Whenever we look at the Psalm’s, our first consideration is to look for CHRIST in them. We do not have to look too far, because (for the most part) the Psalms are the prayers and expostulations of the LORD JESUS both as MAN and as GOD or else, prophecies concerning HIS PERSON and WORK. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted (i.e.; underwent the same trials) like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb 4:15) “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Heb 2:10) “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev 19:10)
HE has been made sin for HIS people, and thus is their SUBSTITUTE, satisfying the broken law and establishing, for them, a RIGHTEOUSNESS that cannot be overturned or in any way be impugned. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Cor 5:21) HE is a complete and triumphant SAVIOR for those HE came to save. This is the message of the Gospel, which is declared to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem and on to the uttermost parts of the Earth. “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)
Those whom the LORD is pleased to “call”, are one and the same with those to whom HE gives the gift of FAITH. This is quite in contrast to those who are left in their natural state of unbelief, wherein they are content to dwell. Some even rejoice in their “unbelief” and would desire to make a mockery of those who by the grace of GOD, believe in the NAME of HIM who is the SAVIOR and GIVER of LIFE. By the SPIRIT given to them, these believers are impelled to call upon HIM with great earnestness, calling HIM, “ABBA FATHER” (see Rom.8:15; Gal.4:6) “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom 8:26)
As David fled from Absalom, his son, (who had mounted an insurrection, and sought David’s destruction), he was mocked by his detractors who viewed his retreat as a sign that the LORD had departed from him whom HE had designed as a “man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” (Acts 13:22; see I Sam.13:14) They had no understanding that David was a man anointed by GOD as a clear type of CHRIST who was to come as David’s SEED and occupy HIS throne forever. “And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.” (1Sam 2:35)
Not only was David a clear illustration and type of CHRIST but he was also raised up to demonstrate the utter faithfulness of the LORD to preserve HIS own people, even though they are often difficult to recognize, and full of failings and faults. David was just such a man. He, often, egregiously sinned against the LORD, yet the LORD did not cast him off nor turn HIS lovingkindness away from him. At the same time, he was a man who rejoiced in the precepts and grace of the ALMIGHTY GOD in whom he trusted. Both in times of great trouble and in times of utter joy and fulfillment he waited upon the LORD. ”But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” (Psa 13:5-6) “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psa 51:9-11)
The one thing that was constant in the life of David (a very imperfect man) was the abiding faithfulness of GOD to keep him from utter destruction which he often (knowingly and unknowingly) flirted with. Yet the LORD would not cast him off nor allow him to be consumed by his rebellious nature, because he was an object of HIS everlasting LOVE. The enemies of GOD hate the LORD’s electing grace and mercy and believe that men should have to earn the blessings of GOD, in some measure, by their own activity. This is one of the reasons why the Pharisees hated the LORD JESUS as HE came demonstrating mercy to sinners rather than wrath. “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mat 9:13) “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” (Mat 21:31-32)
The LORD used these Pharisees as an example of active “unbelief”. Not only did they not “believe” HIM, but they refused to “believe” HIM and HIS words. As Pharaoh of old they “hardened their hardened hearts.” (see Ex.7:13; 8:15) Unbelief is a condition that a man is powerless to escape apart from the mercy of GOD visited upon his darkened mind. There is no natural difference between those whom the LORD is pleased to call and those HE is not. “In time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:2-6)
Thus, we understand that we who believe the precious promises of CHRIST and have cast all of our HOPE upon HIM, do so only because HE has made us to differ from those who continue in the unbelief which they were born into and gladly continue in. We can rightly understand why HE would reject those who reject HIM, but we ever bow in adoring wonder that HE would choose to love such sinners as we are who are ourselves often slow of heart to believe HIS promise. Even as HE upbraided Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus. “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” (Luke 24:25)
We have been given eyes to see the glory of GOD revealed in the face of JESUS CHRIST. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2Cor 4:6) Yet we do sometimes find ourselves in doubtings and fears and of the same mind (saying to ourselves)as those who David describes as saying, “there is no help for him in GOD.” This is a terrible state for the sons of GOD to find themselves in, but we must confess that it is sometimes so, due to our own weakness. Yet we are not the enemies of the people of GOD, nor do we have any desire to doubt the goodness of GOD. Our sinful flesh does nonetheless war against the SPIRIT which the sons of GOD have been given. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2Tim 1:7) Away and begone thou foul and darksome enemy that would tempt the sons of GOD to “unbelief”. CHRIST is our SAVIOR, HIS promise is TRUE, and HIS mercy endureth to all generations. The blood of CHRIST cleanseth us from all iniquity and we rest in HIM. We are not those bound in “unbelief” but rejoice in the FAITH once delivered to the saints of GOD. “be not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:27)
We do sometimes find ourselves in that condition which John writes about saying, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (1John 3:20) The man who has been quickened by the SPIRIT, can see his own sin quite clearly, and in the weakness of his own flesh is often made to doubt his standing with the LORD. Yet our acceptance with the LORD is not based upon our feelings and most certainly is not affected by our natural penchant towards “unbelief.” Our HOPE is CHRIST and rests in HIM and not our ability to “believe”. “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2Tim 2:13) O glorious SAVIOR who came to bleed and die for the sheep of your pasture. May we never look anywise to our own “believing” but ever to YOU and that FOUNDATION which no man could ever lay. Away “unbelief”, begone. CHRIST is ALL!
mam