walking with the Lord. We must be diligent to remain in constant communication with Him to be sure the direction we are going is the same as He is leading.

In this psalm, David is licking his wounds so-to-speak because his armies have suffered heavy casualties in their battle against Edom and Syria. David was a fearless warrior that had faced the enemy many times, more often than not with miraculous results. None of us can forget his boyhood when armed with just a slingshot and five smooth stones he was unafraid to face the mighty giant, Goliath. David would not accept for a moment that Israel’s armies should be shamed by a heathen Philistine.

I am sure the same attitude prevailed with David on many occasions, perhaps so many that he thought it was quite unnecessary to call on the Lord for victory. Apparently, this must have been the case in Psalm 60, for we see a man speaking with God after the fact rather than before. Like Samson, David arose and shook himself and said, “I will go out as at other times before,” and yet he did not know the Lord had departed.

No doubt this happens many times to us. We experience great spiritual highs when we feel very close to the Lord. Our tank is full and we think we can run on one spiritual filling forever. This is never the case in successful Christianity. Although we are encouraged to remember past victories for the sake of reminding ourselves that God is always able, we still must return to the Lord for constant refreshment. We are not told to cherish the memories of the past for the experiences alone. We are to get up and get back to the source of our power. Half the Christian battle is won if we just remember what we are supposed to do.

In this psalm, the enemy was never the real problem. If you will notice verse 7, God takes over the psalm. The cities of Israel belong to Him and He does with them as He pleases. The real clincher comes in verse 8 with the references to Israel’s enemies. What is Moab but a vessel for washing dirty feet? What is Edom but a place to tread upon and to put the necks of her kings under God’s feet? What is Philistia but a place of judgment that rises and falls only upon the good graces of God? The enemy is never a problem, only the symptom of lack of dependence on God.

So, David knew what to do. Defeat was not his place of usual habitation, and neither should it be for us. As soon as we feel that we and God are moving in different directions, we must get up and go back to Him. The good news is we can always return because He never forsakes us. Presumption is sin but God is faithful and just to forgive us of sin.

Never presume upon God. You need him more today than you did yesterday, and you realize this as you continue to grow in grace. Your spiritual growth parallels your dependence. God’s ways are not our ways—we think we are maturing by growing more independent. Keep thinking like that and you will watch every victory melt into defeat. God wants your dependence and He will have it. It is just a matter of how much it hurts before you realize it.

 

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Understanding Beyond the Immediate Text

Berean Baptist on October 3, 2016

Psalm 59

It is always interesting when reading the psalms of David to find the places in scripture that connect to the reasons for writing the psalm. The background story that connects to this psalm is found in 1 Samuel 19.  Beginning at verse 11, Saul had sent some of his henchmen to David’s house to watch for him and to kill him when he left his house in the morning. It is remarkable how Saul’s peculiar sense of honor kept him from entering David’s house at night to kill him while he slept in bed with his wife. Yet, it is also remarkable that false accusations and murder were no encumbrances to Saul’s same sense of honor.

The errand of Saul’s messengers was a trumped up charge of treason when David had never in any way disrespected Saul or sought him harm. By God’s providence, Saul’s hesitation allowed David to escape during the night which infuriated Saul all the more. The method of escape was clever as David evaded Saul by leaving through a window. Perhaps David’s house was on the city wall where he was let down by a rope in similar fashion to the escape of the spies at the hand of Rehab.

When David did not leave the house in the morning, Saul’s men went to fetch him but were told by David’s wife Michal that he was sick. When this was reported to Saul, he sent his men back to the house to carry him out sick bed and all. When the men reentered the house, they saw they had been fooled by a dummy with goat’s hair which had made it appear David was in the bed.

When I read through the first part of this psalm, there were two parallels to the treatment of Christ that struck me. The first is the actions of the chief priests and elders when they paid Judas to betray Jesus. When Judas later returned with remorse and offered to give back his thirty pieces of silver, the leaders refused to put the money into the treasury because it was not lawful to mix blood money with the Lord’s offerings. This was strangely curious because hiring a traitor, paying false witnesses to lie in court, and murdering an innocent man did not bother them at all. People can pat themselves on the back for their superior piety in one area while they have the most evil designs in another. Such is the false pride of the depraved mind!

