I. Cracking Under Pressure
A. Text: Psalm 119:81-83
“[81] I am worn out waiting for Your rescue, but I have put my hope in Your Word. [82] My eyes are straining to see Your promises come true. When will You comfort me? [83] I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey Your decrees.”
B. Allow me to explain the events surrounding this passage that David wrote.
C. Psalm 119 was written as an overall summary of everything David wrote in the Psalms.
D. Psalm 119 is divided up into 22 sections, each with 8 verses and a corresponding letter over each section. These letters are the letters of Hebrew alphabet.
E. The particular section that we take our text from is listed under the 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Kaph; {kafe}
F. The alphabet was assigned to each section in order to create an acrostic of sorts – for easier memorization. Within each section, all 8 verses begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
G. For example, the second section of Psalm 119 – found in verses 9-16, has been assigned the Hebrew letter – “Beth,” the second letter of the alphabet.
H. The word ‘beth’ in the Hebrew means ‘house,’ or ‘the foundation of the house.’ Bethlehem means ‘house of bread.’
I. If you were to read the ‘beth’ section of Psalm 119 – you would discover that the Psalmist is building a foundation for a person’s life. Verse 9 says: “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word..” and then goes from there. This, of course, is a good spiritual foundation.
J. So, what does this say about our text today – in verses 81-83?
K. This is the portion of the text where David is saying –“What about me?” ‘Why is my life in a crisis at this time?’
L. He said, “Sometimes I feel like an old wineskin in the smoke.’
M. What does that mean, really? What is he referring to?
N. First, what is the significance of the letter “Kaph?” ë,ê
O. You’ll remember how we’ve discussed that every Hebrew letter has a corresponding numerical value. The value assigned to the letter Kaph is 20.
P. This letter, kaph, translates directly as "palm (of the hand or tree)" and is the symbol of Crowning Accomplishment--with a dual meaning that encompasses both the beginning and the ending. Kaph also relates to the principle of the "four crowns": priesthood; kingship; the Torah, or Word of God; and a good name.
Q. King David’s ‘crowning accomplishment’ was to remain faithful to God’s law – His Word – even after he had failed God.
R. This passage is David’s lament after he faces the consequences of the sin committed with Bathsheba.
S. David got caught in what I like to call “The Sin Cycle.” First he coveted Bathsheba. Secondly he lusted after Bathsheba. Next, he committed adultery with her. Thirdly he lied about it. Lastly he committed murder to cover it up.
T. And yet, his crowning achievement at this point in his life is that he can at least say he has not given up searching God’s Word for an answer. This is David’s lament for repentance.
II. Under Pressure
A. At this point in David’s life – he is cracking under pressure.
B. Why did he refer to himself as a wineskin in the smoke? What does that mean?
C. The KJV version says “a bottle in smoke.” This doesn’t really mean a glass bottle – it is literally referring to a wineskin – pieces of dried out animal skins sewed together to carry drinking water or wine.
D. You can still travel to the Middle East today and find a Bedouin tent out in the wilderness somewhere. And inside you will find a fire with the smoke billowing out of an opening in the top of a tent (much like a Native American tepee).
E. And they would hang their wineskins around the edges of the tent inside and the smoke from the fire would dry out the wineskin.
F. That’s why David said he was like a wineskin in the smoke.
G. On the wineskin, as the skin dries out, it would begin to crack under the pressure of liquid on the inside and smoke on the outside.
H. Once it begins to crack – it can no longer hold what is inside it.
I. If enough heat gets in or near it – and it dries out – it can no longer take the pressure – and it begins to crack under pressure and begins to expose, or spill out what’s inside.
J. You are a temple…you are a container…you are a vessel. As a container, have you ever cracked under pressure?
K. If so, I want you to think back to that time and ask yourself – once I cracked under pressure – what leaked out?
L. Fact is – only what is inside will leak out once you’re cracked.
M. As a container made by the hands of God – you were meant to be filled full of joy. You are meant to be filled with faith. You are meant to be full of righteousness. You are meant to be full of the Holy Spirit.
N. Ephesians 3:19 “…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” [NKJV]
O. What are you filled with? Are you filled with doubt? Fear? Anger? Grief? Jealousy?
P. Whatever is inside will come out eventually. Especially when you crack under pressure.
Q. David was cracking under pressure at this point in his life. This is why he wrote this text. The pressures of his past sins have put him in a place where he is evaluating his life. At this point in his life, the Word of God takes on a whole new purpose and meaning.
R. Once you’ve come to a place of cracking; once you’ve lived in the pressure cooker – you’ll either learn to love God’s Word – or you’ll forsake it altogether.
S. And…when the world tries to put the pressure on you – and begins to squeeze you – will it be God’s Word that comes out of you? I mean is there enough in you to come out when the pressure is on? Think about it!
III. The Water of the Word – The Blood of the Lamb
A. In David’s day, the average bottle – the average wineskin – much like the one I have here today – either held water or wine – which is why they called them wineskins. They held wine and were made out of skins.
B. Of course, the modern day wineskins – like this one here – has a plastic lining, like a plastic bottle.
C. But, in the Bible days, travelers would carry their wineskins with either wine or water in it.
D. We know that the NT often speaks of water – specifically referring to baptism or the Word of God. (Washing of the water by the Word…)
E. And, of course, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that wine speaks of two things – the blood of Jesus (as in Holy Communion) and new wine refers to the Holy Spirit.
