GOING AN EXTRA MILE IN PRAYER (PSALM 55:1-23)

 

GOING AN EXTRA MILE IN PRAYER

BIBLE PASSAGE: PSALMS 55:1-23

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

Lesson ideas taken from: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-55

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

PSALMS 55:22

 

INTRODUCTION:

We know that prayer is important in our Christian lives but sometimes or most of the times Christians neglect prayer especially if their lives are smooth sailing and no major struggles. We feel that things seem okay and whether accept it or not, there’s a little self-dependence in us especially if we are good in every aspect of our lives: yourself, family, church and career/work. Then when troubles strike us, our self-dependence burst into pieces and results to a realization that there’s ultimate power we can call. When it’s beyond our control, we bend our knees to prayer. Then the sweetness of prayer flows in our spirit and make us humble unto the Lord. We are so thankful to the Lord for CBT because it urges us to pray. We have one month “Prayer and Devotion,” Dawn Watch, one-week prayer meeting and events prayer time.  

 

Let me ask this question, honestly how many times in a day we talk God in prayer? In Psalms 55:17 says, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”  In your opinion, what led David to pray three times a day? 

 

Colossians 4:12 says, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

We can see from this verse that prayer needs labor.  Personally, you can notice by yourselves that your flesh doesn’t want you to pray. Your flesh would say after a day work, “Come on, you’re tired; it’s time to lean your back on your soft bed to regain strength for tomorrow.” Is this reality? Yes, it happens and that’s why need to “GO AN EXTRA MILE IN PRAYER.” What does this mean? Going an extra mile means: to make an effort, try very hard to achieve something, to do more than expected or to make special efforts.  Why we need to go an extra mile in prayer?

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  BECAUSE OF FEAR (PSALMS 55:1-8)

Life in this world is uncertain and because of this all people have fears. Fears for the future, the life of your kids, the struggles you might face, your health on this pandemic time and many more.

David describes his trouble, misery in oppression. In his prayer verses 1-3:

a)   Hide not Thyself from my supplication.  We sense in David’s prayer that he felt God was distant, as if He were hiding from him. He asked God to attend to me and hear me (verse 2).

Have we felt the same way with David? Are there times we feel God is distant and when we can’t see Him working?  These times can last for a day or for a season, and one of the biggest challenges we face during these times is Satan lying to us. He whispers things like: “Don’t waste your time praying.  God’s not listening.” “God’s forgotten about you and your situation.” “God isn’t working.  He’s left you on your own.”

No matter how long these times last, it’s absolutely crucial that we keep our minds focused on truth so that we don’t easily fall for Satan’s lies. There are many promises in the Bible refute these thoughts in our mind, just fill our minds with God’s Words. Remember the choir we sang last Sunday titled, “When Heaven is Silent.” When heaven is silent, your faintest prayer is heard. When heaven seems distant, the Father hears each word. When God turns His face. He’s leaning close to hear your prayer.  Be still and know He’s there!
 

b)   I mourn in my complaint and make a noise

At the beginning of this psalm, David had a little peace. He was restless, complaining and moaning; and his moans were noisy. He needed help from God. Have you come to a point in your life wherein you feel that your struggles are unbearable; they’re like above your head. Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10;13; there has no problems taken us above that we are able.  Charles Spurgeon says, “What a comfort we may be thus familiar with our God! WE may not complain of Him, but we may complain to Him.

c)    They cast iniquity upon me

At the beginning of this psalm, David had a little peace. He was restless, complaining and moaning; and

In verses 4-8, David was worried and uncertain. He had found that the so-called friends have been plotting against him. Remember Ahitophel? He was a trusted friend of David and yet betrayed him and conspired to Absalom, his son (2 Samuel 15:12, 2 Samuel 15:31, 2 Samuel 17:1-3). His own son and a friend treacherously aimed at his downfall. He knew not which way to turn. Have you felt at times where you don’t know where to turn to?

Overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. David fears that death is upon him (verses 4-5). He wishes that he could escape from it all. He would like to fly away like a bird, so that he could find a quiet place where he could shelter from the storm (verses 6-8). We can see how helpless David was, his reaction was “escape.” Sometimes one of the reactions of Christians in facing troubles is escape. To find a quiet place is better but we need to face the reality and face the problem with humbleness and faith in God for guidance.

2.  WE HAVE ENEMIES TO BATTLE WITH (PSALMS 55:9-15)

From the repeated reference to the speech of his enemies (verses 3, 9, 11, and 12), we sense this was some kind of whispering attack on David that was serious enough to endanger his life. Here he prayed that God would divide those who spoke evil against him. I have seen violence and strife in the city: The attacks against David may have begun with words but did not end with them. People walked the city day and night causing trouble for David. The crisis at hand was not merely a problem for David, but for God’s people in general. Destruction is in its midst; oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets: The instability and intrigue made the whole city unsafe.

In verses 12-14 is a reflection on the bitterness of a friend’s betrayal. In verse 15, David is asking to take vengeance. Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell: This remarkably strong statement from David shows how dangerous the man was to the peace of God’s people and how deeply he had wounded David. It was a strong prayer, but it was a prayer that left vengeance to God, and David refused to take vengeance himself.

Remember the country of Afghanistan, the Afghans always experience a battle. Have we tried to put ourselves on their shoes? Life at war is hard, no peace but unknowingly for some in spiritual aspect, we are on the battle too. Christians don’t see the importance of prayer because they don’t see that they are at war or possible they’re already retreated.  In a battle, prayer is a sign of dependence on God because we can’t do it by yourselves.

3.  TO FIND REST IN GOD (PSALM 55:16-23)

A)   CONFIDENCE ON GOD DESPITE THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY (16-19)

¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. ¹⁷ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. ¹⁸ He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. ¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

 

As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me: David abruptly switched from praying for destruction to declaring calm confidence in God. It’s a further indication that he was able to leave his crisis – and his enemies – in the hands of the LORD, who would save him.

Evening and morning and at noon will I pray: David’s confidence in God was rooted in sincere dependence on God, demonstrated by constant prayer. Together all this gave David the confidence in God to say, He shall hear my voice.

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: David felt that his soul had been rescued (bought out, redeemed) from turmoil and crisis and into peace. The battle continued (there were still many against him), but his soul was in peace.

God shall hear, and afflict them, even He that abideth of old: David was confident that the eternal God would answer His prayer.

B)    THE TREACHERY OF DAVID’S ENEMY (20-21)

²⁰ He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

²¹ The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him; he has broken his covenant: David’s unnamed enemy was also treacherous, breaking peaceful relationships and breaking agreements with others.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: Using repetition and vivid images, David showed how dishonorable his unnamed enemy was. In contrast we see how honorable David was in not specifically naming the man.

C)   CONFIDENTLY LEAVING THE MATTER IN GOD’S HANDS (22-23)

²² Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

²³ But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

a.    Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you: There are few greater burdens to bear than a one-time friend who becomes a treacherous and dangerous enemy. David knew that even this was a burden that God could and should bear.

b.    He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved: David had hope and confidence because he was persuaded that his fate did not rest in the hands of treacherous men. God was still Lord over all, and God had the final word on whether the righteous would be moved or not.

c.    You, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: The faithful God would not only help and establish the righteous, He would also bring down those bloodthirsty and deceitful men who caused so much trouble among God’s people.

d. But I will trust in You: The psalm appropriately ended with David’s focus upon God, not his enemies. He would trust in Him and not be disappointed.

CONCLUSION:

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. PSALMS 55:22

This prayer of David came in the midst of his very real and serious troubles. His anguish came from a close friend who betrayed him. David’s recourse was prayer, not revenge; he left that to God. He trusted God, knowing his prayer would be heard, knowing his God saves and redeems those who humbly turn to Him. They would not be moved or cast down to destruction as the evil ones would be.

Peter quoted this verse within 1 Peter 3:6-11 to encourage believers to cast their anxieties on God and trust Him because He cares for them. God promises to sustain His children in the midst of the burdens of life. Christ bore our biggest burden, our sin, on the cross already. He is more than able to handle the burdens and troubles we face every day.