The second parallel to Christ’s ill treatment is found in verse 3: “For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.” Saul’s men wanted to kill David not because he had done anything wrong, but simply because of Saul’s hatred. David was righteous in the kingdom having blessed Israel in defending the kingdom from the enemy. Likewise, Jesus was despised even though no just charge could be laid against Him. His whole ministry was one of compassion as He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead. Why would you want to kill someone like that? It is at best irrational behavior, but again they are the actions of madmen with depraved hearts. Jesus said the hatred of Him and His people was the fulfillment of Old Testament scripture. In John 15:25, He said: “But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.”

As you read the psalms, read with an open mind to let the Spirit speak to you. See where words and phrases lead your thoughts to other places of the inspired Word. The references often go beyond the obvious, but this is how the Holy Spirit blesses the minds of those who care to open His Word.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Wickedness in High Places

Berean Baptist on September 26, 2016

Psalm 58 is another of the psalms in which David had difficult dealings with Saul. In this case, his anger is kindled against the leaders in Israel who either stood by silently or agreed with Saul when David was wrongfully accused. The idea in the psalm is that judgment had been perverted and these leaders had turned their backs on their responsibility as judges to uphold truth. They were dishonest and deceitful in their dealings.

This, of course, is not at all uncommon in the hierarchy of government. Who among us is not often angry at the inequities of our rulers? It is a sad commentary on American politics when the Congress of the United States regularly hovers around less than 20% approval ratings. Most believe Congress is a band of thieves that are more concerned about their job security and their pocketbooks than they are about the constituents they serve. Whatever it takes to get elected, they will do. If this means perverting justice, so be it.

In the third verse, David reveals the source of the corruption. “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” The source is natural depravity. We come into the world with a sinful nature, and we speak lies with the first breath we take. It is no wonder politicians have perfected the art of lying—they’ve had all their lives to practice! Some have stated the depravity of politicians this way: Question, “How do you know a politician is lying?” Answer, “He opens his mouth.” This is an old joke, but it is certainly biblical. However, this truth is not confined to politicians. All of us are this way. We all have inherent sinful corruption, which is the reason we so desperately need a Saviour. The person who is wicked from the womb has also perfected the art of sin as he daily rehearses his art form.

Yet out of this abject sinfulness of our nature, and our will, and our practice, we are told sinners can elevate themselves and they can do better. The lies of the toothy grinned preacher who teaches such things is no better than the lies of the politician with all his broken promises.

Man is a woefully depraved creature who must be handled by God. The righteous Judge will always deal righteously, so He will remove these sinners from their haughty perches and bring them before His own tribunal. There, perfect justice is served. Verse 10 is strikingly vindictive in its assessment of this: “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.” This does not sound much like the “Christian” attitude of love and tolerance. Accordingly, we must remember that in the present time we are not to rejoice in the eternal punishment of the wicked. However, when the Lord comes in glory, we will see the perfect justice of God at work and regard His judgment against the reprobate as a merciful act towards His own people.

There are many that disagree with David’s call for justice. People who sympathize with criminals more than with their victims really have a problem with this. They are freakishly concerned that a criminal must not suffer one ounce of pain in his execution rather than commiserating with a victim that may have been cruelly tortured. This is the world turned upside down according to godly justice. As one commentator stated, “It is sickly sentimentality and a wicked weakness that has more sympathy with the corrupt oppressors than with the anger of God.”

The real issue here is weak Christianity, or absent Christianity, that does not understand the exalted holiness of God in contradistinction to the utterly debased condition of man. I think David had it right. The Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart, and he certainly had his finger on God’s pulse in this matter.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Be Exalted, O God, Above the Heavens

Berean Baptist on September 19, 2016

Psalm 57:11

Many of the David’s psalms were born out of his pleadings to God for relief from oppression. I can imagine that when David was first anointed by Samuel to be the king of Israel there must have been at least a small swelling of pride that he was God’s choice. This meant in due time he would enjoy the privileges of royalty. However, it wasn’t long before he discovered God’s favor would cause him to be the scorn of his enemies. Certainly, Saul was none too pleased to learn his family would never become a dynasty, which made David the target of Saul’s wrath. Thus we have this psalm as David plead with God to deliver him from Saul’s intense anger.

