Desiring God

Desiring God

Pastor Allan Kircher

Shell Point Baptist Church

26 August 2013

"With my soul have I desired thee in the night."—Isaiah 26:9.

Night appears to be a time peculiarly favorable to devotion.

Its solemn stillness helps to free the mind from the perpetual sin which the cares of the world will bring about;

• The stars looking down/heaven upon us shine as if they would attract us up to God.

• I don’t know how you are affected by the solemnities of the night, but I have sat alone reflecting on the mighty universe.

• I have felt that indeed I could worship him;

• for night seems to be the a very temple for adoration

When I consider the heavens, the work of Gods’ fingers, the moon and the stars which He has ordained; what is man, that God is mindful of him?

Even with the most irreligious person,

• a man farthest from any spiritual thought

• It seems there is some power in the grandeur and stillness of night to draw him up to God.

I trust many of us can say, like David, "I have thought upon thee continually, I have thought upon thy name in the night, and with desire have I desired thee in the night."

But I leave that thought altogether.

• I address myself to two orders of persons

• I endeavor to show what I conceive to be the meaning of the text.

• May God make it useful to you?

First, I shall speak to confirmed Christians; Second, I shall speak to newly awakened souls

Prayerfully, we will say, “With my soul have I desired thee in the night."

I. The first fact I shall draw out is to the confirmed believer

• I’m sure we can admit wholeheartedly:

• The Christian is not always the bright shining sun!

• We have seasons of darkness and of night.

Many have rejoiced/presence of God for a season

• Basked in the sunshine God/pleased/give us.

• Walked along “green pastures”

• By the side of the “still waters”

Then suddenly/month or two/find that glorious sky is clouded

• Instead green pastures/tread the sandy desert.

• Instead still waters/find streams blackish to our taste

• Streams bitter to our spirits.

The best of God's saints have their nights; the dearest of his children have to walk through a wilderness. Take heart!

There is not a Christian, who has enjoyed perpetual happiness,

• No believer/always/sings/song of joy.

• Hey, you can’t always see the same star at night!

• Not every Christian is always happy.

____________________________________________

Perhaps/God/gave you/season/great joy at first because you were a raw recruit.

• God didn’t want to put you in roughest part of the battle when you first enlisted!

• You were a tender plant

• He wanted to nurse you before you went into the heat.

But when you become strong the case is different.

• He expects you to make provisions now.

• He expects you to call upon him for strength.

______________________________________________

We need clouds and darkness to exercise our faith, to cut off self dependence, and make us put more faith in Christ

This darkness over the soul/Christian rises/temporal distresses.

• A misfortune in the walk of his life.

• Something gone wrong in his business

• Or an enemy has done something against him.

• Death has struck down a child

• Bereavement has snatched away their spouse.

Remember again from last week: John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

• Church! This is where Faith comes into practice.

• This is where your desires match your faith!

Better --Christian's day of sorrow

Than world's days of happiness.

Happier/chained/dungeon/a Paul

than/reign in the palace/Ahab.

Better—child/God/poverty

Than a child/Satan in riches.

Cheer up, you with a downcast spirit, if this is you….

• Remember/many saints have passed through the same

• the best and most eminent believers have had their nights.

______________________________________________

• Someone else may say, “you have not described my night!”

• Or “I don’t have any evidence of my Christianity”

• There was a season when I flattered myself

• I knew something about godliness and God;

• Now I doubt whether I have any part or lot in the matter.

• I see no hope for me.

• I am afraid I am a hypocrite.

• While others are commending me

• I am accusing myself of all manner of sin and corruption.

I am afraid there cannot have been a work of grace in my heart

• Why do I have these corrupt imaginations.

• Filthy desires,

• Hard thoughts of God, so much pride