How Does Sorrow Affect You? Part Two

Psalm 43

The nation of Israel is ungodly. The writer of this Psalm asks God for deliverance from the unjust.

This chapter could have been written when the Kingdom started to divide.

I Kings 11:26-40 - The story of Jeroboam. The Kingdom is divided

II Chronicles 5:25 - Assyria comes and begins to take the Northern tribes

II Kings 17 - Final deportation of Israelites by Assyria
The reason for the captivity is because of the Israelites’ idolatry.

The Assyrians replaced the Israelites in the land with others from other countries. With them came even more ungodly influence on the sourthern tribes.

Hosea 4: 6 - Hosea is the prophet to the northern tribes before Assyria comes in. Hosea warns them that they will be punished for their sins.

How should sorrow affect us?
Psalm 43

vs 3 - Let God be your joy.

vs. 5 - Hope in Him

He (God) is worthy of our praise, even in our sorrows.

How Does Sorrow Affect You?

Psalm 42: 1-8

vs. 1 - A deer will pant for water after being pursued

vs. 2 - David says his soul thirsteth after God’s water

vs. 3 - His tears are his meat, day and night

vs. 4 - David remembers back to the days when he kept the holy days

vs. 5 - He asks himself, “Why am I cast down?”

vs. 6-7 - David thinks back and remembers God’s provisions and blessings

vs. 8 - God is our power and prayer. His song is within us

How Do Friends Become Enemies?

Psalms 41

Background story to this Psalm:
2 Samuel 11 - Ahithophel was once David’s friend.
2 Samuel 23:11 - Ahithophel is Bathsheba’s grandfather. Bathsheba is the woman that David committed adultery with and had her husband, Uriah, killed.
Psalm 41:9 - David admits that he trusted Ahithophel.
Psalm 55:12 - David says he considered Ahithophel to be a trusted guide and confidant.
2 Samuel 15:10, 31 - Absalom, David’s son, knew that Ahithophel was bitter toward David. Absalom convinces Ahithophel to be on his side, against his father. David was then told that Ahithophel had turned to the other side, against him.
This could be the point where Psalm 41 was written.

Ahithophel had once trusted David, too, as his friend. Ahithophel’s bitterness started with disappointments, and it eventually led to his own death, as he hung himself.

God did not honor Ahithophel’s bitterness and bless him.

What should Ahithophel done with his bitterness? Instead of having Absalom find out about his ill-feelings toward David, Ahithophel should have gone directly to David and discussed it.

How do friends become enemies? Friends become enemies when feelings arent’t dealt wth and discussed between the two people that are involved. Unfortunately, the feelings are discussed with others that are not involved and those feelings grow and fester. And at times, like with David, he didn’t know Ahithophel’s feelings toward him, until he was told that Ahithophel had joined up with Absalom to fight against him.

Psalm 41 can be divided into three sections.

vs. 1-4 - David is depressed and asks God to heal his soul. Not his body, but his soul, his spirit.

vs. 5-9 - David recalls the experiences with enemies that wanted him dead, and also experiences with people that he thought was his friend, like Ahithophel.

vs. 10-12 - David praises God for His mercy, when other people did not show him mercy and love.

How Does God Care For Me?

Psalm 40

vs. 1 - David waits patiently for God to answer his prayers.
God’s timeframe is better than our own.

vs. 11 David wants to be preserved by God’s love and truth.

vs. 12 David can’t look up because of his unnumerable sins

vs. 14 - David knows enemies are after him.

vs. 17 - David says he is so poor and needy, but he knows God thinks of him.

vs. 2 - David says God brought him up out of a horrible pit

Types of Pits
#1 - Pits that dug by ourselves
Proverbs 26:27 - Whoever digs a pit will fall into it
#2 - Pits dug by others
Proverbs 22: 14, 23:27 - Strange women are a pit
#3 - Pits dug by family
Joseph was thrown into a pit, then sold as a slave
#4 - Pits dug by others and filled with mire
Jeremiah 37:20, 38:4 - Jermiah sunk in mire when he was put into a pit

vs. 2 - God places us on a rock

vs 3 - God puts a song in our mouth

vs. 4 - Make the Lord your trust

vs. 5 - David knows God’s many works and that He thinks on him
Psalm 139 = Great are God’s thoughts for me. Peaceful, not evil.

