Trusting God's Love Amidst Wickedness and Betrayal
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the story of David, Saul, and Doeg the Edomite, focusing on the events that led to the writing of Psalm 52. Saul, the king of Israel, had turned away from God, and David had been anointed as his successor. Saul, in his jealousy and anger, sought to kill David, who fled to the priest Ahimelech for help. Ahimelech provided David with food and a weapon, unaware of Saul's intentions. Doeg, a servant of Saul, reported this to Saul, leading to the massacre of 85 priests and the inhabitants of Nob by Doeg. One priest, Abathar, escaped and informed David, prompting him to write Psalm 52.
Psalm 52 contrasts the wickedness of Doeg with the steadfast love of God. David describes Doeg's love for evil, deceit, and destruction, but he also proclaims that God will ultimately judge and destroy the wicked. David expresses his trust in God's enduring love, likening himself to a green olive tree, deeply rooted and flourishing in God's presence. This psalm serves as a reminder that those who trust in worldly power and wealth will face destruction, while those who trust in God will remain steadfast and unshakable.
We also reflected on the broader biblical narrative, noting how God uses even the actions of the wicked to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the judgment on the house of Eli and the rise and fall of empires. The sermon emphasized the importance of placing our trust in God alone, rather than in worldly power, wealth, or expedient actions. We are called to wait on the Lord, trusting in His timing and His steadfast love, just as David, Abraham, Joseph, and others did. Ultimately, Jesus exemplified this trust through His suffering, death, and resurrection, providing us with the ultimate assurance of God's faithfulness and love.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Futility of Trusting in Worldly Power: Doeg's actions, driven by a desire for power and wealth, ultimately led to his destruction. Trusting in worldly power, wealth, or deceitful actions will always lead to disappointment and ruin. True stability and security come from trusting in God's steadfast love. [22:41]
2. God's Judgment on the Wicked: Psalm 52 assures us that God will not allow evil to prosper indefinitely. The wicked, like Doeg, may seem powerful for a time, but God's judgment is certain. This serves as a reminder that God's justice will prevail, and we must place our trust in Him rather than in the fleeting power of this world. [24:21]
3. The Steadfast Love of God: David's trust in God's steadfast love is likened to a green olive tree, deeply rooted and flourishing. This imagery emphasizes the enduring and life-giving nature of God's love, which provides stability and strength even in the face of adversity. [29:34]
4. The Already and Not Yet Kingdom: We live in the tension of the already and not yet kingdom of God. While we wait for the full realization of God's promises, we can be assured of His faithfulness through the stories of biblical figures like Abraham, Joseph, and David. Their lives demonstrate the importance of waiting on the Lord and trusting in His timing. [39:56]
5. Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Trust: Jesus' willingness to endure suffering, death, and the grave, trusting in His Heavenly Father, provides the ultimate example of faith. His resurrection assures us that God's love and power are greater than any earthly trial. We too can trust in God's steadfast love, knowing that He will deliver us through all things. [43:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[17:12] - David's Flight and Ahimelech's Help
[18:08] - Doeg's Betrayal
[19:09] - Saul's Wrath and the Massacre
[20:12] - Abathar's Escape
[21:19] - Reading Psalm 52
[22:41] - The Wickedness of Doeg
[24:21] - God's Judgment on the Wicked
[25:53] - Trusting in False Gods
[27:42] - The Green Olive Tree
[29:34] - Jeremiah's Tree Imagery
[31:21] - The House of Eli
[33:05] - God's Use of Wicked Actions
[34:50] - Doeg's Misplaced Trust
[36:33] - The Only True Source of Power
[38:12] - Our Proclivity to Trust in False Gods
[39:56] - The Already and Not Yet Kingdom
[41:53] - Biblical Examples of Trust
[43:34] - Jesus' Ultimate Trust
[45:29] - The Assurance of God's Love
[47:29] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 52
2. 1 Samuel 21:7-9
3. 1 Samuel 22:17-19
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Ahimelech take when David came to him for help? ([17:12])
2. How did Doeg the Edomite betray David and Ahimelech? ([18:08])
3. What was Saul's reaction to Ahimelech helping David, and what command did he give to his guards? ([19:09])
4. How does David describe Doeg's character and actions in Psalm 52? ([21:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did David choose to write Psalm 52 in response to the events involving Doeg, Saul, and Ahimelech? ([21:19])
2. How does Psalm 52 illustrate the futility of trusting in worldly power and wealth? ([22:41])
3. What does David mean when he likens himself to a green olive tree in the house of the Lord? ([27:42])
4. How does the story of Doeg and the massacre of the priests reflect God's judgment on the house of Eli? ([31:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you trusted in something other than God (e.g., wealth, power, or deceitful actions). What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith? ([24:21])
2. David trusted in God's steadfast love even in the face of adversity. How can you cultivate a similar trust in your own life, especially during difficult times? ([29:34])
3. The sermon mentioned the "already and not yet" kingdom of God. How can you live faithfully in this tension, waiting for God's promises while trusting in His timing? ([39:56])
4. Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of trust in God. How can His example of enduring suffering and trusting in the Father inspire you in your daily walk with God? ([43:34])
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you are tempted to take matters into your own hands rather than waiting on the Lord. What steps can you take to trust in God's timing and plan? ([41:53])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of not placing our trust in false gods. What are some "false gods" in your life that you need to turn away from, and how can you refocus your trust on God alone? ([38:12])
7. How can the stories of biblical figures like Abraham, Joseph, and David, who waited on the Lord, encourage you to remain steadfast in your faith? ([39:56])
Devotional
Day 1: The Futility of Trusting in Worldly Power
Worldly power and wealth may seem appealing, but they are ultimately fleeting and unreliable. Doeg the Edomite's actions, driven by a desire for power and wealth, led to his destruction. Trusting in deceitful actions or material gain will always result in disappointment and ruin. True stability and security come from trusting in God's steadfast love, which is enduring and unshakable. David's experience with Doeg serves as a powerful reminder that placing our trust in anything other than God is futile. [22:41]
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have relied on your own strength or resources instead of trusting in God. How can you shift your trust to God in this area today?
