Bible Study - Emotions (6) - Weathering the Blues - Psalm 31:1-8 - January 10, 2021

 

Bible Study – Emotions (6) – Weathering the Blues – January 10, 2021

This is our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled “When Emotions Arise.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 31:1-8. GOD lifts us up when we feel down.

Our emotions can be real or imagined. Either way, they become something that can hinder us to function as GOD’S Children. The key is where or to whom do we turn when we get in an emotional funk?

Where did or to whom did David turn?

When we are in trouble or need lifting up to whom or where do we turn for solace?

To whom did David turn to? Did his decision to whom to turn just happen overnight or was it a process? Building any enduring relationship takes time and going through situations and issues.

Let’s explore! 

Let’s read Psalm 31:1-2:

A Plea for Protection

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, I seek refuge in you;
let me never be disgraced.
Save me by your righteousness.
² Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mountain fortress to save me.

In this psalm, immediately, we read that David is using the covenant name for GOD (LORD). David acknowledges GOD as foundational. GOD, the One and Only Covenant GOD, reached down to the Israelites and established the everlasting covenant with the Israelites. GOD reached down to them and gave them a choice whether or not they would agree to be HIS people. The Israelites agreed and their covenant relationship was established with The One True GOD of the universe.

What had David learned through his covenant relationship with GOD/Yahweh? What have we learned in our relationship with GOD through our faith in JESUS? David, had discovered through his relationship with GOD that he could find refuge in GOD. David often had to flee from King Saul or other enemies but there was one thing certain, GOD was with him and he had found refuge in trusting GOD.

We might say to ourselves, “WOW! I wish I could find that refuge in my relationship with GOD. Have issues in your life come up that were beyond your control or ability to deal with? To whom did you turn for a solution. Keep in mind that Spirit-born Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:14-17 and 26-30:

¹⁴ For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba,^[i] Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. (Skip to verses 26-30)

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us^[j] with inexpressible groanings. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ We know that all things (GOD is in all things. Things do not have a mind or direction but GOD does) work together^[k] for the good^[l] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

When were you called? Let’s read Ephesians 1:4-5 -  ⁴ For he (GOD) chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons (or daughters) through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

The Believer’s Triumph (Back to Romans 8:31-33)

³¹ What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? ³³ Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.

Circumstances in life either bring us closer to GOD through faith in JESUS or they become barriers for discovering truth. Have you discovered the truth that rests in placing your faith in JESUS? If not, why not? Today is the day of salvation.

David continued with words and statements he had found to be true in his relationship with GOD/The ONE TRUE GOD/Yahweh.

David’s next statement is very interesting:

” let me never be disgraced.
Save me by your righteousness.”

In essence, David was saying, “LORD, my confidence in YOU is solid and I trust YOU, because YOU are righteous. Help me to never disgrace YOU by my actions of unbelief.” That is “I ask YOU to save me from myself when I face circumstances that may cause me to doubt that YOU are in control of all matters.”

David continued, “² Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mountain fortress to save me.”

This statement connotes a sense of urgency. In essence, “I am in a dire situation and I need YOU to come to my aid immediately. The only way out of the situation I am in, is for YOU to “be my refuge and fortress.” I ask YOU to be my rock and shield.

David had escaped danger in the past from those who were trying to kill him by taking safety and protection in the mountainous/rocky terrain. David was expressing his confidence in GOD based upon his past experience that GOD had provided protection for him. This confidence is based upon experiencing and trusting GOD to deliver him.

David asked GOD for HIS help quickly. David revealed his faith in GOD by asking GOD to come to his aide because he had done all he could. He was fully confident GOD would rescue him. That is having a personal, trusting relationship with GOD.

As GOD’S Children, do we have that same confidence in GOD to come to our aide when we need it. Why not? How much faith does it take? JESUS taught in Matthew 17:20 - ²⁰ “Because of your little faith,” he^[j] told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of ^[k] a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”^[l]

It is a matter of faith. Satan blinds Christians concerning the power of GOD. All a Christian needs is faith in GOD the “size of a mustard seed” for HIM to respond to our request. Faith is built upon being in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

In the Old Testament, GOD accrued the faith of the patriarchs as “righteousness.”

