December 31, 2025
The Pathway to Victory #
Psalm 108:1-5
Introduction
I want to end the year on a high note. Being in church is always a blessing! It is not a chore, it is to be prioritized, because it is a blessing. Tonight, we will continue through the Psalms, but tonight’s Psalm gives us a Pathway to Victory.
Charles Spurgeon in his Treasury of David, points out this Psalm is actually pulled from two other Psalms to make one. Psalm 57:7-11 closely mirrors the first 5 verses of Psalm 108. And Psalm 60:5-12 closely mirror the following 6-13 verses of Psalm 108.
However, the fact that they are repeated doesn’t mean we can skip them, but rather we must pay closer attention to the fact that they are included twice in Scripture, and become twice as important for us.
I. Enduring Praise “My heart is fixed” (Psalm 108:1) #
A. Not circumstantial Praise #
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The Psalmist doesn't allow circumstances to be the cause, or effect of his praise.
- Example of a river: A river when it rains a lot (blessings) flows a lot. When it rains little, flows little.
- While we are emotional people, our praise is not to be pendent on our emotion.
B. God allows trials! #
- Job in the OT is the greatest example of this!
1 Peter 1:6–7 —6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
i. Trials are tests of your faith! “trial of your faith” #
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- Tests tell you where you are in your life, and what lessons you have understood
ii. Trials are “more precious than gold” #
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They allow great opportunity to praise God through them!
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I refer to it all the time, the great trial in the OT, of the nation of Israel being freed from bondage, stood with the Red Sea before them, and the strongest nation in the world on their heels….
- God received the Honor and Glory, because Israel was powerless to save themselves.
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C. Fix your heart & will positively on God! “I will sing and give praise” #
- Because the Psalmist had resolutely decided to Praise God, no matter the circumstances, he could, and he did.
- Decide, chose to fix your heart on God, through the thick and thin.
II. Early to Praise (Psalm 108:2) #
- Charles Spurgeon said, “We have before us THE WARRIOR’S MORNING SONG, with which he adores his God and strengthens his heart before entering upon the conflicts of the day.” -- C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 88-110, vol. 4 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 425.
A. Every day is a Spiritual battle #
Ephesians 6:10–11 —10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
i. When do you get dressed? #
- In the morning, when you get ready for the day.
ii. Where you do you get dressed? #
- In the confines of your quarters.. in a private place.
- I’m particular, I like to carry things I need in my pockets. Keys, Pocket Knife, chapstick, Phone, wallet, all go in my pocket every day. I’m not looking for them, I have them. When I go to leave the house, I have my keys. When I need a pocket knife I have it.
iii. Take time to get ready spiritually for the day… #
- Spiritually, wrap yourself in the spiritual truth of God’s Word. Take the breastplate of righteousness, keep the Gospel close, so you can witness to those around you. Keep your faith handy… you may face fierce battles on a day you least expect. Take the sword of the Spirit! You never know where the enemy is lurking!
B. Victory comes to those prepared. #
i. Be prepared, and have victory #
- “Prior proper preparation prevents poor performance.” – Pastor Jacobs
- Prepare spiritually every day, because you don’t know what a day will bring!
III. Eagerness to praise (Psalm 108:3-5) #
- There are three groups of saved people, we are not including the lost, as they are not expected to Praise God, whom they know not.
A. Bitter #
- Those who are bitter, upset, and angry at God for the tests they have had to go through, and how God has not been fair to them in life. They are not usually found gathering among God’s people, and if they do gather, they seldom have any good words to share about God.
B. Bashful #
- Those who may or may not recognize the blessing of God in their life, but either way, they stay quiet about it. They don’t want to rock the boat, or upset anyone.
- A silent majority, is often referred to in our society as a majority of people who oppose the popular public narrative, the problem is that they remain silent, and refuse to voice opposition, and therefore have allowed the narrative to arise in the first place.
C. Bold #
- Those who recognize God’s blessing, and let other’s know that God has blessed, helped, and given victory!
- The Psalmist said:
Psalm 40:9–10 —9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
- Jesus said:
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
- God doesn’t need undercover Christians, he needs bold Christians!
IV. Expectation of of Praise (6-13) #
- “Sometimes we must climb to praise by the ladder of prayer, and at other times we must bless God for the past in order to be able in faith to plead for the present and the future.” -- C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 88-110, vol. 4 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 425.
A. Claiming promises (6-8) #
i. Shechem – The place that Abraham pitched his first tent, and built his first altar in the promised land. #
ii. Succoth – is mentioned in Joshua 13:27 as being part of the promise land #
iii. Gilead – also part of the promised land #
iv. Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah were tribes of Israel, and may reference that or their inheritance. #
B. Claim victory over enemies (9) #
i. Moab, Edom and Philistia all stand as known enemies of Israel. #
C. Claim Victory by God (10-11) #
- You can ONLY have Victory through God!