Day 2: God's Judgment on the Wicked
Psalm 52 assures us that God will not allow evil to prosper indefinitely. The wicked, like Doeg, may seem powerful for a time, but God's judgment is certain. This serves as a reminder that God's justice will prevail, and we must place our trust in Him rather than in the fleeting power of this world. The story of Doeg's betrayal and the subsequent massacre of the priests highlights the temporary nature of evil's success and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness. [24:21]
Psalm 37:1-2 (ESV): "Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the success of those who do wrong. How can you remind yourself of God's ultimate justice and place your trust in His righteous judgment?
Day 3: The Steadfast Love of God
David's trust in God's steadfast love is likened to a green olive tree, deeply rooted and flourishing. This imagery emphasizes the enduring and life-giving nature of God's love, which provides stability and strength even in the face of adversity. Despite the chaos and danger surrounding him, David found solace and security in God's unwavering love. This steadfast love is available to us as well, offering us a firm foundation in times of trouble. [29:34]
Hosea 14:5-6 (ESV): "I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience God's steadfast love? How can you root yourself more deeply in His love today?
Day 4: The Already and Not Yet Kingdom
We live in the tension of the already and not yet kingdom of God. While we wait for the full realization of God's promises, we can be assured of His faithfulness through the stories of biblical figures like Abraham, Joseph, and David. Their lives demonstrate the importance of waiting on the Lord and trusting in His timing. This period of waiting is not passive but active, as we continue to trust and obey God, knowing that His promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. [39:56]
Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
Reflection: What promise of God are you waiting for in your life? How can you actively trust and obey Him while you wait for its fulfillment?
Day 5: Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Trust
Jesus' willingness to endure suffering, death, and the grave, trusting in His Heavenly Father, provides the ultimate example of faith. His resurrection assures us that God's love and power are greater than any earthly trial. We too can trust in God's steadfast love, knowing that He will deliver us through all things. Jesus' example encourages us to remain faithful and trust in God's plan, even when we face difficulties and uncertainties. [43:34]
1 Peter 2:23-24 (ESV): "When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: Consider a current challenge or trial you are facing. How can you follow Jesus' example of trust and entrust yourself to God's care and justice?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The only source of power and stability that we can, that can be trusted, the only source of power and stability that we should depend upon comes not at the point of a spear. It doesn't grow out of a ballot box, but rather it must come from the steadfast, unchanging, immovable love of God. For his people. Any other source of power is false, and it will one day betray you." [36:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He is coming again one day to right every injustice, to heal every wound, to dry every tear, and to swallow up death forever. And we wait for that day because it is good. That's what the psalm says. I will wait for your name. I will wait for your glory because it is good." [45:29] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We too face an unrelenting pressure to place our faith in something other than the Lord. And that proclivity is revealed when we engage in activities that fall short of that standard that has been set. Loving the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves, we are revealing that we are placing our faith in something other than God." [38:12] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "David says, I am like a green olive tree. Olive trees can live for hundreds and even thousands of years. I'm like a green olive tree that is fresh, that is strong, because I trust in the steadfast love of God." [29:34] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "David finds his stability in trusting the steadfast love of God. And he says in verse nine that I will thank you forever because you have done it. I will wait for your name for it is good in the presence of the Godly." [29:34] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "David lives in faith that the steadfast love of God will not allow this evil to prosper. He will not allow evil to stand. Judgment will come upon this man. And all the things that this man is trusting in will be torn down, will be uprooted, will be taken away from him." [24:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Lord will judge the idolatry of our hearts. And there is no other God who can save us. And in fact, it says that the thing that this man trusted in, this thing that he was depending on, will one day be his destruction." [25:53] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "David says, I am like a green olive tree in the house of the Lord. I trust, not in violence, not in power, not in money, not in influence, but I trust that God is going to help me. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever." [27:42] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "David is so absolutely certain that God is not going to let this evil stand, that he is already thanking God for having fixed it, for having judged it, for having made it right again." [31:21] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The constant and consistent story of the Bible is that however strong those gods might seem, however alluring their worship might be, they cannot be relied upon. Because those who trust in them will find their destruction alongside of them. But those who trust in the Lord will not be moved. They will be unshakable." [39:56] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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