[Adult Search The Scriptures: Vol 74_Study 952: 07062020]
TOPIC: PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE
MEMORY VERSE: “Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’
sake” (Psalm 6:4).
TEXT: Psalms 3:1-8; 4:1-8; 5:1-12; 6:1-10; 7:1-17
The Psalms are Spirit-inspired praises and prayers, written to express deep emotions of the human heart in relation to God. Many of the Psalms express trust, love, adoration, thanksgiving, praise, devotion, discouragement, distress, fear, anxiety, humiliation and cry for deliverance, healing, vindication and longing for fellowship with God. The chapters under consideration belong to the Psalms that express distress and supplication to God for deliverance. “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me
when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer” (Psalm 4:1). God enjoins His people to call upon Him in times of trouble and need; He assures us of His intervention according to His divine purpose (Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 91:15; Jeremiah 29:12-14). In these passages, we observed: one, the crises of life (Psalms 3:1,2; 4:2,6; 6:7); two, cry for
deliverance (Psalms 3:4,7; 4:1,6; 5:1-3,8-11; 6:1-6,10; 7:1,2,6,7,9); three, confidence in God’s faithfulness (Psalms 3:3,5,6,8; 4:3; 5:4,6,7,11,12; 6:9; 7:1,10,17); four, consolation of divine intervention (Psalms 3:4,7; 4:7,8; 5:6,11; 6:8,9); five, constancy in righteousness (Psalms 4:4,5; 5:4,5,8,11; 7:3-5,8); six, calamities of the wicked (Psalm 7:9,11-16); and seven, conquest expressed
through praises (Psalms 5:11; 7:17).
Question 1: How do the Psalms express deep emotions of the human heart in relation to God?
CONFIDENCE IN GOD DURING CRISIS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANSWER TO PRAYERS
(Psalms 3:1-8; 4:1-8; 34:19; 2 Timothy 2:19; Proverbs 15:29; John 9:31; Hebrews 10:22;1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 3:21,22) Life is often characterised with challenges of varied forms and degrees at one point or the
other. Psalm three presents us with the prayer of David when he was running from Absalom his son. In the midst of deep anguish and sorrow resulting from enemies that surrounded him and a sense of helplessness, he trusted in God and cried to Him. He found consolation in the Almighty as his shield. “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalms 3:5,6; 4:8).
Believers who earnestly call upon God and constantly trust in His faithfulness can always sleep peacefully with confidence that He is in control of whatever situation they are going through. Committing our lives to God as our Provider and Defender enables us to rise above the troubles of life.
Question 2: What should be the believer’s attitude in times of crisis?
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer” (Psalm 4:1). This Psalm reveals the kind of person who God will hear in times of trouble: “O God of my righteousness…” Such a person must have established a personal relationship with Him and been made righteous through repentance from sin and faith in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. Thereafter, he or she maintains a godly lifestyle of holiness and righteousness. When we faithfully devote ourselves to God, He will set us apart as His treasured possession. He will show His care and affection as we call upon Him in times of need. “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD” (Psalm 4:3-5). If our prayer must receive heaven’s attention, there must be repentance, righteousness and
faith in God.
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Question 3: Mention the conditions for answers to our prayers.
COMMITMENT TO EFFECTIVE AND IMPORTUNATE PRAYER
(Psalms 5:1-9; 88:13; 119:147; 55:16,17;
Genesis 32:26; Deuteronomy 4:29; Luke 11:1-10; 18:1-8)
“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:1-3). David, like Jacob,
was determined to seek God with all his heart until he receives answers to his prayers. His importunity was demonstrated in his attitude. Firstly, he was persistent with confidence that God would hear his voice. Secondly, he made prayer a habit. He said, “…My voice shalt thou hear in the
morning”. Quiet time and devotion must form part of our daily lifestyle as believers if we are going to be victorious Christians. Experience has shown that early morning hours is the best time to have
fellowship with God. It enables us to consult God and depend on Him for the activities and battles of the day. Each new morning calls for a renewed dedication of our lives to the Lord, fellowship with Him and feeding on His word for divine strength and grace for the challenges of the day.
Thirdly, the psalmist looked up in faith and expectation for answers to his prayers: “…in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up”. When we pray, we should trust God for answers. If we trust Him, we will not fret or worry any longer. Instead, we will relax in confidence that He is able to handle the situation.
“Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. …the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue” (Psalm 5:5,6,9). Evil does not exist in abstract; there are people who perpetrate it. God abhors evil and sinners who reject His offer of forgiveness through Christ will inevitably incur His wrath (Isaiah 1:15-20).
