Theme: Who God Is
In this week’s lessons, we are reminded of God’s care for us as we cry out to him in our troubles.
Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7
What did David see when he was in the cave alone? He saw that God was four important things to him and for him. We have already covered the first thing in yesterday’s study, that of a refuge. Let’s look at the next three points.
2. God is my portion (v. 5). When Abraham was returning from battle against the kings of the east who had captured Sodom and carried off Lot, his nephew, he was met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem who was a priest of the Most High God. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils of the battle, and then returned the people who had been captured as well as all the rest of the spoils to the king of Sodom, who had been defeated earlier. At this point Abraham was again alone. He had gained nothing from the battle. Even more, he was in danger of a possible retaliatory attack from the powerful kings he had defeated. Not an enviable position to be in! But God appeared to him in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Gen. 15:1). God was promising to be his shield against enemies and a far greater reward than the spoils of any battle.
Are you aware that the person who possesses God is richer than even the wealthiest of this world’s rich and famous people? If you do, why do you work so hard for things that will soon pass away? Remember how Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).
3. God is my Savior (v. 6). The third thing David confessed that God was to him was a Savior, a Savior from those who were too strong for him and who were pursuing him. This is not expressed in direct speech as the two previous points were. It is expressed as a prayer or plea for help (“rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me”). Still it is an expression of faith that God will indeed be his Savior.
So I ask you, Is God your Savior? You need a Savior from sin and its destruction; you need a Savior from Satan and his wiles; you need a Savior from the world and its enticements; you need a Savior from yourself. If God is not your Savior, you will be defeated by each and all of these great enemies, and you will perish in your sins. If you have God for your Savior, you will triumph over them.
4. God is my liberator (v. 7). Finally, David speaks of God as his liberator, asking, “Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name” (v. 7). This is a step beyond mere rescue. David needed to be rescued, but more than that, he wanted to be free to leave the cave that seemed to be his prison so that he might serve God and praise him.
Study Questions:
Read Genesis 14 and 15 for a thorough understanding of what is going on at this point in Abraham’s life. What does God promise, and what does he do in response to his promise? What application does this have for us?
How is God a Savior? What do we need to be saved from?
Reflection: List areas of growth you have observed in your Christian life, and praise God for the working of his Holy Spirit within you.
