Divine Chastening Series

Psalm 39 Divine Chastening

I. Restrains our Words (vs. 1-3, 9).

1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue:

I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Socrates tells of Pambo, who asked him to teach him some psalm. He read Psalm 39:1 Pambo shut the book, and got up to leave, saying, “I will go learn that point first.”

After several months Pambo had not yet learned the first verse.

i. The RESOLVE in Silence -

1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue:

ii. The REASON for Silence

9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Joseph)

iii. The RESTRAINT in Silence -

1 I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

David prayed, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Ps 141:3)

A white man and an Indian were arrested for bootlegging. The Indian only responded UGH, to each charge. Frustrated, the judge finally just dismissed the Indian from the case.

Then the white man spent an hour and half trying to explain why he wasn’t guilty.

The judge pronounced him guilty and fined him $500.00. “UGH, white man talk too much."

Prov 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

iv. The RELEASE from Silence - 3 My heart was hot within me,

while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

II. Reveals our Weaknesses (vs. 4-9).

i. Life is FRAGILE - 4 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

Psa. 103:14 He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust

ii. Life is FLEETING - 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

iii. Life is FUTILE, apart from God

5 verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

III. Rights our Wrongs

i. The Discipline - 11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,

ii. The Disclosure - thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth:

iii. The Discovery - surely every man is vanity. Selah.

IV. Revives our Works - David asks God for two things:

i. To be SPARED - 13 O spare me

ii. To be STRENGTHENED -

13 that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more

How to Live Like You’re Dyin”—

1. Live life with a PURPOSE - Worthy of God.

2. Live life with a PASSION - Wholly for God.

3. Live life with a PERSPECTIVE - Wary of God.