“God judgeth the righteous, and God
is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). Sin hinders prayers! The psalmist gave the periods of fellowship in God’s temple a priority in his life. “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple” (Psalm 5:7). As an
evidence of our trust in God and devotion to Him, we must be regular and punctual in the fellowship of God’s people (Hebrews 10:25; Psalm 122:1).
Question 4: What should be the believer’s attitude in prayer?
CRY FOR DIVINE VINDICATION AND THANKSGIVING AFTER DELIVERANCE (Psalms 5:10-12; 6:1-10; 7:1-17; Luke 23:34; Romans 12:17-21; Jeremiah 9:24; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:12,13; Acts 16:25; Philippians 4:6)
Four elements are conspicuous in the psalmist’s prayer for God’s vindication, namely: justice, penitence, deliverance and praise. One, justice: “Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled
against thee” (Psalm 5:10). This is called an imprecatory Psalm, meaning that the psalmist prayed that God would bring judgment upon the enemies of His people and overthrow the wicked ones. These imprecatory Psalms focused on prayers for deliverance from injustice, crime and
oppression. Jesus enjoins believers to pray for God’s protection and deliverance from evil (Matthew 6:13). The psalmist did not take vengeance into his own hands but appealed to God to administer justice for the oppressed. If justice and retribution is not undertaken by God or human government, violence and chaos will reign in the society. Truth arbour the certainty of divine judgment upon the wicked when their iniquity reaches its fullness is also underscored in these Psalms. The ultimate goal is to see injustice and cruelty come to an end, evil destroyed, Satan defeated, godliness exalted, righteousness established and the kingdom of God realised.
Jesus made reference to a widow whose plea to the judge is, “Avenge me of mine adversary” (Luke 18:3) in her quest for justice. We must earnestly pray for the salvation of the lost and weep for those who reject the gospel. At the same time, we must pray that the forces of evil against righteousness be subdued so that the gospel can thrive and righteousness established (Revelation 6:10). True believers do not seek to retaliate or implore God to destroy their adversaries. Vengeance belongs to God.
Question 5: What are the principles that should guide believers’ prayer for divine vindication?
Two, penitence: “O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot
displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me
for thy mercies’ sake” (Psalm 6:1-4). This is a penitential Psalm, that is, a Psalm of sorrow for sin. The Holy Spirit inspired this prayer to give encouragement to those who are suffering God’s chastisement to humble themselves and seek His pardon and healing. While suffering from divine chastisement, the psalmist had lost his sense of God’s presence and inner peace. In his grief, he pleaded for mercy lest he
dies in the precarious state. Though the penitent is concerned about the healing of his body, his primary concern should be the healing of his soul and restoration of the presence and favour of God (Psalm 51:1,2,8-12). Divine chastisement or church discipline is not always a pleasant experience. Those being chastised need not despair but humble themselves, pray with penitence and patiently wait on God in faith. In His own time, God will hear their supplication and receive them. Three, deliverance: “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that
persecute me, and deliver me: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver” (Psalm 7:1,2). This Psalm serves as a model for all who are unjustly treated, falsely accused
or attacked by those who despise them, especially our archenemy, the devil (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:12,13). Believers are the special objects of Satan’s enmity and evil purpose. We must therefore pray always that God will deliver us from the evil schemes of the wicked (Matthew 6:13) and expect His help and deliverance. “…Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine
integrity that is in me” (Psalm 7:8). Such a claim is not self-righteousness if it is spoken from a pure heart (Isaiah 38:1-5). With clear conscience, integrity, uprightness of heart and right standing with God, the believer can appeal to God with confidence and always expect an answer (1 Samuel 12:1-5; Acts 24:16).
Four, praise: “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high” (Psalm 7:17). The psalmist concludes his prayers with praises to God as
indication of faith and hope that God has answered his prayers. It is important that after making our petitions and requests to God in whatever circumstances, we should praise and worship Him in anticipation for the manifestation of answers to our prayers (Acts 16:25; Philippians 4:6).
Question 6: Highlight the elements in the psalmist’s prayer for divine vindication.
God is always ready to deliver from sin, self, the flesh, fear, worldliness, affliction and trouble of any kind. He says, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me... I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of
the terrible” (Psalms 50:15; Jeremiah 15:21). The testimonies of deliverance in Scripture and contemporary times should embolden us to seek the unchangeable and omnipotent God for liberation. Paul said, He “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver... will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10). Everyone who seeks God for deliverance must do so with personal
conviction and affirmation of faith in the faithfulness of God that, “the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18).
GHS: 167, 253 & 162
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