David, God’s choice for king, did not write these words from a gilded room in a palace. Rather, he was in a dark, dirty cave where he was hiding while fleeing for his life. David had climbed the rocky cliffs of En Gedi many times in fear for his safety, but though the situation seemed bleak, he knew God had chosen him and he knew his heart was right. Because of this, he fully expected protection from his Lord until he should be brought to his time to occupy the throne.

As I read this psalm, I am reminded of two very special objects of God’s divine choice and protection. The first is the Lord Jesus Christ who was ordained by the Father to bear the reproach of the cross in order to make atonement for our sins. He too was specifically chosen, and yet His path to glory took the same turn as David’s. The exaltation of the throne was to come later until He was made perfect through suffering (Heb. 2:10). In the meantime, the enemy was everywhere trying to take His life before the time. The difficulty of the cross was never a deterrent to Him. He knew what the Father promised. As He prayed in John 17, He knew the Father would restore Him to the glory He had before stepping down to come in human flesh (John 17:5). For this reason, Hebrews says He went to the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Heb. 12:2). With His death, He would bring millions to worship the Father before the throne.

The second object of God’s divine choice is me. If you are a believer, you can substitute your name for what I am about to say next. Before I was born, God chose me to a crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4), and to sit in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4; 2:6). However, there is a meantime just as there was with David and Christ. The meantime is this life in which God’s people often find themselves at odds with a God rejecting world. Because the world hated Christ, it also hates us which often leaves us the objects of ridicule (John 15:18).

As neither David nor Jesus were greatly discouraged, so we should not be discouraged. We have the same promise given to them. We shall not be left to the destruction of Satan, but as David wrote in verse 3, “He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.”

God’s choice is the same as God’s salvation. The first infallibly leads to the second. I hope you can relate this great truth to the message today as I speak on the eternal election of God. Those whom God chooses He does not fail to bring to glory (Rom. 8:29-30). So, take heart in times of trouble. You were always in the eternal purpose of God. He is able to see you through. “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.”

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Will You Choose Gath?

Berean Baptist on September 12, 2016

 

Psalm 56

Each week as we read one of the Psalms, I write an article that hopefully gives some insight into the meaning of the psalm. Sometimes I struggle to find the one thought I want emphasize because the psalms are rich with many inspiring thoughts. However, seven hundred words are rarely ample to express one thought much less many.

As I sat to read and think about Psalm 56, I got no further than the introduction. Before I got to the first verse, I was impressed with my topic. The introduction of the psalm reads, “To the chief Musician upon Jonathelrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.” You should understand the introduction to the psalm is also a part of it, and this one is really a mouthful. Before even getting started, we have to ask, “What is David doing at Gath?”

As in so many of the psalms, David was fleeing from Saul, and he stopped to pray and plead for God’s help. Gath was no place to find the kind of comfort he needed. The beginning of this psalm is so peculiar because David sought refuge among the Philistines who were Israel’s chief enemies at the time. Both Saul and David had killed thousands of Philistines because they were wicked idolaters who tried to run Israel out of the Promised Land. They were still seeking revenge on Joshua after 400 years. Yet, here we find David knocking on their gates, seeking their help, and looking for refuge.

The Philistines did not trust David, as you can well imagine, so in order to buy time, we find him in 1 Samuel 21 acting like a complete mad man, a nutcase with spittle drooling down his beard as if he did not have enough sense to know better than to knock on the enemy’s door. David looked harmless; they must have thought he would soil himself at any minute. How far down did David go to make himself a fool in the sight of God’s enemies?

This sixteen word introduction struck me because as ridiculous as it sounds, God’s people do these stupid tricks all the time. They seek refuge with the enemy thinking they will fare better with them than sticking it out with God’s people. They want to live with the Philistines instead of with Israel when the Philistines have never been anything other than debased. Like Lot, they vex their righteous souls daily with the unlawful deeds of the devil’s crowd (2 Pet. 2:8).

Several months ago I warned that the new casino in Rohnert Park would become a temptation to the membership of Berean. It never should have been necessary to issue such a warning, but I can read scripture as well as you and I know Christians are often baffling. I knew some would venture to Gath and would blather all over themselves with the nice restaurants and the lure of the gaming tables and slot machines. Some of them would do as David did and end up in the employ of King Achish as they help rake in his money (1 Sam. 27). After all, it pays good—top dollar. Who cares if it God would spew that lukewarm Christian from His mouth?

