Ps.119..vs.81-88 ...CAPH...King David..."The Persecuted"

CAPH .. Kaph .. Kaf

~ Eleventh Section ~

Means:

Bend ~ Open 

Allow ~ Tame

The Message of "CAPH"
is about:

● Finding Strength

● Finding Comfort

● Facing Life and Death

● Deliverance

● Persecution Prepared

● Vindication

● Being Almost Consumed

● Finding Purpose

Introduction...

King David ... a man with many enemies ... even of his own household ... uses "CAPH" ... to describe the persecution he suffers ... in this Eleventh Section of Psalm 119 ... Words such as:

"Bend" [H1869]

... a picture of warfare ... as a bow ready to "bend" and shoot

... sending forth arrows in defence ... to "tread down" the enemy

... arrows representing a means to "lead forth" ... "march" with "Truth"

... against persecution.

"Open" [H6440..H6437]

... "Turning toward"

... to see ... the presence of God ... the face of God ... to turn toward ... in order to observe the countenance ... and discern the attitude of the persecutor

... but also ... to discern God's attitude regarding persecution

... to reveal the reason behind the persecution ... referring also to "turning a corner"

... looking from a different perspective which might cause things to appear differently ... than first assumed.

"Allow" [G4909]--[H225]

... "consent" .. "approve"

... wondering why God would "permit" ... persecution.

"Tame"

... [G1150]--[H1639]

... "curb" .. "restrain"

... "diminish .. "abate"

... "withdraw" .. "keep back"

... hoping that God would "restrain" the wicked and their evil attacks ... by removing them

... [--H2296]

... "restrain" .. "bind self"

... considering how one might benefit by "restraining self " ... during persecution.

... Finding Strength

So David turns to God ... looking for the answers and help needed ... describing what he is experiencing when he says:

81

My soul fainteth

for thy salvation:

but

I hope in thy word.

The persecution David is experiencing is affecting his :

"soul"

  [H5315]

  = self .. inner man

  = life .. breath

  = mind .. desire

  = appetite .. passion

  = activity of the will

  = character

(Lexicon)

  = hungry soul

     (needs to be fed

      .. Word of God)

  = words = feelings

  = expressions of soul

  = also ref. to "heart"

  = soul speaks to us (Ps. 3:3)

This is a threat to the condition of David's "inner man" ... as persecutions attack his way of "life" ... even his "breath" ... very existence.

The stress he is under ... has the power to also affect his peace of "mind" ... "desires" ... "appetite" ... which in turn ... can create health problems ... and hinder the "passion"  required to carry out the responsibilities associated with his position of leadership.

David is definitely facing challenges that are testing the power of his "will" and "character."

When King David is under attack ... he is very wise to make his first response ... one of self-evaluation ... being quick to realize that persecution has the power to drain him spiritually ... as well as physically ... this is a "heart" issue that calls for spiritual food ... his "inner man" needs to be strengthened.

His soul is drained ... "hungry" ... a deep spiritual hunger ... that can only "be fed by the Word of God."

Therefore ... David's soul:

"fainteth"

  [H3615]

  = fail .. be at end

  = be finished

  = be spent .. used up

  = exhausted .. destroyed

  = consumed .. bring to pass

David's self-evaluation accurately diagnoses his condition ... revealing that if he does not feed his soul ... under these circumstances ... he is destined to "fail" ... will be "finished" ... "be spent " ... "exhausted" ... "destroyed" ... and "consumed" before he is even able to address the challenges facing him

... or "bring to pass" any plans to overcome the situation with which he is confronted.

The only way he is going to survive this persecution is through God's:

"salvation"

  [H8668]

  = deliverance .. help 

     (usually by God

       .. through human

       .. agency)

  = safety .. victory

  = rescue .. welfare

  (Lexicon)

  = to be freed

  = implore help

(Lexicon .. leads to Job 29...)

   Through Job's life ... before his great loss of family and property ... God defines what it means to really "be righteous."

