BIG IDEA:
REJOICING BY FAITH WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH REQUIRES FAITH IN THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESS
INTRODUCTION:
Patience: “bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint”
“steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity”
I. (:1-2) THE ANGUISH OF TOUGH TIMES THAT PERSIST
Note the tone of Impatience (like little children in a car on a long trip — “Are we almost there?” “How long?”)
Note the 4 cries of “How Long” in this section
A. Forgotten by God
“Wilt Thou forget me forever?
How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?”
B. Frustrated to the point of despair
“How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?”
C. Fallen in Humiliation and Disgrace before the enemy
“How long will my enemy be exalted over me?”
II. (:3-4) THE APPEAL FOR HELP
A. The Appeal for Attention — answers the problem of being forgotten
1. Consider
2. Answer
“Consider and answer me, O Lord, my God”
B. The Appeal for Deliverance — answers the problem of frustration and despair
“Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death”
C. The Appeal for Vindication from my enemies — answers the problem of humiliation and disgrace
1. “lest my enemy say, ‘I have overcome him'”
2. “lest my adversaries rejoice when I am shaken”
III. (:5-6) THE ASSURANCE OF FAITH IN GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS
The connection between:
A. Lovingkindness of the Lord who “has dealt bountifully with me” — no way God could forget you
B. Faith – “But I have trusted …”
C. Rejoicing — your enemies do not have the last word
“My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.
I will sing to the Lord”