WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 48 20); and finally, notice the word “but” in verse 21, and the words

d finally, notice the word “but” in verse 21, and the words that follow on
BIBLE STUDY NOTES TEN STUDIES IN PSALM into verse 23. So there is deliverance for the child of God in times of sudden
119 temptation, and here is the promise for you – look up 1 Corinthians 10:13.
by Francis W. Dixon 4. We need deliverance from gripping fear: the illustration of this is in
Psalm 34:4, and the promise is in Proverbs 1:33.
Study 10 HOW GOD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE It has been suggested that those whose testimonies are recorded in the early
Key-verse: “May my supplication come before you; deliver me part of Psalm 34 were some of David’s men who were with him in the cave of
according to your promise.” (Psalm 119:170) Adullam. One of these gives a testimony which will help us. He says, “I sought
the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” So he was
Our key-verse gives us a picture of King David praying to the Lord, earnestly gripped by fear. What did he do? He brought his fears to the Lord and told Him
requesting deliverance. What does this mean, “deliver me according to your of his need of deliverance – and what happened? He tells us that he was
promise”? It means, according to the promises God has given in His Word and delivered from all his fears – and it is important to notice the word “all”; and if
according to the examples that are recorded of His mighty deliverances. No you look up Proverbs 1:33 you will see the Lord’s promise to you about His
less than ten times in this psalm David uses this expression when praying to willingness to free you from fear and to give you peace through faith in Him.
the Lord – see verses 28, 41, 58, 65, 76, 107, 116, 154, 169, 170. Let’s study His desire for you is illustrated in Mark 4:39.
some of the ways in which we need God’s deliverance, find a scriptural
illustration of God delivering in that way; and then we shall look for a promise 5. We need deliverance from depression and loneliness: the illustration
from the scriptures applicable to that special deliverance. of this is in 1 Kings 19:1-15, and the promise is in Isaiah 41:10.
In 1 Kings chapters 17, 18 and 19 we see Elijah’s faith shining out at the brook
1. We need deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin: the illustration Cherith and in the widow’s house at Zarephath. On Mount Carmel we see it
of this is in Luke 18:9-14, and the promise is in Acts 13:38-39. again, and his challenge to the powers of darkness. He stood up to Ahab,
Luke’s passage records our Lord’s parable of two men, a Pharisee and a Jezebel and the prophets of Baal – what victory! – and then, suddenly, poor
publican. They are types of men and women today. Both were sinners and both Elijah, tired and exhausted, fled for his life (1 Kings 19:3-4). He felt dejected,
were guilty before God (Romans 3:23). The Pharisee, however, thought that fearful and depressed and he even prayed to die! He suffered a spiritual
God would accept him because of his supposed goodness (verses 9-12). There collapse, but God came to his help and delivered him; and here is the promise
is absolutely no hope of deliverance from sin’s penalty on the grounds of for you – look up Isaiah 41:10.
anything good in ourselves (Romans 3:20; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5). The
only way to be delivered from the penalty of sin is to look to Jesus and trust in 6. We need deliverance from difficult situations: the illustration of this is
His work on the cross. This is indicated in the publican’s prayer (verse 13). He in Daniel 6:14-23, and the promise is in Psalm 34:7.
prayed, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”. What was the result? – verse 14 Daniel was brought before the officials in Babylon for his fidelity to God, as a
tells us! – and here is the promise for you – look up Acts 13:38-39. result of which he was thrown to the lions (Daniel 6:16-17). When he was
safely sealed in the lions’ den the king, Darius, was also doing something
2. We need deliverance from the power of evil: the illustration of this is (verses 18-22). In verse 22 we read of his miraculous deliverance, and in
in Romans 7:18-25, and the promise is in Romans 6:14. verses 26-27 of the king’s decree which ascribed glory to God who had
What a tremendous struggle is described in the verses in Romans 7! Here is a delivered His servant Daniel; and here is the promise for you – look up Psalm
Christian, conscious of the battle which is going on between his old nature and 34:7.
his new nature, having received his new nature through faith in Christ. Notice
the agonising cry in verse 24. How greatly this man needed deliverance, and 7. We need deliverance from resentment and bitterness: the illustration
how he longed to be set free from spiritual and moral bondage! Verse 25 tells of this is in Acts 7:54-60, and the promise is in Psalm 50:15.
us he was set free; and here is the promise for you – look up Romans 6:14. Read about Stephen and his defence at the beginning of Acts chapter 7. Study
verses 54-60, and notice his amazing calm and submission, and the fine
3. We need deliverance from sudden temptation: the illustration of this is testimony he gave, even under provocation. We can easily become bitter and
in Genesis 39:1-23, and the promise is in 1 Corinthians 10:13. resentful when trouble comes and we question God’s dealings with us, but as
We know what it’s like to be faced with sudden temptation, though possibly not Stephen was being stoned he glorified God; and here is the promise for you –
the kind that threatened Joseph. Study Genesis 39 carefully, and notice the look up Psalm 50:15.
terrible temptation which came to him and the courageous way he overcame WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
(verses 7-12); then notice how the whole situation was aggravated (verses 14- PO Box 334, EASTLEIGH, SO53 2UB, UK
www.wordsoflife.co.uk