What Dad Said

This is a sermon that was given on Father's Day. It is based on a passage of Scripture found in Psalms 44:1-8. The sermon is introduced by a list of common sayings we have heard from our earthly fathers. It continues to examine the truths and principles in this passage that were passed on from the fathers. A video recording of the entire worship service in which this message was preached can be viewed here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

I suppose that everyone one of us could easily share some of the common sayings our dads repeated when we were growing up.

Many years ago I asked a Sunday school class of teens to write common phrases or statements they heard from their dads:

1. Please don’t make me destroy you tonight!
2. Hurt didn’t it? Maybe you’ll think twice the next time.
3. I could have never gotten away with that when I was a kid.
4. Get moving or I’ll make you move.
5. Think how badly other kids have it.
6. New cars cost money.
7. This isn’t a democracy. It’s a benevolent dictatorship.
8. Misery builds character.
9. Spinach builds character.
10. Washing the car builds character!
11. I’m not lost. We’re just taking this road to see where it goes!
12. Don’t make me pull this car over.
13. This hurts me more than it hurts you.

A few from my own dad (in addition to some of those above):

1.  (When anyone asked how he was) “I’m sick in bed on two chairs.” Or, “I feel worse all over more than anyplace else.”
2. Does the boss know you quit?
3. Don’t quit just because I did. (Said to anyone who had stopped eating before him.)
4. If I was behind him, I bet he would move faster. (I heard this when my brother was sent after something. I’m sure my brother heard the same thing when I was sent to get something.)
5. Go ask your mother. (Usually said after mom had already said, “Go ask your Dad.”)

It is rather humorous when we recall some of the things that our fathers say over the years. On the other hand, I assume that most of us here today remember words of sound advice or general principles for life that we’ve learned from our fathers as well. The majority of those things we remember undoubtedly provided good counsel and guidance for life as we applied them to the situations we encountered.

I assume that most of you, like me, found the older you got, the more you valued the opinion and views of your father. (Not usually true for “young whippersnappers” anxious to get away from home and prove “I can make it just fine on my own.”)

Our Scripture for today uses a phrase in verse one that provides the basis for this sermon, “Our fathers have told us…” It seems apparent that much of the content in this Psalm comes as a result of what had been spoken by the fathers. It struck me that this Psalm reveals the importance of a father’s teaching. The convictions expressed by the author had been formed by the diligent instruction from the fathers.

For a little while today, I want to speak to you on the subject, “What dad said.”

I.              Background of the Psalm

The message today is focusing primarily on the first 8 verses. However, I want to provide some relevant information about the whole Psalm so that we can see the larger picture the author is trying to “paint.” In either case, the fact of the matter is the children/descendants can experience the miraculous power of God in their lives just like the fathers did. Reminds me of the words of Elisha, “Where is the God of Elijah?”

Most, if not all, commentaries describe this Psalm as a “lament.”

(Tremper Longman, III, Tyndale OT Commentaries) If hymns are songs of orientation, laments are songs of disorientation, sung by those who are in distress. Psalm 69 is a typical lament, opening with an invocation and plea to God for help (v. 1, with further pleas in vv. 13-18). The composer continues by complaining about the circumstances of his life (vv. 1-4, 7-12, 19-21)…. Many psalms, such as Psalm 69 (see vv. 5-6), also contain a confession of sin. Others (see Ps. 26) have rather a protestation of innocence. Many laments also include imprecations (69:22-28), or curses, against the enemy who has brought or intensified the psalmist’s distress (see below). Finally, and surprisingly, most laments (though not all, see Pss 88 and 143) end not in anguish, but with an expression of joy or a statement of confidence (69:30-36). In this way, the lament does not just express the distress of the person who suffers, but also begins to minister to that person by moving them towards a more positive attitude towards God and life….

So this Psalm is a lament that has several parts. Here is a possible outline for the Psalm:

A. Victory over past enemies. (1-3)

B. Confession of present confidence. (4-8)

C. Reality of defeat and disgrace. (9-16)

D. Claim of innocence. (vv. 17-22)

E. Prayer for deliverance. (vv. 23-26)

It is uncertain what time period this Psalm is describing.

vv. 9-16 describe a time when the people of God had suffered defeat and humiliation. Some would say it applies to the Babylonian captivity.

vv. 17-22 however, plainly declare that they have not forsaken the covenant of the Lord, which definitely was not the case leading up to the exile into Babylon.