How Does God Care For Me
vs. 6-10 -
God has given us Jesus
God has given us His law
God is filled with loving kindness and truth toward us
God thinks peace and not evil for us.

What Makes One Wise?

Psalm 39

Take heed to your ways.

  1. We need to watch our tongue vs. 1

  2. Without prayer there’s increased pain and sorrow (for yourself and others) vs. 4

  3. Realize how fleeting and fragile life is vs. 5

  4. Realize the vanity and emptiness of this physical world. vs. 6

  5. We need to direct our trust toward God vs. 7-10

  6. Finish strong

Who Will Fear the Lord?

Psalm 38

This is a Psalm of memorial for David; a Psalm of repentance.
Why? Because vs. 3-4 David says because of my sin, because of mine iniquities
In this chapter, David is broken because of his sin.

Can God see our brokeness and feelings of repentance and sorrow?
Exodus 3:7 - God saw the affliction of His people and their sorrows.

David realizes and acknowledges God’s anger about his sin and he has no rest vs. 3

Can we have comfort when God chastens us?
1. Revelation 3:19 - Who God loves, He chastens. God chastens because He loves and wants us to repent.
2. Hebrews 12:5 - Despise not God’s chastening. Who God loveth He chasteneth.
3. Job 24: 1-24 - Why are th ewicked not chastened? It will only last a little while before God punishes them.
4. Genesis 4:5 - God is consistent with His punishment.
5. Jeremiah 44:2 - God’s wrath is on those who have sinned against the Lord and feared Him.
6. Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira punished by God for their lying. Those around them feared God. We should learn by other people’s chastening.
7. Jeremiah 32:36 - God wants people to fear Him, so that they do not depart from Him
8. Hebrews 12:10-12 - God’s chastening is to purge out those who do not repent and fear the Lord.

Remember: God puts fear in our hearts, for Him, today, so that we make better choices tomorrow.
- God will always forgive us when we repent.

Outline of this chapter, that will continue next week.
vs. 1-10 - David’s plea in his affliction
vs. 11-17 - David is forsaken by those around him
vs. 18-22 - David repents

Is There Hope? Part 4

Psalm 37

Is there hope for preservation? Can God keep us and sustain us?

vs. 18 - the Lord knoweth the upright and their inheritance is forever

vs. 24 - The Lord upholdeth you even if you fail

vs. 27 - Dwell forever more with the Lord

vs. 29 - The Righteous inherit the land and dwell in it forever

vs. 30 - The Law of the Lord is in his heart, he will not slide.

Psalms 84:11 - God is a sun and shield, no good thing will He withold from the righteous

Psalm 37:18 - The Lord knoweth the upright and their inheritance is forever

Psalm 121 - He that keepeth Israel does not sleep. The Lord will preserve you from all evil

Is There Hope? There is Hope

Psalms 37

Is there hope for justice? vs. 12-14, 16, 34

Is there hope for provision?
vs. 3 - trust in the Lord
vs. 4 - Are we willing to trust in the Lord?
vs. 19 - They shall be satisfied
vs. 25 - The righteous have not been forsaken

Is there any hope for change?
vs. 4-5 - pampered by God’s provision

Is there hope over my anxiety and worry?
vs. 1
Hebrews 4:1 - Fear of God
Don’t worry about something you don’t have control over.

Is There Hope?

Psalms 37

Hope = an expectation, a steadfast confidence
Romans 8:24 - We are saved by hope. Hope that is seen is not hope.

The key verse in this chapter - vs. 34. Wait on the Lord, keep His way, He shall exalt thee to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off.

Hebrews 11 is the faith chapter. These dear ones mentioned bore witness of their faith in God. We will be among them and numbered with them one day.

