Going Through A Rough Patch Series

Series: The Songs Of A King [#3]

GOING THROUGH A ROUGH PATCH

Psalm 142:1-7

Introduction:

Have you ever just had a really bad year? You know, the year that everything breaks down and nothing seems to go right? We all have had rough patches and David is no exception.

The year 1060 A.D. was a rough year for David. David was on the run from King Saul. While he was running and hiding from King Saul, he ended up at Gath. At Gath he was brought to King Achish whom he feared. Because King Achish knew of the greatness of David, David acted like he was crazy. King Achish kicked him out. From there he went and hid in a cave at Adullam. His mother, father, brothers, and 400 men met him there at the cave. David took his parents to the King of Moab to see if they could live there until things improved and they stayed in Moab.

Saul was continuing to look for David and Doeg the Edomite told Saul that he had seen David at the city of Nob talking with the Priest. Saul went to Ahimelek the Priest and asked him why he was talking to David, feeding David and his men, and gave him Goliath’s sword. Ahimelek answered in a way that Saul didn’t like and Saul had Doeg kill all of the priests and people in town. One son of Ahimelek escaped and went and told David what had happened. David and his men continued to run from Saul hiding in different places.

Through all of this, David was wore out and tired. He wrote 11 different Psalms during this year. Psalm 142 was a prayer of David and gives us some things to do when we are going through a rough patch.

Psalm 142:1-2 (NIV)

“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.”

When you are going through a rough patch…

1. Cry out to God.

The idea that we cannot cry out to God in anger or when we disagree with Him is ridiculous. When things are too much for you, instead of turning to things that will harm you, cry out to God. God knows what you are going through. God loves you and He wants what is best for you even when you are going through difficult times. Tell Him what’s wrong. Tell Him your complaints. Go to Him.

Psalm 142:3-5 (NIV)

“When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

When you are going through a rough patch…

2. Find refuge in God.

When you realize that there is no place or person that you can go to for help, don’t just give up. God is our refuge. I know that at times it seems like God is nowhere to be found and that the harder you look the worse it seems to get; but don’t give up because He is right there with you. You can go to God and find refuge and rest. You can be rejuvenated and strengthened.

Psalm 142:6-7 (NIV)

“Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”

When you are going through a rough patch…

3. Praise God’s name.

Regardless of what happens, God is still on the throne. Regardless of what happens, God still loves you. Regardless of what happens, God is still our Savior. We are to praise Him at all times- Good, bad, and in between. When we praise God publicly, others are changed by that and they want to praise Him also.

Conclusion:

If you are going through a rough patch, cry out to God, find refuge in Him, and praise His holy name. Even if things are good, don’t wait until they get bad- Praise His holy name.