Sunday Night, September 13, 2020 PM

Well as you find your way back to your seats, it's my joy to again invite Josiah, our pastoral intern, to come and preach for us, and it's been a joy working with Josiah these past few months. He's been full-time up here.

He spent a lot of time just one room away from me, so we've really enjoyed our fellowship and our time talking about the Word and talking about pastoring and preaching and so on. So we can praise the Lord.

Got your job back at Kim Ray? Passed the physical? Passed the drug test?

Okay, good.

Good.

So Josiah is back to work. Praise the Lord for that. It's the answer to prayer. But he's going to still continue on with the internship, though at a pace that fits his full-time job. So we praise the Lord for him and keep on praying for him that God will continue his work and his life.

So Josiah, will you come and preach the Word for us?

Well, good evening.

Good evening.

It's good to see everyone again. I'm very thankful to be up here once more and to have the opportunity to spend time with the Word and to study it and to spend time reading it with you all. Tonight we'll be in the book of Psalms, Psalm chapter 5.

Earlier in this book of Scripture, we've seen Psalms like 3 and 4, known as the Morning Hymn and the Evening Hymn. These were Psalms that were written by David during the time of his son's rebellion against him, Absalom, and he was driven out of Jerusalem and on the run.

His son sought his life, and to say the least, these were difficult times for David, difficult trials to go through. Yet we see how David has responded with faith during these trying times, and we know truths about how God sustains his saints and he has a strong confidence for them, even in the dark times.

Now we come to Psalm 5, where we see yet again David confronts evil. The situation is specifically unknown to us because many have made the point this could be shortly after Psalm 4, another morning hymn during the rebellion of Absalom, or this could have been earlier in David's life during Saul's reign.

Whenever this took place, we see that the Holy Spirit uses this psalm to help us understand and give us spiritual wisdom and guidance on what to do when confronted with evil. So let's go to the inspired text and see what wisdom we can gain.

Psalm 5, starting in verse 1. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I will pray. My voice you shall hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning I will direct it to you, and I will look up.

For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood.

The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. But as for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy. In fear of you, I will worship toward your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies.

Make your way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their inward part is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue. Pronounce them guilty, O God.

Let them fall by their own counsels. Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. But let those who rejoice put their trust in you. Let them never shout for joy because you defend them.

Let those also who love your name be joyful in you. For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous with favor. You will surround him as with a shield. Here we have the word of God. Here we have Psalm 5. Would you pray with me?

Father, we thank you for this time. It's been a full week, Lord, with difficulties and blessings, Lord. You have given us salvations throughout this week, Lord, and you've kept us, Lord. And thank you for bringing us back here, Lord, to this building to fellowship together as a church, as part of the body of Christ.

Thank you for the word and the wisdom and guidance it gives in the tough times and in the good times, Father. We pray that as we look at your word, Lord, that we would be humble, that we would accept it as your word and submit ourselves to it.

Thank you again for your word and for Jesus Christ, and it's in his name we pray.

Amen.

When was the last time you were faced with evil? When you knew with utter certainty that the fight was on and you hear the bell ring? Evil was a very potent reality for David that came against him in many times and in many ways.

Though he was blessed indeed in the Lord, he still faced many trials during his lifetime. Such is the situation for every saint of the Lord, being much blessed in him, but still having to contend with evil on a daily basis in this fallen world.

One can ask then, how can the Christian respond? How should we react to evil? For it doesn't take too long for evil to come before us in our nation, in our state, in our churches, in our schools, in our workplaces, and our very homes.

How should we react? Psalm 5 gives us wisdom to know how. When faced with evil, pray. When faced with evil, pray. This is where we find David as he is confronted by sin once more and comes before the Lord.

There are several different aspects to his prayer in Psalm 5, and we'll take a look at the first one here tonight. But I'd like to make clear before we begin, before we jump into the text, that this answer that Psalm 5 gives us when confronted with evil is not an exhaustive answer that the Bible gives us.

It's not that we just pray and that's all we do when faced with evil. The whole of Scripture is good to give us guidance and wisdom to know how to fight properly, how to utilize what we've been given, and how to submit ourselves in every way to the Lord Christ.

We need only look to our example, Jesus Christ, during his ministry on earth and see that when confronted with evil, he addressed it with godly questions, with rightly timed actions and reactions, and by utilizing the Word of God effectively.

But we note as well that he also took time to pray. He also took time to pray. With that in mind, let's see how David prays. The first aspect of his prayer in Psalm 5 is that when he's faced with evil, he prays with a sincere heart.

He prays with a sincere heart. We see this in verses 1 through 3. He sets the stage in this psalm as he begins his prayer with a genuineness of heart and mind. How does one pray with a sincere heart? The first thing he does is he is real with the Lord.

He's real. In verses 1 and 2, we see, Give ear to my words, O Lord. Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry. He offers up the words of his mouth, the meditation of his heart, and the voice of his cry.

He does not start with falsehood or with a half-hearted attitude. He is transparent and open before the Lord. He's being truthful and speaking with the Lord, letting him know what's on his mind, what's on his heart.

David prays with his mouth and with his heart, yet they are both unified in seeking God and for him to hear David's supplication. How good it is for the saints of God to be real in prayer, to not hold fast to lies or distractions during time with the Lord, but to offer up both the words of the mouth and the meditation of the heart.

How good it is to be real in prayer, knowing that we have been saved by Jesus Christ and brought into the kingdom of God through our Lord. We can be real and open, trusting Christ, knowing that even though we still fail, even though we still sin, and oftentimes we don't know how to pray, we can still trust him with ourselves and believe in him, knowing that he is enough for us.

Because of Christ, God hears our prayers as a father hears his children. Our Lord and Savior himself gave us guidance on being real in prayer in the Gospel of Matthew when he said,. And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.