God could brag on Job's righteousness because this man had already provided sufficient evidence of his righteousness

... by the events that had already taken place in his own life ... as Job ... himself ... exemplified a living picture of the Words ... "salvation" ... and ... "deliverance"

... by Job already physically delivering:

... "the poor and fatherless"

... "those who had no help"

... "those targeted .. to perish"

... "widows

      .. making their hearts

         sing for joy"

Job said that he "wore righteousness like a robe."

Everywhere he went ... Job:

... "was eyes to the blind"

... "was feet to the lame"

... "was a father to the poor"

... "fought the wicked

      .. taking what they stole

      .. right out of their teeth"

... "gave counsel to needy"

... "comforted those who

      mourned"

Job's ... example of being like God ... as a child of God ... administering hands-on "salvation" ... physical "deliverance" of the oppressed

... stands as an indictment against today's professing christians ... so fearful of a "works salvation" ... that they reject the righteous works they are actually called to do as evidence ... "fruit"

... proof of possessing genuine supernatural love and a new spiritually converted compassionate heart ... a heart like ... the heart of Jesus

... the One who ... physically ... gave Himself for the "salvation" of others.

These are the ones who are believers in word only ... not in deed

... the ones who will be left behind at Rapture ... so-called "servants" ... who failed to "serve" according to God's specifications ... found in His Holy Word

... choosing ... instead ... what was convenient and most ecnomically profitable for themselves.

Like all of the genuine people of God ... who suffer persecution

... David is going to:

"hope"

 [H3176]

  = to wait .. expect

  = tarry .. trust

  = to be patient

  = painfully wait for

  = cause to have hope

      (encourage self

        .. to generate hope)

And ... in what ... is David going to "hope?"

He is placing his "hope" in God's unchanging:

"word"

  [H1697]

  = speech .. utterance .. saying

  = chronicles

  = commandments

  = book .. communication

  = counsel .. work

Every "speech" ... "utterance" ... "saying" ... that God ever brought forth comprised the "chronicles" and "commandments" found in His unique "Book"

... His means of "communication" used to provide "counsel" and every good "work" ... to which His people are called.

... confirming his relationship with his King and Saviour ... and his dependence upon God's Word.

... Finding Comfort

Spending so much time searching God's Word for the help he needs ... without success ... has caused his vision to "fail."

Patience is also running out ... David presses God to know how long it is going to take ... before he is relieved of the intense stress he is under ... as he pleads:

82

Mine eyes fail 

for thy word,

saying,

When wilt thou

comfort me?

"fail"

"fainteth"

  [H3615]

  = not accomplish .. cease

  = consume .. determine end

  = finish .. complete

  = be ended

  = be spent .. used up

  = be fulfilled .. be determined

  = exhausted .. destroyed

King David's eyes ... and his own efforts ... have "failed" ... have "not accomplished" removal of the effects this situation is having upon his spiritual and physical life.

His eyes are "spent " ... "exhausted" ... now without vision ... and without any success in finding the answers he desperately needs ... and had hoped he would discover ... by combing God's:

"word"

  [H1697]..[H565]

  = speech .. utterance

  = sayings

  = chronicles

  = commandments

  = saying .. utterance

  = book .. communication

  = counsel .. work

David knows that the Word of God is the means by which physical and spiritual  "comfort" will be found.

But at this moment ... God is not revealing the specific information he needs ... to find this type of unique:

"comfort"

[H5162]

  = to be sorry .. console self

  = repent .. regret

  = be comforted

  = moved to pity

  = have compassion

  (Lexicon)

  = pant .. groan .. lament

  = pity misery of others

      .. generating compassion

      .. generating justice served

  = avenge oneself

Perhaps the answers he needs ... are not forth coming ... because David's understanding of what he is really requesting ... is not specific enough.

Maybe finding "comfort" involves some introspection ... and closer consideration of what "comfort" involves.

