Sermon: Extrication                        printer-friendly      MP3      MP3-2021
by Chris Cumming
 

Let us begin by turning to Psalm 23

Psalm 23:1-6
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

All but twelve of these 122 words are absolute declarations about God:

…the Lord is my shepherd.   …He restoreth my soul.
…He leadeth me in and to righteousness.   …I will fear no evil.
…He provides for me.    …He anoints me.   …He fills my cup.

Then there are those twelve words that we find in verse 4:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

In fact, virtually every other word of the psalm is focused on our common and frequent journeys through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.  Let us talk about that valley for a moment.  Let’s look at it in the physical sense, the way David probably did.  Who here wants to walk into the Valley of the Shadow of Death?  Is it possible that if I go into this valley that I could die?  Surely this is the case.

The question is not whether we will ever enter this valley but what our attitude is going to be each time we do.  The words of Psalm 23 absolutely tell us what David’s attitude is.

When we read of a youthful David going out to meet Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, we see him in verse 48 running headlong to face the mighty Goliath.  He ran into the Valley of the Shadow of Death.  His attitude was faithful and positive.

However there is another attitude on this battlefield.  Notice:

1 Samuel 17:23-24
23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

The word for this is, “Defeatism.”   Some people, like David, run into the valley with a positive attitude.  Others run from it sore afraid and with a negative attitude knowing they are going to die.

Which are you?  What is your attitude?  My purpose today is to encourage and embolden all of us to run into the valley with the power of God.

What does David say in 
Psalm 23:4?  “I will fear no evil for thou art with me.”

What’s true is that He is with you in all the valleys we have to cross.

All through our lives we enter these valleys.  There are physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual valleys that must constantly be crossed.

They are not always valleys of death but almost always valleys of defeat.  To enter these valleys is to say there is a possibility of defeat.  Whether you make it or not will depend almost exclusively on your attitude and faith.

Let us take a look at that word, “defeatism.”

de•feat•ism
---the attitude, policy, or conduct of a person who admits, expects, or no longer resists defeat, as because of a conviction that further struggle or effort is futile; pessimistic resignation.
---a ready acceptance or expectation of defeat,
---a ready attitude that defeat is inevitable because it is possible.
---a state of mind in which one expects and accepts defeat too easily.

I can tell you right now that if a man enters into the valley of defeat with the expectation of defeat and/or an attitude that defeat is inevitable, then he is already lost.  My advice to him is, “Don’t enter that valley!!!”

Case in point:  Several years ago I entered into a business deal with a friend of mine.  As we were carrying out our various duties, he began expressing to me the possibility of our losing our investment in the business.  It then got really bad when he began expressing to me that our defeat was inevitable simply because it was possible.  His main expression was, “If it is possible for us to lose everything, then we probably will.  His attitude was one of pessimistic resignation despite the fact our investment was doing just fine, thank you very much.  I had to rebuke him more than once that his negative attitude was pulling me down and that if this continued we WOULD find ourselves failing.

Well, things went from bad to worse.  His pessimism became so profound that he could not remember any of his assigned duties and could not even remember any aspect of our business plan.  It was so bad that we had to end our business arrangement and totally liquidate our investment.

His abysmal attitude literally blew every fuse in my head.  I was about to explode into a million pieces.  Just thinking about that incident leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth, a churning stomach and a throbbing headache.

This is just what a negative attitude can do to you.  Do not allow it.  Notice some positive quotes about being positive.

Watch as I go through these quotes as they get closer and closer to God and His spiritual pathway.

Michael Jordan said, "If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome."

"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."

“Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power”

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results.”

"God never ends anything on a negative; God always ends on a positive.”

“Man is lost and is wandering in a jungle where real values have no meaning. Real values can have meaning to man 
only when he steps on to the spiritual path, a path where negative emotions have no use.”

What does the Bible have to say on the subject?

Should we be thinking negative thoughts or anything that leads to a negative attitude?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Note:  Anything in this verse about listening to negative statistics or discussing potential or possible negative outcomes?

