Hanging On By A Thread

BIG IDEA:

CLINGING TO HOPE WHEN BURDENED BY SIN AND

ATTACKED BY ENEMIES

I. CLINGING TO HOPE WHEN BURDENED BY SIN =

A HEAVY HEART (38:1-10) / A SICK PUPPY

A. The Discipline from God (:1-3) (result of my sin)

B. The Pain of it All (:4-8)

C. The Glimmer of Hope (:9)

The Lord sees:

My Desires

My Sufferings

D. The Depths of My Suffering (:10)

"my heart throbs"

"my strength fails me"

"and the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me"

II. CLINGING TO HOPE WHEN ATTACKED BY ENEMIES =

A HELPLESS TARGET (38:11-20) / A SITTING DUCK

A. The Isolation from all Human Encouragement and Help (:11)

"My loved ones"

"my friends"

"my kinsmen" (relatives)

B. The Treachery of Sneak Attacks (:12)

C. The Focus on Clinging to Hope (:13-16)

not being frightened by threats

not trying to present arguments to defend myself

D. The Precarious State of My Anxiety (related to my sin) (:17-18)

E. The Power and Motivation of my Enemies (opposed to righteousness) (:19-20)

III. DESPERATE CRY TO GOD FOR HELP (38:21-22)

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) Can we always find a direct cause and effect relationship between our physical ailments and some type of sin or discipline of the Lord? What type of physical consequences have we experienced in the past that we could link directly to sin?

2) Are we a “fairweather friend” that backs away from intimacy when we feel that the other party is experiencing the heavy hand of God?

3) Have we learned how to close our ears to the attacks of others and focus our attention on seeking God’s deliverance?

4) Is “waiting for the Lord” usually a painful process? How can we best alleviate the

pain and persevere?

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