Or ... maybe God wants to actually give David ... more than David is requesting.

David is a powerful leader and it is possible that this situation has been designed to prepare him to meet the greater demands that he will be facing in his position in the future.

So let's take another look at what David is requesting when He requests "comfort."

The first consideration we are confronted with when seeking "comfort" is ... in fact ... introspection.

Is there something "to be sorry" about?

If we have done something to offend someone ... that resulted in a backlash of persecution ... perhaps ... with "regret" we can "repent" and the situation remedied with an apology. 

If so ... this might be one way to be able to take measures to "console" our self

... if not ... we can "be comforted" with the thought that our Father is aware of everything that concerns us and is always "moved to pity" and will "have compassion" ... when we find ourselves in some difficulty. 

However ... there is another consideration.

Possibly ... David's "comfort" is going to come to him ... when he is able to hear others "groan" and "lament"

... when he is able to "pity misery of others"

... as a king "generating compassion" for others being persecuted

... "generating justice served"

... or ... giving David the strength to "avenge oneself."

When David is moved by persecution ... to seek "comfort" from God ... but God does not instantly come to his rescue ... could it be ... God is working out a much larger plan in David's heart?

... a plan ... to prepare him to be God's example of what God desires a king to be

... a plan ... fitting one who is ... after all ...

"a man after God's own heart?"

... Facing Life
     ... and Death

David ... another significant overcomer ... highlighted in Holy Scripture ... that arrives at a point ... where he is unable to understand what in the world God is doing with him ... doing to him

... seeing himself at a dead end in life's journey ... when it appears ... his enemies are going to triumph over him

... trying the best he can ... to express to God ... how he feels ... by saying:

83

For I am become

like a bottle

in the smoke;

yet do I not forget

thy statutes

"bottle"

  [H4997]

  = skin bottle

      ..(made of leather)

  [Lexicon]

  = If bottle hung in smoke

      .. it would dry out

      .. becoming worthless

David feels like he has been "hung out to dry" ... like the bottles of that time in history ... made of animal skins.

A "bottle" such as this ... if hung in "smoke" over a smoldering fire ... would dry out ... crack open ... and no longer be able to hold liquid

... no longer be able to fulfill ... its purpose.

So he is really telling God that he feels like he is becoming worthless ... questioning why God would let him become of no use to himself or anyone else.

"smoke"

  [H7008]

  = thick smoke .. vapour

  = cloud

  [H6999]

  =to make sacrifice

The heat of a fire could sufficiently ruin a "bottle" ... so why does David add "smoke" to the picture he is giving God?

The answer could also be found in the referred Hebrew number "6999" ... which means "to make a sacrifice."

Is it possible that David is considering that God could be asking him to "sacrifice" his life? ... to give God more control over his life?

Surely this "smoke" is a "cloud" ... a "vapour" ... hiding God's intention ... but David comes forth with the right response to his "smokey situation"

... resolved to cling to something more important than the way he feels at the moment

... he is maintaining a firm grip ... on his commitment ... his priority in life to:

not "forget"

 "forget"

  [H7911]

  = ignore .. wither

  = cease to care

  = not remember

  = cause to forget 

David is resolved to NOT FORGET

... not ignore

... not let his feelings wither

    the importance of

... not going to stop caring

    about

... not going to stop

    remembering

... not let anything

    cause him to forget

God's:

"statutes"

  [H2708]

  = ordinance

  = prescribed boundaries

  = limits .. conditions

  = according to

      .. God's written Word

The commitment David has made to make God's "statutes" ... "God's Word" ... his priority ... is the very thing that he knows ... will somehow ... provide what is needed to overcome his circumstances ... and restore meaning to his life

... so David is completely dedicated to maintaining a tight grip on every Word of God.

... Deliverance
     ... Days Numbered?

          ... His Time to Die?

... Or ...

If he lives ... how long ... will David have to wait ... to be delivered ... from the persecution he is under?

