Weekly Sermon
 
Introduction:
 
     A.  Departing from the Father
 
           1.  To pursue the way of self
 
          Luke 15:11-12 – “And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.  And he divided unto them his living.”
 
           2.  To pursue the way of the world
 
          Luke 15:13 – “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
 
           3.  To pursue the way of sin
 
          Luke 15:13 – “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
 
     B.  Reaping What Is Sown
 
     Hebrews 11:25 – “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”
 
     Galatians 6:7-8 – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
 
     James 1:15 – “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
                                                                                      
           1.  No pleasure
 
          Luke 15:14 – “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.”
 
           2.  No provision
 
          Luke 15:15-16 – “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

           3.  No help
 
          Luke 15:15-16 – “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
 

I.     He Came to Himself – Realizing that it was better to be WITH the father.
 
Luke 15:17 – “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”
 

II.    He Recognized His Sin.
 
       A.  I have sinned.
 
       Luke 15:18 – “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.”
 
       B.  I am not worthy.
 
       Luke 15:19 – “And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”
 
       C.  I will serve.
 
       Luke 15:19 – “And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”
 

III.  He Returned to the Father. – Draw night to God with a broken heart, and He will draw night to you.
 
Luke 15;20 – “And he arose, and came to his father.  But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”
 
James 4:8-9 – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.”
 

IV.  He Confessed His Sin.
 
       A.  No excusing himself
 
       Luke 15:21 – “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”
 
       B.  No trivializing his sin
 
       Luke 15:21 – “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”
 
       C.  No shifting of blame
 

​V.   He Was Restored by the Father.
 
       A.  Restored to peace
 
       Luke 15:22 – “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.”
 
       B.  Restored to blessing
 
       Luke 15:23 – “And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.”
 
       C.  Restored to fellowship
 
       Luke 15:24 – “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

​Posted in Weekly Sermon, Luke, Repentance of Sin, Forgiveness of Sin, Spiritual Revival

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Meditations in Zephaniah
 
1.  What must we do?  We must gather together before the Lord.
 
Zephaniah 2:1 – “Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired.”
 
2.  Why must we gather together before the Lord?  Because we have become undesirable unto the Lord.
 
Zephaniah 2:1 – “. . . O nation not desired.”
 
3.  Why have we become undesirable unto the Lord?  Because of our sinfulness.
 
Zephaniah 1:17 – “. . . Because they have sinned against the LORD . . . .”
 
     a.  Because we have worshipped falsehood.
 
     Zephaniah 1:5 – “And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops . . .”
     (Remember that a pursuit after covetousness or self-interest is also false worship – See Matthew 6:24;
     Colossians 3:5; Philippians 3:18-19; 1 John 2:5-6)
 
     b.  Because we have mixed the worship of the Lord with falsehood.
 
     Zephaniah 1:5 – “. . . And them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham.”
 
     c.  Because we have turned back from the fellowship and service of the Lord.
 
     Zephaniah 1:6 – “And them that are turned back from the LORD . . . .”
 
     d.  Because we have not sought after the Lord or enquired for Him.
 
     Zephaniah 1:6 – “. . . And those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.”
 
     e.  Because we have disregarded any accountability before the Lord.
 
     Zephaniah 1:12 – “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish
     the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do
     evil.”
 
4.  When must we gather together before the Lord?  BEFORE His fierce anger come upon us.
 
Zephaniah 2:2 – “Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.”
 
5.  What are we to do when we gather together before the Lord?  We must seek for His gracious forgiveness and fellowship.
 
Zephaniah 2:3 – “Seek ye the LORD.”
 
     a.  We must come to a position of meekness before the Lord.
 
     Zephaniah 2:3 – “. . . All ye meek of the earth . . . .”
 
     b.  We must repent with broken-hearted conviction at the Lord’s judgment.
 
     Zephaniah 2:3 – “. . . Which have wrought his judgment . . . .”
 
     c.  We must pursue a pathway of righteousness and meekness.
 
     Zephaniah 2:3 – “. . . Seek righteousness, seek meekness . . . .”
 
6.  What hope do we have if we so gather before the Lord?  We may find hope in His mercy and grace.
 
Zephaniah 2:3 – “. . . It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”

Posted in Meditations in Zephaniah, Rebellion against God, Anger of the Lord, Biblical Humility, Repentance of Sin,
​Grace and Mercy of God     

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Meditations in Ezekiel

1.  The Requirement for a Spiritual Watchman

Ezekiel 33:1-2 – “Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman . . . .”

