When The Going Gets Tough Series

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

PSALM 119:153-160

INTRODUCTION

A. God’s people have always had mountains to climb and rivers to cross. We only need to read the names of the great honor roll of faith in Hebrews 11 to confirm this truth.

B. When the going gets tough, we may be tempted, like Israel of old, to take a “I didn’t sign up for this” stand (Ex14:11-12).

C. In this strophe, we will learn with David the need to stay focused when the going gets rough:

I. FOCUS ON GOD’S PROMISES (VV. 153-154)

A. Peter offers comfort and encouragement (2 Pet 1:3-5).

1. As we ponder God’s promises, we return to our intimate relationship with deity—or our fellowship with our Father, our Brother, and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33, 38-39).

2. God has not only promised us an inheritance in heaven, but he has also promised to keep us safe until we inherit the promise. (Eph 1:13-14).

B. Consider the security taught by the Spirit through Peter (1 Pet 1:3-9).

1. Don’t miss Peter’s connection: Our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. He who guards the inheritance also protects the in-heritors, “who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” The same power that keeps our inheritance safe in heaven keeps us safe on earth.

2. The Bible teaches the security of the believer, not the security of one who believed (2 Pet 2:20-23).

II. FOCUS ON GOD’S MERCY (V. 155)

A. When Nathan the prophet confronted David with his sin with Bathsheba, David cried out for mercy (Psa 51:1-3).

1. Those who do not have a deep sense of need for God’s mercy have not confronted the sin in their lives. And if they see no sin in themselves, they do not see themselves as God sees them.

2. Those who need God’s mercy the most seem to seek it the least: “Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.”

B. The Pharisees did not see themselves as needing mercy, for they did not see themselves as sinners (Matt 9:10-13).

C. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee asked for nothing and got nothing. The tax collector asked for mercy and received it (Lk 18:9-14).

III. FOCUS ON GOD’S WORD

A. John tells us that Christ was in the world as light from the beginning of creation (John 1:1-5).

1. The period from the creation until the giving of the Law of Moses has been called the starlight period.

2. The period from Sinai until the coming of Christ has been called the moonlight period.

3. The arrival of Christ ushered in the sunlight (Sonlight) period in which God’s plan and purpose have been fully revealed.

B. Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1-2, applying it to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, following His temptations (Matt 4:15-16).

C. During the moonlight period, David recognized three things about God’s word:

1. It gives life (v.159).

2. It is true and trustworthy (v. 160a)

3. It endures forever (160b).

D. Living in the “Sonlight” period, we should affirm even more strongly that God’s word is true and trustworthy (John 17:7-8).

1. God’s word gives life today in a way never enjoyed by even the greatest saint during the starlight and moonlight periods (John 1:1-5).

2. David said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa 119:105).

a. David had the moonlight.

b. We have the Sonlight to show us the path (John 8:12).

CONCLUSION

A. Much of the world still lives in darkness.

B. Are you walking in the Light?