HE HEARD MY VOICE FROM HIS TEMPLE
Text: Psalm 18
27 May 2012
(I) DEALING WITH THE SEEMINGLY OVERWHELMING CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE
“The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me.” Psalm 18:4, 5
1. Threat of enemies
2. Surrounded by dire /difficult circumstances
3. Overwhelmed with fear
(II) DRIVEN TO PRAYER
1. Can only turn to the Lord
“I will call upon the Lord , who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:3
2. The distress of life drives us to call out to Him
“In my distress I called upon the Lord , and cried out to my God;” Psalm 18:6
(III) A DECLARATION OF THE PSALMIST THAT GOD HEARD HIS PRAYER
“He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Psalm 18:6
1. The Lord is in His temple
a) A reference to the dwelling place of God in heaven
b) His presence is there
c) It does seem that God is distant as he is up in His temple…in heaven
2. He hears and answers our prayers from His temple…
a) Even though He may seem distant, God can still hear our prayer
b) Distance doesn’t stop God from hearing our prayers
c) Our cries would be laid before Him in His temple
d) His ears would hear us
(IV) THE DIRECT CONTRAST BETWEEN RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
1. God hears and rewards those who are the righteous
“The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanliness of my hands.” Psalm 18:20
2. In contrast, God does not hear those who are wicked
“They cried out, but there was none to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.” Psalm 18:41
(V) DEVELOPING AN APPRECIATION OF THE LORD’S DELIVERENCE
1. God’s part to deliver
“He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.” Psalm 18:16, 17
2. A personal understanding of our part to play
“ For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.” Psalm 18:39
(VI) DEEP GRATITUDE TO THE LORD FOR ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS
1. Loving the Lord
“I will love You, O Lord , my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1
2. Exaltation of the Lord
“The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.” Psalm 18:46
3. Thanksgiving to Him
“Therefore I will give thanks to You O Lord, among the Gentiles” Psalm 18:49
4. Praise to His name
“And sing praises to Your name” Psalm 18:49