INTRODUCTION:

       A.  Background:

            1.  The law - (Ex. 20:13-14).

                 a.  "Thou shalt not kill".

                 b.  "Thou shalt not commit adultery".

            2.  The Crime.

                 a.  Murder - Uriah the Hittite.

                 b.  Adultery - Bathsheba.

            3.  Confession and repentance - (Psalm 51).

            4.  Forgiveness - (II Sam. 12:13).

                 a.  "....Jehovah also put away thy sin; thou shalt not die."

            5.  Consequences - (II Sam. 12:10-11).

                 a.  "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house,
                      because thou hast despised men and hast taken the wife of Uriah
                      the Hittite to be thy wife.  Thus saith Jehovah, behold, I will raise
                      up evil against thee out of thine own house..."

            6.  Problem at hand - ABSALOM'S Rebellion.

       B.  Today let's explore this Psalm and try to gain the strength that God's
             servant David had in his time of despair, in order that we might become
             a more dependent people.

   I.  DAVID'S DISTRESS - V. 1-2.

       A.  Increase in adversaries - v. 1 - (II Sam. 15:12 - conspiracy was strong).

            1.  David realizes his problem and tells his God.

                 a.  He had the right - man after God's heart.

                 b.  Shows the proper way to call upon God.

                 c.  Communication with God shows dependency.

       B.  David is rejected - v. 2.

            1.  They say that God is against him:

                 a.  Because of Uriah the Hittite and Bathsheba.

                 b.  Because of taking Saul's throne.

                 c.  SHIMEI swore these things at him - (II Sam. 16:5-8 READ).

            2.  Rejected by the majority of the nation.

            3.  Almost everyone followed Absalom - the false leader

                 a.  A man of wicked ways.

  II.  DAVID DECLARES HIS CONFIDENCE IN GOD - V. 3-4).

       A.  Protection is of God - v. 3a.

            1.  Shield - buckler round about, a protection which shall surround a man
                 entirely, a shield above, beneath, around, without and within.

                a.  God is our shield today.

       B.  Exaltation is of God - v. 3b.

            1.  Glory.

                 a.  Though he appeared dishonored, he would soon be seen to be
                       triumphant.

                 b.  God's glory will be seen in the midst of trials.

                      1)  Ex. The cross, the resurrection.

       C.  Honor is of God - v. 3c.

            1.  Lifter up of my head - will be replaced on his throne, shame taken
                 away.

       D.  Help is of God - v. 4.

            1.  Cry unto God.

                 a.  Phil. 4:6.

                 b.  Psalm 55:22.
 
                 c.  I Peter 5:6-7.

 III.   DAVID'S CONFIDENT FAITH - V. 5-6.

       A.  Trusting God brings deep sleep.

            1.  Faith enabled him to lie down - (anxiety would have kept him on his
                 toes).

       B.  We can have peace with confidence.

            1.  Phi. 4:7.

       C.  God is on our side.

            1.  Jesus - Matt. 28:20 - "with you always".

            2.  Holy Spirit - indwells the temple, our body.

            3.  Father to watch over us.

            4.  Ministering Angels - Heb. 1:14.

       D.  Fear will be subsided - v. 6.

            1.  God's man does not fear death.

            2.  Our God will bring us back.

  IV.  SALVATION IS OF GOD.

       A.  You have helped me before, help me again - v. 7.

            1.  Break bones - shows God's contempt for the wicked.

            2.  Broken teeth - power taken away.

       B.  God is our salvation:

            1.  From sin.

            2.  From danger.

            3.  From trouble.

       C.  God always blesses his people.

   CONCLUSION:

       A.  Maybe you are in trouble, or danger.

            1.  Sin puts you there, just like it did David.

       B.  You need to realize your distress like David did.

            1.  Adversary the Devil seeks you (I Peter 5:8).

       C.  You need to express your confidence in God - believe what He says.

       D.  You need a confident faith which only comes through depending on God.

       E.  Just like David, YOU NEED SALVATION........