Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb19960225.htm

PSALMS: DIARIES OF GODLY OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS
Psalm Seventeen: Overcoming Formidable Confrontations By Wealthy, Influential Oppressors
(Psalm 17:1-15)
  1. Introduction
    1. One's quality of life in this world is often unfortunately influenced by the financial means or political influence in this life that he exerts. That makes for inequalities as uprigh t people who may not be politically influential or wealthy often live more difficult lives.
    2. Of particular burden to the godly is oppression by a godless party that has the political clout and financial accumulation to do him much harm through unfair legal maneuvers! How does one handle that problem?
    3. Psalm 17:1-15 presents this challenge and its solution for the upright as follows:
  2. Overcoming Formidable Confrontations By Wealthy, Influential Oppressors, Psalm 17:1-15.
    1. David expressed an ardent prayer for deliverance from a difficulty in Ps. 17:1.
    2. The deliverance he wished was divine deliverance from oppression by a wicked party, for David requested vindication from an injustice, Ps. 17:2.
    3. The oppression David faced came from enemies who were wealthy and influential, Ps. 17:9-14:
      1. The oppressors were dealing out violence toward David, Ps. 17:9a.
      2. Additionally, they were wealthy so that they had the clout to do trouble for him by bringing forces in society to bear against him, Ps. 17:14.
    4. They were convening together to surround David and make escape from their plans to harm him impossible, something capable wealthy, politically influential people can achieve, Ps. 17:9b,11.
    5. These opponents were insensitive to David's needs, and they were dangerously arrogant, v. 10.
    6. In order to gain God's help and quiet his soul, David laid out some facts before the Lord that instruct those of us who face the same kind of formidable opposition as follows:
      1. Item One - David pleaded his case before the Lord with a clear conscience, Ps. 17:1b,3-6.
        1. He claimed that he was praying unto the Lord with lips that were honest and upright, 17:1b.
        2. He claimed that God would not find any wrong in his heart were He to examine it, 17:3.
        3. David claimed that his lifestyle was above reproach as well, Ps. 17:4-5.
        4. Accordingly, he was confident that God would hear his prayer as it came from an upright person, 6.
      2. Item Two - David wanted God to help him as God helped those who sought Him as their refuge, 17:7-9
      3. Item Three - David called upon God to be the EQUALIZER, taking out his wealthy, influential oppressors as the infinitely wealthy, powerful GOD!
        1. The last part of verse 7 better translates: "You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge in You from those who raise themselves up against them." This verb translated "raise up" is the same verbal used in verse 13a where David asks God to "Rise up...confront them (David's wicked, wealthy and influential oppressors)"! In other words, David seeks to offset his powerfully wealthy and influential foes with God Who is powerful and influential unlike David!
        2. Additionally, David noted that God provided earthly provisions and their influence to the Godly as a reward in his era, verse 14. Thus God had the capacity to equalize the threat from the opponents!
    7. David thus became stilled and confident that he would enjoy blessing of God's fellowship when he awoke the next morning with God's blessing in this matter, Ps. 17:15.
Lesson: Though opposition from wealthy and hence, politically and legally formidable opponents can be humanly frightening, the way for deliverance is to see GOD who is MORE formidable than the opposition set against the opposition. However, for THAT to happen, one must be RIGHTEOUS! Accordingly, to face wicked, wealthy, formidable opponents, (1) get right with God FIRST, (2) then pray for His assistance in faith that God will protect those who are upright and trust in Him, and (3) relax in His character that will come through to the rescue.

Application: The believer is not to do his own fighting in life against opponents who are greater and more influential and powerful than he is -- the battle in such cases is the LORD'S, cf. 2 Chr. 20:15. Take all such overwhelming chall enges to the LORD for a resolution!