Lord, Why Me!? Series

THEME: OUR GOD IS GOOD

TOPIC: LORD, WHY ME!?

TEXT: Ps. 139: 1-24; Job 23: 1-17

SPEAKER: Dixon Olu. DAVID

DELIVERD: 12th December, 2004

Introduction

In every probability, each one of us would have sometimes asked the question, “Lord, Why me?”

Consciously or unconsciously, directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, knowingly or unknowingly, politely or ignorantly, voluntarily or involuntarily, one time or the other, by reflex action or otherwise, we would have ‘queried’ God as we demand an answer to that golden question: “Lord, why me?”

This question, more often than not, would have been a means of expressing our anguish and pain. Sometimes, even without receiving an answer, by mere expression, we get a temporal relief from the burdens we are carrying.

But, wait a minute. Have you ever look at the other side?With all the blessings, mercies and grace of God all around you, have you ever ask God, “Lord, Why me?” “Why are you so kind to me, Lord?” “What have I done to attract such unmerited favor?”

Today, I want you to be at liberty to ask God, “Lord, why me?”

1.Know that your attitude determines your appreciation

What is attitude?

- the opinions and feelings that you usually have about something.

- Jeff Keller, owner of "Attitude Is everything, Inc." has defined attitude as: the “mental filter” through which you experience the world. He says: “There are many filters you might have. For instance, some people see the world through a filter of optimism; others through a filter of pessimism. Some see opportunity wherever they go; others see obstacles around every corner.”

In Psalm 139, David marvelled at the Omniscient (all-knowing), Omnipresent (all-seeing), and Omnipotent (all-powerful)attributes of the Lord God. Knowing David for all the bad side of life that he had, He did not allow the bad experiences to becloud him of the good side.

Look at his confession about God in these verses:

Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

1Ch_29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (1Ch 29:14)

Charles Swindoll said: "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes."

David had a good attitude towards the goodness of God, and he magnified them.

If only you can have another view of your experiences, you’ll have cause to be "thank-full."

**Illustrations on Thankfulness

a. When Matthew Henry was robbed, that very night he prayed:

"I thank Thee, first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed."

b. A mother took her three children to a restaurant to eat breakfast one morning. The smallest of the three children sat at the very end of the row. She saw other people being served and eating right away without stopping to say thanks. It surprised her. When the food was served to her, she shouted out to her mother: "Mommy, don’t people ask the blessing in this place?" You can well imagine the embarrassment of those present. Her mother tried to hush her. But, the waitress said to little Mary, "Yes, we do, sister! You give thanks!"

Amazingly, at that very moment everybody else also bowed their heads and offered thanks.