GOD HEARS AND HELPS (Part 2)
Psalm 116 is a Psalm of thanksgiving. It begins with David’s expression of his love for God, both for what He is and for what He has done for him. David had been in acute distress and danger that had almost driven him to despair. In his extremity, he had humbly and earnestly cried to the Lord for help. The result was that God heard him and delivered him from his despair and misery. He resolves that thereafter he will do his utmost to please the God whom he loved and who had heard and helped him when he was in a desperate situation. We have seen that the Psalm opens with a confession of love for God (vs. 1). He then lists the reasons for this love, followed by his resolve to express that love in godly living.
SEVEN REASONS FOR DAVID’S LOVE FOR THE LORD:
· God heard him when he was in a desperate situation (vss. 1,2)
· God helped him (vs. 6)
· God had dealt bountifully with him (vss. 7,12)
· God had delivered his soul from death (vs. 8)
· God had delivered his eyes from tears (vs. 8)
· God had delivered his feet from falling (vs. 8)
· God had loosed his bonds (vs. 16)
SEVEN RESPONSES FROM DAVID TO GOD’S MERCIES
· He loved the Lord and would continue to do so (vs. 1)
· I WILL call upon Him as long as I live (vss. 2,13,17)
meaning to pray, to praise God, to thank Him and to worship Him.
· I WILL walk before the Lord (vs. 9), meaning to obey Him, to enjoy
His presence and approval, to be open and honest before Him.
· I WILL take the cup of salvation (vs. 13), meaning to enjoy God’s
friendship, forgiveness and favour. If God should ask David to drink
a bitter cup, he will accept it, knowing that God has his best interests
at heart, whatever it might involve.
· I WILL pay my vows (vss. 14,18), meaning he will be scrupulous in
keeping promises made to God, and do so publicly (see Psalm 66:13,14,
Ecclesiastes 5:4,5)
· I am your servant (vs. 16), meaning he will serve the Lord in whatever
capacity He chooses.
· I WILL offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving (vs. 17), meaning that
he will maintain a grateful spirit for all the Lord has done for him.
Surely this Psalm should encourage us all to recall God’s unspeakable kindness and love to us. We, who deserved nothing from Him, have been loaded with benefits (Psalm 68:19). He loved us before we knew Him; even when we ignored Him (1 John 4:10). It is good for us to ponder these things and, like David, to love Him and thank Him constantly (Psalm 34:1) and to do our best to please Him in every way.
This article is the second of a two part series that was written by Pastor Geoffrey Davies. He is a frequent contributor to this column. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, where he pastored a church for over twenty-five years. Since 1983 he has travelled widely, continuing his ministry of encouragement and Bible teaching.