2.  The Reality of the Spiritual Watchman

Ezekiel 33:2 – “Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman . . . .”

Ezekiel 33:7 – “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.”

Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Weekly Sermon

James 1:21-22 reads, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

In the opening portion of this paragraph (verses 19-20), we receive an exhortation concerning right relations with those around us.  As a whole, this exhortation indicates that we should deny the ways of selfishness in the manner that we relate to one another.  Yet selfishness is the natural principle of our hearts.  Thus in order to deny our selfishness and in order to relate aright toward one another, we must be delivered from the natural characteristic of selfishness in our hearts and from the spiritual corruption that flows out of it.  Yea, our soul, our inner man, needs deliverance from its own, naturally selfish and sinful desires.

So then, by what means can we obtain this spiritual deliverance from the natural corruption of selfishness in our hearts?  James 1:21 gives the answer, saying, “Wherefore lay apart all filth-iness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”  The conjunction “wherefore” with which this verse begins connects it directly to the exhortation of verse 19 and the explanation of verse 20.  Because self-denial in our relations with others is not natural to our selfish hearts, and because the wrath that naturally flows out of our selfishness does not produce the righteousness of God, we need to be delivered from the selfish corruption of our hearts and to be transformed unto the spiritual character of righteousness.  Even so, the closing line of James 1:21 reveals that the Holy Word of God is able to accomplish this deliverance for our souls.

Weekly Sermon

James 1:19-25 reads, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

With James 1:19-25 we come to the fourth paragraph of this epistle.  Again we remember that the Holy Spirit inspired purpose for this epistle is to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the believer’s life.  Even so, this fourth paragraph gives counsel concerning a right relating toward others out of a heart-character that is being spiritually transformed through a meek reception of and a faithful obedience to God’s Word of truth.  Thus we find in this para-graph instruction to relate aright toward others and to relate aright toward God’s Word. 

 The word “wherefore” with which James 1:19 begins indicates that the instructions of this verse are connected to and flow out from some truth in the previous paragraph (verses 12-18).  Because of the instructions that follow in verses 21-25 concerning our reception of and obedience to God’s Word, many see this connection as being with the truth in verse 18 that God our heavenly Father has begotten us “with the word of truth.”  Thus they conclude that the instructions of verse 19 are intended to reveal the response that we ought to have toward the truth of God’s Word.  Yet when this conclusion is applied to all three of the instructions in verse 19, it lacks Biblical validity.  Certainly it is Biblically valid to say that we should be “swift to hear” the message of God’s Word.  However, is it also Biblically valid to say that we should be “slow to speak” forth the message of God’s Word, or from a different perspective that we should be “slow to speak” against the message of God’s Word?  No, it is not Biblically valid to say that we should be “slow to speak” forth the message of God’s Word.  Rather, we should be ever ready to speak forth God’s Word of truth in love to evangelize lost sinners and to edify the fellow believers.  It is also not Biblically valid to say that we should be “slow to speak” against the message of God’s Word.  Rather, we should never speak against the message of God’s Word.  Furthermore, is it Biblically valid to say that we should be “slow to wrath” toward the message of God’s Word?  No, it is not Biblically valid; for we should never respond in wrath toward the message of God’s Word.

What then is the connection between the instructions of verse 19 and the truths of verses 12-18?  The primary truths of verses 12-18 are that those who endure temptation faithfully shall be blessed with the crown of life, that we should never falsely accuse the Lord our God of being the cause of sinful temptation, that the true cause of sinful temptation is the selfish desires of our own corrupt hearts, and that the Lord our God is the Source of every good and perfect gift, the great example being our spiritual new birth.  Verse 19 then indicates that we should behave in a manner of self-control and self-denial, being “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”  What primary truth of verses 12-18 would lead to such instruction?  It is the truth that the true cause of sinful temptation is the selfish desires of our own corrupt hearts.  Because even as the children of God, we retain the selfish influences of our sinful flesh upon our hearts (See Romans 7:17-21; Galatians 5:17), the desires of our hearts are often motivated and corrupted by selfishness.  Therefore, as we relate to others, we must deny our selfish inclinations to listen unto others’ opinions little, to speak forth our opinions much, and to be provoked unto selfish wrath quickly.  Even so, James 1:19-25 provides a four-fold counsel concerning the manner by which we are to deal with the selfish, sinful corruption within our hearts.

