The Winning Hand (Elevation)

Psalm 59:9 (1 Sam 19 - context of Psalm 59)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

10 my God on whom I can rely God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,[d]or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down.

12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,

13 consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.

14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

David had a range emotions all in one Psalm.

1. The Wars

• Romans 8:37 ( No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.) Why are there times when i don’t feel His love. The scripture declares that God is my defender and no weapon formed against me will prosper. Why is it that i feel under siege?

• God is not my refuge from trouble. He is more refuge in trouble. Some of the things I see as troubles, is training.

• David was declaring God’s glory even before he faced Goliath (1 Sam 17:45-46) David declares victory before battle. Don't wait until things turn out positively in your life to give God glory. Don't wait until everything is perfect in your life to enjoy the presence of God. God is looking for people who will shout before the first brick falls, who will blow your trumpet when you’re still looking at enemies.

• When I praise God, I’m not praising God for the outcomes that I’m experiencing, but for His promises that are still to come.

• 1 Sam 19:8-10. Understand David’s struggle so that we can understand his strength. “The presence of God is not the absence of trouble. Our greatest testimonies will come from our greatest tests.” The reward for David bringing Goliath down was… more battles. We don’t just kill Goliath and bring the reward home and stare at his head for the rest of my life.

• David had no problems fighting Philistines. The greatest battles he fought were within him.

• David could use slingshots to whip people and play a harp to make you cry. He was the embodiment of both a warrior and a worshipper.

• Who was Saul fighting? On the surface it looked like David. A lot of times i thought i was fighting someone or something. But it’s not a battle with them but within. Were there times when I was like Saul, fighting the wrong battles. Trying to kill what God is trying to use? (exploding at people, freaking out on people, bad mood with people) I am fighting myself, at war with myself. When I am fighting within myself and at the things that God sent to fight my battles. Sometimes i’m fighting against what I should be fighting for.

2) The Weapons

• Saul had his hands on the spear, David has his hands on the harp. When the spear hit the war, David had a decision to make. Do i take my hands of the harp and grab the spear and throw it back? David doesn’t miss. David had the reputation of killing giants and yet he chose not to fight back when he had the opportunity. (when we have an opportunity to control and manipulate situations and get people to do what we want, say this about me and I have to say something back)

• Saul had his hands on the spear, David has his hands on the harp. Who has the upper hand? One hand on spear and one hand on strings. Shouldn’t spear beat strings? How could the one with the spear lose to the one on the strings? There must’ve been another hand in the room that’s not mentioned in the text. The hands of God is on your life, the hands of God was on David, it grabbed the spear. “Not now, not him, no weapon forged against me shall be able.” Keep your hands on the harp and God will put His hands on the spear.

• We thought Saul had his hands on the weapon and David had his hands on an instrument. But worship is a weapon. If I let God fight my battles, I cannot lose.

• The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. I don’t throw spears back. I’ve got the winning hands. When I clap my hands during praise, my praise confuses the enemy. When I lift my hands in worship, the hands of God are on me. The same hands that plucked David from the sheep fields, the same hands that delivered him from lions and Goliaths, the same hand that held the flask that poured the oil to anoint him, the hands of God is on my life. And Saul cannot kill what God has crowned.

3) The Way

• I don’t fight for victory, that's the way the world fights. I fight from victory. My worship is my weapon, I don’t have to prove myself to people in situations.

• When I’m in a situation with a spear next to my head and I get to choose to do it my way or God’s way. Duck. and let God have His way. How did David keep his hand on the harp and how do you keep your heart at peace with spears. David knew “If I can win the battle within my soul, God will fight the battle with Saul”.

• How to speak to yourself what God has spoken instead of letting yourself tell yourself what you fear.

• Hands on the spear is me trying to be in control. If i keep my heart at peace, it doesn’t matter what spears fly my way. Psalm 59:9. 9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, (i wasn’t watching the spears or Saul, i was watching the one whose hands is on my life)

• David’s name literally means beloved. The same love that crowned David has crowned you. Saul cannot kill what God has already crowned. Perfect love cast out all fears.

10 my God on whom I can rely God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. 11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,[d]or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down. David did have a weapon. Ephesians 6:16. Stay behind my shield.