A Study Of Psalm 30 Series

A Study of Psalm 30

Psalm 30

Introduction

- Good evening … short intro on new format

- Open to all, may allow more to attend due to busy schedules

- Comments can be seen by all, questions can be asked through this

- Invite: Advent series on SUNDAY mornings at the church

- Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period

- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning

- We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 (runs through January)

- The Psalms have already given us plenty of opportunities to praise

-- The daily challenge for us is this: will we remember what we’ve been told?

- Today, we will examine Psalm 30 … a critical passage for believers

- FACT: God will discipline and shape us into who He desires us to be

-- A large challenge for us is how we will react to His correction

- For some, a correction may be minor – for others it could be a major life change

-- What is important to understand is that God desires to change us

-- He desires to make us more like His Son, Jesus, every day of our life

- This Psalm is a great example of how one man reacted to God’s correction

- Read Psalm 30 / Pray

Point 1 – David’s recalls a time of trouble

- David begins this Psalm by exalting the Lord

-- His discussion is about a time that God rescued Him (recalling an event)

• God raised me (1)

• God restored me (2)

• God rescued me (3)

- Quite literally, David’s praise is because God fulfilled His promises (Deut 31:6)

-- Bible tells us that God will never leave us … David praises this truth here

- David then encouraged others (discipleship point: we should do the same)

• Sing to the Lord (4) – Bible doesn’t instruct us to sing perfectly (thankfully)

• Praise His name (4-5) – We are called to praise Him for all He does

- APP: If we’d praise God more for what He has done, might not focus on the bad

-- Maybe we could challenge one another to do this … “we’ve got whining down”!

Love V5 … you’ve probably sung this (“Trading my Sorrows” by Darrell Evans)

I am blessed beyond the curse, for His promise will endure,

and His joy will be my strength.

Pre-chorus: Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning.

• God’s anger turns to favor – discipline lasts for a period of time (night)

• Man’s weeping turns to joy – happiness comes in the morning (daylight)

- IMP: When we are faithful to the Lord, even His correction brings JOY

-- We are joyous b/c He loves us enough to keep us away from negative things

-- APP: What an incredible God we serve who loves us enough to protect us

Point 2 – Why does God discipline us?

- Key life question: Why does God discipline us?

- V6 tells us exactly why David was disciplined:

• He felt self-secure: “I got this …”

• He had grown self-sufficient: “I can do it all …” (dangerous ground)

- TRUTH: God will discipline us -- this is a reality we should all learn

-- APP: Once we start thinking we’ve got it all figured out, we stop needing God

- V7 shows us how God disciplined David

• God’s face was hidden

• David’s heart was heavy

- God had become silent to David, he literally withdrew from fellowship

- Because of this, David became worried and afraid … and repented of his ways

- CHALL: Maybe some of us feel separated from God, perhaps need to repent?

- God is always available to you

-- But he will not condone (support) your sinful choices

-- Repentance returns you to having favor with God

TRANS: When God’s discipline stops … something incredible happens

Point 3 – God’s response to David

- Look at David’s response to God and God’s reaction to him

- David requested mercy from God

• Twice he asks for God to show mercy (8, 10)

- Mercy is underserved in rebellion to God; but it’s His gift to give to us

-- Consider: John 3:16 … God gave, not because we earned or deserved it

- David then reasons with God, explaining why he needs Him:

• If I’m silenced I cannot praise God (9a)

• It is my purpose, not the dust’s, to praise the Lord (9b)

- By showing signs of remorse for His behavior

-- And in response to God showing mercy upon him … David rejoices

- David rejoiced in God

• God turned his wailing to dancing (11a)