Just A Simple Man

JUST A SIMPLE MAN

Psalm 116

W. Max Alderman Bible Baptist Church

INTRODUCTION: Spurgeon said this about the simple man: The Lord preserveth the simple. How delightful it is to be able to reflect on the character of God as preserving the soul. The word properly signifies to defend us at any season of danger. The Hebrew word which is translated "simple, "signifies one who has no control over himself, one that cannot resist the power and influence of those around, and one, therefore, subject to the greatest peril from which he has naturally no deliverance. "The Lord preserveth": his eye is upon them, his hand is over them, and they cannot fall. The word "simple" signifies likewise those that are ignorant of their condition, and not watching over their foes. Delightful thought, that though we may be thus ignorant, yet we are blessed with the means of escape!

According to the world and its appraisal of who we are as believers, we are only simple men. Even so, as simple as we might be, God superintends over us and keeps us under the wings of His watch care. May we look today at the Simple Man…

I. THE SIMPLE MAN’S PRAYER (Vv. 1-8)

A. The Simple Man Will Pray During His Times of Sorrow (Vv. 1-4)

Two things may be noticed in our Text as it regards the prayer of the simple man. Notice first, the delight as the simple man prays… “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my supplications” (V. 1) and then notice the duration of the simple man’s praying. “Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live” (V.2).

Prayer is a wonderful, delightful opportunity for the believer because he knows that the Lord hears his supplications. The Psalmist said, when “the sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” It was then that he called upon the Lord. Often it is our sorrows and our fears that cause us to really pray. As the Lord hears and answers our prayers, we just as the Psalmist, begin to love the Lord even more, and will continue to pray to Him as long as we so live…

B. The Simple Man Will Pray During His Times of Shouting (V. 5)

Just as the simple man prayed during his time of sorrows, he will continue to pray even while he is shouting. I know that I enjoy praying when God answers my prayers. I just want to thank Him for answered prayers. We may all agree with the Psalmist when he said: “Gracious is the Lord and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.” God certainly is gracious and merciful, but it is in respect to His righteousness. We should never think that God is going to compromise His Holy righteousness while answering our prayers. It seems that righteousness stands between grace and mercy to serve as a safeguard to the two.

C. The Simple Man Will Pray During His Times of Sinking (Vv. 6-8)

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay…” Also, there are times when we will find ourselves downcast and discouraged even though we are not consciously sinning. During these difficult times, it is wonderful just knowing that we have the privilege and the opportunity to pray to the Lord… For He is a very present help in the time of our need.

Prayer is one of the greatest ways to combat discouragement. So many things can cause discouragement.

William ward said: “Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.”

Illustration: God sometimes allows us to enter into discouraging situations for the primary purpose of testing our faith. At such times we must refuse to give up in despair. Like Jonah in the belly of the great fish, we must turn to the Lord when our soul is fainting within us, trusting Him completely. James H. McConkey wrote, "What can you do when you are about to faint physically? You can’t DO anything! In your weakness you just fall upon the shoulders of some strong loved one, lean hard, and rest until your strength returns. The same is true when you are tempted to faint under adversity. The Lord’s message to us is "Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).