Assuredly, I say to you that they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6, 5 -7. How many times today do we see prayer in action, but that's not real?

That's not sincere? How does that strike us? When faced with evil, pray with a sincere heart. Being real, trust Christ, offer up to the Lord the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart. Being transparent and open before Him.

Casting all of your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5 -7. The next part of David, when he's faced with evil, praying with a sincere heart, he does so being humble. Being humble. You see this in verse 2.

He comes before the Lord, knowing Him to be supreme and sovereign over every aspect of his life. He dresses the Lord as my King and my God. He's not just the creator of David, but He's the sovereign over him.

Here's David, who either at this time was very close to the King of Israel or was himself the King of Israel. He declares that God is the one above all else, the true King. Whether we acknowledge or not that the Lord is sovereign and supreme over every aspect of our lives, this does not change the reality of God's rule.

This does not change it. But as the saints come in prayer, we come humbly, giving glory and honor to the one who is holy. Similar words to David's were spoken by Thomas after he beheld the risen Christ and saw the marks of death on the body, and he said, My Lord and my God.

Here's the true anointed of God in Jesus Christ, the one who the Lord declares, You are my son. Today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.

Psalm 2, 7 through 8. All authority has been given to Christ, who is our Lord, our Savior, our Shepherd, our King, and our God. Those who approach the throne of grace with pride and arrogance will not be heard.

How many times do we see the parable today of Jesus Christ when he said, he gave the comparison between the man who came and said, Thank you, Lord, that I'm not like this man. How many times do we see that, where people like to point to themselves and say, How holy am I?

When faced with evil, pray with a sincere heart, being humble. For God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4, 6. It is Christ who rules over you and all else, even the evil that you face before you.

Let this reality be your comfort and rest in the battle with evil. Next we see that when David is confronted with evil, he prays with a sincere heart, being devoted. See this in verses 2 and 3 when he says, For to you I will pray.

My voice you shall hear in the morning, O Lord. In the morning I will direct it to you, and I will look up. David makes the commitment, I will pray. My voice you shall hear in the morning. Take note of the time, in the morning.

This is emphasized, this is repeated. Before he begins his daily activities, before he addresses the needs before him, he comes before the Lord. Before he responds any further to the evil that he faces, he comes to God.

David also demonstrates devotion by directing his prayer to the Lord. The ESV puts this, I will prepare a sacrifice for you. Indicating to us there is a preparation and a direction of your prayer to the Lord.

There is intent behind it. We see that David, with intent and direction, aims his prayer towards the Lord and offers up his supplication. Prayer is not a mindless act that requires little to no attention.

It is something that has thought behind it, it has devotion behind it. Prayer is a gracious gift, one that should be received with thankfulness and devotion. The saints should come to prayer and make time in their days to speak with the Lord.

Researching this part of Psalm 5, I came across a quote by Charles Spurgeon. Speaking about spending time with the Lord in the morning, he said this, This is the fittest time for intercourse with God.

An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. While the dew is still on the grass, let grace drop upon the soul. Let us give to God the mornings of our days and the morning of our lives. Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.

Devotion should be both the morning star and the evening star. End quote. If we ever lack devotion in our prayers, look to Christ. Remind yourself of the Gospel daily, of who he is and what he has done for you.

Know it is because of him that we can come to the Father. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.

Romans 5, 1 and 2. Also, look to Jesus as our example of being devoted in prayer. For he himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5, 16. How many times as Christians do we go about our days and forget to pray?

When faced with evil, pray with a sincere heart, being devoted. When trials come, do not forsake your time with the Lord. Don't let your focus be lost or be refocused on the trial or evil in front of you.

Keep it on Christ. Remain faithful and devoted. Lastly, and at the very end of verse 3, we see that when faced with evil, David prays with a sincere heart as he awaits an answer. He not only prepares and directs his prayer to the Lord, but he lifts his eyes, and I will look up.

He looks heavenward and waits with anticipation for an answer. What a joy this is to rest in the knowledge that those redeemed in Christ will be heard. They will be heard, and he will answer. Answer not according to our will, to the will of man, but according to his own perfect and good will.

That brings him glory, and that is for our good. In Christ's name we pray. Now, this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we lack anything according to his will, he hears us. Sorry, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

1 John 5, 14. To continue to keep our gaze on our Savior and Lord, we look to him again for our example. Consider the time of the night of his betrayal, when in the garden he separates himself, and he spends time with the Lord.

When faced with a coming evil, one that he knows exactly what will entail, knowing exactly what is in store for him, he prays. He prays with a sincere heart, asking the Father to hear his words, to consider the meditation of his heart, to hear the voice of his cry.

He prays humbly, he is devoted, and he awaits an answer. Listen to Christ's words. May we pray with a sincere heart, awaiting an answer from the Lord, one that is according to his own good will, and not ours.

Oftentimes when evil comes, our response is not to pray, it's not to go to the Lord and be honest with him, to be devoted and to be humble, and to await an answer. We respond in a multitude of ways, but oftentimes we forget to pray.

Let this be part of our response to evil that comes to us. May we meditate upon the examples of David, and upon our example that we have in Jesus Christ, our beloved Savior. When faced with evil, they prayed.

Let us do the same. Would you pray with me? We thank you again for this time. We thank you for the few verses that we've been able to read, but the wisdom and the power behind them, Father. May we in turn, Father, pray when we're faced with evil.

May we be led by your Spirit to know exactly what to do, Father. But may we not neglect spending time with you, time that is sincere. Give us a heart that is sincere, Lord. May we fellowship with you and enjoy you, Father, for you are our Savior and our Lord.

And it's in Christ's name we pray.

Amen.

Let's go ahead and sing the doxology, and then we will be dismissed.

Praise God.