PRE-444-444. The Preventing Love of The Lord
444. The Preventing Love of The Lord
The Preventing Love of the Lord
An Encouraging Message for Those In Need of Hope
by David Wilkerson
February 26, 2007
[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]
'93Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head'94 (Psa_21:3). At first glance, this verse by David is a bit puzzling. The word '93prevent'94 is usually associated with hindrance, not with blessing. A modern translation here would be, '93The Lord hindered David with the blessings of goodness.'94
Yet the biblical word for '93prevent'94 signifies a completely different meaning. It means '93to anticipate, to precede, to foresee and fulfill in advance, to pay a debt before it is due.'94 Furthermore, in almost every instance, it implies something of pleasure.
Isaiah gives us a glimpse of this kind of pleasure. It comes from God anticipating a need and fulfilling it ahead of time. '93It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear'94 (Isa_65:24).
This verse provides us with an incredible picture of our Lord'92s love for us. Evidently, he is so anxious to bless us, so ready to fulfill his loving kindness in our lives, that he can'92t even wait for us to tell him our needs. So he jumps in and performs acts of mercy, grace and love toward us. And that is a supreme pleasure to him.
This is just what David is saying in Psa_21:1-13, in essence: '93Lord, you pour out blessings and loving kindness on me before I can even ask. And you offer more than I could even conceive of asking.'94
David is referring to some awesome work that God performed for him in the spiritual realm. It'92s something that gave David victory over his enemies, answers to prayer, overcoming power and unspeakable joy. And God did it all before David could even go to prayer, to unburden his heart or present his request. Once David finally did pour out his heart, he discovered that God had already made provision to defeat his enemies. David'92s victory was assured before he could even get near the battlefield.
Indeed, when David wrote Psa_21:1-13, he was speaking of a literal battle. This Psalm is a companion chapter to Psa_20:1-9, both referring to a battle described in 2Sa_10:1-19. In that 2 Samuel passage, Israel'92s enemy, the Ammonites, had hired Syrian battalions to wage war against David. So David dispatched his military leader Joab and a choice army to meet the enemy at the nation'92s border. They defeated the Syrians soundly in an overwhelming victory, and the enemy fled in fear.
David rejoiced, thinking, '93That'92s the end of the Syrians. We won'92t have to deal with them again. Our army dealt them a death blow.'94 He wrote, '93I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet'94 (Psa_18:38).
Yet Scripture tells us, '93When the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together'94 (2Sa_10:15). This enemy regrouped and began plotting another attack. Now they would come against Israel with great chariots of iron.
Of course, this story is about more than David'92s troubles with the Syrians. It is also about followers of Christ today and our battle with Satan. It'92s about a battle we thought we had won long ago '97 perhaps against a lust, a habit, a temptation we once defeated. At the time we thought, '93All my fasting and praying over this matter has paid off. I'92ve finally won the victory, by faith. I won'92t have to be plagued anymore.'94
Yet God gives us this story to reveal to us a crucial lesson.
Every victory we win over the flesh and the devil will be followed by an even greater temptation and attack.
Satan simply won'92t give up in his war against us. If we defeat him once, he'92ll redouble his forces and come right back at us. Suddenly, we'92re in a spiritual war we thought we'92d already won. And now he comes at us with '93iron chariots,'94 weapons and devices of greater force and intensity than we'92ve known.
'93The Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him'94 (2Sa_10:17). It'92s important to note that David was not living in sin at this time. On the contrary, he walked in the fear of God. And yet David was human, so he must have wondered, '93Why would God allow this once-dead enemy to come against me again?'94
We know David had a tender heart. No doubt he searched his soul, wondering if there was some wicked way in him. Was he being disobedient somehow? He probably thought, '93Lord, am I being disciplined?'94
Isn'92t this what goes through our minds whenever we face an enemy we thought was defeated long ago? We wallow in self-examination: '93There must be some evil root in me. How else could I be tempted in this same area over and over? I must be a phony, a hypocrite, rotten inside.'94 We end up crying out as David did: '93Help, Lord, this is beyond me, and I need a miracle. Please, rid me of this thing once and for all.'94
Suddenly, in the midst of his confusion and soul-searching, David remembered the covenant God had made with him: '93The Lord telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom'94 (2Sa_7:11-12).
God reminded David of this promise as he was going to war. He wanted to remove all fear from his beloved servant. So while the devil was throwing every weapon in hell at David, the Lord showed him that even before he entered battle he would emerge a victor. He said, in effect: '93I'92m going to plant you and your seed so that your house will stand forever. You don'92t have to be pushed around by your enemies, because I'92m going to cut them off. So, when the Syrians show up in their iron chariots, don'92t be moved. You'92ll come out of this battle standing.'94
David laid hold of these promises. And the first thing he did was to take his eyes off the oncoming enemy. Now he was no longer weeping about being in trouble, trying to grasp why the struggle had come. Instead, he basked in the revelation of God'92s loving kindness: '93He delivered me, because he delighted in me'94 (Psa_18:19).
