The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 18:46-50

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation---the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the man of violence. For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

---v. 46---Living LORD: My Rock, the God of my Salvation---is the Eternal One. Who would want any other kind of deity? The Christian faith is one that presupposes eternity, and a Redeemer who came back from the dead (I Corinthians 15: 12-14). We believe in a God who has "always" been. Past understanding---worthy of worship and awe...We actually know Him through the gracious endeavors of Jesus Christ...the God-Man...

---v. 47---Leave vengeance to the LORD: David says, God gave me vengeance..." It is to be no other way...Romans 12: 19

---v. 48---Lifted me up above my enemies: Above those who were against me---He made my head rise! People will either receive Christ, and begin to know peace with God and others---or reject Christ---and stumble along at odds with God and others---until the ultimate separation. No one need remain an enemy: the Blood of the Cross reconciles people to Heaven ( Colossians 1: 19, 20 ).

---v. 49---Let my song be heard among the nations---Praising the LORD! As John Piper says, "Missions exists because every people group does not yet know that Jesus Christ is worthy of adoration and praise---they should yield to Him and worship Him."

---v. 50---Look at this marvelous Redemption: Real for David and his own forever ( Second Samuel 7: 12, 13 )---The Lord Jesus Christ has an everlasting Throne---in direct fulfillment of the promise made to David. The Lord Jesus is the ultimate Davidic King in all His perfection and glory! Amazingly---His sons and daughters, are His joint-heirs---appointed to reign with Him forever!

TO KEEP LIVING WITH, verse 47---"vengeance belongs to the LORD"

Some pointers: Bill Elliff, Life Action Ministries

---David cut the edge off of King Saul's robe while he was asleep---some of his men wanted him to kill Saul and be done with him! Later, David felt horrible that he had done that. This is what he said in First Samuel 24: 12, "May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you." David just let the matter go from his hands into God's hands. He decided to trust the sovereignty of God.

---To decide not to forgive, is to take matters in our hands. We are terribly deficient in our ability to accomplish the right results.

---To decide not to forgive, to take matters in our hands---is to do great harm to ourselves and others.

---Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the LORD. Romans 12: 17--19

---Leaving the issue in God's hands is a faith step You believe God is big enough to handle matters and carry You.

---If the Holy Spirit were to direct you to confront someone---He also will have given you the grace to already have "first" forgiven them...Are you still holding a "sword" in your hand against anyone? relax your hand. Trust that the LORD is able to care for you and deal with those who have hurt you...

A helpful prayer from Bill Elliff: "LORD---You uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Yourself to Him who judges righteously ( I Peter 2: 23). You live in us. Help us to rely on Your grace to forgive and even love those who have hurt us. Let Your perfect love be shed abroad in our hearts and flow through us mightily. Help us to forgive the small hurts as well as the large. And may the power of forgiveness show the watching world Your power in us."

Lord, like the publican I stand,

And lift my heart to thee;

Thy pard'ning grace, O God, command,

Be merciful to me.

My guilt, my shame, I all confess;

I have no hope nor plea

But Jesus' blood and righteousness:

Be merciful to me.

Thomas Raffles (1831)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason