God Is Always Near Series

IGNORANT SERIES: GOD IS ALWAYS NEAR

PSALM 73:21-28

INTRODUCTION

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word “ignorant” means unaware or uniformed. I would like us, for the next few weeks, to look at some spiritual facts that you may be unaware of or have forgotten. Most of the time we forget important spiritual truths when it comes to God and our relationship with Him. I am not sure why we forget such important matters, but I know it to be true. That is why God had Israel erect monuments and write down accounts and tell stories about all the events that took place in their relationship with Him. They forgot easily! We forget easily! This word “ignorant” occurs 13 times in the Bible and is connected with some important spiritual facts we should all know. That is why today we cover the spiritual Truth that God is always near.

Abby and Nate have a ton of books at home and like Kelly and I to read through them quite often. A few of the books I just hate to read. One of them is “Angie’s Heavenly Journey.” It is a wonderful book about this little girl angel who shines some trumpets for the bug angels and these are played to announce the birth of Jesus. The book talks about the love of God and the birth of Jesus in a wonderful manner. Your question of course, is why do you hate to read it with such a great message?! I have a problem (not really) because the little angel, Angie, talks to St Peter about the birth of Jesus! Talk about theologically incorrect! Actually it is a long and involved book and usually we don’t get to the third page before the kids are off doing something else. It’s for older kids I suppose.

One of the other books that I have trouble reading is entitled “Mommy is Always Near.” It centers on a barn and a small family of cats. It is nighttime and these three kittens wake up and find their mother gone. They get scared. It’s dark. It’s storming. They become very afraid of all the shadows and sacks of flower that look like monsters. At the end of the book, the mother cat shows up and says “don’t be afraid, mommy is always near!” And my thought is, yeah, if that’s so where were you the last 5 pages!

READ PSALM 73:21-28

“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

I. LIFE SOMETIMES GETS THE BETTER OF US

The Psalm describes a life situation that we all sometimes face. The Psalmist says that his heart is grieving and his spirit is embittered. He describes himself as a “brute beast.” I would say that he is of the opinion that life is getting the better of him. He feels like life has kicked his teeth in. He walks around the growls at all his family members and feels as though the weight of the world is on his shoulders. Life many times is not an easy place to live!

There are always health concerns and stresses

There are always money troubles and unexpected bills

There are always family problems and tensions

There are always spiritual questions and wanderings

There are always questions about death and grief

Perhaps some of these are creeping around you. Maybe all of them. Jesus never promises that our life in Him will be trouble free. Jesus never says that. In fact, Jesus assumes trouble will come (Matthew 5:10-12) and says that we are blessed. Blessed? Are you kidding me?! Where is the blessing in my stack of bills? Where is the blessing in my sickness? Where is the blessing in the death of my loved one? Where is the blessing?

I imagine that some of the people in Scripture wondered the same question. Where is the blessing or the good in any of this?

o I imagine Adam and Eve asking this at the death of Abel.

o I imagine David asking this as several of his sons rebelled against him and died.

o I imagine Daniel asking that question as they lowered him into the lion’s den.