How long :

84

How many

are the days

of thy servant?

when wilt thou

execute judgment on them

that persecute me?

"servant"

 [H5650]

 = slave .. worshipper of God

 [H5647]

 = laborer .. worker

 [H5646]

 = builder

David appeals ... from his position as God's "servant" ... reminding God ... again ... that he has yielded himself to his Creator ... as a "slave" ... a "worker" ... a "builder"

... with two questions:

1.. Is David no longer any use to God ... as God's "servant" ... so his life ends here? 

... or ...

2.. Will God "execute" "judgment" against those who "persecute" him ... so David can return to serving God?

What will it take for God to "deal with" the ones who "persecute?"

... and how will God:

"execute"

  [H6213]

  = fashion .. accomplish

  = to deal with .. to prepare

  = to spend .. bear .. fulfill

  = journey

     .. (physical .. spiritual)

  = maintain

  = sacrifice .. yield

  = use to show

  [Lexicon]

  = labor through .. work at

  = wage war with

  = do what is right

  = fulfill will of God

When God "executes" ... He sets out to "fashion" ... create a basis ... by which to bring about His perfect "judgment"

... to "accomplish" the means "to deal with" every person involved in the "persecution" ... of a "servant" ... of His.

This includes those who are directly associated ... indirectly associated ... or are any witnesses to the "persecution."

Our Father is "prepared" ... "to spend" ... invest ... whatever it takes ... personally

... "to bear" the responsibility required to address ... whatever is needed to "fulfill" His will ... spiritually and physically concerning the lives of all that have been involved

... taking into consideration how the event affects the specific "journey" in life ... of every person ... whether a victim ... a "persecutor" ... or a witness to ... an attack against one of His "servants"

... in order to "maintain" the precepts of His Holy Word ... as it pertains to the actions and responsibilities of all involved ... or anyone ... in any way ... affected by the event.

As the attacks were being carried out ... God was watching:

(1) to see if David did "sacrifice" his own emotional impulses

(2) to see if David would "yield" to the Word of God ... by taking action ... based on the wisdom of God's will

(3) to see if David did "use (the situation) to show" those under his authority ... the importance of self-control and ultimate benefits of following God's will in every life-threatening situation?

(4) to see exactly what was going on in the hearts and minds of the "persecutors" ... to determine how they are going to ... ultimately ... be held accountable?

[ref. Lexicon]

     To be able to arrive at a detailed "judgment" and lawful punishment of "persecutors"

... as well as being able to experience benefits gleaned from "persecution"

... one must "labor through" and diligently "work at" a God-given plan to "wage war with" the adversary

... being committed to "do what is right" ... and "fulfill the will of God" ... to complete God's process of dealing with "persecutors" ... while delivering the persecuted.

How is God going to define:

"judgments"

 [H4941]

  = judgment .. justice

  = ordinance

  = established law

  = in accord with

      .. the Word of God

  = active in deciding a case

  = place .. court

  = seat of judgment

  = process .. procedure

  = case .. cause

  = sentence .. decision

  = time (of judgment)

  = justice .. right .. rectitude

     (attributes of God or man)

  = decision .. decree

  = right .. privilege .. proper

  = fitting measure .. plan

(Application)

  = crime .. penalty .. justice

  = adversary .. charge .. crime

  = just desert .. determination

  = measure .. sentence

  = worthy .. wrong

  [H8199]

  = vindicate .. punish .. govern

  = defend .. deliver

  = influence

"Judgments" are designed by our Creator ... Almighty God ... to bring "justice" ... revealing His loving nature ... by glorifying His goodness

... through His desire to bless those who do His will and what is right ... thereby ultimately ... preserving all He has created for our benefit ... while we are in this world

... and by curbing ... punishing ...  destructive acts of the wicked ... which ultimately ... negatively ... affect human life ... and all God has created to maintain life ... health ... and prosperity

... until He is ready to bring about His final "judgments" upon the rebellious and wicked