This is what God intends for every one of his children when the enemy comes upon us like a flood. The Lord '93prevents'94 us with his love. In other words, he says to us, '93You may be wounded, but that doesn'92t matter. I have already made you victorious.'94
When we rest and trust in this promise, we can rejoice in victory even before we go into battle.
Because of God'92s '93preventing'94 promise, we are able to claim victory and dominion even before the battle begins. David sang, '93The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart'92s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips'94 (Psa_21:1-2).
You may wonder, '93How could David rejoice? He faced the most intense attack he'92d ever known. How could he have joy when he might have been wounded or killed?'94
David answers: '93Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head'94 (21:3). What David is saying here is life-changing: '93I face a powerful enemy who is bent on destroying me. But my soul is at peace. Why? The Lord has foreseen my struggle. And he has showered me with assurances of his love. My enemy may cause me to stumble or fall, and at some point it might seem I'92m finished. But God has told me that if I will just get up, I will receive his strength and win the battle.'94
David then made this statement of faith just before going to war: '93Thou settest a crown of pure gold on (my) head'94 (21:3). The crown of gold David mentions here is a symbol of victory and dominion. David was saying, '93I'92m going to war riding on God'92s promise to me. He said I would walk out of the battle wearing the crown of victory.'94
This sums up the doctrine of God'92s '93preventing goodness'94: He has anticipated all our struggles '97 all our battles with sin, flesh and the devil '97 and in his mercy and goodness, he has paid our debt before it can even come due. Our victory is a done deal.
Yet this doctrine doesn'92t apply to Christians who flirt with sin. By refusing to part with their lust, they have already surrendered to the enemy. Such people simply don'92t want to be free. And they have already developed a hardened heart. They have tested God'92s grace and love again and again, until finally they have come to despise it.
God'92s preventing goodness applies especially to those who love Jesus and are surprised by sin. The Lord assures us that even if we are cast down temporarily, we'92ll emerge from the battle standing upright, all because Jesus has paid our debt. Maybe you'92ve been wounded and bloodied by the enemy'92s sword. You'92ve failed in some way, and now you'92re downcast in spirit, wondering if you'92ll ever recover.
Don'92t lie there wondering, '93Where did I go wrong?'94 Get up, and stand on God'92s promises of loving kindness. Confess and lay hold of his forgiveness. He promised that you would come out of every battle a victor, crowned by his strength. '93Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power'94 (Psa_21:13).
How does the Lord '93prevent'94 us with these blessings of goodness and loving kindness?
The Holy Spirit drives out all fear from us '97 fear of falling, of being cut off from God, of losing the presence of the Holy Spirit '97 by implanting in us his joy. We are to go forth rejoicing, as David did, because God has assured us we will prevail.
Yet so few Christians have this joy and exceeding gladness. Multitudes never know rest of soul or the peace of Christ'92s presence. They walk around as if in mourning, picturing themselves under the thumb of God'92s wrath rather than under his protective wings. They see him as a harsh taskmaster, always ready to bring a whip down on their backs. And so they live unhappily, with no hope, more dead than alive.
But in God'92s eyes, our problem isn'92t sin; it is trust. Jesus settled our sin problem once and for all at Calvary. He doesn'92t constantly harp on us, '93This time you'92ve crossed the line.'94 No, never! His attitude toward us is just the opposite. His Spirit is constantly wooing us, reminding us of the Father'92s loving kindness even in the midst of our failures.
When we become focused on our sin, we lose all sight of what God wants most: '93Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him'94 (Heb_11:6). This verse says it all. Our God is a rewarder, and he'92s so anxious to shower us with his loving kindness that he blesses us way ahead of schedule.
This is the concept our heavenly Father longs for us to have of him. He knows when we'92ll repent over our failures and sins. He knows when our contriteness is coming. But he can'92t wait for the due date. So he jumps in, saying, '93I want to assure my child he won'92t be judged, because I'92ve already forgiven him through my Son'92s cleansing blood.'94
David is an example of someone who was blessed with God'92s goodness even though he went '93too far.'94
You know David'92s story. He went way beyond temptation, falling into blatant adultery. Then things got worse: David lied to cover his sin. When that didn'92t work, he committed murder to keep from being found out. David became a hypocrite, sinning in the face of God'92s blessings, causing God'92s enemies to rejoice, and bringing shame on the name of the Lord. Yet, we all know how the story ended. David was forgiven and fully restored, though he was disciplined severely.
My question is, at what point was David forgiven? God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David about his sin. The Lord said, '93I want you to tell David how evil his sin is in my sight. As a result of his iniquity, the sword will not depart from his house. The illegitimate baby he fathered with Bathsheba will die. And his wives will be ravished in the sight of all Israel. Finally, tell David I have wiped out all his sins. He is no longer under judgment. I'92m not going to kill him. Assure him he is totally forgiven.'94
Think about it: when God said this to Nathan, David was still in denial about his sin. He hadn'92t even confessed it yet. Do you see what was happening? God was forgiving this man before he had even faced his sin '97 before he could utter a prayer!