What does a negative attitude do to our health?
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Should we be anxious about anything?
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Can we be successful at everything?
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Note:  If it be God’s will for you, you will know success in what you put your hand, heart or mind to. 

Additionally, remember the individual I described who stated that if defeat or death was possible, then it would probably happen.  My answer to him in the form of a question is, “Isn’t overwhelming success possible here to the same and even greater degree than the possibility of defeat?” THEN THINK ON THE OVERWHELMING SUCCESS!!

Are negative attitudes the possession of a fool?  If so, where will his attitudes lead?
Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Does being negative and making negative statements defile us?
Matthew 15:11
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

What should we do with all the negative statements and thoughts?
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Note:  How can one possibly be kind and tenderhearted to others if all that is coming out of his mouth is defeatism?

Do negative thoughts and defeatism give rise to anger?
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The Matthew Henry commentary says, “A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.”

The word, “Grievous” means “causing grief, pain, or anguish.”  Clearly negativity and defeatism cause grief, pain and anguish.  Negative statements and attitudes are driven by negative passions like fear, resentment and personal anguish.

How do we receive what we pray for?
Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Note:  How can we possibly pray before the Living God if your mind is full of negativity and defeat?

Why are firstfruits without fear?
Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Note: Negative individuals are the opposite of boldness and they are always full of fear.

Do negative statements have power in our life?  Do negative statements result in negative outcomes?  Do positive statements result in success?
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 

Notice the commentary on this verse:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue - Of witnesses, according to the testimony they bear; of judges, according to the sentence they pass; of teachers, according to the doctrine they preach; of all men, who, by their well or ill speaking,

bring death or life to themselves and others. Some, by their tongues, by the too free use of them, or falsehood they utter, are the cause of death to themselves and others; and some, by their silence, or by their prudent speech and prevalent intercession, secure or obtain life for themselves and others; yea, judgment at the last day will proceed according to a man's words, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned", Matthew 12:37; the tongue is the instrument either of a great deal of good, or of a great deal of evil; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof - that delight to be talkative; that love to use the tongue, whether in a good or in a bad way, shall accordingly be recompensed; shall enjoy the advantages or disadvantages arising from it. ~John Gil

Is defeatism about fear?  Are negative people troubled in their hearts and minds?  Is this what Christ wants for us?
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

How can a firstfruit be full of defeatism and expect things to work out?
Romans 8:28-31
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Note:
Verse 28: How can one be negative and think that he or she loves God?
Verse 28: Were we called to be negative?  Is that God's purpose?
Verse 29: How can we be a defeatist and conform to the image of Christ?  Is He a negative thinker?
Verse 30: How can a negative mind expect to be glorified?  What glory is there in always expecting the worst in every situation?
Verse 31: If God is for you, then what power do negative thoughts and expectations have?

Someone might be thinking here, "What do all these spiritual scriptures have to do with my physical, mental and emotional life?"  What does God care about my job or pastimes or projects and goals? 

How many times have I preached about all the living metaphors of this human life?  God is fully involved in all our endeavors to include our education, job or career, our finances, our health and even our hobbies and entertainment.  He wants us to win at everything.  All of these elements like our job and hobbies are training ground for invoking all the positive laws and promises of God.   Notice:

Deuteronomy 29:9
Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

1 Chronicles 22:13
Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

Read the end of that verse again:  "Be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed."   Positive people are strong and full of courage.  Negative people are full of dread and dismay.

Questions for the individual who says, "If it CAN happen, it probably WILL happen."

1] Every day about ten people die from unintentional drowning.  Should I give up swimming?

2] In the US in 2009, 93 individuals died each day in car accidents.  Should I give up driving my car?

3] 1.6 to 2 million people die every year from violence?  Should I stay home for the rest of my life or avoid all people?

4] 5,600 pedestrians die each year and 80,000 injured, mostly at crosswalks.  Should I refuse to cross any street?

5] 20 commercial airliners crash each year killing about 185 people.  Should I give up air travel?

