We continue our series examining Biblical records contrasting sin and the consequences of sin with two words: But God. Our Creator is love and He concerns Himself with the welfare of His creation. Jesus told us that our Heavenly Father feeds the birds; clothes the lilies of the fields; and numbers the hairs on each of our heads, even though the number changes daily.

You and I live in a fallen creation, Sin and death have entered the world, which is no longer perfect and not even good. Yet, a holy God chooses to concern Himself with you and me. The Bible records many situations where God intervenes.

Some of the records we examined include:

God intervenes in the lives of Joseph and his brothers

God intervenes in the life of Joseph

God intervenes in the life of Jonah

God intervenes in the life of David

God intervenes in the lives of you and me

God intervenes for success

God intervenes against the spirit of the world

Why does God intervene?

God intervenes to defeat death

God intervenes with Jesus

In this session we look at David’s call for God to intervene.

Psalm 86:¹⁴ O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. ¹⁵But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. ¹⁶O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. ¹⁷Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Notice the problem

the proud are risen against me

the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul

they have not set thee before them

Have you faced similar circumstances?

Do you remember some recorded times in David’s life when these were his circumstances?

What difference does it make when enemies do not set God before themselves?

Notice on Whom David calls

¹⁵But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Compassion = a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering

Grace = God giving what you and I do not deserve

Longsuffering = enduring provocation long and patiently

Mercy = God not giving what you and I deserve

Truth = indisputable fact

This Biblical reference is different than the other records we examined. This record shows an actual call for God to intervene in sinful circumstances.

Were there times you called on God to intervene in your circumstances?

How often do you call on God to intervene in your circumstances?

What is David’s request?

¹⁶O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thine handmaid

Turn = to cause to move around for a purpose

Mercy = God not giving what you and I deserve

Strength =quality or state of being strong: bodily, mentally, morally

Saving =rescue and preservation

Notice David identifies his relationship with God

¹⁶give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thine handmaid

Servant = person in the service of another

Why do you think David referred to himself this way?

What lessons do you learn in this session?

What difference will this record make in your life?

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed  and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti