Psalm 18 Part 5 Following God And Being Pure In Heart

Psalm 18:21-22  For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22  For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 

King David discovered early in his life that learning the ways of God and obeying His Word, was the path to blessing in his life.

The blessed man delights in the law of God and thinks about it even when he is trying to fall asleep (See Psalm 1:1-3).

Psalm 119:1-3  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 

This same truth is echoed in Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, and it focuses on what God says in His Word.

Those who choose to walk in the ways of God and to obey His word are blessed in their character, their work ethic, and their spiritual relationship with the LORD.

Believers find cleansing from our own wicked ways by taking heed to the scriptures (See Psalm 119:9).

When the Psalmist writes "Thy word have I hid in my heart" he means that he is memorizing the Word of God (See Psalm 119:11).

Hiding the scriptures in our heart by repeated readings of the texts, memorization and meditating on what God is saying, will help us not to sin against God.

Each of these points complement what David is showing us.

Psalm 18:23-24  I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24  Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 

Molding an upright character into us is the beautiful fruit of those who seek the LORD early in His Word, for those who will learn to walk in His ways, and shun the ways of the world.

David was upright in his heart and his conversation in the sight of God, as a sincere follower of Jehovah.

This is also true of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. 

King Herod and Roman governor Pontius Pilate thoroughly interrogated Christ, made themselves acquainted with the facts, and they found no fault, no sin in Him.

Jesus as the Son of God walking among wicked men, had no unrighteousness in Him. He had no guile or deceit, but always faithfully bore witness to His Father in heaven.

Christ was born of a virgin which means God is His Father and that Jesus did not inherit the sin nature from Adam like everyone else has.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21  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. 

Jesus was perfect and sinless in all His ways, yet He bore our iniquities on the cross and carried our sins away (See ISaiah 53:1-12).

He was made sin for us so that when a sinner repents of their sin and calls upon Christ to save him, that sinner is made righteous through faith in Christ.

Though Jesus bore our sins, He did not commit them. 

Though he was made sin for our sakes, He remained pure and holy before His Father. 

Though Jesus was tempted by Satan three times to commit sin, He resisted the evil one, so that Satan had no power over Christ.

Psalm 18:25-26  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 

David turns to tell us about what he knows is true of God.

God is merciful and extends mercy to all who have humble hearts and contrite spirits.

All who are washed in the blood of Christ and whose hearts are full of pure thoughts and motives, can boldly approach the throne of grace for God's help and mercy.

Those who profess faith in Christ but are hard hearted toward other believers or are full of worldly pleasure seeking, will find that God will resist their pride and foolish ambition.

He expects each of us who are recipients of His mercy, to be merciful in our dealings with others.

Too often it seems that Christians are harsh and unforgiving toward their fellow believers.

Too often a church can be afflicted with a censorious spirit and this violates Christ's command that we love one another.

Proverbs 11:17  The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

A Christian in whom the Spirit of God is at work, is a person who is compassionate and  full of mercy because he understands God's forgiveness and mercy to him.

What David is saying here is the same message God communicated to us through His apostles.

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

Believers in Christ are commanded to be kind to each other and to have a tender heart of love for other Christians.

We are to forgive others just as Jesus Christ has forgiven us: fully, unconditionally and without hesitation!

Psalm 18:27  For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 

Again, the LORD will save everyone who repents of their sins and call upon Jesus to save them.

Sin is the deadliest disease because it afflicts our soul, ruins our relationship with God and others.

However, God provided the remedy for our sin, through the sacrificial, atoning work of Christ.

This is why we must share the gospel with people who do not know the LORD. 

The gospel is the best news for mankind because the love and mercy and grace of God are open to all who hear and heed its message.

It is bad news for all who reject the gospel of Christ. 

At the day of final judgment, God will bring down all the arrogant, proud and haughty ones who mock Christ and His cross.

Jesus will return to earth as King of kings with flaming fire to take vengeance on all the wicked ones (See 2 Thessalonians 1).

Psalm 18:28-29  For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29  For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 

As the sweet Psalmist of Israel, King David could say that the LORD illuminated his heart with truth fromn scripture.

God gave His Spirit to David and He showed the king beautiful things about his LORD.

David even credited all of his military prowess and success to the LORD for giving him wisdom and direction when he needed it.

God's own Spirit indwells each Christian today and He is always ready to show us the deep and wonderful things of God (See 1 Corinthians 2:7-16).

He will illuminate our hearts with truth that exalts Jesus Christ and edifies us (See John 16:4-15).

Psalm 18:30-31  As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31  For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 

The ways of God are perfect and holy and pure, and He shows us His ways as we read and study His Word.

His Word is tried which means that by our experiences we have found it to be true.

There is no other "god" except the LORD. He shields and protect us from the Devil's fiery darts.

He is our Rock and He will never change His heart toward all who trust Him for salvation.

God alone can and will save all who repent of their sins and call upon Jesus to save them.

Bob