If any are inclined could we do a check on these bold statements and read Psalm 116 from beginning to end. Also perhaps try a few commentaries and some basic background of the Psalmists experiences and see if you would you come up with the same interpretation and commentary as the RFI writers?Restoring my Soul daily devotions Friday 9th June 2017 Great distress and sorrow
David testified that he would call upon the name of the Lord as long as he lived. However, this was not the initial response of the psalmist. In the midst of his suffering, David was in great distress and sorrow. He was depressed because his hope seemed like a lost cause. In this regard, David was in a similar state to Abraham before the Word of Yahweh came to him, saying, ‘Do not fear’. David could not see, nor believe, that his afflictions were an opportunity to join the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. Instead, he declared that his afflictions were his, alone. Furthermore, he said, in fearful haste, ‘All men are liars’. David’s fear and torment was the evidence that he had turned from faith that works by love. Consequently, David was unable to trust, believe, or love his brethren. To him, they were all liars. When a person lets go of faith and trust, they are unable to have fellowship with God’s people.
If the psalmist was unable to recover from this state of disconnection, his belief that all men are liars would have become like a spirit of antichrist within him. His love would most certainly have grown cold. A person who is motivated by the spirit of antichrist, rather than by a spirit of faith, is in bondage to the fear of death and rejects the reality that Christ, the Word, is coming in the flesh of their brethren. Eventually, because of offence, they depart from the congregation and persecute those who are of the fellowship of faith. Thankfully, the psalmist did come to faith. What was the beginning point for his recovery? He turned again to the Lord and called upon His name. In the first instance, this meant crying out, ‘O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul! [Save my life!]’.
I don’t actually see any threat of the Psalmist being in a state of disconnection to God or man. No, David has said up front things like “I Love the Lord”, “He hears my voice”, “I shall call upon Him as long as I live”, “gracious, righteous, compassionate” etc etc. Hardly sounds like someone who is disconnected. So a basic face value appraisal should not draw these conclusions.
In fact the RFI interpretation is all centred around a very clear and critical statement of fact by David, “in my alarm (or hastened fear) ....all men are liars”. I don’t see David reflecting negatively on his relationship with God or man. This is just a statement of fact that I believe is drawing him into right relationship with God and man. We are all inclined to alarm (or hastened fear) and we are all likewise inclined to the odd porky (liars), even those on the most esteemed positions of trust. In our humanity we all live with these realities and we have a Saviour who offered once and for all because of these realities.
However the RFI writers extrapolate the psalmists wonderful reflections on his humanity and his Lord to the following bold statements which themselves seem to be showing a little hidden fear of their own….everyone leaving the RFI congregation. Sounds a lot like control to me.
Seriously! Is this what the psalmist was communicating? Seems like some fairly extreme and pointed implications. Is it just me, or are others feeling a little “groomed” by these writings?1. David was in great distress and sorrow. He was depressed because his hope seemed like a lost cause. (never did he express "lost cause")
2. David could not see, nor believe, that his afflictions were an opportunity to join the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. (seriously? I hear David embracing the sufferings with statements like "precious in the sight f the Lord is the death of His godly ones")
3. Instead, he declared that his afflictions were his, alone. (I can't see this anywhere, I see him calling out to his Lord so therefore how is it interpreted that David is taking them as his own?)
4. Furthermore, he said, in fearful haste, ‘All men are liars’. (yes he did, but this is RFI writers focus and not the Psalmists)
5. David’s fear and torment was the evidence that he had turned from faith that works by love. (was it?, did he?)
6. Consequently, David was unable to trust, believe, or love his brethren. To him, they were all liars. (perhaps not, perhaps just David's weaker moment of alarm rather than the "absolute" that RFI writers and carers are inclined to)
7. When a person lets go of faith and trust, they are unable to have fellowship with God’s people.
8. If the psalmist was unable to recover from this state of disconnection, his belief that all men are liars would have become like a spirit of antichrist within him. (David was never in a state of disconnection so the RFI writer is taking too much license...and oh what license he takes)
9. His love would most certainly have grown cold.
10. A person who is motivated by the spirit of antichrist, rather than by a spirit of faith, is in bondage to the fear of death and rejects the reality that Christ, the Word, is coming in the flesh of their brethren.
11. Eventually, because of offence, they depart from the congregation and persecute those who are of the fellowship of faith. (oh dear oh dear oh dear!!)
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I ask too many questions. Maybe I just don't trust. OH WOE IS ME!!