We drank for joy and became miserable.
We drank for sociability and became argumentative.
We drank for sophistication and became obnoxious.
We drank for friendship and made enemies.
We drank for sleep and awakened exhausted.
We drank for strength and felt weak.
We drank to feel exhilaration and ended up depressed.
We drank for “medicinal purposes” and acquired health problems.
We drank to get calmed down and ended up with the shakes.
We drank for confidence and became afraid.
We drank to make conversation flow more easily and the words came out slurred and incoherent.
We drank to diminish our problems and saw them multiply.
We drank to feel heavenly and ended up feeling tormented.
We drank to cope with life and invited death.
 
 

The only time that the wisdom of men is really wise is when it is based on something that is taught in the Bible.  The old bit of wisdom we all have heard, “Haste makes waste,” is not the theme of Psalm 70!  Our poet is certain that a lack of haste will cause waste in his case!  This same plea—for God to act quickly—is found in other Psalms, too (See 22:19; 38:22; 40:13; 71:12; as well as verses 1 and 5 of this one.)

Each verse of this psalm has a main point. They work together to teach us about the real need of David.  The brevity of the poem also has usefulness—at times we just need to get it said so that the One we are addressing can get to work!!

When I am the one who needs help right now, I will learn that haste does not make waste—waiting will make waste!  Whatever the circumstances were, David was convinced that quick and certain action was needed.  Now, God is always able to act correctly, because He is always ready.  The lesson for us is that we should be thinking and learning so that when we are called upon to act RIGHT NOW—we will be able to act RIGHT NOW!

This was not a minor problem in his life.  David was not “crying wolf” when there was no wolf.  His enemies (and God’s enemies) were out to destroy him.  They wanted his life, and they intended to get his life while in the process of doing him “hurt.”  The word for “hurt” here is a reference to doing evil to David (See also Psalm 15:4; 35:4,26; 38:12; 41:7; 71:13,24; 105:18; 144:10).  According to David, they needed to be ashamed and confounded.  One translation says, “Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonour.”

The brief comment in verse 3 is a reminder that those who live as the enemies of David lived are among those who reap the whirlwind as a result of sowing to the wind (Hosea 8:7; see also Galatians 6:7,8).

Although the situation was personal and desperate, David knew that the good outcome of these things would be to the magnifying of God and the rejoicing of the faithful.  He was not in this for revenge.  He was interested in seeing the will of God accomplished for all who were a part of the situation.  To “magnify” something is to make it look greater (larger).  His desire was for the name of God to be magnified in the lives of others who looked for God and loved His salvation.  In the last psalm, he had written, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and I will magnify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).

In this last verse, David returns to the point he made in the first verse of this prayer—“I NEED HELP RIGHT NOW!”  He describes his own helplessness, and clearly identifies God as the One Who can help.  He closes with the powerful plea, “O Lord, do not delay.”  The word “delay” has the idea of looking in it.  David does not want God to just look at this—he wants Him do act (make haste).

Let us learn that God does look, and that He can act, and that He can act with haste.  Let us learn from God that there are many times in this life when we ought to be ready to act with haste—because to just “look” will be to fail. 

SICK LIST:  Margie Chadwick and Jewell Graves have been ill.  Ron Andrews (Skip’s uncle) is waiting for test results following a biopsy of a brain tumor.  The family would appreciate your prayers. 
 
SYMPATHY:  Belle Oliver’s brother-in-law passed away last week.  We offer our sympathy to the family at this time of grief.
GROUPS:  Group 1 is in charge of the services at Plantation South at 1:30. 
Group 3 is in charge of the service at Gwinnett Extended Care at 2:00.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
LADIES’ CLASS:  10:00 Tuesday. 
FOR THE RECORD:      10/22     10/29 
AM Class                           116        121 
AM Worship                      148        143 
PM Worship                      100        106 
Wednesday Class                99          99 
Contribution                   $5717    $5522
Budget                           $6500    $6500
 
INTERNATIONAL DINNER:  Our annual international dinner is planned for Saturday, November 11, at 6:00. This is the “finale” for our dinners for 6/8.  Even if you are not part of this program, please plan to be part of this evening—bring an international dish and join us for a fun evening.  This year will be extra special since it will be part of our TFTW Mission Forum.
 

There will be a salad luncheon honoring Jennifer Davis Sunday, November 19, following morning services.  All the ladies are invited to be part of this special time for Jennifer.  (It’s a boy!)
 
 
 
FOR THE LADIES:  A craft exchange party is planned for Saturday, November 18, at 6:00, in the fellowship room.  Please bring finger foods and a wrapped craft (either hand-made or purchased).  If you have questions, please see Prince or Niki.