What is their justification? They need protection from their creditors. Saul is chasing them. They need a job—they need to be paid well because it takes a lot to offset selling out God. The pocketbook is powerful, and like Balaam they will eventually get what they want (2 Pet.2:15). I am reminded of Moses who might have been tempted to remain in Pharaoh’s house to enjoy the life of an Egyptian prince—however, the scripture says: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:24-27). It seems Christians will sell out to Gath or Egypt for a whole lot less than what it cost Moses.

I have to ask you a question: “What are Bereans doing at Graton Resort?” Joshua said, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve…” Is there really an option? Do Christians have an option? Will the redeemed give up God for the pleasures of sin for a season? Will they enter Gath to fatten their pocketbooks? God help us when real troubles come. Who will we trust to stand with us?

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Who Is Worst of All?

Berean Baptist on August 29, 2016

Psalm 55

Does it seem incredibly unlikely that the most beloved person in the history of mankind and the most hated person in history lived at the same time, knew each other, and were friends? With the billions that have lived on planet earth, how could such a thing be possible? As unlikely as it seems, it is true and none of us has any trouble guessing who these polar opposites are. The first is Jesus Christ. He was the exemplary human, perfect in every detail, kind, compassionate, filled with love, and as John said, “Full of grace and truth.” Nothing honestly disparaging could ever be written about Him.

On the other hand, there is Judas. He is described in Psalm 55 as an acquaintance who took sweet counsel with Christ. And yet, he is the universally despised, the universally hated, and the one who disgusts us all. So extreme is the hatred of Judas that his name is never given to any of our children. None of us wants to be identified with him in any way. He is the antithesis of the holiness and righteousness of Jesus Christ. As high as the exaltation of Christ can go, so is the measurement of how low the denunciation of Judas can go.

Is it really such a mystery that in all the annals of time the most despicable should be in contact with the most delightful? It should not seem strange because the worst crime committed must be against the one who least deserves it. The worst offense is against the one who least deserves to be offended.

The extreme disappointment in Judas is reflected in David’s words of Psalms 55:11-14: “Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 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: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.” David was thinking of Ahithophel, but the Holy Spirit had Judas in mind.

Judas walked in communion with Jesus. He was treated as a brother even though Jesus knew from the beginning what He would do. There was nothing in Jesus that could possibly draw out such hatred as Judas had for Him in the betrayal. We agonize over his treacherous actions because Judas did his worst against the best. He is the model none of us wants to emulate, and each of us sits in judgment thinking we would never do what he did.

Would you consider this scripture for just a moment? “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:1-3) In the following verse, Rom. 2:4, the restraint, the patience, and the goodness of God is still there despite the hatred of Him. “Or despiseth thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Who is the most despicable character of all? Who is the person that none should name his child after? Are you ready for a confession? The answer is ME. I have done the worst to the one who is the best. I hated Him; I betrayed Him; I drove nails into His hands and feet. I compete with Paul who said, “I am the chief of sinners.”

Is it a mystery the most beloved person of all time should live at the same time as the most hated? Not at all. Christ came in contact with humanity and that says it all.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

 

Patience Has Never Been Rewarded Like This!

Berean Baptist on August 22, 2016

Psalm 54

Once again we find ourselves on an interesting parallel track as we read through the Psalms. Psalm 54 was written by David after two occasions when he was betrayed to Saul by the same enemies. You can well imagine David’s distress when despite his best efforts to outrun Saul his whereabouts were made known by those seeking favor with the king. Accordingly, David sought relief from the Lord knowing God would bring vengeance on his enemies.

I mention a parallel track with this psalm because of our study this morning in Matthew 24. Our subject is the Antichrist who will be the great enemy of God’s people in the last days before the Kingdom. Never have the saints experienced an evil man with such diabolical power. At most we face hateful despisers who are influenced by Satan, but we do not face anyone that is empowered by the in-habitation of Satan.

Satan is forever mimicking the power of Christ and he does no less here. As Christ indwells His people through the Holy Spirit, so this man is indwelt and given the abilities of the devil himself. As David had to endure the constant pursuit of Saul, so Israel in the tribulation will be vigorously pursued by the Antichrist. As David hid in the mountains and caves of southern Israel to escape detection, so Israel must flee to the mountains to escape certain death (Mt. 24:16). As David was betrayed by the Ziphites, so the tribulation will be marked with betrayals (Mt. 24:10). And, as David had to wait on vengeance, so the martyrs of that time must wait.

