Psalm 31
2 Peter 2
With Rev.Brian Moseley
Introduction
– Imagine you’re caught in a storm—waves crashing, winds howling. Where do you turn? Some run to a lighthouse for safety; others are lured by false lights that lead to shipwreck.
Today, we’re looking at two passages that guide us through life’s storms: Psalm 31 and 2 Peter 2.
– Psalm 31: A prayer of David, crying out for God’s help in distress, yet ending in praise.
– 2 Peter 2: A warning from Peter about false teachers who threaten the church with deception.
– In a world of trouble and temptation, God offers refuge to those who trust Him and discernment to resist evil.
– Trust in God: Hope, Courage, Confidence and your identity in Christ.- Deliverance from enemies: “The thing that’s wrong with the world, is that they don’t know that something is wrong with the world.” Phil Robertson
– In both examples, David is trapped, attacked and recognizes his need for deliverance. Previously, he spoke of being born into sin: Psalm 51:5
– Seeking refuge: In God’s Presence through his Son Jesus (The Word of God), and His Holy Spirit who lives (temples) in us and with us. There we have Righteousness and Mercy.
1. The Cry for Refuge (Psalm 31:1-5)
– “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame… Into your hand I commit my spirit” (Psalm 31:1, 5).
– David’s life was full of storms—enemies, betrayal, even his own failures. Yet he runs to God as his rock, his fortress. That phrase, “Into your hand I commit my spirit,” echoes through history—Jesus Himself said it on the cross (Luke 23:46).
– When life overwhelms you—sickness, loss, fear—where do you turn? David teaches us to trust God as our safe place, our deliverer. Jesus proves God’s faithfulness by rising from the grave.
– Think of a child running to a parent during a thunderstorm—instinctively knowing they’re safe in those arms. That’s us with God.
2. The Reality of Distress (Psalm 31:9-13 vs. 2 Peter 2:1-3)
– “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief… I have become like a broken vessel” (Psalm 31:9, 12).
– “False prophets also arose… bringing in destructive heresies… and many will follow their sensuality” (2 Peter 2:1-2).
– David’s distress is personal— physical and emotional pain, rejection by friends.
– Peter’s distress is communal— a church under attack by wolves in sheep’s clothing.
– Both show a world broken by sin. David feels it inwardly; Peter sees it outwardly in false teachers who twist truth for gain.
– We face both today— personal struggles and deceptive voices. The news, social media, even some pulpits can lure us away from God’s truth. Like David, we cry out; like Peter, we stay alert.
– A hiker lost in fog— one wrong step could mean a cliff. We need God’s voice to guide us through the haze.
3. God’s Deliverance and Judgment (Psalm 31:19-20 vs. 2 Peter 2:4-10)
– “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you… You hide them in the secret place of your presence” (Psalm 31:19-20).
– “If God did not spare angels when they sinned… and if he rescued righteous Lot… then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” (2 Peter 2:4, 9).
– Psalm 31 celebrates God sheltering the faithful.
– 2 Peter 2 recounts God’s past judgments (the flood, Sodom) and His rescue of Noah and Lot, promising the same for us.
– God is consistent—He saves those who trust Him and judges those who defy Him. David’s hope meets Peter’s assurance.
– Trust that God sees you in your trial. He’s not blind to evil either—justice is coming. Hold fast; He’s your refuge and your rescuer.
– A lifeguard pulling a swimmer from riptides—God doesn’t just watch; He acts.
4. The Call to Action (Psalm 31:23-24 vs. 2 Peter 2:17-22)
– “Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful… Be strong, and let your heart take courage” (Psalm 31:23-24).
– “For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved… It would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:17, 21).
– Psalm 31 ends with hope, urging God’s people to love and trust Him.
– 2 Peter 2 ends with a grim warning—false teachers and their followers face a dark fate.
– Both call us to choose: Cling to God or drift into destruction.
– Love God with all your heart—He’s your strength. Test what you hear against Scripture—don’t be swayed by empty promises. The stakes are eternal.
– A fork in the road—one path to a warm home, the other to a cliff. Choose wisely.
Conclusion
– Psalm 31 shows us God as our refuge in personal storms. 2 Peter 2 warns us to resist the false lights that lead to shipwreck. Together, they paint a picture of a God who saves and judges, calling us to trust and discern.
– This week, when trouble hits, pray like David: “Into your hand I commit my spirit.” When temptation or confusion comes, heed Peter: Test the spirits. God is your rock and your guide.
– “Lord, thank you for being our refuge and our strength. Open our eyes to Your truth and guard us from deception. We commit our lives to You, trusting Your deliverance. In the name of Jesus, we pray this prayer and claim this ground! Amen.”
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