Meditations in Joshua

Joshua 6:1-2 – “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.  And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.”

Joshua and the children of Israel did not acquire victory over the city of Jericho through their own ability or ingenuity.  Rather, they acquired victory over the city of Jericho only through the power of the Lord their God.  The Lord’s favor was upon them, and the Lord’s power granted the victory.  Yet there were a number of prerequisites that the Lord required of them before He would grant the victory.  These prerequisites are revealed in the earlier chapters of Joshua.  In like manner, we ourselves can only find victory in the spiritual battles of our daily lives through the favor and power of the Lord our God.  Yet again, there are a number of prerequisites that the Lord our God requires for us to fulfill in order that He might grant us His favor and power for victory. 

Weekly Sermon

In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist, this faithful servant of the Lord, stated, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”

As a whole, the theme of Psalm 119 is – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word.  In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist speaks for the first time concerning the affliction and reproach under which he was suffering.  Indeed, he was suffering reproach and contempt.  He was being slandered.  Many were speaking against him.  Yet the psalmist, as a faithful servant of the Lord, also presented his response unto that affliction and reproach.  In the closing portion of Psalm 119:23, he declared, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  Even so, with a study throughout Psalm 119, we may learn how a faithful servant of the Lord responds in the face of affliction and reproach.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to six previous sermons:
                Blessed Be the Most High God - Genesis 14:19-20    
                The Most High Ruleth - Daniel 4:32    
                The Most High Uttereth His Voice - 2 Samuel 22:14    
                Sing Praise to the Name of the Lord Most High - Psalm 7:17    
                Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High - Psalm 91:1    
                The Years of the Right Hand of the Most High - Psalm 77:10    

Psalm 107:10-12 reads, “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.”

The Lord our God is the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth.  As the most high God, He does indeed involve Himself in the affairs of this world and in the midst of our lives.  Yea, as the most high God, He is mighty to deliver, merciful to bless, mindful to help, majestic in sovereignty, marvelous in faithfulness, magnified through judgment, and Most High for ever.  The Lord our God, as the most high God, is worthy to be praised and honored above all.  He is worthy to be praised and honored for His righteousness, for His protection, for His almighty power, for His eternal sovereignty, and for His faithful lovingkindness.  Yea, because the Lord our God is the most high God of heaven and earth, we who are His people have the responsibility to walk daily in fellowship with Him, place the trust of our hearts in Him, set the love of our hearts upon Him, call in need through prayer upon Him, order our lives in righteousness before Him, and offer our praise and thanksgiving unto Him.  Yet what of those who refuse to walk aright before the Lord our God, the most high God?  What of those who rebel against the Most High?

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to three previous sermons:  Consider Your Priorities - Haggai 1:5    
                                                                                         Consider the Lord's Pleasure - Haggai 1:8      
                                                                                         Consider Our Lord's Purpose - Haggai 2:10-19    

Haggai 2:10 gives the report, “In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying.”  Then in Haggai 2:18-19 we come to the conclusion of that message where our Lord declared through His prophet, “Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD’S temple was laid, consider it.  Is the seed yet in the barn?  Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.”  Finally, in Haggai 2:20-23 our Lord delivered a second message on the same day through His prophet Haggai.  There we read, “And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.”

In Haggai 2:15-17 the Lord had instructed His people at that time to consider His hand of chastening against them and to consider His purpose in that chastening.  Yet in Haggai 2:18-19 the Lord instructed them to consider another matter.  In these two verses, the Lord gave promise to reverse their situation.  Until that time His hand of chastening had been against them, but from that time forward He promised to open His hand of blessing upon them.  At the end of verse 19, the Lord proclaimed, “From this day will I bless you.”  He had confronted them and chastened them for their sinful priorities and ways, and they had repented of those sinful priorities and ways.  Thus from that day of their repentance forward, the Lord promised to bless them.  Even so, the Lord instructed them to consider His promise.  In like manner, we ourselves also need to consider our Lord’s promise to those who will repent of their sinful ways and return unto the Lord.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons:  Consider Your Priorities - Haggai 1:5    
                                                                                       Consider the Lord's Pleasure - Haggai 1:8      

Haggai 2:10-19 reads, “In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy?  And the priests answered and said, No.  Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean?  And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.  Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.  And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.  I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.  Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD’S temple was laid, consider it.  Is the seed yet in the barn?  Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.”

