Rescue!

Pray Psalm 18:1-24 (We'll pray the second half of the psalm tomorrow)

David proclaims God's great rescue. He has been rescued from Saul. He has been saved from his many enemies. God is his Rock and Refuge! This psalm is nearly identical with the song of praise he sings in 2 Samuel 22 at the end of his life. What an excellent song and important words to be among his last (recorded) words.

What an example for us. Luther makes the point, "Everyone needs to keep this psalm as an example of how we should thank God for His help when He delivers us out of our troubles." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH).

What excellent words David gives us with which we can praise our Lord: rock, refuge, shield, salvation, deliverer, strength, and more! And ultimately, we know we are saved from the worst enemies sin, death, and the devil, by our Victorious King, the Son of David, Jesus Christ. Another one of my favorite hymns (I have a lot!) "Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted" borrows David's language from verse 2 to call our Christ, who is on the cross, our Rock of Salvation:

Here we have a firm foundation, Here the refuge of the lost:

Christ, the Rock of our salvation, Is the name of which we boast;

Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt!

None shall ever be confounded Who on Him their hope have built.

(LSB 451:4, Public Domain)

Read Genesis 19

We have heard David praise God for deliverance, and our soul has rejoiced with him. Now we see God deliver Lot.

The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was great, and God sent the angels to destroy the cities. But in the midst of all the wickedness, doom, and destruction of this chapter, notice the mercy of God. Even when Lot and his family were delaying too long, the angels "seized" them and forced them outside the city. This was done specifically because God is "merciful" (see verse 16).

Now what was the wickedness of the cities? Well, there were numerous offenses before God. Some conservative Christians only mention the homosexuality. Though that was one of the prevalent sins, there were more. Jeremiah 23:14 says that Israel was becoming "like Sodom" before the Lord, in its idolatry and adultery (and the Bible includes in "adultery" all extra-marital sexual relations). Ezekiel 16:49 mentions that Sodom had excess food and prosperity but did not aid the poor and needy. Isaiah 3:9 speaks of Sodom also being proud of its sin and wickedness.

Are we surprised that God, who has drowned the wicked in the flood, would also burn up the wicked with fire and brimstone? We should not be. Rather, we should be encouraged to turn away from the sin that seeks to get a foothold in our lives and drag us down to hell.

We could talk about many of the details of this chapter, but I think the main points are these:

1) Turn from sin! It is a serious offense to God to go against his commands. Look at the judgment that sin earns! Hear the warning. (God warns Israel not to fall into idolatry, lest they fall into the judgment of Sodom, see Dt. 29:23).

2) Some people are proud of wickedness. Woe to them!

3) Some think that hell and God's judgment (which we are called to proclaim without apology) are just bad jokes - jesting. (see verse 14).

4) Do not long for the wickedness of this world, lest you fall under its judgment (Lot's wife - verse 26).

5) Most importantly - there is rescue from God's judgment. Rescue from God by God. Yes, rescue even for sinners. God rescuing, having mercy, and sparing those who believe in him is clearly seen in verses 16, 18-22, and 29). We know that our rescue comes from the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. He suffered the fire and brimstone of God's wrath in the darkness of Good Friday. In agony he was cut off from the Father and suffered the eternal torment of hell for us. Then, when all was paid for, salvation accomplished, and God's wrath appeased, this Jesus, stricken, smitten, and afflicted on the cross, cries out, "It is finished!" It is accomplished. It is completed. It is done. We are rescued! Thanks be to God.

Ask Yourself:

Do I hear the warning? Do I seek with God's help to keep myself sexually pure, to aid the poor and the needy, to fear, love, and trust in God above all things?

Do I rejoice like David when I am rescued from trouble and adversity? It's so easy to forget, or to give only brief praise! What rescue can I thank him for today?

Do I admonish those around me that they might repent of sin and receive forgiveness from Christ?

Pray:

Pray from your heart today. Ask God to purify you, to burn away your sin, and to live holy lives for Him. Ask Him to give you the right words at the right time that God would lead others to repentance and faith through you. Ask Him to be your Rock and Refuge, now and all throughout life, especially at the hour of death.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!