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Family Devotions:
M. God Delivered Lot....................................................................................Genesis 19:12-16
T. God Delivered David.................................................................................I Samuel 17:12-37
W. God Delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.................................Daniel 3:17; 21-28
T. God Delivered Daniel................................................................................Daniel 6:21-28
F. God Delivered Peter..................................................................................Acts 12:1-10
S. God Delivered Paul...................................................................................Acts 27:18-25; 44
S. Prayer for Deliverance..............................................................................Matthew 6: 9-13
Devotional Reading: II Timothy 4:4-18
Memory Selection: What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56:3)
Lesson Scripture: Psalm 56:1-13
Introduction
The Psalm that comprises our Lesson Scripture contains some very important truths. In
the heading of this Psalm we are told that it is written, “To the chief Musician upon
Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.” It is
considered the first of a group of five Psalms (56-60) that are called “Michtam Psalms.” The
word michtam means - engraven or permanent. It focuses our attention upon that which is
unmovable and enduring. Like the Psalmist David, our hearts are to be fixed upon the
unmovable God and His enduring power, by which we experience divine deliverance.
The heading of the Psalm also mentions that the Philistines took David in Gath.
According to I Samuel 21, David fled from Saul, taking with him the sword of Goliath because
he had no other weapon. I Samuel 21:9 says, “And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the
Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind
the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said,
There is none like that; give it me.” Shortly thereafter, David went to Achish, the king of Gath.
Apparently that incident is connected to this Psalm. The Psalm may describe David’s fear while
he was in the midst of the Philistines. While there, He was recognized and pretended to be mad,
drooling spittle on his beard (I Samuel 21:10-15). Most of us would have been afraid in such
circumstances, and so we easily understand his fear. Hopefully, we also share his faith and trust
in God for deliverance.
In this Psalm, David expressed both fear and trust. He apparently feared man, but he also
trusted God and hoped for His deliverance. A careful reading of Psalm fifty-six will reveal his
confidence in God’s deliverance during perilous times. He said, “What time I am afraid, I will
trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3). In verses four and eleven he repeated his confidence in God. David
clearly understood that he was a blessed recipient of God’s deliverance and this Psalm helps us
also grasp that glorious fact.
Divine Deliverance from Sin
(Please read II Corinthians 1:8-11.)
1. Paul stated that life became so difficult he “despaired even of life.” Did he mean they had
abandoned their hope of God’s deliverance?
2. In verse ten, does “so great a death” have reference to death in sin?
3. God “delivered us”(past) and “doth deliver” (present) and “will yet deliver us” (future). Does
His deliverance assure us of heaven and glory?
It is very important that we not limit our hope of divine deliverance to the teachings
expressed in Psalm fifty-six. It is for us a starting point, not the full declaration of the subject.
The Scriptures of the New Testament help focus our attention upon God’s greatest act of
deliverance, which came through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note
that the Apostle Paul referred to Christ as “the Deliverer.” He said, “And so all Israel shall be
saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
ungodliness from Jacob” (Romans 11:26). The greatest act of divine deliverance came through
the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus has delivered us from the penalty of sin
is more important than every other aspect of this wonderful subject. As God’s Son, Jesus was
free from any sin of His Own, that He might die for our sins and indeed for all God’s elect. The
great redeemed family of God can unitedly say, “...Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open
the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).
Jesus saved us by His sacrificial death and shed blood; what a blessed hope of
deliverance. As we await His coming, let us remember the words of Paul in I Thessalonians
1:10. He said, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus,
which delivered us from the wrath to come.” As the Deliverer, Christ delivered us from sins and
thereby from the “wrath to come.” We cannot possibly achieve such a deliverance; therefore, we
should worship and praise God for our deliverance through Jesus Christ.
Divine Deliverance Daily
(Please read Daniel 3:13-18.)
4. In the verses cited above, the three Hebrew children declared their confidence in God’s ability
to do what? What lessons (plural) should we learn from their example?
5. Do you suppose our trials are worse than those who have lived before us? Discuss how our
trials may be compared to those of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
6. What miracles did God perform as He delivered them?
Having considered God’s deliverance from an eternal aspect, we shall now consider some
of the immediate benefits. In the passage cited above, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were
delivered from a fiery furnace. We may not experience the same level of danger but we need
God’s deliverance just as much today. A close examination of Psalm fifty-six reveals that David
was declaring God’s deliverance on a day-to-day perspective. He had frequently found himself
in danger and been rescued by God. There were times when he was delivered from predators,
such as a bear and a lion. “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of
the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And
Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee” (I Samuel 17:37). Because God had
previously delivered him, David felt confident he would also be delivered from the giant Goliath.