In the opening portion of Haggai 2:15, the Lord our God instructed His people in that time, saying, “And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward.”  Again in the opening portion of Haggai 2:18, the Lord instructed them, saying, “Consider now from this day and upward.”  Finally, at the end of Haggai 2:18, the Lord instructed them, saying, “Consider it.”  Yet what specifically were they to consider?  In Haggai 2:15-17 the Lord focused their attention upon His hand of chastening in their lives, saying, “And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.  I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.”  This is what they were to consider – the Lord’s chastening upon them and the Lord’s purpose in that chastening.  In like manner, we ourselves today must consider our Lord’s purpose in His hand of chastening upon our lives.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon:  Consider Your Priorities - Haggai 1:5    

Haggai 1:1-8 reads, “In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.  Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?  Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.  Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.  Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.”

In the time of Haggai the prophet the Lord’s people were neglecting the Lord’s work.  The specific work to which they had been called was to rebuild the Lord’s house, the physical temple in Jerusalem.  Yet they were allowing the Lord’s house, the Lord’s temple, to lie waste.  They had a problem in their priorities.  They had set their priorities upon their own interests rather than upon the Lord’s work.  In the use of their time, they claimed to have no time for the Lord’s work.  Yet the Lord indicated that they seemed to have plenty of time for their own interests.  In Haggai 1:2-4 the Lord confronted them, saying, “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.  Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?”  Also in the work of their effort, they completely disregarded the Lord’s work while they ran with all effort after their own interests.  In Haggai 1:9 the Lord confronted them, saying, “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it.  Why? saith the LORD of hosts.  Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” 

Because of their wrong priorities, the Lord brought His hand of chastening against them.  In Haggai 1:6 He declared, “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.”  Again in Haggai 1:9-11 He declared, “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it [to blow it away].  Why? saith the LORD of hosts.  Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.  Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.  And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.”

Yes, the Lord confronted them for their wrong priorities, chastened them for those wrong priorities, and challenge them to consider the sinfulness of their wrong priorities.  Haggai 1:5 proclaims, “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.”  Again Haggai 1:7 proclaims, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.”  Yet then the Lord counseled them on how they might correct their wrong priorities.  In Haggai 1:8 He declared, “Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.”  First, they were to consider their priorities.  Then they were to consider the Lord’s pleasure.  The Lord’s hand of chastening was against them because of their wrong priorities.  Yet the Lord was willing to place His hand of pleasure upon them if they would correct their wrong priorities.  So then, brethren, what about us today?  Do we at all desire that the Lord our God should take pleasure in our lives?  Do we at all desire that the Lord our God should take pleasure in our work and service for Him?  Would we rather have our Lord’s hand of chastening against us or His hand of pleasure upon us?

Outlines in Psalms

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”

 I.  The Reasons for Discouragement & Depression (Psalm 42:3-4, 6-7, 9-10; 43:1-2)
II.  The Response to Discouragement & Depression (Psalm 42:1-2, 5, 8, 11; 43:3-5)

Thought for Meditation

If you are too busy to be faithful
in God's Word, in fervent prayer, in church ministry, and in gospel witness,
then you are simply too busy in the affairs of this world.
Yea, then you are entagled in and are being choked out by the affairs and cares of this world;
and thereby you are bringing displeasure to the heart of the Lord your God and Savior.
Yea, then you have left your first love in and for the Lord;
and therefore you need to be zealous unto broken-hearted repentance.

Thought for Meditation

You may have an outward form of godliness,
whereby you think yourself to be righteous before the Lord;
yet your selfishly unbridled and biting communication gives you away,
outwardly revealing that you are carnal and ungodly in character.
Indeed, to be truly righteous before the Lord,
you must repent with a broken and contrite heart 
of that selfishly unbridled and biting communication.

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to a previous outline:  In the Day of My Trouble - Psalm 77    

In Psalm 77:4-9 the psalmist Asaph cried out and complained, saying, “Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.  Will the Lord cast off for ever?  And will he be favourable no more?  Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?  Hath God forgotten to be gracious?  Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.”

Through this cry and complaint, we understand that the psalmist had come to a place of utter discouragement and depression.  In addition, we understand that the foundational reason for the psalmist’s discouragement and depression was that he had come to a place of doubting and questioning the gracious, merciful, and faithful nature of the Lord his God.  Yet by the end of this psalm, the psalmist had come to a completely different place, to a place of comfort and courage through whole-hearted trust in and praise of the Lord his God.  So then, what brought about this change?  The turning point of the psalm is found in verses 10-12.