Since the passion of JESUS, GOD declared faith in JESUS as righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21 – copied on page 6.)

Let’s read Psalm 31:3-4:

³ For you are my rock and my fortress;
you lead and guide me
for your name’s sake.
⁴ You will free me from the net
that is secretly set for me,
for you are my refuge.

David’s faith and trust were completely in GOD/Yahweh our covenant GOD. The all-seeing and all-knowing GOD in Whom we place our faith through faith in JESUS. GOD knows where all the snares and secret traps are set for each of HIS Children. We must be in the right relationship with HIM and respond as the Holy Spirit leads and guides us through life.

David’s statement of faith -----

Let’s read Psalm 31:5-8:

⁵ Into your hand I entrust my spirit;
you have redeemed me,^[a] Lord, God of truth.

⁶ I^[b] hate those who are devoted to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
⁷ I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love
because you have seen my affliction.
You know the troubles of my soul
⁸ and have not handed me over to the enemy.
You have set my feet in a spacious place.

David had complete faith in GOD. What did that mean to David?

Genesis 15:6

Abram believed the Lord, and he (GOD) credited it to him as righteousness.

As you recall in Romans 3:22

The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

Consider 2 Corinthians 5:21:

²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we (Spirit-born Christians) might become the righteousness of God.

Only GOD can declare a person righteous. GOD establishes the criteria.

One thing certain and two-things sure, faith in JESUS and HIS atonement for our sins through HIS shed blood triggers the miracle of Spiritual birth. Our birth, as a human, gives each of us the opportunity to make this temporary life into permanent/eternal life through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

David expressed his faith and trust in the One True GOD/Yahweh/his Covenant GOD. It was not that David made GOD but GOD established Himself. GOD reached down and established HIS covenant with the Israelites. The Israelites did not seek GOD, HE sought them and chose them. HE gave them the opportunity to accept HIS offer for HIM to be their GOD or reject the offer. His (David) redemption was not the result of anything David had done but the result of his faith and trust in GOD/Yahweh.

This same covenant GOD/Yahweh sent HIS only SON, JESUS, to earth to live in the flesh and be tempted as all humans are tempted, yet without sin. JESUS had the ability to sin but HE chose not to sin. JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless physical life by the shedding of HIS blood to atone or pay in full for each of our sins. Everyone’s sins are forgiven and washed away when they place their faith in JESUS.  They are declared righteous by GOD/Yahweh and become GOD’S Sons or Daughters by the miracle of Spiritual Birth into GOD’S Family and receive eternal life. WOW! What a gift!

We are living in the sunshine of GOD’S Grace. We do not place our faith in anything but JESUS CHRIST and HIS righteousness. Once we are Spirit-born into GOD’S Family, we will never become Spirit unborn. We belong to GOD eternally. The instant we exit our earth suit/human body, Spirit-born Christians are in the presence of GOD.

Let’s consider the last few verses of Psalm 31:7-8:

⁷ I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love
because you have seen my affliction.
You know the troubles of my soul
⁸ and have not handed me over to the enemy.
You have set my feet in a spacious place.

GOD knows each of us intimately. HE knows the number of hairs we have upon our heads. HE knows the struggles we have encountered in life. HE has stuck with us through our ups and downs. GOD has not condemned us because we have struggled. We have been able to come through our struggles because we have a solid relationship with the One True GOD of the Covenant. The result of these struggles has led us to a freedom that is beyond human understanding because our GOD has removed the shackles of confinement to the freedom found only in a spacious place.

Are you shackled by your past life? If so, step into the glorious freedom found in being GOD’S Child through faith in JESUS. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life. HE gave HIS life for all sinners. If you have asked JESUS into your life some time ago but have not been living for HIM, confess it and return. HE stands and waits with open arms for your return. HE is waiting just for you. Come home, now!

If you have never asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life, now is that opportunity. HE chose you before the foundations of the world. It is your opportunity to choose HIM as your Savior. Once HE is your Savior, make HIM the LORD of your life!

Blessings!!!