... and provide the eternal blessings ... and ... new home He is preparing ... for those who genuinely love Him

... these are the ones ... who have demonstrated their  love for all of His "ordinances" and "laws"

... laws and ordinances which are all "in accord with His Holy (perfect) Word"

... a Word established in Love

... in Jesus Christ

... because Jesus IS the Word

... and IS Love

... because Jesus IS God

... and "God IS Love" (1 Jn.4:8)

Jesus = Word of God

Jesus = Love

Jesus = God = Love

A time will be determined when God's "ordinances" and "laws" will "become active in deciding a case" ... on earth ... or ... ultimately ... in His "court" ... at the "seat of judgment."

This involves a detailed "process" ... "a procedure" ... specific to each "case" and determined "cause" ... which ... God Himself ... has witnessed.

At that "time" a "decision" regarding "sentence" ... will be "decreed" considering  the "attributes of God and men"

... with a "fitting measure" of punishment to be administered promptly

... or in the "court of God" at the final "judgment"

... determining  those who willingly ... through their own behavior and rejection of Christ's offer of salvation ... have chosen eternal residence in hell where the fires are never quenched

... by freely choosing to:

"persecute"

  [H7291]

  = to follow after .. pursue

  = run after

     .. (usually with evil intent)

  = chase .. dog

  = attend closely upon

      .. (surveillance)

  = harass

  = hinder .. aim to secure

     .. take captive .. confine

  = hunt .. stalk

All forms of "persecution" are attacks upon a person physically ... emotionally ... mentally ... and spiritually.

Any one or all of these attacks may contribute to the damage ... or death of a person

... are grounded in hatred ... spiritually qualifying as murder

... therefore will receive a possible  immediate death penalty at God's hand ... and or ... eternal sentence ... eternal death ... in hell ... at God's appointed time.

... Persecution Prepared

85

The proud

have digged pits

for me,

which are not

after thy law.

David's persecutors are men who are "wicked" ... "arrogant" :

"proud"

 [H2086]

  = arrogant .. inflated

  = presumptuous

  = insolent .. domineering 

  = impiety

 [H2102]

  = boiled up .. seething (anger)

  = rebellious

  = ignorant .. deceived

  = defiant .. (relentless)

[Lexicon]

  = boil .. overflow

  = out of control .. violent fierce

  = wicked

... especially speaking of those who sin knowingly and purposely against God's 

Law ... to "act fiercely against his neighbor

by slaying him secretly"... from a hidden position ... a victim that cannot see the danger ... or defend himself:

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit ..."
(Prov.1:10-12)

Persecutors do not need a reason ... a cause ... to persecute ... often they do it for money ... to promote someone's contrary agenda ... but often persecutors are just "rebellious" ... "proud" ... "arrogant" psychopaths ... who enjoy the hunt ... (or all of the above)

... who have bottled up ... "boiled up" ... "seething anger" ... acquired through many failed attempts ... trying to make themselves superior to others ... wanting to be a "god" ... a "fierce" ... "violent" controller of others.

Actually ... "persecutors" are cowards ... evidenced by their choice of avoiding honest face to face combat ... in favor of creating a secret "pit" which they carefully have:

"digged"

  [H3738]

  = excavate .. dig through

  = give a banquet .. feast

      .. (open opportunity .. plot)

  = get by trade .. buy

      .. (get paid to)

[Lexicon]

  = Plot .. set a trap

  = prepare mischief to do harm

  = lay snares

The "wicked" often "excavate" ... "dig through" a person's life to find some weak spot in security they might use as an "opportunity" to "invite them to a 'feast'... from which they will not return"

... or offering through an attractive "plot" to "set a trap" ... or "lay a snare" to "prepare mischief to do harm" by taking them captive in some way to repeatedly prey on.

