Can You Hear Me Lord?

Can you hear me Lord?

Psalm 61:1-8

Do you remember the old Verizon commercial? The Verizon man used to say “Can you hear me now?

If you are familiar with him and the commercials, you know that he has switched sides- From Verizon to Sprint. His words have become ammunition for his competitor. He said can you hear me know because he was in spots that he could not hear people and people could not hear him. Now, he has found a carrier to deliver the message and a way that he could hear the messenger.

That is what King David is feeling in the text for this morning.

Prayer

Psalm 61:1-8 Read from the Bible

This is a passage and thought of a discouraged man in a hard spot. This is a man who has made mistakes and God has in the past helped him out but now feels like God has forgotten him. The king of Israel has been run off by his son Absalom who wants to take over and who is ready to humiliate him.

Anyone relate to times that you feel that way?

Discouragement is defined as “A loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness.”

William Ward describes discouragement

“Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust for the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness of God.”

This text is a prayer to God for restoration. It is David’s prayer to be able to get back in the presence of his God. Sometimes we have to go to the lowest point before God can get our attention. It is framed by a cry out to God, and a vow of praise if God would restore that relationship.

(V2) “From the ends of the earth I call to you.” At his lowest point, he felt miles away from God and it was overwhelming.

At those times of discouragement we feel like we are far from God and He does not hear us.”

At those times, we want to give up on God because giving up seems like the easier choice.

We second guess ourselves and turn inward instead of toward God and God’s people.

We feel miles away, we feel like He has abandoned us, and we feel overwhelmed. We cannot go by feelings because feelings can be deceiving. His Word tells us that He never leaves us or forsakes us. His Word tells us He will help us through those times of discouragement.

There comes a point in a mature Christian’s life that he has to decide to trust how he feels or trust what God word says.

This is not the first time that David would be overwhelmed.

“Overwhelmed”- in this context means that he felt like a dark sheet was put over him to create darkness.

There are some things that we can do when we feel overwhelmed that comes right out of God word.

The first thing to realize is;

That though we feel overwhelmed, the situation does not have our Lord overwhelmed or in a position of surprise or not knowing what to do.

Realize that it is a cover of darkness that is created to make you think it is dark and with no hope. Pull off that cover and let the light is. Amen.

Realize and recognize that it will not last forever. This may be a season in life. It does not define your life.

Things to Remember;

I. His shelter “For you have been my refuge.” (shelter)

The place of remembrance-“For you have been…”

He is remembering the times that God has been with him in the past.

Those times in battle where He did not know where to turn and the Lord brought him through in victory.

Those times that he felt ambushed by things he had no control over and God had seen him through.

God is never late and He is never early. He is always right on time.

The place of security- (Shelter of your wings)

Shelter should be a place of security. It is a safe place. King David is saying that God’s shelter offers him a safe place. David has learned to view his shelter as a safe place even if he was at the time going through a hard time. The shelter of His wings is a covering. Underneath His wings is the security that he longs for and needs. Safe places are by design to be a safe place but also to feel safe.

The place of His Presence- David knew what it felt like when God was present and he knew what it felt like when God seemed far away and he was again wanting God’s presence and seeking it. He was drawing himself close to God and desire that His presence would again hold him tightly.