Is There Hope for Justice?

vs 1 - Don’t worry about evil outside of your control.
vs. 2 - Evildoers will be taken care of
vs 8 - Stop being angry
vs. 9 - Evildoers will be taken care of
vs. 10 - The wicked shall not be
vs. 12 - The Wicked plot against the just
vs. 15 - Their sword will enter into their own hearts
vs. 20 - The wicked shall perish
vs. 22 - They will be cut off
vs. 38 - They will be destroyed and cut off

Who Will Receive Mercy?

Psalm 36

1 - The Transgression - No fear of God. Man is always trying to justify wrong doing

2. - The wicked flattereth themselves and move away from God

3 - The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceiving
- ongoing deception
the fear of man brings a snare
The fear of God brings blessing

4 - He deviseth mischief upon his bed

5-6 - Attributes of God
Mercy - unmerited favor
Faithfulness
Righteousness

7-10 - God’s blessings on those who receive mercy
Matthew 23:37 Mercy is given to those who know the Lord

Lord, Will You Judge Those That Don't Like Me?

Psalm 35

This Psalm can be divided into three groups of verses:
1-10
11-18
19-28

The Psalm consists of David’s complaint, his prayer, and his promise to praise.

David’s Complaint:
David has enemies that are giving him a hard time, and he says he did not do anything to provoke them.
In fact, David says to God that he treated these people like brothers and friends during the hard times in their lives, and when he is going through a hard time, David says these enemies got together to slander and plan things against him.

David’s Prayer:
David asks God to fight for him against these enemies. He asks God how long it will be before God punishes these people.

David’s Promise:
David promises God that he will praise God for taking care of his enemies.

The Application to our Lives:
1. Remember, Proverbs 26:27 - Those that dig a pit, will fall into it.
2. David asks God to vindicate for him, he doesn’t take matters into his own hands.
3. Remember, Provers 24:17-18 - Rejoice not when your enemy falls, If God sees you do this, He could turn around His wrath for the bad people.
4. All unsaved people will face God’s judgment.
5. Remember, Matthew 5:44 - Pray for those that deceitfully use you.
6. Remember, II Thessalonians 1:6 - God is not turning a blind eye to your enemies. He sees them and what they are doing.

God’s Reply: God does not reply back to David in this Psalm. We need to learn to pray our petition and then leave it in the Lord’s hands. We need to appreciate God’s long-suffering (patience) towards the unsaved. He is giving them the opportunity to repent according to His own timetable, not ours.



What Does a Child of God Look Like After They have Conquered Their Fear?

Psalm 34

Setting - I Samuel 21:10-15
David ran to Philistia, away from King Saul, but he became afraid when the Philistines recognized him. David was afraid they would kill him, because of Goliath. David pretended to be insane so the king would let him leave.

When afraid, these commands are given to us to do.

  • Magnify the Lord

  • Exalt His name

  • Hearken to God

  • Taste and see that the Lord is good

  • Keep your tongue from evil

  • Depart from evil

  • Do good

  • Seek and pursue peace

Three options to do when we are afraid.

  • Look within ourselves and be miserable. See our worthlessness

  • Look around and be distressed over what you should be doing

  • Look up to God and be blessed with His understanding

Ten promises from God in this chapter

  1. The Angel of the Lord encompasses round about you and delivers

  2. You will not be in wanting

  3. God will provide for your needs

  4. God hears our cry and He watches over us

  5. God will get rid of the evil people

  6. God delivers you out of all your troubles

  7. God saves and heals a broken heart

  8. God delivers you from your afflictions

  9. God keepeth your bones

  10. God redeems your soul

Conclusion

  • David sought the Lord and God says come. Fear me and you will not have anything else to fear.

    When a Believer conquers their fear they should:

  • Praise God

  • Realize that they are not alone

  • Realize that they are satisfied in God alone

  • Realize that God cares about them and is involved in their life


What is Your Heart's Song?