In Ephesians 6 ... the Apostle Paul warns believers to beware of the wiles of the devil who works against them ... to devise:

"pits"

  [H7882]..[H7745]..[7743]

  = chasm .. ditch

  = cause to humble some way

      .. (steal joy)
      .. (cause depression)

      .. (cause to fall) .. (to sink)

"Put on the whole armour
of God,
that ye may be able
to stand against
the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
(Eph.6:11-12)

...BUT...

While our ultimate adversary ... resides in the spiritual realm ... and the "pits" the devil "digs" ... are a result of spiritual wickedness

... let us not forget that ... evil spirits are using physical human ... hearts ... minds  ... and hands ... to "dig" these "pits" ... to accomplish this wicked work ... that is being influenced by the spiritual realm.

 Therefore ... if we want to discern what the spiritual realm is doing ... so we can put on the armour ... we must be willing to see ... and acknowledge ... what is happening in the physical world

... as we also remember to "love the sinner ... but hate the sin" ... hating wicked forces that are using the sinner ... to "persecute" those who love Christ.

False doctrine that goes no further than focusing on the spiritual realm ... and in the physical world only emphasizes politeness instead of Truth

... looking the other way when sin is being committed by physical beings ... is not manifesting "Christian love"

... but giving the devil more power to open the door to lawlessness as a result of excusing crime ... that displays hatred for God's Laws ... and God's people.

Unfortunately ... this is now coming to a point ... where if one is to be judged as a ... "caring" and "loving" person ... one is expected to look the other way ... when lawbreakers ... even in the church are blatantly breaking God's laws

... even becoming "persecutors" of God's people themselves

... serving as further evidence of disregard for the Word of God ... "good" being called "evil" and "evil" being called "good."

David draws our attention to the fact that this "persecution" is definitely not in accord with God's:

"law"

  [H8451]

  = direction .. instruction

  = prophetic teaching

  = interpret Word of God

  = statutes .. code of ethics

  [H3384]

  = like "Water of the Word"

  = pour .. cast .. throw

  = like rain

  = teach .. instruct

[Lexicon]

  = Book of Law

  = Word of God

  = Doctrine of God

David has done nothing against God's law ... that would invite such an attack.

Actually ... David loves God's Law.

Indeed ... is this not ... the whole point ... the whole reason ... David is experiencing "persecution"

... which he has successfully established in this 85th verse?

... Finding Vindication

86

All thy commandments

are faithful:

they persecute me

wrongfully;

help thou me.

Vindication is priceless ... because it maintains focus ... strength ... and confidence ... causing "the accuser" to go silent ... as David evaluates his heart and actions according to God's:

"commandments"

  [H4687]
  = law .. precept .. ordinances
  = judgments .. rules
  = code of wisdom
  = best course in life
  = direction according to

      .. God's will
  = totality of Word of God
  [H6680]
  = assignment
  = specific God-given

      .. appointment

He has discovered through the experiences in his life that God's "commandments" are:

"faithful"

"faithfulness"

  [H530]

  = firmness .. fidelity

  = steadfastness

  = steadiness .. stability

  = security

  = truth .. having faith

  = fulfilling promises

The truth God has established ... is consistently "firm" and "steadfast"... providing "fidelity" ... a trustworthy means by which to discern his heart for:

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"(Jer.17:9)

"Having faith" in what God has established in His Word ... will provide David with the foundation of "truth" he needs to compare what is going on in his heart ... to what God would like to see ... going on in his heart.

Our Father is "faithfully" committed to "fulfilling promises" ... including ... all of the promises written in His Holy Word regarding those who:

"persecute"

 [H7291]

  = to follow after .. pursue

  = run after

     .. (usually with evil intent)

  = chase .. dog

  = attend closely upon

      .. (surveillance)

  = harass

  = hinder .. aim to secure

     .. take captive .. confine

  = hunt .. stalk

In any case ... "persecution" ... considering its very hateful ... murderous ... lawless nature ... should never be allowed.

Nevertheless ... King David has gone the "extra mile" ... to honestly search his own heart to see if he has been at fault in any way ... if he has possibly offended someone ... which perhaps has led to the attacks he is experiencing

... and discovered that those who "persecute" him are doing so:

"wrongfully"

 [H8267]

  = lie .. liar .. deception 

  = disappointment

  = falsehood .. false oath

  = betrays .. fraudulently

[Lexicon]

  = without cause

[H8266]

  = deal falsely - trick - cheat

[Lexicon]

  = to be false to one's faith

  = to break a covenant

David finds vindication and confidence toward God ... with a clear conscience ... by knowing that the "persecution" is definitely "without cause."

So ... once again ... he petitions God for:

"help"

  [H5826]

  = support

  = to surround

  = protect .. aid

  [Lexicon]

  = to assist in gaining victory

  = to conquer

Self-examination ... has led David to vindication ... fulfilling the necessary requirement to present an invitation to God ... to take a stand against his enemies ... "to assist in gaining victory" over his enemies

... an invitation God has promised to grant in:

Exodus 23:22

"But if thou shalt indeed obey His voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries."

... Almost

     ... Consumed

Sometimes it's darkest ... before the dawn ... but sometimes it's darkest ... just before it's ... pitch black.

This is the point ... David thought he had reached ... when he said that it appeared:

87

They had almost

consumed me upon earth;

but I forsook not

thy precepts.

"consumed"

  [H3615]

  =to accomplish .. cease

  = end .. fail

  = finish .. be complete 

  = be spent .. used up

  = exhausted .. perish

  = destroyed

[Lexicon]

  = pine away ..(waste)

  = cause to languish

(to continue for a long time

without activity or progress

in an unpleasant or unwanted

situation .. to become feeble

.. wear out .. deteriorate)

  = cause to vanish

It looked like David's life was going to come to an "end" ... that he had "failed" ... was "finished" ... "used up" ... and "destroyed."

Davids future was grim.  There just wasn't any physical strength left to draw from.

If he didn't "perish" any moment ... surely he would slowly "pine away" ... "languish" ... until he would "deteriorate" and just "vanish" away.

However ... we do see some light ... some "dawn" in David's "darkness" ... as he uses the Words ... "almost consumed" to describe ... in past tense ... looking back ... toward his time of "persecution"

... that King David ... indeed ... was delivered by the hand of God

... though at the same time taking note

... that God also did allow him to believe he was at death's door ... at some point.

Facing death has a way of drastically ... highlighting the really important things in life ... while sorting out ... things that do not matter at all

... a really valuable asset ...  for a godly king ... to possess.

So when this king felt like it was "the end" ... he:

"forsook not"

  [H5800]

He did not:

  = leave .. depart

  = refuse .. reject

  = abandon .. neglect

  = desert .. apostatise

  = let go of .. desert 

The more "persecution"

... he suffered

... the more pain he endured

... the darker it got

... the tighter David held on to God's:

"precepts"

  [H6490]

  = totality of Law

      .. Word of God

  = statute .. commandments

  = mandate of God

(official order .. authorization)

  [H6485]

  = judgment

  = recorded testimony

  = for purpose of attending to

  = pay attention to .. need

Why didn't David just give up and die?

Afterall ... God let him think that he was going to die anyway.

Could it be ... that God had to let David come to a point where he was ready to die ... before he was actually really ready to live again ... as a new man?

... not only "a man after God's own heart"

... but much more than a mere man

... a king

... to minister to God's people
... a God-ordained authority

... "after God's own heart."

... Finding Purpose

     ... in Life

King David wanted to live ... he wanted everything in life ... that God had created him to experience.

Understanding that we live in two different dimensions ... he knew exactly what he was requesting from his Creator when he said:

88

Quicken me after

thy lovingkindness;

so shall I keep

the testimony

of thy mouth.