6] 8 to 9 out of every 10 new businesses fail within the first year?  Should I avoid starting a new business?

7] Over 180,000 homes went into foreclosure in September of 2012 alone.  Should I give up the idea of buying a home?

8] In the prophetic parable of the ten firstfruit virgins, five of them have the door to eternal life shut in their face.  Apparently I have a 50% or less chance of being in the Kingdom.  Matthew 22:14 says, "Many called, few chosen."  Matthew 24:12 says, "the love of many shall wax cold."   Should I just admit defeat and leave the Salvation Process now?  God forbid!

Extrication
God sees us through every valley we have to cross and He extricates us from the elements we find therein.   We see this in both the Old and the New Testament.  We see both physical and spiritual deliverance.

Old Testament
Let us go back to 1 Samuel 17 and our example of David with Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:37…deliverance from enemies
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Psalm 17:13  …deliverance from the wicked
Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

Psalm 59:1-2 …deliverance from workers of iniquity
1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

Psalm 33:18-19   …deliverance from death in famine or lack of food
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 86:13   …from physical death—the grave.
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

God often saved Israel not because they deserved it but rather as a show of His mercy and love.

Psalm 71:1-3
1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Note the phrase in verse one here, “let me never be put to confusion.”

Notice this from the commentary, "Treasury of David":

Let me never be put to confusion. - So long as the world stands, stand thou by me; yea, for ever and ever be faithful to thy servants. If thou forsake me, men will ridicule my religion, and how shall I be able to answer them? Confusion will silence me, and thy cause will be put to shame. This verse is a good beginning for prayer; those who commence with trust shall conclude with joy. ~Treasury of David

Ridicule is also rendered “mocking,” “taunting” and “deriding.”  This is what our negative comments to ourselves and others are doing.  They pull everyone down and make them doubt their own actions, plans, procedures and goals.  With defeatism and pessimistic negativity one is thrown into confusion and everything tends to fail.  God frees us from the confusion physically and spiritually.

New Testament
The descriptions of temporal deliverance in the Old Testament serve as symbolic representations of the spiritual deliverance from sin which is available only through Christ.   God, through Christ delivers us from sin, judgment and the second death.

Galatians 1:3-4   …deliverance from sin and this world
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Colossians 1:13   …deliverance from Satan and his power
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Romans 4:25  …deliverance from our offences
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1 Thessalonians 1:10  …extrication from the wrath to come
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Note: “wrath to come” here is the divine indignation which will come upon the guilty.  Because of the fact that Jesus died for our sins, we are delivered from the wrath of God and the curse of the law which is due unto us for our sins.

2 Peter 2:9   …deliverance from trials and temptations
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Clearly these scriptures speak to the spiritual but the principle of deliverance in our valleys of defeat apply to all our physical, mental and emotional endeavors.  He wants us to win, to achieve, to succeed and to prosper in all things as we saw in verses already referenced above.

Notice the familiar promise in 1 Corinthians 10:

1 Corinthians 10:13 
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

Ephesians 6:12-18
12 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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Applying these verses in your battle against defeatism…
Verse 12: Those rulers of darkness are the authors of all defeatism and negative statement.
Verse 13: Withstand all negative thought.
Verse 14: There is no room for defeat in righteousness.
Verse 15: The Word of God brings peace.  We immerse ourselves in it and this is the preparation against pessimism.
Verse 16: Those fiery darts are being thrown in an attempt to bring you down.  Negativism is with each of those darts.
Verse 17: The Word of God continually lifts you up to a positive spirit that brings power, boldness, prosperity and success.
Verse 18: Perseverance will get you across every valley of defeat and shadow of death.  Encourage other firstfruits to run to each valley.

It was the noted U.S. sports psychology professor and motivational coach, Rob Gilbert who said, “Losers visualize the penalties of failure.  Winners visualize the rewards of success.”  My addition to his words are, “firstfruits visualize everything FROM the Kingdom perspective.  Firstfruits experience Extrication continually.  They have already won!!!


                

 
 

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