The Lesson Of Defeat
Psalms 60
January 19, 2020
It was Vince Lombardi who coined the famous phrase,
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
That phrase certainly seems to encapsulate the American mindset to be sure, but it is probably an accurate description of the human mindset.
Everyone wants to win.
Losing is never fun.
And yet, if we learn anything from the examples of Scripture,
God often times seems to teach us far more when we lose
Than during the times in our life when we win.
We are all familiar with the mandate of our Lord if we are to follow Him.
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
At the very beginning of the call of salvation is a call to “deny” self.
• Certainly this would include the concept of repentance, where we turn from the sin of our life and that which the flesh loves (like money and the world) to follow Christ.
• Certainly this would include the surrender of any and all future plans and dreams, (as in love your father and mother or wife and children more than Me) as well as all resources to the will and glory of Christ.
• But it is also a call to deny any and all efforts or achievements we have already accomplished by which we deem ourselves worthy of anything.
For the religious man,
It is a willingness to see all his religious achievements
As that which has no value in regard to salvation.
• He has to see that all his praying, all his giving, all his fasting, all his church attendance, so far as earning salvation is concerned is but a filthy rag before God.
• And he must throw himself upon the imputed righteousness of Christ as his only means of justification from the Father.
This is the very essence of what Jesus meant when He said:
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The very first attitude of salvation is when a man comes to realize
That he has nothing of value by which he can purchase salvation.
In short, where he to find himself standing this very moment before the Judge of the Universe, he would quickly realize he has no leverage and nothing with which to bargain.
He is totally and utterly spiritually bankrupt.
That is the first attitude of salvation because
• That is the only type of person who will then mourn over his sin,
• Be meek before God,
• And subsequently hunger and thirst for the righteousness which only Christ can provide.
This is at the very heart of salvation.
This notion of being poor in spirit or of denying self.
THE OPPOSITE ATTITUDE would be that of pride or self-reliance.
• The man who considers himself to be able and good and capable of achieving salvation.
Not only is God opposed to that man,
But that man is also destined to fall.
• FIRST because his own ability is never enough to secure salvation.
• AND since he sees value in his own religious works he will never forsake them in order to grab hold of Christ.
That makes this attitude of pride and self-reliance
The most dangerous of all attitudes.
And so you understand why it is so important to the Lord
To utterly root it out of our lives.
God continually works to produce humility and reliance in His children,
And the fact of the matter is that this lesson
Is MUCH EASIER TAUGHT THROUGH DEFEAT than it is through victory.
• When we win, there is something idolatrous in human nature that will
instinctively rise up and want to take just a little bit of the glory for what
occurred.
• We may even realize that 99% of the victory was because of God’s grace and
good favor, but there is still something so appealing about sharing in that
glory, even if it is only a little part.
• Winning doesn’t help us with humility, but losing does.
It is in losing that we often learn to
Consider our frailty and our weakness.
And it is there that God softens the clay
Into that which can be used for even greater purposes.
Consider as a chief example the Apostle Paul:
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;”
He spoke of a TERRIBLE AFFLICTION in his life,
But also one he saw as ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
To get him to stop trusting in himself.
Paul was a strong man and a man who was accustomed
To being able to use that strength to deliver himself
So God put him in a burden that was “beyond our strength”
So that Paul would no longer trust in himself.
Or later in the book:
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 “Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows — was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
You have a unique incident occurring there.
• In order that God might comfort Paul and encourage regarding his present sufferings God allowed him to see a vision of heaven and no doubt the treasure that awaited him for his toil in the Lord.
• This vision would allow Paul to make such reassuring statements to the church like:
Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Or
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Those were more than just hunches from Paul.
He had seen it, he knew it.
God had given him a great vision in order that
He might be a voice of great encouragement to the church.
However, such a vision, with such accolade also came with a risk.
It ran the risk of tempting Paul’s flesh to start exalting himself.
And in order to balance this the Lord gave him
“a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment [him]”
Over the years many have questioned what this thorn was, but that is funny to me because Paul actually tells us it was “a messenger of Satan” (i.e. a false prophet)
But through this thorn Paul was able to come to the understanding
That true strength does not come through human ingenuity,
But through full reliance upon God.
We are confident that Paul knew that before he received the thorn,
But he certainly knew it afterward.
Only when we know our weakness and this weakness drives us to Christ DO WE FIND TRUE STRENGTH.
It is the truth Jesus taught us in John 10
John 15:4-5b”Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
• When we are self-reliant and sure of our own strength, this is when we are most prone to fail.
• We will establish nothing for the kingdom when we work in our own strength.
• Victories can be dangerous because they can puff us up to believe we are capable of more than we actually are.
• And yet it is in losing, in hardship, in struggle, in persecution, in affliction, in suffering, that we come up against our weakness but the result of that is trust more in God where true strength comes from.
Jeremiah said:
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”
And if you’ll realize it, this has been the very calling of Paul
Regarding our understanding of OUR OWN SALVATION.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”
It is just so important to understand that
In and of ourselves, we are not capable.
We must continually learn where our strength comes from.
And in order to teach us this, God often uses “The Lesson Of Defeat”
AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE 60TH PSALM.
(I realize this was a lengthy introduction, but it won’t take long to work through this Psalm)
Psalms 60 comes to us with a setting in its heading.
“For the choir director; according to Sushan Eduth. A Mikhtam of David, to teach;”
• Clearly in this Psalm David learned a lesson and it is a lesson that he wishes to pass on to the church.
“when he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.”
• So the setting is given to us, but I’ll go ahead and tell you that tracing this one out is difficult.
To be certain
• We can find where David battled with “Aram-naharaim and with Aram-
zobah”
• And we can find where Edom was defeated in “the Valley of Salt.”
You can read about those events both in 2 Samuel 8:1-13 & 1 Chronicles 18:1-12.
But if you turn and read those and then read this Psalm
You are going to walk away scratching your head a little,
Because this Psalm clearly indicates a defeat.
This Psalm clearly indicates a defeat, a rejection, a hardship, etc.
• And this Psalm implies that it came at the hands of Edom, likely before Joab went and attacked them.
The only problem is the passages in the Old Testament
Do not reveal any such defeat, only victories.
We don’t doubt that they happened, it’s just that you can’t read about them.
• What most likely happened is that while David was in the north defeating Philistia and Moab and Aram-zobah that Edom must have attacked in the south and defeated Israel.
And so what you have is
A new King David who has really been winning left and right.
In fact in
2 Samuel 8:6 “Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the LORD helped David wherever he went.”
To this point
• David had defeated the remnant of Saul’s family.
• David had defeated the Philistines several times.
• David had defeated the Moabites.
• David had defeated the Arameans.
And even though he has certainly seen his share of battles,
David has known only victory.
And as we said, while victory is fun, it can be dangerous.
And so it is apparent that the Lord has appointed to teach David a lesson.
• Edom apparently attacked and surprised David with a defeat,
• And that loss sort of rocked David and sent him immediately back to the source of his strength.
That is Psalms 60.
4 points tonight.
#1 A SHOCKING REJECTION
Psalms 60:1-3
Regardless of the fact that neither 2 Samuel nor 1 Chronicles bears it out,
It is abundantly clear that David has suffered a shocking defeat in battle.
And David attributes it directly to the fact that it was the will of God.
He knew he lost and he knew that God caused it.
“O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; O, restore us.”
David was keenly aware of God’s sovereign prerogative.
• Even in defeat, David is keenly aware of one thing.
• If God had wanted them to win, they would have won.
So the fact that they lost could only mean that God had caused it.
David was NOT like so many in our day who wish to attribute everything that we enjoy in life to God and everything hard in life to Satan.
David knew that BOTH come from the hand of the Lord. David knew that God uses BOTH victory and defeat in order to work in our lives.
And make no mistake, it was a shocking defeat.
(2) “You have made the land to quake. You have split it open;”
The analogy of an earthquake was poetic language simply to reveal that that which appeared unmovable has been moved.
• That which we didn’t think could fall actually fell.
• That which seemed solid has crumbled.
It is “split open” to which David cries, “Heal its breaches, for it totters”
David continues:
(3) “You have made Your people experience hardship; You have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger.”
And so it is clear to us that David has suffered a shocking defeat
And he knows who is behind it.
It reminds us a little of the story of Joshua after he had conquered Jericho and then he suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Ai.
Joshua 7:5-9 “The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water. Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan! “O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies? “For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and they will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will You do for Your great name?”
That defeat totally interrupted Joshua’s expectations.
Of course the LORD would reveal that it was a defeat because Achan had taken that which was under the ban.
Once the problem was fixed Israel was again victorious in battle.
DAVID HAS A SIMILAR CONFUSION HERE.
He writes as one not totally sure why they have lost.
And you see that next.
A Shocking Rejection
#2 A SIMPLE REQUEST
Psalms 60:4-5
When I say that David is confused by the defeat
YOU SEE THAT CONFUSION HERE.
“You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah”
When you read of a “banner”,
• Think of it as a modern day flag carried into battle.
• It is the identifying mark of the nation for which you fight.
It is far more than just an identifier of the army,
It stands for that nations ideals and beliefs and expectations and goals.
To this day the American flag is a symbol of freedom.
The Nazi flag was a symbol of oppression.
Well David says here that they had been carrying God’s banner.
And they “displayed [it] because of truth.”
That is to say that they fought their battles in the name of the Lord.
• They battled the enemy in the name of God.
• They were spreading His truth.
• They were declaring His message.
• They were promoting His righteousness.
• They were silencing His enemies.
That’s what makes this so shocking.
Had David been out fighting in his own name or for his own banner
It might have been understandable why God had refused to go with him.
But David was carrying God’s banner.
He was going forth in God’s truth.
He was doing this on God’s behalf.
And that is what made this defeat a little strange to him.
That even seems to be the reason for the “Selah” here.
• It is a good time to contemplate.
• God had actually rejected His people when they were fighting in His name.
• That is certainly something to ponder; why God would do that?
Sort of like why God would appoint a “messenger of Satan”
To torment Paul and war against his preaching
When Paul was only working to further God’s kingdom.
It can obviously seem strange to a human way of thinking.
So David is shocked, but that doesn’t stop his prayer.
(Paul implored 3 times)
(5) “That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and answer us!”
• He may have lost, but David still knows he is God’s “beloved”
• David may be shocked, but he still knows God is his savior.
• And so David cries out to God, even during this peculiar loss.
Certainly that is a testimony to his faith and sound doctrine.
• Something may be wrong, but it isn’t permanent.
• God may have smitten them, but it is not for the purpose of destruction.
• God may have caused a defeat, but it is surely for their good and His glory.
David didn’t lose sight of that.
A Shocking Rejection, A Simple Request
#3 A SOVEREIGN REALITY
Psalms 60:6-8
Here is more of David’s theology and that which sustains him.
• Even in defeat, David knows who is sovereign.
• Even as nations invade and seek to take over the land, David is well aware that God alone appoints the boundaries of man’s habitation.
And so David begins to recall in his mind the truth of God’s promises.
(6-7) “God has spoken in His holiness: “I will exult, I will portion out Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth. “Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.”
David speaks of what God had already spoken in the past.
• That is, David recounts a past promise of God.
Namely that God already determined who owns “Shechem” and “the valley of Succoth”. God already portioned it out.
And He gave it to Israel.
He said, “Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.”
• That is to say, these are My lands.
• He already appointed Ephraim to be a strong defense.
• He already appointed Judah to rule.
He already gave them this land.
Beyond that, He already determined that this land would NOT be for the foreign nations that are now warring with Israel.
(8) “Moab is My washbowl” – it is a picture of service and submission as a servant who must carry the bowl to wash the warrior’s feet.
“Over Edom I shall throw My shoe” – another subservient role as Edom would be the servant to whom the master threw his shoes when taking them off.
“Shout loud, O Philistia, because of Me!” – it is a picture of fear and dread because of the LORD’S power.
THE POINT HERE IS THAT
• As David begins to sort of take a mental inventory as to why this defeat happened,
• He goes back to the promise of God that this land belongs to Israel and not Edom.
• He knows that God has already decreed that.
• He knows what God has already decided.
And so, David, by the process of elimination is able to scratch more off his list.
• He knows they didn’t lose because they weren’t battling for truth – they
were.
• He knows they didn’t lose because they were trying to take land God
hadn’t given them – He had.
He’s just searching out what the lesson is in this defeat.
And that brings us to the final point.
#4 A SINCERE RELIANCE
Psalms 60:9-12
David is now again filled with contemplation.
“Who will bring me into the besieged city? Who will lead me to Edom?”
THAT IS TO SAY,
• How can I expect to go and defeat these people who have attacked us?
• How can I now win?
“Have not You Yourself, O God, rejected us? And will You not go forth with our armies, O God?”
So you hear David.
• He’s contemplating how he could possibly have victory over Edom if God doesn’t go with them.
• And in David’s mind, to fight this battle without God would be a sure and certain failure.
And all of a sudden it is as though a light bulb comes on.
David has his epiphany.
• Joshua learned that his defeat was because Israel had disobeyed God regarding the spoil of Jericho,
• And now David has learned the root behind his defeat to the Edomites.
And here is what David learns again.
ONLY GOD GIVES VICTORY
(It has nothing to do with man’s strength)
And it’s almost as if, during his contemplation, it hits David that
• Even though he had been battling in the name of the Lord,
• And even though he had been pursuing an objective that God had ordained,
• That perhaps David had been lifted up in pride and been tempted to see the strength of his own arm in these battles.
And now, through a defeat to the Edomites,
God has reminded David that his strength is nothing.
And so David, now in humility, is returning to God as he should.
(11-12) “O give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain. Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.”
And that is what David desired to teach the church through this song.
For that is what David learned through this defeat.
In losing this battle, David was once again forced to brush up against his own human frailty.
• It’s not that his theology was bad…
• It’s not that his mission was wrong…
• It’s not that his goal was off…
It’s just that David had apparently
Gotten a little too confident in his own abilities.
David had won so many battles
That it becomes easy to take those victories for granted
And to assume that in some small measure
They may have something to do with you.
And so God teaches David the lesson that is best learned through defeat.
• And once David humbles himself and returns to the Lord confessing that every ounce of the victory is for him.
• Well then God granted the victory and Joab slew twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.
IT WAS JUST IMPORTANT THAT DAVID BE REMINDED
THAT APART FROM GOD HE COULD DO NOTHING.
That is an important lesson to learn.
That is an important lesson to be reminded of.
• We all love the days of great success…
• All preachers love the compliments at the back door…
BUT IN REALITY,
It is the failures and the rebukes that make us better
Because they crush our pride and make us more reliant upon God.
When we realize more fully the weakness of our branch,
We are more likely to cling ever closer to the vine.
It was a lesson David learned and we learn continually.
And it is a good lesson.
2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
