Oxford Bible Church - Living in the Last Days (audio)

Heaven's Coronation, is inspired by the recent coronation of King Charles III. In this country we have a long history of crowning kings and queens, in splendid ceremonies. Yet none compare to the vision seen by Daniel, when King Jesus ascended into Heaven to receive an everlasting Kingdom from His Father, the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13-14, see also Philippians 2:9-11). Peter's message looks at this glorious event and the bright hope it brings for all God's people.

Ps 20 describes Israel’s spiritual preparation before an impending battle, a day of trouble (v1). It is a model for how to prepare ourselves in prayer, to walk in victory in our spiritual battles & days of trouble. It twins with Ps 21, describing the celebration after the victory (c.f 20:2,5 & 21:1; 20:4 & 21:2). The central character is the anointed king (v6), leading his people into battle. It finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ, who leads His people to victory (battles of the Lord are pictures of His ultimate battle, when Christ personally overcomes all His enemies). Thus Ps 20 is messianic like Ps 21). The setting shows God’s people gathering before Him before battle, dedicating their lives to God, and calling on the covenant-keeping God to go with them to battle & give them victory. Their trust in & submission to God was expressed thru the sacrifice the king offered up on behalf of the nation (v3, 1Sam 7:7-12). The efficacy of their prayers was based on the merits of the sacrifice, representing the Sacrifice of Christ. Likewise, we come to God on the basis of Christ's righteousness, given us thru His Sacrifice, and dedicate ourselves to God to do His will (Rom 12:1), acknowledging the battle belongs to Him & we fight in His Name, under His authority, for His glory & will to be done. Thru this dedication, His Presence comes on us transforming us into mighty warriors (Ro 12:2), for He gives grace to the humble. At this point the priests encouraged the army to fear not, even if the enemy seems superior, for God goes with them into the battle to fight for them (Deut 20:1-4). So, in our battles, we don’t fight in our own strength, but daily come to God with a sacrifice of praise, dedicating ourselves for His will to be done thru us, and drawing on His grace. In v1-5, the people (‘we’ in v5) pray for the anointed king (David), who speaks in v6. They are one with their king, so his victory is theirs. “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the Name (revealed nature) of the God of Jacob defend you (set you on high)” (v1). They call on God to manifest His Name on behalf of His people. “May He send you help from the Sanctuary (the Place of God’s Presence) and strengthen you out of Zion” (v2). The key to victory is His Presence, so to receive help from God, we must draw near to Him, so His Presence fills us. The 1st key in spiritual warfare is to look to & submit to God, calling on Him to fill us with His Presence. “May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah” (v3). They offered their prayers on the foundation of the sacrifice. Likewise, when we pray, we trust in Christ's Sacrifice for God to accept our dedication & for our prayer to be answered. “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire (the saving of his people, victory over God’s enemies & God's glory) and fulfil all your purpose” (v4). Their prayer ends with assurance of victory, and readiness to go into battle under His Banner, as He goes with them to give them victory (Ex 17:15): “We will rejoice in your salvation (victory), and in the Name of our God, we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfil all your petitions” (v5). Thus, true dedication to God brings assurance of God’s Presence, which we confess with our lips, that God is with us. In response, the king declares his faith, that God’s mighty right hand will give him the victory: “Now I know that the Lord saves (gives victory) to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand” (v6). Then the people also declare their faith is in God, not in the strength of their forces. They focus on & make mention of (confess) His Name, His faithfulness to the covenant (v7), and, by faith they confess the final outcome of victory, before battle begins (v8). Again, we see it's important to confess our faith (Rom 10:8-10, 2Cor 4:13), as part of our spiritual preparation for battle. The concluding prayer in v8 is best translated: “O Lord, save (give victory to) the king, answer us in the day of our calling” (the origin of 'God save the king'). This is another link to Ps 21 (v1), v2 of which records the answer to this prayer. We show how Ps 20 was fulfilled by Christ, on His day of trouble, after which He was lifted up on high (v1), by God in Heaven (v2), who accepted His perfect Sacrifice (v3). God granted Jesus His heart’s desire (our salvation, the defeat of all His enemies & the fulfilment of His purpose to establish His Kingdom over all, v4). God gave victory to His Anointed by raising Him from death by His mighty power (v6). His people call on the exalted King, who is also Lord, for salvation (v9, Rom 10:13). They now rejoice in His salvation, for He won the victory for us, and now ever-lives to make intercession for us (v5). They now trust in His Name, rather than their own resources (v7), and are assured of the final downfall of the wicked and their own future resurrection to life (v8).

There are many kinds of PRAYER. One kind is INTERCESSION or TRAVAILING in prayer: “My little children, for whom I LABOUR in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). We need to YIELD to the HOLY SPIRIT, for Him to pray through us as He wants. We want to yield our hearts & bodies to Him, to pray God's will into people’s lives: “It is not by (human) might, and not by (human) power, but by My SPIRIT, says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). We need to let God fill us with His love, so that we pray from a heart of love. Everywhere Jesus went, He was MOVED with COMPASSION to meet the needs of people, and God’s POWER was manifested through Him (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 20:34, Mark 1:41, 6:34, 8:2, 9:22, Luke 7:13). Romans 5:5: “The LOVE of God has been SHED ABROAD in OUR HEARTS by the HOLY SPIRIT, who was GIVEN to us.” Thus, the same compassion (love) that moved Jesus is in us. But we have to learn to yield to it. When we are moved with COMPASSION, we not only recognise their need and feel for the one who is suffering, but God also EMPOWERS us to MEET their NEED. One way to do this is to PRAY in the SPIRIT for them (Romans 8:26-27). We also need to pray in faith. Faith does not depend on fickle feelings. It is a matter of believing God and His Word, and then we need to exercise our faith by obeying His Word, acting as if it is true. We become STRONG in FAITH by (1) MEDITATING in God’s WORD, and (2) EXERCISING our FAITH, by corresponding actions. We build up our FAITH MUSCLES, when we EXERCISE our FAITH (put it into action). All prayer, when prayed in faith to God the Father in the Name of Jesus, is powerful. One area where you can BUILD up your FAITH by EXERCISE is in the area of PRAYER, especially PRAYING in TONGUES. If you never exercise your faith by praying in tongues, trusting the Holy Spirit to give you the utterance (Acts 2:4), then your faith in that area will never grow! When you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, you automatically receive the ability to pray in tongues. But you must exercise this gift to activate it, so it is fruitful in your life. It's the same way with God’s LOVE. He has already given us His LOVE (Romans 5:5). We must believe this truth and put His love into action in our lives, by walking in love. God wants us to agree with His Word, that He has already given us His love – and start exercising it! He says to you: “I have shed My love abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). You are a love child of a love God. We still have the flesh, but God’s love in our heart is more powerful than our flesh. God has given us free-will, so we can choose to love or not to love. If you are born again, you are His child, and so you have His nature in your spirit, you have His LOVE in you, but by not exercising His love, you are allowing your flesh to take control of your life. But if you do EXERCISE the LOVE of God in you by faith (not feelings), for example by PRAYING for someone when you do not feel like it, then His love will fill you, and flow through you, and you will grow in love and become a lover of mankind, full of mercy and compassion. You become a person MOVED with COMPASSION to DO something, for example, YIELDING to the SPIRIT, asking Him to take control of your lips, to PRAY through you God’s perfect will for that person. Matthew 9:36-38: “When He saw the multitudes, He was MOVED with COMPASSION for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep with no shepherd. Then He SAID to His disciples: “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore, PRAY the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” Jesus was moved with COMPASSION, and His next thought is to PRAY. Therefore, there is a linking together of LOVE and PRAYER. When you have COMPASSION for someone, you want to reach God on their behalf. Today, God is calling His people to lay down our lives and PRAY. In the days to come, IF we will lay down our lives and PRAY, we will be entering into God's call for our life, and we will begin to become unselfish. The nature of GOD is to GIVE (John 3:16). The greatest joy in the world is for us to love others, for example, to help someone in trouble. Jesus wants us to be known for our LOVE (John 13:34-35). Standing in the gap for someone else is an act of love. INTERCESSORY PRAYER is an ACT of LOVE. As you sow to the Spirit by doing good, such as interceding for others, you will REAP everlasting LIFE (Galatians 6:7-9). YIELD your tongue to the HOLY SPIRIT, and pray in unknown tongues, trusting in the Spirit to give you the words (Acts 2:4): “for he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not SPEAK to men but TO GOD, for no one understands him; however, IN the SPIRIT he speaks MYSTERIES” (1Corinthians 14:2).

Ps 19 transitions from God's general revelation in Creation (v1-6), to His special revelation in His written Word, which is more comprehensive, detailed, clearer & personal. Men can misunderstand God’s nature, when they see evil in the world, as nature is corrupted by the curse, so sends mixed signals. So, we need a clearer revelation of God - His perfect Word, without error & extolled in v7-11. v7-9 lists 6 descriptions of His Word (its nature), followed by 6 things it does if we receive it (its power). (1) “The LAW of the LORD is PERFECT (inerrant, complete & sufficient revelation of God & His will for us, 2Pet 1:3-4, 2Tim 3:16-17), converting (restoring, reviving) the soul.” (2) “The TESTIMONY (His witness to Himself) of the LORD is SURE (dependable, Ps 119:89), making wise the simple (imparting wisdom for life to the humble).” (3) “The STATUTES (instructions) of the LORD are RIGHT (morally right, not crooked), rejoicing (giving satisfaction to) the heart.” (4) “The COMMANDMENT (not suggestion) of the LORD is PURE (lit: 'radiant') enlightening the eyes (illumination for life).” (5) “The FEAR of the LORD (it reveals His majesty, authority & holiness, producing in us the fear of God - Deut 4:10), is CLEAN (free from impurity, making us clean, by imparting the fear of God to us), enduring forever (enabling us to endure forever - 1Pet 1:23-25, 1Jn 2:17).” (6) The JUDGMENTS (verdicts) of the LORD are true and righteous altogether (guiding us to think & act right). In view of its origin, nature & transforming power, we should value & embrace it above all earthly things, for it’s both (1) desirable & (2) enjoyable: “(1) More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold (Prov 3:13-18), (2) sweeter also than honey & the honeycomb” (v10). It imparts (1) spiritual riches & (2) the sweet grace of God. How much we value matters, for where our treasure is, so is our heart (Luke 12:34), and the measure of attention we give His Word determines the blessing we receive (Mark 4:24). It can accomplish all things in v7-10, as it’s the Word 'of the Lord' (repeated x6), revealing the Lord of the Word. Thru His Word we find, meet & know God personally. We come into union with Him by faith, and so receive His life, wisdom, blessing, light, strength & cleansing (Jn 5:39-40). The Lord Himself imparts Himself to us thru His Word, and works wonder in our lives. So, if you desire God, desire His Word, not just for its +ve impartation of blessing (v10), but also as it reveals & warns us of our sin, bringing repentance & cleansing, for sin separates us from God & His life: “Moreover, by them (God's words) Your servant is warned (of folly, sin & dangers), and in keeping them there is great reward” (v11) God's purpose in revealing Himself thru His Word, is for us to know Him as our Redeemer & Rock (Strength). Thus, the 3rd Part describes our right response to His revelation (v12-14). His Word reveals His perfection & by contrast our sin. He also reveals Himself as our Redeemer from sin & Strength empowering us to walk in righteousness (v14). Sin impedes our fellowship with God, so we must turn from it, asking for cleansing (v12,13), & surrender to God, for Him to fill us with His Spirit & strengthen us to do His will (v14). There are 2 kinds of sin (1) of ignorance & (2) deliberate sin. 1st, he prays about 2 kinds of sins of which he’s unaware: “(1) Who can understand his errors? (2) Cleanse me from secret faults” (v12). Though hidden to us, they darken our soul. He asks God to (1) reveal his errors of thinking & (2) cleanse sins done in ignorance. He opens his heart to God's light, inviting His cleansing (1Jn 1:7). Then he prays about his wilful sins (1Jn 1:9): “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous (wilful) sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then (1) I shall be blameless, & (2) be innocent of great transgression” (v13). When we yield to our sin-nature, we become enslaved to that sin, so it becomes habitual, increasingly ruling us & forming our character, resulting in much sin. Only God can (1) cleanse us of hidden faults (v12) & (2) empower us to overcome deliberate sinning (v13). It ends with a prayer of surrender & trust: “Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my STRENGTH (ROCK) and my REDEEMER” (v14). A plea for purity, knowing only God can make us holy, using the language ('acceptable') of an offering to God (Ro 12:1). Real godliness is not just about our actions, but originates in the thoughts of our heart, expressed in words (Matt 12:33-37), so we should meditate on His works & words. He offers his heart-meditations & words to God, inviting His consuming fire to purify him. He ends by confessing God as his (1) Redeemer & (2) Rock of Strength, firm Foundation, upholding him with His righteousness, imparting His power for living right. As we pray v12-14, God purifies our hearts.

Psalm 19 is Messianic. It’s in 3 Parts: (1) God’s General Revelation in Creation (v1-6), (2) God’s Special Revelation in His written Word (v7-11), & (3) God's Purpose in revealing Himself & our right response (v12-14). In Part 1 the Divine Name is EL, and in Part 2, YAHWEH (x7), His personal Covenant Name. v1-6 describe His message thru the heavens: “The heavens declare the glory (splendour) of God, and the firmament (expanse) shows His handiwork” (v1). Creation is designed to be a revelation of God (Rom 1:20). His general revelation is continuous & abundant: “Day unto day utters (pours forth) speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge” (v2), like a spring pouring forth waters of revelation, both day & night. By day, the sun shines, so we can see His handiwork on earth. At night, the stars reveal His immensity & proclaim the Gospel. This revelation is universal: “There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line (sound - LXX) has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (v3-4a). The Bible teaches God used the stars & constellations to preach the Gospel to ancient man, before His written Word was available. In Rom 10:16-18, Paul quoted from Ps 19, describing His revelation in the heavens, & applied it to the Gospel. So, the Gospel is in the Stars, as confirmed in Gen 15:5-6: “Look now toward heaven, and count (tell, declare) the stars if you are able to number (tell, declare) them.” He said to him: “So shall your descendants (SEED) be.” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” The word 'count' means to tell, to give an account. So, God asked him to tell the story in the stars. It’s the same word translated ‘declare’ in Ps 19:1. Thus, he was to declare the message the stars were declaring - the Gospel of Messiah. When he did this, God preached the Gospel to him (Gal 3:8), saying: “so shall your SEED (Christ) be” - Christ will come as Abraham’s Seed. So, he was justified by faith by believing the Gospel, not that would give him children (absurd!) God revealed the Gospel of Christ to Adam & Eve (Gen 3:15,21), and taught them the need for sacrifice, which they passeon to their seed. He also designed the stars as signs pointing to His truth (Gen 1:14), named them & revealed their names to man (Isa 40:26, Ps 147:4). He named the constellations to reveal His truth (Job 26:13, 9:8-9, 38:31-33, Amos 5:6-8). The signs of the zodiac (the sun's path thru the constellations) have an ancient origin as a divine revelation, which explains why, when men fell into idolatry, they worshipped the stars & practiced astrology (Deut 4:19, Isa 47:13-14). Over time, God's story in the stars was corrupted into pagan myths, but we can reconstruct much of the original Gospel story in the heavens from the constellation & star names. When God gave an His written Word (v7-11), His star-message became less important. We look at this star story, which starts with VIRGO (the Virgin), giving birth to the promised Seed, and finishes with LEO, the Lion of Judah, pouncing on the head of HYDRA, the fleeing Serpent (2nd Coming). We see how SCORPIO & its associated constellations perfectly tell the story of Gen 3:15. There are many pictures of Christ, as a mighty Man & Bridegroom, in conflict with the Devil (represented by a serpent, scorpion, dragon & other monsters), as well as pictures of the redeemed. Thus, the heavens declare the GLORY (manifestation) of GOD = JESUS (2Cor 4:6, Heb 1:3, Col 1:15). v4b-6 give more detail of this revelation: “In them (the heavens) He has set a tabernacle (a dwelling place) for the SUN (a picture of the glorious Christ, Mal 4:2, for all life depends on the sun), which is like a BRIDEGROOM coming out of his Chamber, and rejoices like a STRONG MAN (Champion) to run its (His) race (to win His Bride). Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” This gives a spiritual interpretation of the sun & its motion. It typifies the Bridegroom going forth for His Bride, a Mighty Man, coming forth from His chamber to run His course & fulfil His mission, a picture of Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, our mighty Champion who left His place in Heaven to run His course, conquer Satan & redeem His Bride. He completes the circuit & fulfils His mission, bringing His Bride back to His Chamber to be with Him forever. This is represented by its annual circuit through the heavens, the 12 signs of the Zodiac (way by steps), the tabernacle for the sun (v4). These are 12 stages of its journey & 12 mansions it dwells in. The sun represents His majestic PERSON. The constellations picture the different aspects & stages of His WORK. So, as the sun passes through the different signs, it pictures Him accomplishing, step-by-step, the things revealed by these pictures. So, as each year the sun completes a circuit, it proclaims Christ, the Light of the world, fulfilling His mission.

Jesus said in John 14:1,27: “Do not let your HEART be TROUBLED; believe in God, believe also in Me ... Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you... Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” *(I) The TROUBLED HEART: “Do not let your HEART be TROUBLED” (John 14:1a). The Greek verb used here for ‘troubled’ is tarassō: to stir up, agitate or roil, as of the sea (Matthew 2:3). It is used x3 of Jesus in John 11:33, 12:27, 13:21, before He said in John 14:1: “Let not your HEART be TROUBLED; believe (trust) in God, believe (trust) also in Me.” Jesus tells us to not allow the core of our being to be moved from its centre in God. Proverbs 4:23: “GUARD your HEART with all diligence, for out of it (your heart) spring (flow) the issues of life.” *(II) The TRUSTING HEART: John 14:1: “Let not your heart be troubled; BELIEVE (trust) in God, BELIEVE (trust) also in Me.” Having commanded us not to have a troubled heart, He then tells us what to do instead: BELIEVE! Instead of being TROUBLED, let us TRUST in Him. This is not talking about a vague belief in God, but Jesus commands us to TRUST in Him, to have a trusting heart. We can TRUST Him in times of TROUBLE, because He has given us certain PROMISES in John 14. These promises are like anchors for us, when we are tempted to have a troubled heart. *PROMISE (1): “In My Father’s House (Heaven) are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to PREPARE a PLACE for YOU (in Heaven). And if I go and PREPARE a PLACE for YOU, I will COME again and RECEIVE you to MYSELF; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go (Heaven) you know, and the way you know” (John 14:2-4). *PROMISE (2): “Whatever you ASK in My NAME, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ASK anything in My NAME, I will do it” (John 14:13-14). *PROMISE (3): “I will not leave you orphans; I will COME to YOU (through the Holy Spirit)” (John 14:18). “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another HELPER, that He may abide with you forever, the SPIRIT of TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He DWELLS with you and will be IN YOU” (John 14:16-17). See also 1John 4:4. Jesus says: “BELIEVE in ME, when I say I am going away to prepare a place for you and will come again to receive you to Myself” (John 14:1-3). Jesus says: “BELIEVE in ME, when I say I am leaving you My NAME, and you can ask whatever you need, and I will do it” (John 14:1,13-14). Jesus says: “BELIEVE in ME, when I say I will not leave you on your own, but I will give you the Presence of the HOLY SPIRIT, to live inside you and be available to help, strengthen and lead you” (John 14:1,16-18). Proverbs 3:5: “TRUST in the Lord with all your HEART, and lean not on your own understanding.” This trust in Jesus, centred and fixed on Him, brings us to a place of peace in the middle of trouble. Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in PERFECT PEACE, whose mind is stayed (fixed, leaning, resting) on You, because he TRUSTS in You.” *(III) The TOWERING HEART: After He promised to us the PRESENCE and HELP of the HOLY SPIRIT, Jesus also promised to give us His PEACE: “the HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. PEACE, I leave with you, MY PEACE I give to you” (John 14:26-27). Jesus has left the HOLY SPIRIT with us, who is the GOD of PEACE (Philippians 4:9). In Judges 6:24, God reveals Himself to Gideon as Jehovah SHALOM - the Lord is our PEACE. PEACE is not just the ABSENCE of conflict, but God’s PRESENCE in our heart in the midst of turmoil. John 14:27: ”PEACE, I leave with you, MY PEACE I give to you (in your heart), not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not LET your HEART be TROUBLED (John 14:1), neither let it be afraid (don’t be cowardly)." Philippians 4:7: “The PEACE of God, which passes all understanding, will GUARD (protect) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” His PEACE is like the WALLS of a castle, towering around our hearts. Romans 5:1: “We have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”, because: “Jesus is our PEACE” (Ephesians 2:14). He has given us His PEACE. That PEACE is already ours, because of His Sacrifice on the Cross. For this reason, instead of having a TROUBLED HEART, we can have a TRUSTING HEART. Moreover, we can have a TOWERING HEART, that towers over and above the trouble, by abiding in His PEACE. Proverbs 18:10: “The NAME of the LORD (Jehovah Shalom) is a STRONG TOWER; the righteous run into it and they are SAFE.” We can TRUST in JESUS and stand in the STRONG TOWER of His PEACE, no matter what’s going on in the world around us. He is our JEHOVAH SHALOM - the LORD our PEACE (Judges 6:24).

