How To Stay Balanced In An Unbalanced World

“How to Stay Balanced In an Unbalanced World”

Part 7

Sermon Series: A Word about the Word

Date: March 9, 2003 AM Service

Place: Allendale Baptist Church

Text: Psalm 119:49-56

Introduction

We all know we live in a fast-paced, hectic world. Sometimes this thing called life seems like a jigsaw puzzle that just doesn’t quit fit. Or in some cases all the pieces are not in the box.

Many times we struggle with the question; “How do we make sense out of nonsense?” or “How do we keep our sanity?”

How do we keep our balance in an unbalanced world?

It takes a lot to amaze me. Last Saturday morning I was greatly amazed at one of our men as he climbed to the top of the church to clean the Steeple and watched him as he walked across the roof with a broom and a 20 pound bucket of water. What balance.

The psalmist gives us 4 truths in this section of Scripture of how we can stay balanced in an unbalanced world.

First, if we are to stay balanced in and unbalanced world, we must have…

I. Courage vv. 49-50

The story tells of a party on a cruise ship that was in full swing. Speeches were being made by the captain, crew and other guests aboard the ship. An elderly gentleman sat at the guest of honors seat who seemed somewhat embarrassed as the praise was being poured on him.

Earlier that morning a young woman had fallen overboard and within seconds the old man was in the dark cold water at her side. The woman was rescued and the elderly man became a hero.

He was asked to come to the microphone and give what was to be a hero’s speech. But to the crowds amazement he said these words; “All I want to know is who pushed me in?”

 Now that does not exemplify courage.

 How can we have this courage in difficult times?

 Look at what the psalmist says in verse 49

“Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope.”

A. Hope in God’s Word

1. I have mentioned this before the psalmist, if David, does not have the complete Word of God as we do.

2. But he has found hope, within the Word of God.

3. In this verse he is reflecting on the hope of the promises God has made through His Word.

4. What is hope?

5. It is FAITH

6. For the Christian our faith is built and developed on the Word of God; on the integrity and consistency of the character of God.

7. Our faith is founded on the premise that God will not allow His Word to return void that He will never betray or turn away from what He has promised.

As the psalmist searches and looks for meaning in and unbalanced world the first support he clings to is his hope in the Word of God.

Then next he speaks of the

B. Help God has been

1. Verse 50 “This is my comfort in my affliction; for Thy word hath quickened me.”

2. Notice the word quicken or revive again.

3. The comfort comes after the quickening.

4. He is comforted after he is secure in his relationship with God.

5. If you are struggling today with whatever the circumstances let the God be your help.

6. Psalm 46:1 says; “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

7. Psalm 115:9 tells us; “O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.”

8. Psalm 124: 8 says; “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Second if we are to stay balanced in an unbalanced world we must recognize the reality of…

II. Conflict

For all Christians there will be conflict in our lives.

But notice those that the psalmist is in conflict with

 Verse 51; “The proud have had me in great derision.”

 He is in conflict with those that are …

A. Arrogance

1. Arrogant people around him are attacking him; they are ridiculing and mocking him.

2. I believe this is the main reason many Christians do not want to take a stand.

3. Because they do not want to be made fun of or ridiculed by the world.

4. In 2 Timothy 3:12 Paul said to the young preacher boy Timothy; “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

5. But when the psalmist faced this derision it drove him further into the Word of God.

So the psalmist confirms for us there is help and hope in God even in conflict and that brings …

B. Assurance

Verse 52 “ I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.”