Scripture Reading: Psalm 5:1-3

Trusting God with Our Lives

(Psalm 5)

Intro.

1. We are taught to cast our care upon God, 1 Pet. 5:6-7.

2. Yet, how do we do that? (Context of 1 Pet. 5:7 gives us answers.)

3. Our willingness and ability to do reflects our relationship with God.

4. Psalm 5 in an example of a man of faith (David) who trusted God in the face of fierce enemies. He teaches us to do the same with our lives.

I. A MORNING PRAYER, Psa. 5:1-3.

A. Remember that God Hears and Answers Your Prayers, 5:1.

1. Hear my words, cf. Psa. 4:1.

2. Consider my meditations (ponderings, whispers) , cf. Rom. 8:26.

-"We should begin to pray before we kneel down, and we should not cease when we rise up." (Spurgeon, Treasury of David on Psa. 5:1)

B. Pray all the Time! Psa. 55:17 (Lk. 6:12)

1. Morning (Mk. 1:35), daytime (Lk. 4:42) and evening (Acts 3:1).

2. Make a deliberate commitment to prayer, 5:3 (Lk. 18:1, 8).

II. REMEMBER GOD'S WARNING TO THE WICKED, Psa. 5:4-6.

A. Trust God's Moral Clarity.

1. Possessing a clear understanding that evil is reprehensible to God helps keep us living moral lives and trusting God will avenge His people, 5:5-6.

2. Whether we or others, "workers of iniquity" will not stand before God (be approved, succeed)! Psa. 1:5

a. Light has no fellowship with darkness (2 Cor. 6:14).

b. The wicked can expect no help from God!

B. This Gives us Confidence When we Pray to God, 2 Ths. 1:4-7.

1. God hears the cries of the righteous when evil surrounds them, cf. Moses and Israel at the Red Sea, Exo. 14:10, 15, 30 (Jas. 5:4).

2. Compels us to live righteously in order to be heard by God, Jno. 9:31; 1 Pet. 3:10-12.

III. FIND RENEWAL IN WORSHIP, Psa. 5:7-8.

A. God's Mercy Enables and Provides Our Worship God, 5:7.

1. Worship is a moment of mercy and a time of praise, cf. Jno. 4:23.

2. God's mercy moves us to worship! Matt. 14:33 (Heb. 10:19-25)

B. Fear of God Motivates True Worship, 5:7 (Matt. 15:7-9).

1. His name (power) is holy and reverend, Psa. 111:9-10.

2. This is why you should worship - today and always!

C. Depend on God's Way of Righteousness, 5:8.

1. Our enemies do not; this is their undoing! Rom. 8:31-37 (Rev. 17:14)

2. Results in continuous praise of God, Psa. 119:164.

3. David prayed for a "straight" way, cf. Psa. 25:4-5; 27:11.

-God's commands - the way of righteousness, Psa. 119:172-173.

IV. GOD'S DENUNCIATION OF WOE ON THE WICKED, Psa. 5:9-10.

A. God in Justice Pronounces Guilt and Punishment. (Rom. 2:6-11)

B. Give Place to the Wrath of God, Rom. 12:17-21.

1. Don't be anxious if it appears the wicked prosper; it will not be so in the end, Psa. 73:1-3 (4-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-28).

2. Repay evil with good, Rom. 12:20-21; cf. Matt. 5:38-42.

3. Don't retaliate; trust the Lord to repay evil (justice); You remain pure! This is how we trust the Lord! 1 Tim. 6:11

V. ANTICIPATE THE BLESSINGS AND FAVORS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, Psa. 5:11-12.

A. Burdens are Lifted at Calvary.

1. Rejoice in the victory of faith over sin's pain and death at the cross, Psa. 5:11; Jno. 16:22, 33.

2. Be joyful in God's protection, Psa. 5:11; Rom. 8:38-39.

B. God will Bless the Righteous, 5:12.

1. With protection from present trials and temptations, Phil. 4:6-7.

2. Anticipation of future blessings, cf. Jas. 5:7-8, 11.

3. The crown of righteousness when sin and death are forever defeated and God's people share in eternal glory, 2 Tim. 4:7-8; Col. 3:4.

Conclusion

1. David's central request in Psalm 5: Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies, make Your way straight before my face. (5:8)

2. Walk the straight path of God and cast all your care upon Him (1 Pet. 5:7).

3. He will carry your anxieties, protecting you from spiritual danger and bringing you home to glory.