Psalm 18 is a triumphant declaration at a time of great victory. David (and Christ) explode with love for the Lord (v1), who'd manifested His covenant love to them in many ways. They declare 9 Names of God, describing ways they knew God from personal experience thru many trials (v1-2). Many times they'd called on Him and He delivered them from their enemies. In particular, in the face of death they cried to God and He heard them (v3-6). In its fullest sense it applies to Christ who actually suffered, died & went to Sheol (v4-5), but called to God during this whole time (v6), and He answered. In v7-19, it reveals what happened in the Spirit as God manifested His glory & moved in majestic power at His death & resurrection, bringing darkness & shaking the earth (v7-9,11), personally coming down from Heaven (v10) releasing His arrows against His enemies (v12-14), then invading Hades (v15), and reaching down there by His mighty Arm, He pulled Christ out of the Prison of Hades (v16), rescuing Him from the devil & all His enemies, and raised Him from death & exalted Him to a high spacious place (v17-19). The basis for this divine deliverance was His perfect righteousness as a Man (v19-24): "He delivered me because He delighted in me" (v19b). Likewise, in Christ, God delights in us & delivers us. After His Ascension, God reigns over man thru Christ as His executive at His right hand (Ps 110:1-4). He is merciful, gracious & righteous in His rule, saving the humble & humbling the proud (v25-27). At His resurrection, God regenerated & glorified His human nature, lighting up His lamp, His human spirit (v28, Prov 20:27), anointing Him for victory over all His enemies (v29-36), and sharing His anointing & weapons with His people, who trust in Him, and engage in spiritual warfare in His Name (v30-31). Finally, in God's perfect timing He'll release Him to fully manifest His authority, power & glory to pursue & destroy all His enemies, at His 2nd Coming (v37-42). Then having put down all rebellion, He'll establish His Kingdom on earth and reign as Head of all nations (v43). At this time saved Gentiles, who hear of Him & submit to Him (v43-45) will be included in His covenant community (v49): "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among (in fellowship with) the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your Name" - quoted in Rom 15:9 and applied to Christ, proving it's a messianic psalm. Rom 15:7-12 quotes 4 prophecies to prove when Christ comes, He'll bring salvation to the Gentiles, so they'll be included with the Jews in God's People. Though these prophecies originally spoke of the Messianic Kingdom, for the Church Age was a Mystery, not yet revealed, they revealed God's purpose to save Gentiles thru His Coming, so Gentile salvation in the Church Age thru the New Covenant is consistent with the revelation of the prophets, and is an initial fulfilment. So Jews & Gentiles in the Church should receive each other as equals (v7). The prophets saw His Coming to die, rise again & establish the new covenant, and had Israel received Him, He'd have established His Kingdom, with Jews & Gentiles equally saved, in fulfilment of the prophecies. But, when Israel rejected Him, instead of establishing the Kingdom, God brought in the Church Age, in which Jews & Gentiles are equally saved, as in the Kingdom. Thus, though He could not fulfil all the Kingdom prophecies, He did fulfil the prophecies of salvation in the new covenant for all who call on His Name, both Jew & Gentile. Similarly, in Acts 15:13-19, James quoted Amos 9:11-12 to show Gentile salvation in the Church Age is consistent with the prophets, as an initial fulfilment, and so Jewish believers should receive Gentiles into the Church as equals. Psalm 18 concludes with a Doxology of Praise, summarising all the great things God did to manifest His covenant love (v46-50), giving Him glory for being His strength & giving Him victory over all His enemies, especially the violent man (antichrist), and for executing justice and establishing His Kingdom on earth over all nations, with Christ exalted as Head. He also gives thanks for the salvation of Gentiles, now in union with Him (v49). He concludes with a summary statement: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows covenant love to His ANOINTED, to DAVID and his SEED (CHRIST) forevermore" (v50). This confirms Ps 18 was originally fulfilled (in type) to David, but the ultimate fulfilment is to David's SEED, Christ. Just as we are Abraham's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of Abraham, and so inherit his blessing (Gal 3:14,26-29), so we are David's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of David, and so are joint heirs of the covenant blessings (mercies) of David, described in Ps 18. Thus we share in Christ's victory, anointing & reign, thru our union with Him. Thus Ps 18 doesn't just describe God's covenant blessings to David & his Seed (Christ), but also to those in Christ, which we can apply to & appropriate for ourselves.

