I. Our View of God Determines our Salvation

1 (LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies/Saul) I will love you, O LORD, my strength.      2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my protection, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

II. Difficulties are Unavoidable but not Inescapable            

4 The sorrows of death...floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows...6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: he heard my voice out of his temple 7 Then the earth shook and trembled...because he was angry. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18...the LORD was my stay.

III. God Delivers the Delightful

19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.  21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God Þ22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me 23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore has the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

Ps 147:11 LORD takes pleasure in them that fear him 51:6 desire truth in the inward 40:6 mine ears...

 91:14  Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him... known My name 69:30 praise...magnify him with thanksgiving 31 delight Ho 6:6  For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God.

1Th 4:1 as you have received of us how ought to walk and to please God...2 know commandments...3 sanctification

IV. God Responds  to Us as We’ve Responded to Him

25 With the merciful you  show thyself merciful; with an upright man you wilt show thyself upright;    26 With the pure you will show thyself pure; and with the difficult you will show thyself difficult          27 For you will save the afflicted people; but will bring down high looks.

28 For you will light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by you I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a shield to all those that trust in him.

V. God Delivers, Unwraps the Product, and Coaches Us in its Use

31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girds me with strength, and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me upon my high places. 34 He teaches my hands to war...35 You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your right hand has held me up, and your gentleness has made me great. 36 You have enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 39 For you have girded me with strength unto the battle...40 You have also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. 41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. 43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; and you have made me the head of the heathen...shall serve me.

VI. Giving Thanks is a Public Affair

46 The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

47 It is God that avenges and subdues the people under me. 48 He delivers me...49 Therefore will I give thanks unto you, O LORD, among the heathen/nations, and sing praises unto your name

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How would you describe God to a four year old?  40,  80 year old? How do you get a right view of God?

2. In what does God delight? How can we give it to Him? If we don’t please God will He please us?

3. To what extent does God want to be involved in our lives? Is there any area where God’s unhelpful?

4. Would you rather God give you a fish every day or teach you to fish? Why?

5. What are some ways to give thanks to God? What helps/hinders our giving of thanks?