Mature Class Study, teacher Edith Tolbert.
God’s plan is for him to be exalted so people to see and recognize him for what he is.
Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took…the form of a servant…made in the likeness of men: And…as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name…above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
At the end of time every knee will bow to Christ and every tongue will confess because God has highly exalted him. Because Jesus was so willing to humble himself, God is asking each of us to humble ourselves. We choose whether we will be clothed with humility or whether we allow pride, our way, and opinions to be more important. Jesus did not think of himself highly. He became a slave or a servant and God wants us to become a servant to our fellow man.
Philippians 2:5-11 (Amplified Classic) But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God…
Jesus is the judge who will divide people, some on the right hand some on the left, and it is based on their service. We will be judged on whether we are willing to serve our fellow man or whether we aren’t willing to serve.
Matthew 25:41-44…say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and…clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not…they also answer …Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and…not minister unto thee?
Today people are mentally distraught and up in arms about everything. God wants us to keep a heart of thankfulness, no matter what the situation is – in the good time and in the bad times.
Song: “In Everything Give Thanks” In everything give thanks, in the good times praise his name, in the bad times do the same, in everything give thanks. With all the good things that come our way, it was no wonder you could hear Job say, the Lord giveth and he taketh away, So I’ll still give him thanks. But when the tables were all turned around and all Job’s wealth came crashing down, Job’s faith in God had taught him to say, I’ll still give him thanks. And in those dark hours when there’s no one around, Satan tries to tell you that God has let you down, in every dark hour the best thing I have found, is to give God thanks. He has never, never failed me yet, so why should I start now to worry and fret, and in everything I won’t ever forget to give God thanks.
God helped the Levites bring back the ark the right way. The time before they didn’t pray or ask God how. Uzza died because he touched the ark. This time David prayed about bringing it back the right way and God gave instructions. Everyone was happy and rejoiced to have the ark back. It’s important to remember everything God has done for us!
I Chronicles 15:25-28 So David…went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark…they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites…the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song…Israel brought up the ark…shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets…psalteries and harps.
I Chronicles 16:7-12…David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord…Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing…psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
David was exalting God. The definition of Exalt: raise in rank or power, to lift up, to praise, to glorify, to extol, to command, commend the worth of, sing one’s praises, to exalt, and worship give great honor and admiration.
I Chronicles 16:23-29 Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the Lord…glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
David wrote Psalm 34 and 119 as alphabet psalms so it would be easier for the people to memorize the verses. Psalm 34 wasn’t written at a good time of life for David because he was hiding from King Saul, but he praised the Lord.
Psalm 34:1-3 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord…and let us exalt his name together.
David ran from Saul to Nob where the priests lived. He asked Ahimelech for food and Saul’s servant Doeg saw it.
I Samuel 21:1-3 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid…said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? And David said…The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said…Let no man know any thing of the business…and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants…Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.
I Samuel 21:6-7 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away. Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg…chiefest of the herdmen…to Saul.
David went about 30 miles to Achish (king of Gath) at the Philistine camp. He saw he wasn’t safe so pretended to be crazy.
I Samuel 21:10-14 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said…Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing…of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David…was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behavior…and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish…Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
David escaped to hide in the cave Adullam. Everyone that was distressed, in debt, or discontented gathered themselves to him and he became the captain over them. There were 400 men with him in this cave.
I Samuel 22:1-2 David…escaped to the cave Adullam…his brethren and all his father’s house…went down thither… And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
David in a hard place but he knew God was watching over him. He chose to bless the Lord and be thankful at all times.
Psalm 34:4-7 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
God sent the prophet Gad and guided David to keep him safe from Saul. Saul found out that his son helped David and said Jonathan had conspired against him. He was feeling sorry for himself because no one felt sorry for him.
I Samuel 22:5…prophet Gad said…get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
Doeg told Saul that Ahimelech gave David bread and a sword. Saul called and questioned Ahimelech about it. He said he thought David was a faithful servant. Saul told his servants to kill all the priests but they wouldn’t. Doeg went and killed 85 priests and destroyed everything there. It was all because of hatred. When the Spirit of God came to David, the Spirit of God left Saul and an evil spirit came upon him so he continually did evil from then on.
I Samuel 22:8-14 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth…that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? Then answered Doeg…said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech…he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. Then the king sent to call Ahimelech…and all his father’s house…and they came all of them to the king. And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. And Saul said…Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? Then Ahimelech…said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
David confidently told Abiathar to stay with him. He knew the angel of the Lord was watching over him.
I Samuel 22:23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with…shalt be in safeguard.
We’ve all had times when we knew God protected us from danger. He is with us, guiding us, and we need to praise him all the time. If your mind is troubled, get out and walk. Psalms 103 says “forget not all the benefits.” Start counting all the benefits God has given and thank him. If you start thanking God, your mental status will improve 100% because you’re focus is on extolling, exalting, and praising God. God wants our thanks at all times – good or bad, but especially in the bad times. We’ll all be tested to see if we’re going to exalt God regardless of the situation.