Psalm 18 is a Thanksgiving Psalm of intense emotion giving God the glory for all the victories God gave David and His Son (Christ) in fulfilling His covenant promises to them (v50). It continues the story * typology from Psalm 17. The title is: "A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul." This is clearly an important Psalm, as it is in 2Samuel 22. It's a Messianic Psalm - although it was spoken by David and corresponds to his own circumstances & prayer, it was written in a Spirit of Prophecy, and can only be perfectly fulfilled by the Messiah. This is clear by the magnitude of the language, the claims of perfect righteousness, and the fact Paul quotes v49 in Romans 15:9 and applies it to Christ (see also v2 and Heb 2:13). Moreover, v50 gives a summary: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows mercy to His ANOINTED, to David and his descendants (SEED = Messiah) forevermore." So this indicates it is about God's manifestation of His covenant love to both His anointed ones - David and Messiah, His Seed. The promises & blessings of this Psalm also apply to believers who are in Christ, the Seed of David. As the title indicates, it was sung after David conquered all his enemies, both internal & external. It gives thanks and glory to God for all the deliverances and victories over the years. David, the warrior king, is a type of Christ, and so the stages of his life foreshadow that of Christ: (1) His anointing, mighty feats, suffering & persecution from the governing authority (Saul) before he became king foreshadow Christ's earthly ministry before He was enthroned as King. (2) David's enthronement as King at Hebron corresponds to Christ's enthronement at His resurrection. At this point, most of Israel did not follow Him (only Judah, a remnant), and although there was a 7-year war between him and the house of Saul, he did not try to force His rule on the rest. He was depending on God to establish His throne. David waited for 7 years before all Israel came to him and submitted to him as King. This corresponds to the 7 years on Israel's Clock yet to run as the Tribulation (Dan 9:24-27) during which Israel will come to Christ (2Sam 3:1) - the typology jumps over the Church Age, which was a mystery. At the end of the 7 years all Israel will be saved and welcome Christ to be her King (2Sam 5:1-5, Matt 24:37-39). (3) At this point, with Israel now submitted to him, David immediately operated in his kingly anointing to conquer all the surrounding enemy nations, starting with Jerusalem (2Sam 5:6-12), where he established His throne, followed by the rapid defeat and conquest of the Philistines (2Sam 5:17-24, 8:1), Moab, Zobar, Syria, Ammon & Amalek (2Sam 8:2-14). Likewise, when Israel receives Him, Christ will return at Armageddon as King of kings and conquer all the enemy armies from every nation gathered against Israel, and sit on His throne in Jerusalem. (4) Then David reigned over Israel and was also the head of the surrounding nations (2Sam 8:15). Likewise, Christ will reign over Israel and all the nations, as King over all the world in the Millennium. At this point David wrote Psalm 18 to give thanks for the manifestation of God's covenant love and power (v1,50). Likewise, it's also the Psalm Christ will sing when He has defeated all His enemies and established His Kingdom, giving thanks for what God has done. We see the stages of the parallel exaltation of David & Christ reflected in the Psalm. In v1-3, Christ (as typified by David) gives thanks for His strength and protection during His earthly life. Then in v4-24 He thanks God for delivering Him from death and conquering all His enemies in His mighty resurrection. Then in v25-36, He describes His regeneration and anointing by God at His resurrection & ascension (coronation) to reign as Lord administering God's grace and justice in His dealings with mankind, and His empowerment to vanquish His enemies, at the appointed time. In the meantime, God anointed Him and His people to operate with strength and wisdom in the ongoing (spiritual) warfare. Then in v37-42, we see Him in His 2nd Coming destroying all the enemy armies at Armageddon (Rev 19) and judging the whole world, destroying all those who hate (reject) Him, grinding all the kingdoms of the world to fine dust (Daniel 2:35). Then, in v43-49, with Israel and the Gentiles in submission to Him, Christ establishes His Millennial Kingdom, becoming 'the Head of the nations' (King of kings) - 43. In this Kingdom, the Gentiles as well as the Jews will be saved and in covenant fellowship with Him (v43-45,49). At this time He will exalt the living God over all (v46), for God had delivered him from all His enemies and subdued them under His feet (v47-48).

(1) The WONDER of the Choice. We have SINNED against a holy God (Romans 3:23), so we deserve judgment for our sins (Romans 6:23, John 3:19, Hebrews 9:27). It is a WONDER that God sent a Redeemer to save us (John 3:17, Titus 3:4, Luke 9:56). It is a WONDER because God FORGIVES our sins (Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 53:6, Colossians 2:13-14). It is a WONDER because God ADOPTS us as children (Ephesians 1:5, Romans 8:14,16). It is a WONDER because God gives us a NEW NATURE (John 1:12-13, 2 Corinthians 5:17). It is a WONDER because God makes us a HOME with Him forever (John 14:2). The GREATEST WONDER is that God CHOSE US for Himself (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 5:8). (2) The WISDOM of the Choice. It is WISE, because those who belong to Christ have GRACE to help in time of need (Romans 5:1-2, Hebrews 4:16). It is WISE because those who choose Christ have POWER over sin (Romans 6:11-12, Galatians 5:16). It is WISE because in Christ we have AUTHORITY over satan (Colossians 1:13, Luke 10:19, James 4:7). It is WISE because by choosing Jesus we can have VICTORY over the world (1 John 5:4-5). (3) The WEIGHT of the Choice We must SUBMIT to Christ (our lives are not our own). We must FOLLOW Christ (denying ourselves). We must OBEY Christ (serving in His Kingdom) - 1 John 5:3, Matthew 11:30, Psalm 23:4,6, Isaiah 43:2. If you HAVEN’T chosen Jesus, why not make TODAY the day that you do?