It is called a Psalm of the sons of Korah – (During Kings David’s reign or after.)

It could be a reference to a specific battle when Israel had suffered defeat. Some say it might represent a time of testing upon the nation to test their commitment to the Lord. (Is this a national testing similar to what Job went through as an individual?)

The point is, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact situation that was taking place and the reason(s) why God seems to be absent when His people needed Him. But, it is a common experience for individuals (and nations) to go through periods when it seems that God has abandoned them. What do we do then?

Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15)

In light of all that is described here, what are some of the things these people had heard from the fathers?

II.             What the Fathers Said

As I stated earlier, I am primarily going to be looking at verses 1-8 today. As we talk about the things the people heard from the fathers, I need to point out that there is only one matter that is specifically mentioned by the fathers. That is the possession of the Promised Land. However, there are several other truths declared by the author which I think we can safely assume were learned from the fathers as well.

In verses 3-8, the author declares several truths. He may have learned these truths on his own, but it is also likely he heard them from natural/spiritual fathers or elders.

A. God provided miracles and wonders for them. (vv. 1-2)

Psalm 44:1-2 ^(NKJV) We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old: ² You drove out the nations with Your hand, But them You planted; You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out.

I have said many times that whenever writers in the OT wanted to give an example of the mighty power of God, they would refer back to the Exodus. In this case, the specific words used do not refer to the deliverance from Egypt, but on the miraculous victories over the nations in Canaan. God drove out the pagan nations by giving victory to the Israelites in their military conquests.

Joshua 24:18a ^(NKJV)  And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land….

Earlier in the book of Joshua and in the book of Judges we read that the Israelites did NOT drive out all of the Canaanites. But, the ones they did drive out, were driven out because God provided the victory.

The only way the sons of Korah knew what God had done was because their fathers had passed down the reports and stories of the mighty works of God.

What mighty works of God are we passing on to our children?

B. It was provided by God’s grace, not their own ability/merit. (v. 3)

Psalm 44:3 ^(NKJV) For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them.

The fathers also apparently emphasized the fact that the reason God gave them such astounding victories was because He “favored them.” It had nothing to do with their strength, their importance, or anything like that – it was all because of God’s amazing grace.

Read: Joshua 24:1-13 (especially emphasize verse 12)

Deuteronomy 9:4 ^(NKJV)  Do not think in your heart, after the LORD your God has cast them out before you, saying, 'Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land'; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out from before you.

Godly fathers will emphasize to their children and grandchildren that every accomplishment, small or great, has been by God’s grace alone.

C. God is our God too. (v. 4)

Psalm 44:4 ^(NKJV) You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. [or, “who commands victories for Jacob.]

The Psalmist(s) declare that God is MY King. He is not referred to as “our father’s King/God” but mine! This implies to me that the fathers successfully instilled in the hearts of the children that they too could know God and have Him as their own King.

“Command victories for Jacob” – a plea for THEIR God/King to intervene for them like He had done in the past.

Common saying – “God doesn’t have any grandchildren.”

D. We can experience God’s intervention now. (vv. 5-7)

Psalm 44:5-7 ^(NKJV) Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. ⁶ For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. ⁷ But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.

Language scholars say that the verbs in these verses are actually in the present tense. They could be understood as current action – “(now) we push down our enemies…” Or, they can be understood as future conditions – we will…

Reminds me of the words of Elisha, “Where is the God of Elijah?”

E. God is worthy of our praise. (v. 8)

Psalm 44:8 ^(NKJV) In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. Selah

This stanza ends with a clear note of praise – bragging on God. Again, I am concluding that the need for giving God praise is something that was taught and “drilled” into them by their fathers.

Conclusion:

Today we have been talking about the kinds of things that were passed on from the fathers to the younger generations. They not only reported the mighty, miraculous works of God in the past, but they also instilled several important life principles that would provide solid guidance for their lives.

It certainly appears that these “Sons of Korah” had learned several important lessons and they undoubtedly were passed on to them by their forefathers. The question for us is this, “What valuable stories of victory and worthwhile principles for life are we instilling into our children?”

We are all children of our heavenly Father. Let us give that legacy to our children and grandchildren.

Closing Song: Children of the Heavenly Father