Psalm 30

Rejoicing after the Hardship of Discipline

“God uses hardship and affliction as a means of discipline, a means of training His children, of helping them mature in their Spiritual lives.” John McArthur

Michelangelo was once asked how he could take a solid block of marble and carve from it a beautiful piece of art like his famous statue of David.  He said, “I just chiseled away everything that did not look like David.”

Our Creator wants to form us into the image of Jesus the Son.

“What good will it be to be a man if the whole world is his but he looses himself?” Mark 8:36

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the Gardener.  He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:1-2

C.S. Lewis – “God whispers to us in our pleasures;

                         He speaks to us in our work;

                         He shouts at us in our pain.”

The extreme lows to the ecstatic highs in David’s life and in the lives of the believer.

A Song of Blessing for the House.

          A Thankful heart for God’s answer to prayer.

Vs. 1-3 

A Psalm that is looking back with a grateful heart –

I will praise You – You rescue me - You refused – I cried to You,  You restored. You brought me – You helped me from –

David knew “Who” to focus on –

          He knows “Who” his savior is!

·       Lifted out of the depths – Ps. 71:20; 130:1

·       Drew me – same language used in Ex. 20:16, 19 He drew me up – (out of a deep hole)

Vs. 1b  David knew his enemies will gloat over him

          Ps. 35:19; I Sam. 1:17-20; Ps. 119:25

Vs. 2  He turned to God! 

          Ps. 119:87

          God restored him.

Vs. 3  You reached down for me

          I was headed in the wrong direction

Vs. 4-5  Between 3&4 God has answered David’s prayer

          Is. 61:3; Is. 54:7-8 (David’s sin separated him from God)

Contrast moment with lifetime –

          Weeping is replaced by joy!

Vs. 6  Pride changes relationships.

          David admits: “Nothing” he feel all sufficient – he had made “it” in life.  He is secure in wealth and power, self sufficient, independent of anyone including his Lord.

Vs. 7  Your favor – Ok I was secure

          Then You turned away!  Ps. 32:3

          I was shattered.

What shattered David?  Not his discomfort, not loss of wealth, power, health – but the absence of God.

When I feel distance from God and convicted, what do I do?

Vs. 8-9

·       I cry out to God

·       I beg for mercy – not my merit

·       I plea my case; Ps. 51:4-0

·       I ask for His advice

·       Hear me – Help me

Between 9 & 10- The answers have come.  Cleansing has happened – satan has been rebuked.

Vs. 10 & 11

The death clothes of mourning removed –

The clothing of  Righteousness is his covering, joy, peace, love, acceptance and he feels good in the presence of his Lord, Home Again

Mourning is defeated

Joy is free flowing in Song, in Dance, in Praises

Vs. 12

David was able to Sing

O Lord my God, I will give You thanks for ever!