Psalm 17 is a Psalm of David when he was being pursued by Saul's armies, who have tracked him down and surrounded him (v9-12, see 1Samuel 23, especially v19-29). His prayer is in 3 parts, each part starts by him invoking a name of God. He prays (1) for VINDICATION, for he was being falsely accused (v1-5), (2) for PROTECTION, because his enemies were out to kill him (v6-12), and (3) for VICTORY - for God to intervene and completely overthrow his enemies (v13-14), and finally he expresses confidence (4) in his ultimate eternal SALVATION in God's Presence at his resurrection (v15). It is a Messianic Psalm (the prayer of Christ as He is falsely accused and pursued to death by His enemies). This is because He declares His perfect righteousness (v1-4). Whereas this was true in a limited way for David, in that as far as the specific cause he was praying about, he was innocent, he was being falsely accused. However these verses are only true in an absolute sense of Christ Himself. Thus Psalm 17 is similar to Psalm 16 in emphasising the perfect righteousness of the Messiah and His confident expectation of being resurrected to glory in God's Presence (v15, see 16:8-11). Psalm 17 also prepares the way for Psalm 18, another Messianic Psalm, which begins where Psalm 17 ends, with the Messiah resurrected and exalted as King, giving thanks to God for His deliverance and victory (we will see that Psalm 20 and 21 work together in a similar way). Since Jesus is the greater Son of David, the life of David is a type of the life of Christ. Like Jesus in His 1st Coming, he was anointed and did many great works, but was rejected and persecuted by the Jewish authorities, who wanted to kill him. But eventually David was exalted by God to become king, just as God exalted Jesus at His resurrection, establishing Him as Lord and King. So, this is a prayer of David praying for God's vindication, protection and victory over his enemies (v1-14), which was accomplished at his enthronement, as well as expressing his faith that God would also ultimately give him the victory over sin and death at his resurrection (v15). Likewise, this is also Christ's prayer for vindication, protection and victory during His earthly ministry (v1-14), ending with His confident declaration that God would ultimately answer His prayer by raising Him from the dead (v15), at which time He was also enthroned as King. David's hope of resurrection (v15), as for all believers, is based on the resurrection of the perfectly righteous Man, Jesus Christ (v15), for only through union with Him can we have a glorious resurrection. Their confidence in prayer was based on (1) their innocence and purposeful righteousness in thought, word and deed (v1-4), (2) the nature of God: "Manifest Your wonderful (miraculous) loving-kindness (chesed, steadfast covenant love) by Your right hand" (v7), and (3) their just cause (they were called anointed as God's King to fulfil His purposes, so they were praying according to God’s will. This prayer contains 2 beautiful pictures of God’s protective care for his people in v8: "Keep me as the apple (pupil) of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings" (see Deuteronomy 32:10-11, Proverbs 7:2, Zechariah 2:8, Ruth 2:12, Psalm 36:7, 57:1, 61:4, 63:7, 91:4, Matthew 23:37). v14 describes the godless as men of the world (1John 2:15), who (only) have their portion in this life, who are fully SATISFIED with the things of this life, but have no room for God in their life, who graciously provides these things to them. But, in rejecting God and taking His blessings for granted, they are also building up their measure of God's hidden treasure of wrath (Romans 2:4). By way of contrast, the godly will be SATISFIED with God's Presence (v15). The Psalm finishes with a beautiful picture of our glorious resurrection, just as in Psalm 16: "As for me (in contrast to the men of the world, who have no hope beyond this life), I will SEE Your FACE in RIGHTEOUSNESS; I shall be SATISFIED (with God), when I AWAKE (from the dead - see Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2) in Your LIKENESS (1John 3:2)” (v15). This is our blessed hope, for when we are resurrected in His likeness, in a state of perfect righteousness, without sin, then we can enjoy perfect face to face fellowship and union with Him, and be fully satisfied.