Psalm 33

  1. Rejoice in the Lord
    Revelation 4 - There will be rejoicing to the Lord in Heaven

  2. Music is part of praise and worship

  3. Make a joyful noise

  4. God’s Word is right and done in truth

  5. God loves righteousness

  6. The Heavens were made by God’s word
    Proverbs 8:20 - God gave the water its decree

  7. God controls the seas

  8. The people of the earth should and will stand in awe of Him.

  9. God contains the oceans where they are

  10. Devices = the heathens’ schemes and philosophies

    12. God’s people are blessed, whom He hath chosen, Israel

    13. God sees from heaven, the hearts of men.

    14-15. God considereth their hearts and their works

    16. No one can save a king, not even a host of people

    17-18. God is the only one that delivers someone, with their strength
    God knows me and He intently watches me, sustains, preserves and delivers

    19. God provides miraculously for His people

    20-22. We should wait, rejoice, trust, and hope in Him. According to that, He will give us mercy.

    Sing unto the Lord a song.

How do I Maintain Sweet Fellowship?

Psalms 32

1-2: David says his behavior crossed the line and missed the mark because of his twisted nature.1
Transgression - to step across the line, go out of bounds
Sin - missing the mark, the bulls-eye on God’s holiness
Iniquity - A bent or twisted nature
Guile - deceit, intentional deception

3-4: David says the sin took away his strength and weighed heavily on him

5: Acknowledge- to own up to the sin by saying my or mine
Admit - you admit, but down own what you’ve done wrong

6: There is a limit to God’s long-suffering

7: Shows God’s grace

8: God speaks and assures David that He will guide him with His eye

9: Are you going to run to sin, like a horse runs, or stay in sin, like a mule would be stubborn and stay still? It takes a bit and bridle to control these two animals.

10: There’s joy in the Lord
God forgets iniquities with His forgiveness after our confession Hebrews 10:17


From What is the Direction of your Life?

Psalms 31

1-3: From what is the direction of your life when the wicked prevail against you?

4: From what is the direction of your life when the wicked has trapped you?

5-6: From what is the direction of your life when the wicked lie and deceive me and seem to prosper?

7-9: From what is the direction of your life when you are consumed with grief?

10: From what is the direction of your life when you are dealing with the consequences of your sin?

11: From what is the direction of your life when your friends forsake you, fail you, and are embarrassed by you?

12: From what is the direction of your life when it seems you are forgotten and no one cares about you?

13: From what is the direction of your life when others slander you?

14: Can we like David:
vs. 1 - Trust God?
vs. 2 - Pray and seek Him?
vs. 5 - Commit and surrender to God’s working?
vs. 19, 24: Rejoice in the hope, strength, and promises of God?
vs. 23: Love Him?
vs. 20: Seek His presence?

Can we ask ourselves: How good am I at seeking God’s presence in my life?

Is God Keeping You From the Perils of Prosperity?

Psalms 30

vs.1 - David says he is willing to praise the Lord for the victories over his enemies.

vs. 2-4 - David had afflictions in his life, but God helped him through them. God can use afflictions to teach us something.

vs. 5 - God’s anger only lasts for a moment, and it’s for His purpose.

vs. 6-7 - David acknowledges he will not be moved from his place of importance, but he gives God the glory for his placement.

vs. 8-12 - God answers David’s prayers and David acknowledges that.

Can I Hear God Speaking?

Psalms 29

The Voice of the Lord as described in Psalm 29 by David.
- on the water, thundering
- powerful, majestic
- it breaketh cedars
- divides flames, fire
- shakes the wilderness, earthquake
- makes the hinds to calve

Notice the instances in this chapter of the word “give”. We need to do this in our worship.
Giving in our worship acknowledges God’s strength and glory. When we do this it elevates God and then we lower ourselves.

The voice of the Lord….. Is it an exception or the norm?

1 Kings 17-19: We look at Elijah when the Word of the Lord “came” to him. We also note that “the Lord passed by”.
- do we miss his voice?

Elijah felt like he was the only prophet left in the world.
The wind came, but God was not in the wind
The earthquake and fire came, but God was not in those either.
He wasn’t in the noticeable things in this instance.

God was in a still, small voice. Elijah had to get out of the storm to hear God speak.

The normal is God speaking to us in a still, small voice. The exception is hearing God in the powerful stuff.

God is speaking, but are you listening?