Waiting on vengeance is not easy. We are often very impatient when we believe we are wronged. Imagine how the martyrs must feel who because of cruel deaths want to see this peculiar promise of God fulfilled. Revelation 6:9-10 says, “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Perhaps they and we must wait until the motive is correct. We would have destruction for our enemies because of personal offense. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is the retribution we seek. However, the more important cause for vengeance is the holiness of God. It is not about our personal feelings but about how God is offended when someone touches His anointed. It is desecration of what belongs to God. Whoever harms one of God’s own would just have well stabbed a dagger in God’s heart. God will not let it go. He does not overlook sin of any kind much less would He not grant retributive justice for those elected, called, and justified by the blood of Christ.

Notice how David lays no charge against God. There is no impetuous tantrum insisting God must act now. And so it must be with us. God will answer in His own good time—it is always the right time when it will bring the most glory to Him. Think again about those martyred tribulation saints. How will they receive vengeance? Their lot is to come back with Christ in clouds of glory to the carnage of Armageddon! This is the last and greatest battle the world will ever see—the biggest battle of all. Somehow it seems the wait is worth it. It is a horrible time for the enemy, but one outstanding victory for the redeemed. Never worry about the wait—God always makes it worth it!

Pastor V. Mark Smith

 

 

 

The Promise of the Resurrection

Berean Baptist on April 12, 2016

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalms 40:1-2)

In last Sunday morning’s message, we had the opportunity to study Psalm 110 in which David declared Jesus to be the sovereign Lord. In the Gospel of John, chapter 5 Jesus gave a wonderful exposition of the resurrection, and then He said there are witnesses that testify to the truthfulness of His words. John the Baptist was one of those witnesses. He was a truly remarkable prophet that had the unique privilege of announcing Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus also said the Father bears witness of Him, but that witness is only received by those whom the Father will reveal the Son. A third witness in that passage is the scriptures. Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (5:39).

With the command to search, we would expect to be able to go to the Old Testament and find Christ. This is why Jesus took the Jews to Psalm 110 where David bore testimony to His Lordship. Our congregational reading today takes us to another place where Jesus is found in the Old Testament psalms. The entire 40th Psalm is about Christ, but verses 1 and 2 are the particular focus of my article today. These verses speak of the resurrection with verse 2 being a personal favorite: “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” These are words of praise as Jesus acknowledged the Father’s promise. In the eternal covenant of redemption between the Father and the Son, the Father promised to bring safely home all those for whom Christ would die. The first fruit of this promise is that Christ would be resurrected—a critical event without which the promise fails. The resurrection of Christ was the Father’s stamp of approval on the redemptive work of the Son. When this promise was fulfilled, heaven must have thundered with praise because at this point redemption was forever sealed.

However, there was never any doubt this would happen. Heaven was already populated with the souls of the patriarchs and the prophets and all the people of God that died prior to the resurrection. Because God is timeless, a promise made in eternity past is as certain as if it had already happened. When you read scriptures like Psalm 40, you can see yourself. If you are a believer, you know you are as safe for heaven as if you were already there.

Many people wonder how Christians face bad days with a smile. They wonder why peace fills our heart when they struggle with so many things that burden them to despair. The interesting irony is that we face the same life struggles they face. We have job issues, financial concerns, family disappointments—and yet these things do not rule us. Our happiness is not determined by how well a stock portfolio is doing or whether Junior got accepted to Harvard. We have already risen with Christ and we know that when He shall appear we shall also appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:1, 4).

Contemplating the certainty of the resurrection will keep our thinking straight when the cares of life start to become too heavy. Christ was in the horrible pit, but the promise kept Him waiting patiently. There was a time limit on the grave—three days. There is also a time limit for you. Wait patiently for it. Redemption is nigh.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Take Some Time to Think

Berean Baptist on April 4, 2016

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. (Psalms 39:5)

Last week we read the 38th Psalm in which David was very troubled over sin in his life. Apparently this sin was accompanied by a terrible sickness which only heightened his anxiety. He was dealing with the mental pressure of being out of fellowship with the Lord as well as the physical pain of being sick in his body.

