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“God’s Bottle Tears” PSALMS 56

“God’s Bottle Tears” 1.Life can be a bear at times. 2.We were studying this last Wednesday evening a lesson from the “Gospel Minutes” entitled “You Can Be Happy” based on the NT passage of Philippians 4:4-13 regarding Paul’s predicament as compared to his attitude. 3.David is another interesting Bible Character who faced a pretty “big bear” - the giant Goliath and David defeated him with the help of God. I Samuel 17: David continues to win battles and the people sing of his greatness as we read in I SAMUEL 18:7 “So the women sang as they danced, and said: "Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands."

“God’s Bottle Tears” 4. David was great – However this is but one snapshot of many events in the life of David. 5.Some may conclude that they do not need to study about David because they could never live up to his example. 6.Yet there is another part of David’s life that helps us appreciate him and look to him as we live our lives here on earth.

“God’s Bottle Tears” 7.Psalm 56 which we are about to study this morning is about one of those times in the life of David that shows us he did not always have good days and wonderful songs sung about him. 8.It assures us that God keeps track of what His People go through each day and that He really cares for me and for you. 9.He keeps our tears in His bottle until the day He can wipe them all away for all eternity.

“God’s Bottle Tears” I. David’s Reason for this Psalm A. To better understand this Psalm, let me first give some background material of what was going on in David's life at the time. (I Samuel 21). B. First, His reputation had preceded him. When David fled from Saul to take refuge in Gath among the Philistines, he was recognized by the locals as the great warrior of their enemy Israel — David, “who had slain his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 21:11) He had escaped Saul’s pursuit of him to take his life and in fleeing he came upon this temple in Gath among the Philistines.

“God’s Bottle Tears” He had no sword or weapons at the time to defend himself, nor food to sustain him. When the priests in the temple saw David, they allowed him to even eat of the holy bread for that was there for their nourishment. They felt that David was worthy to eat of that shew bread. C. We see the Messiah in this, for Jesus said, I am the bread of life, and David took of that bread from the temple.

“God’s Bottle Tears” D. Then David asked the priests for a weapon, and the only weapon or sword which they had at the temple was the Sword of Goliath, the one that David had taken from Goliath when he cut his head off. The priests took the sword and gave it to David, for they knew that David had the right to take and keep the sword, if he so desired. E. David was “sore afraid of Achish, king of Gath” and changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad” 1 Samuel 21:13 F. Through his resourcefulness and by Gods grace, David escaped and fled and hid in a cave. I Samuel 22:1a

“God’s Bottle Tears” G. This episode in his life caused him a good measure of anxiety and heartache. Tears fell from his face as the Holy Spirit moved him to record his feelings in Psalm 56. It was there he said, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (56:3-4). Then he expressed these comforting words of confidence:

“God’s Bottle Tears” “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me. In God (I will praise His word), In the LORD (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (56:8-11). Sounds like the Apostle Paul in: ROMANS 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

“God’s Bottle Tears” II. “God keeps a careful record of our hearts, and knows every tear that falls.” A. The imagery of God putting David’s tears in a bottle is a touching means of expressing God’s concern for his people and his awareness of our suffering. B. There may be times when our spirits seem overwhelmed with fear, with cares and concerns that bring tears to our eyes. As our grief drives us to call upon God for relief, we may wonder if he really hears our prayers, if he really knows our tears. 1. David’s words assure us that God keeps a careful record of our hearts, and knows every tear that falls. Not only does he know when we’re crying, but our tears of pain are precious to him, stored up in His own bottle.

“God’s Bottle Tears” 2. He can think of that bottle as God’s way of saying, “I know, and I care.” As he said to a sobbing Hezekiah, when he faced the prospect of an imminent death, “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears” (2 Kings 20:5). 3. No wonder Peter urges “cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter. 5:7). 4. As the very hairs of our heads are numbered, as a sparrow does not fall to the ground without God taking note of it (Mat. 10:29-30), so it is that not a single tear falls without God tenderly collecting them in his bottle.

“God’s Bottle Tears” C. How great must his love be for us, that he would take note of our sorrows? 1. He knows those sorrows, because He became a man in Christ and shed not only tears for us (Luke 19:41; Heb. 5:7) but shed his precious blood that we might be delivered from sin and have the hope of being with him one day, where “he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more” (Rev. 21:4).

“God’s Bottle Tears” III.Special Lessons that Come From this Passage A.Life is filled with troubles. 1. The fact that one is a child of God does not mean- a. He/she will have no problems b. That he/she will not have opposition c. That we will not have enemies

“God’s Bottle Tears” B. The child of God needs to- a. Trust God no matter what comes b. Praise God for His word and the comfort it brings c. Live life without fear of what man says or does d. Be and remain faithful e. Be thankful for each day and blessing God gives

“God’s Bottle Tears” C.Manifest the Trust of a Child of God a. Through the absences of fear b. Be bold in spite of adversaries c. Pray without ceasing d. Have confidence in God e. Faithfulness in God and his Word f. Live “right” no matter what others do or say g. Be content living for God h. Be thankful

“God’s Bottle Tears” D. Reasons for Thanksgiving a. God’s Promises – II PETER 1:4 “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” b. Assurance that God will deliver - “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” Galatians 1:4 c. God will guide in the paths of safety Psalms 23

“God’s Bottle Tears” E.God’s Servants Will Have Enemies and They; a. “trample my life to the earth,” Psalm 7:5 b. Are proud to fight against God’s servants c. Have evil thoughts against the righteous d. Band themselves together in opposition e. “THEY” will be destroyed.

“God’s Bottle Tears” Our Conclusion - And as I mentioned earlier; How great must his love be for us, that he would take note of our sorrows? He knows those sorrows, because he became a man in Christ and shed not only tears for us (Luke 19:41; Heb. 5:7) but shed his precious blood that we might be delivered from sin and have the hope of being with him one day, where “he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more” (Rev. 21:4). Until that great day, we will have our sorrows. Our tears will fall. But a comfort which eases the pain and helps dry the tears is knowing our God knows, and keeps His bottle of our tears near his heart.

What MUST You Do to Be Saved? Hear The Word Of God Romans 10:17 Believe His Word Mark 16:16, John 8:24 Repent of your sins Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38 Confess your belief Romans 10:10, Acts 8:37 Be Baptized Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38 For the Remission of Your Sins Acts 22:16 Galatians 3:26, 27 Live Faithfully Titus 2:11-14