God knows all, and he knew David'92s heart. He knew that when Nathan would confront him, David would blurt out, '93Oh, Lord, I have sinned horribly. I'92ve carried this burden for an entire year. Thank God, it has all been brought out in the open.'94
God knew David would be broken and contrite over his sin. Yet, most of all, the Lord knew that at heart David wasn'92t a habitual adulterer or murderer. Instead, David had been surprised by sin. This man didn'92t wake up one morning and decide, '93Today I'92m going to indulge my lust. I'92m going up to my roof to peep around until I spy a nude woman bathing on her rooftop. Then I'92ll bring her here to the palace and seduce her.'94 No, I'92m convinced David was overwhelmed in a moment of weakness.
Likewise, God sees your heart. You may be trapped in a bondage, having been overwhelmed by sin. But the Lord knows you didn'92t wake up one day and decide, '93Today I'92m going out to commit fornication. I'92m going to find a way to lose my temper and explode.'94 No, only hardened souls behave this way, gospel-rejecters and lovers of sin. Broken, contrite Christians don'92t plan to sin; they are surprised and overtaken by it. In fact, often the enemy floods them while they'92re busy about God'92s business.
Dear Christian, God has counted your tears even before you'92ve shed them. He has already forgiven you, at the point of your first pang of conviction and sorrow. He wiped away your sin even before the awful pain struck your heart and you cried, '93Oh, God, I hate this, I despise it. I'92m so sorry I have grieved you.'94 He sees contriteness in your heart even before it first appears.
So God knew the pain David was facing. He knew that for the next several years David would go through severe discipline. And God wanted to move in quickly with his comfort. So he rushed in to prevent David with the blessings of his grace.
We see a picture of this when David later brought Bathsheba as wife into his house to cohabit with him. After their illegitimate child died, God blessed them with another child, whose name was Jedidiah, meaning, '93God knows.'94 The Lord was assuring David, '93I know your heart, and I see your brokenness.'94
Let me give you one final example: the prodigal son.
I believe the prodigal came home because of his history with his father. This young man knew his father'92s character, and apparently he had received great love from him. Otherwise, why would he return to a man who would have been angry and vengeful, who would beat him and make him pay back every cent he squandered?
The prodigal surely knew that if he returned he wouldn'92t be upbraided or condemned for his sins. He probably thought, '93I know my father loves me. He won'92t throw my sin in my face. He'92ll take me back.'94 When you have that kind of history, you can always go back home.
Notice how the prodigal'92s father '93prevented'94 him with the blessings of goodness. The young man was intent on offering a heartfelt confession to his dad, because he rehearsed it all the way home. Yet when he faced his father, he didn'92t even get a chance to fully confess. His father interrupted him by running up to him and embracing him.
'93When he was a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him'94 (Luk_15:20). The father was so happy his son was back, he covered him with kisses, saying, '93I love you, son. Come home and be restored.'94
The father did all of this before his son could complete his confession. The young man was only able to blurt out the beginning of his speech, saying, '93Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son'94 (15:21). But his father didn'92t wait for him to finish. To him, the young man'92s sin had already been settled. The father'92s only response was to issue an order to his servants: '93Put a robe on my son and rings on his fingers. Prepare a feast, because we'92re going to celebrate. Everyone rejoice, for my son is home!'94
At what point was the prodigal forgiven? It happened back when he was still groveling for food in the pigpen. His sin was wiped away the moment he first thought, '93I'92m going back home. I'92ve got to confess to my father that I'92ve sinned.'94 He was forgiven by his father before he could even voice his confession '97 before he could do penance, weep tears of grief, or try to pay him back. And his father showered him with blessings of goodness way ahead of schedule.
Sin wasn'92t the issue to this father. The only issue on his mind was love. He wanted his boy to know he was accepted, even before he could utter a confession. And that is the point God wants to make to us all: His love is greater than all of our sins. '93The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance'94 (Rom_2:4).
Of course, it is possible to '93(despise) the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance'94 (2:4). Those who think they can continue in sin, testing God'92s grace over and over, become hardened by their repetitious sinning. They believe they can continue to sin against his goodness without being harmed.
But gradually, their hearts become impenitent, so they no longer desire to repent. They end up with hardened hearts, storing up wrath against themselves. They can'92t blame God; he has faithfully tried to prevent them with blessings of goodness, yet they have rejected it all. That is the greatest sin anyone can commit.
Here is the way to cleansing and restoration: receive the Lord'92s promise. He tells us, '93I will cause you to walk in my ways. And I will plant my fear in your heart. I know you can'92t do this for yourself. I will do it for you, with your cooperation. This work is accomplished only by faith in the finished work of the Cross. All I ask is that you trust my promise to you. The work has already been accomplished by me. It is your work to accept it by faith. That is my love for you.'94
By: David Wilkerson