As we move into the 39th Psalm, David paused to reflect upon the brevity of life and how spending our time accumulating riches and those things that will pass away is nothing but vanity (v. 6). C.T. Shedd, who was a missionary in Africa in the late 19th century, wrote a famous poem with this line: “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” C.T. Shedd lived that line. He gave up an enormous fortune and a beautiful home to go to Africa to serve Christ while living in an old run down wooden shack. Some of you may remember his name from our outreach training. He also said, “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” Every Christian should take into consideration how brief our lives truly are. James said your life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14).

As I read this Psalm, I was struck by David’s comment in the first verse: “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.” David was struggling with his condition; he understood it was not God’s fault, but he was terribly tempted to let out a word of complaint. At the very least he wanted to give expression to his grief, but he was afraid if he said the wrong thing or if the wrong person heard it, it would bring reproach upon the Lord.

Have we stopped to consider how words spoken wrongly, in anger or disgust, can harm others? Have you considered that giving vent to anger with the tongue can seriously damage your testimony? Words often bring more pain to people than anything you can do to them physically. We may never live long enough to make up for the hurt we do by speaking the wrong thing. We must think carefully before speaking especially in front of those who do not know the Lord.

I believe David was considering this and thinking carefully. This short life affords us time to reach only a few people. Comparatively speaking, we have little influence in a world filled with billions of people. However, the ones we do influence ought to receive the best impression of us they can. C.T. Shedd and others like him thought if there is to be any influence it ought to be that which leads people to Christ. This is why he was not willing to sit still in the lap of luxury when he could spend his time and money reaching people for Christ.

David said in verse 3 that he was musing about such things—about life and so on. “Muse” means to think deeply. He was thinking deeply about these perplexing problems. Isn’t it interesting that Satan would rather see you “amusing” yourself rather than musing? “Amuse” literally means “without thinking.” We spend far too much time in amusement, don’t we? We amuse ourselves and simply do not think about what matters. “Only what is done for Christ will last.” Spend a little time thinking about that.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

 

Ingratitude

Berean Baptist on January 25, 2016

I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together… (Psalms 35:14-15a)

If I were to give a name to the 35th Psalm, I would call it the psalm of the ungrateful. The title would not be given because David was ungrateful, for the psalms are replete with his praises and thanksgiving for the Lord’s wonderful works. Rather, I would look at the underlying issues depicted in the psalm. This is David’s plea for God to turn back his adversaries whom he once befriended but were ungrateful for his friendship. They were people he honestly cared for and prayed for, yet they turned on him and spread lies about him. I hardly think a more loyal and trustworthy friend than David could be found, but though receiving benefits from him they did not value his friendship.

I think you can see in this assessment a striking parallel to the ungratefulness of the Jewish people that turned their backs on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus stated clearly that He came to save them. He demonstrated boundless love and compassion by expending Himself to the state of exhaustion as day after day He healed the helpless multitude. What was His reward? “They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul” (v. 12).

With all the helping and healing, it was very difficult, in fact impossible, to find fault in Jesus. This was exceedingly frustrating for His enemies because when seeking charges against Him they could never find any legitimate accusations. What did they do? Just as David was lied against when they said he was against Saul, so Jesus was lied against when they said He was against God and the government. The psalm says: “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not” (v. 11).

At the time Jesus was taken to the cross, there were plenty in Israel that had been helped by Him. There were so many they could have easily overcome the mob that was against Him. But where were they? Were they thankful? We would scarcely believe they would come to His aid when His own disciples forsook Him and fled. Despite the constant rejection of Him by Israel’s leaders, Jesus still uttered words of compassion. He truly desired even His bitter enemies to repent and He would gather them to Him in loving forgiveness. Still there was no gratitude for His concern—only relentless attempts to murder Him.

This psalm is a lament against such ingratitude. However, it is also a plea for true justice. Those that refuse Christ’s friendship, who live for personal gain, who care little to thank Him for their very breath—this psalm heaps upon them their righteous reward.

We cannot help but think the same attitude prevails today. In a world that is strangely tolerant of every evil harmful to man, there is intolerance for what will do us the most good. We partake of the Lord’s benefits every day, but as the old proverb goes, we bite the hand that feeds us. The psalmist says: “Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me” (v. 26). God will not tolerate ingratitude indefinitely. The second advent of Christ will not end like the first. The ungrateful will meet their demise while the righteous grateful will magnify the Lord forever. Ingratitude is serious sin, so do not be party to it. Praise the Lord and give Him the thanks He deserves.

Pastor V. Mark Smith