The Apostle Paul describes "quicken" as it relates to the two dimensions of life ... the spiritual dimension and the physical ... or natural dimension ... in this way:

45

"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
(1Cor.15:45-49)

So ... to really experience the life our Creator intended us to have ... both the natural dimension and the spiritual dimension must come alive ... they must:

"Quicken"

  [H2421]

  = have life .. sustain .. grow

  = live forever .. saved

  = be restored to life .. health

  = revive from:

      .. sickness
      .. discouragement

      .. faintness .. death

  = to preserve life (health)

  = nourish up .. (nurture)

  = delivered from destruction

  [H2331]

  = to breathe .. (retain life)

  [H2324]

  = show how .. interpret

  = tell .. declare .. explain

To "have life" involves more than the process of coming into existence.

Our Creator's intention ... in creating us ... is to allow Him to "sustain" our life ... that we might "grow" ... spiritually ... physically ... mentally ... and emotionally

... and come to terms with the reality that this life we have been given is ... in fact ...
eternal

... we are going to "live forever" ... somewhere.

The question is ... how can our life be "saved" ... how can we secure a happy eternal outcome?

Everyone dies someday ... so if we live forever how can we "be restored to life ... and health" ... eternally?

... and how can we continue to "revive from" ... "sickness" ... "discouragement" ... "faintness" ... in this life ... to "preserve life" ... "nourish" and nurture life

... so we can be "delivered from destruction" ... to "breathe" (retain life)?

Only God ... Himself ... can give us the wisdom to maintain life ... and the faith to depend on Him to heal us on a daily basis while on earth

... and "show how" we can live forever.

He ... alone ... by the power of His Spirit ... can "interpret" ... "tell" ... "declare" ... "explain" how to inherit the Kingdom of God ... only by extending His:

"lovingkindness"

  [H2617]

  = goodness .. kindness

  = faithfulness

  = mercy .. favour

  = pity .. act kindly

Like the Apostle, John ... King David knew that

... "God is love" (1Jn. 4:8) ... and that it is the power of the love of God that creates life

... a principle that can be scientifically proven.

The very Word ... "love" ... carries a frequency that can be seen in sand experiments ... a frequency that is able to raise the frequency of the human body to facilitate healing.

It is the power of God's love that will:

"keep"

  [H8104]

  = save .. guard .. observe 

  = give heed .. have charge of

  = as watchman

      .. (keeper ... guardian of)

  = preserve .. protect
      .. save life

  = retain .. reserve

  = treasure up in memory

  = celebrate .. perform

  = take heed .. beware
      .. abstain

  [H5341]

  = guard from dangers

When our Creator infuses His supernatural love into David's spirit ... body ... mind ... and emotions ... he will see how God intends to "save" his physical life ... as well as his spiritual life

... by giving him the power to "keep" "guard" over every aspect of his life ... which God will use to "preserve" ... "protect" ... and "save his life"

... in the physical realm ... David will learn to discreetly "watch" situations develop around him ... "observe" ... "retain memories" to reconstruct in wisdom ... "to take heed" ... determining everything that concerns the spiritual realm and preserves God's:

"testimony"

  [H5715]

  = legal witness

      .. (ref. divine law)

  = precepts .. Laws of God

  = revelation .. by Holy Spirit

  [H5707]

  = evidence recorded

  = Word of God

  [H5749]

  = repeat .. affirm .. exhort

What is "CAPH?"

"CAPH" ... is God's picture ... and perspective ... of "persecution" ... as it relates to personal

... spiritual and physical warfare.

The Message of "CAPH" is about:

● Finding Strength

● Finding Comfort

● Facing Life and Death

● Deliverance

● Persecution Prepared

● Vindication

● Being Almost Consumed

● Finding Purpose

* * * * *

To have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ ... who is the living Word of God ... and enjoy eternal life ... beginning right now:

**Receive God's gift of eternal life ... and escape the wrath to come:
... scroll to top of page
... click on gift wrapped
     in gold in left column
... and follow directions
     with a sincere heart 

♡♡♡