God not only delivered him from Goliath but later from Saul and others who sought his life. In
other words, God delivered him again and again. He came to realize that when he became afraid,
he really could trust God for deliverance. Hopefully, those experiences have brought us to the
same conclusion; we can also lean upon God’s everlasting arms. No matter what the situation,
God is greater than our problem.
Throughout the ages many other saints have experienced divine deliverance and a few of
them have been listed in the Family Devotions. Monday’s reading is about Lot and it is
interesting to study how God delivered him. In II Peter 2:7-9 we read, “And delivered just Lot,
vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them,
in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The
Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day
of judgment to be punished.” Notice that Lot’s deliverance was used by Peter to teach all of us a
very important lesson; God knows exactly how to deliver us today.
The Family Devotions also mention the deliverance of Daniel, Peter and Paul, whose
experiences encourage our hearts and strengthen our faith. One who was not mentioned is Job
and yet his life experiences affirm God’s deliverance in trials. Like David, Job experienced
multiple problems from which he needed divine deliverance. As we examine his life and the
horrible difficulties he encountered, it seems almost too much to bear; yet, each trial of his faith
helped him rediscover that he could trust God through every difficulty. After repeated trials and
heartache, Job’s confidence in God became so great he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust
in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him” (Job 13:15).
Obviously, there are times of danger when we all need divine deliverance, times when
there is no earthly means of escape. During such difficult times, when we are backed into a
corner, no one but God can step in and protect us. In such times we may be helpless, but we
should not be hopeless. Perhaps none of us have suffered through the horrible experiences of
those mentioned; yet, God has also delivered us and brought us safely through our difficult times.
What a blessing to know the certainty of divine deliverance.
While God does often deliver us totally by His power, there are other times when He
chooses to deliver us by providing a way of escape. Paul mentioned such times by reminding us
of temptations which are common to all humanity. He said, “There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to
bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13). The word temptation means trial, or proof. When allured to sin
or simply going through trials, remember that God can provide a way to escape the difficulty.
When troubles come, look for God’s “way of escape,” trusting always in His grace of divine
deliverance
Divine Deliverance and Prayer
7. This brief prayer that Jesus taught should be important to us as Christians. Discuss whether
we should memorize and repeat it verbatim as a prayer, or study it to learn how to pray.
8. Find the expression which seeks divine deliverance and discuss its application today.
9. Notice that the prayer ends with God’s praise. Explain why.
In the last two verses of Psalm fifty-six, David gives praise to God and explains his
reason for doing so. In the beginning of verse twelve He praised God for delivering his soul
from death. It was a beautiful example of prayer and a wonderful testimony of gratitude to God.
Not only did David praise God, but he also asked Him to deliver his feet from falling. He praised
God for delivering him and immediately asked for deliverance in the future walk of life. We have
also been delivered from death; the problem is that we often are not even aware of it. If we knew
how close to death we have been at times, it might also motivate us to praise the Lord. The
psalmist said, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful
works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8).
In the New Testament we are told of ten lepers healed by Christ. Only one thanked Him;
the other nine did not return to praise God for His deliverance. Luke 17:15-17 says, “And one of
them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And
fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus
answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” Remember this: “But ye
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (I Peter
2:9).
Application
If God has delivered us, we should consider some appropriate responses to His goodness.
Ponder the following scriptures and keep them always in your heart.
First, divine deliverance should cause us to worship God. He is certainly worthy of our
worship for He has so richly blessed us by His grace. Jesus said, “...for it is written, Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). Each Lord’s Day
gives us new opportunities for worshipping the Lord.
Second, we should give Him our praise and thanksgiving daily. Hebrews 13:15 says, “By
him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips
giving thanks to his name.” When praise flows from a heart filled with deep gratitude, it will also
become our testimony before men.
Third, we should live a life that pleases and honors Christ, our Saviour. “For ye were
sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
David prayed for deliverance as he walked before God and men. God’s Word will help us find
the right way to live our lives in His perfect will.
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