“Joy Comes in the Morning”
Psalm 30
Turn to Psalm 30 …
Introduction
Over the past few weeks, I have been dealing with several things on a personal, spiritual level that have been plaguing me over this church, and what it is that God has for us. While away this past week I was actually able to spend some time reading and studying on my own and found out that even the smallest things we go through God is able to be glorified.
This morning is the beginning of a 2 part message that will culminate next week with “Vision Sunday”. I believe that we have seen some amazing growth in the past 12 months and God has been preparing laborers and those desiring a more intimate relationship with Him. As we talked about at the picnic we have much to celebrate and give God glory for, but I believe it is time to dream big – and watch how much more God is able to do.
Next Sunday we will have some special challenges for the church body … and I honestly think that God is willing to do something amazing, if we are willing to trust Him.
However, before we can grow with the Lord and allow His leading to really take hold, we have to understand who He is, and really desire a right relationship and mindset with Him. This morning, let’s see what happened to a man after God’s own heart and what God was able to do abundantly in his life.
Pray
The Psalms have always been something that were given by God, inspired by His Spirit, to show that trusting the Lord is to be a constant – and no matter what we go through, they are there as a source of strength for the believer.
Point 1 – Laying the Foundation (v1-3)
David has just finished building a temple to the Lord, and he is dedicating this temple to God
If we are to be serious about looking for God to work through this church – we have to be willing to dedicate this building, and ourselves as we are in it, to God’s service.
The temple that David is dedicating is that of his heart – he is crying out to the Lord and asking for a change of heart in himself – and for the temple to be used to glorify him.
Note the promises that David is declaring …
He was lifted up – have you ever been lifted up?
He called to God and was healed – have you ever been healed?
He was raised from the grave and was spared from the pit (hell) – have you been spared?
What David is doing is simply: GIVING HIS TESTIMONY! What is your testimony today? Can you declare that God has delivered you from sickness? Delivered and healed your marriage? Delivered you from sin and despair?
Or, is your testimony only that you have His salvation and that is that?
Imagine if that is all David had – would God have used him in such a mighty way to declare to us what we need to change and relate too? Let’s go a little deeper into David’s life and understand what God is able to do to a willing soul by understanding His releasing power.
Point 2 – Understanding God’s release (v4-7)
Anger lasting for a moment deals specifically with God’s timing – not our own
Many trust that God’s time is our time, and this is false. We must wait on the Lord and understand that when He says something will happen – we should take it as gold and continue persevering.
David is exhorting the church to continue to praise His name – and without praise I firmly believe that we have spiritual death!
Look what happens after the sorrow -- Joy comes in the morning!!
Have you ever been through something and suddenly a new day brought clarity and release?
Look at David’s cry in verse 6 – When I felt secure, I said (he testified) that he will never be shaken! His foundation is in God almighty, and when he feels secure in the Lord he is strong and resolved to continue moving forward!
But look at verse 7 (re-read) --- God did turn his face from David and because of it, David was dismayed and hurt. He felt rejected, and he felt alone and without power. If you feel alone today, I want to encourage you to check yourself and be sure that you have the Lord.
No believer should ever feel alone, and with God you are a MAJORITY! Do you believe that?
Look at how David dealt with being alone – he was dismayed and so immediately he knew that he had to call out to God and seek God’s redemption.
Point 3 – Who will you call – and what will happen when you do? (v8-12)
David turned to the Lord and called on Him – he cried to the Lord and gives perhaps the best example of professing to God who He is, and who David is not. Today church, you and I NEED to be playing the role of David!!
We need to call upon the Lord and ask Him to deliver and redeem us!
Look at the very interesting phrasing he used in verse 9 – it’s almost as if he is asking:
Matthew 16:26 “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” or Mark 8:36 “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”
How many years was David writing this before Matthew and Mark were even born????
Yet, their message is almost identical! Is it worth losing God and everything in order to have a little worldly pleasure? Do you see that church?
David is talking to you and I and after we realize who we are and who God is, verse 11 and 12 is the promise of what will come! The contemporary worship song “Be Glorified” by Chris Tomlin emphasizes these two verses perfectly:
You set my feet to dancing, You set my heart on fire
In the presence of a thousand kings, you are my one desire
I stand before you now
With trembling hands lifted high
Be glorified
Your love has captured me, Your grace has set me free
Your life the air I breathe, Be glorified in me
Do you see the praise and glory in living for God? David knew it, God knew it and sent His Son for us to have this life, and I ask you this morning --- DO YOU KNOW IT?
Conclusion
Invite Singers
Because we have Jesus today, we have a direct line to God and to seek the redemption of the Father. All that transpired yesterday and even this morning can be forgiven – if only YOU would be willing to come to the Lord and ask. What does God say to your heart? Have you listened to the cry of your heart? Do you know what it needs?
Each of us is seeking something from life, and without peace from the Lord, we will never find it. If you need peace this morning, I want to invite you to come and find peace. There is love and rejoicing in the Spirit of the Lord – and the invitation is open.