F. As a Christian today – you will find it very difficult to fight the fight of faith without two things – the water of the Word of God washing your life – being spiritually baptized in that Word – as well as the blood of Jesus over you life and the new wine of the Holy Spirit.
G. All throughout the Word, water and blood brought safety, deliverance, healing and blessing to the people of God.
H. Specifically, God delivered the Israelites in the OT from the hand of Pharaoh and the Egyptians two times – once with blood (the blood over the doorposts, now celebrated with the Passover) and the second and final deliverance was by water when God took care of Pharaoh once and for all at the Red Sea.
I. Today, the blood of Jesus in your life and the precious Word of God will deliver you, save you and keep you from the enemies of life!
J. So I ask again – as a container – as a temple – as a vessel made by God’s hands – what are you filled with?
K. Even if we think of the OT temple, the priests could not minister, they could not even enter the Holy Place – God’s presence – without having done two things first – they brought the blood sacrifice to the altar, then they washed at the laver in the inner court.
L. That’s because –even today – you can’t access the throne – you can’t enter into the Holy Place – that secret place that we discussed last week – without those two things – without washing yourself with God’s Word and certainly without the blood of Jesus on your life!
M. Remember when Jesus – our sacrifice – was on the cross of Calvary – and they pierced His side with a spear --- what came out of His side? Blood and water!
N. What happens when a woman in labor experiences birthing pains and her water breaks? What comes out? Blood and water. Blood and water must flow out before birth – new life happens!
O. When blood and water flowed out of Jesus’ side – He gave spiritual birth to His church.
P. When blood and water flow out of you – it’s because it’s in you. And even if the cares of life bring pressure on you – even if you find yourself in birthing pains – know this – if it’s the Word and His Blood that is revealed first – you’re in for an awesome birthing process!
Q. It is the blood of Jesus that save us! And it’s baptism that seals us!
R. You can’t get away from blood and water! It’s part of who you are!
S. Every human body is made up of 25% blood and 75% water.
T. You are a container.
U. By blood – you are born into a natural family.
V. By water – you are born into a spiritual family.
IV. Dried Up and Cracked Up
A. You cannot allow the frustrations – the fires-the heat of life dry you out and crack you up!
B. You have to stay hydrated! You have to stay prayed up. You have to stay studied up! You have to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit in order to make it!
C. When you crack under pressure – what type of words come out of your mouth? Think about it?
D. The fact is – the troubles and trials in life will always put our witness to the test. What we do and say under pressure will show those around us what’s truly inside of us!
E. Jesus said: “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” [Matthew 12:34]
F. Is there faith in your heart? Is THAT what will come out when you’re under pressure?
G. Listen there is nothing worse than a dried up wineskin. There is nothing as useless as a wineskin that is all cracked up.
H. And there is nothing as sad as to see a Christian who has dried up faith.
I. Do you remember last week – I said that there are two places where faith must be: 1) in your heart and 2) in your mouth.
J. Fact is if it’s not in your heart, it won’t be in your mouth.
K. Paul wrote: “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” [Romans 10:10, NKJV]
L. Well, there are four places where faith will dry up:
1) In the mind/heart – doubt is a faith drier.
2) In the mouth - by your confessions. Did you know you can confession doubt just as much as you can confess faith? In fact, any faith you might have can be cancelled out by any doubt that may supercede it – and vise versa. The choice is yours.
3) In the hands – Yeah, your faith can dry up in your hands. You can live your life with dry – stale worship. And, if you think about it –if faith has dried up in your mind or your heart – your worship will be affected as well. It has to be. Why worship a God you don’t believe in? Amen?
4) In the feet – If your faith has dried up in your heart, and in your mouth and in your worship – you won’t go where God wants you to go. Church attendance will be the last thing you desire. How could it not?
M. Look back with me to our text, specifically to verse 82. Notice what David says here: “My eyes are straining to see Your promises…”
N. When you’re cracking under the pressures of life and your spiritually dried up –God’s promises seem so far away that you have to strain even to see them as a reality in your life again!
O. So…what do you do? How do you stay strong under pressure?
P. You MUST strengthen your faith!
V. Take Up the Shield of Faith…
A. When you study the armor of God as described in Ephesians chapter 6, there is one specific article that you cannot – MUST not live without and that is the Shield of Faith! You need the whole armor – as Ephesians instructs – but you must never leave home without the Shield!
B. Ephesians 6:16 “…above all, taking the shield of faith…”
C. Don’t leave home without it!
D. What does the shield have to do with wineskins? Not much, but there is some similarities I want to share with you.
E. The Biblical soldier’s shield - when it is made – will have thin strips of leather on it. If those strips would become dry and worn – the soldier would dip them in water.
F. You see Romans arrows had iron tips on them. Many times the Roman soldier would set the arrow on fire. This would hit your shield to cause a distraction.
G. And, at times, they would even dip the arrow’s tip in a combustible element and light it – and when it would make impact on the shield – it would explode and catch the entire shield on fire – even the iron.
H. The moral? You could NEVER fight with a dried up shield? You couldn’t afford the chance of fiery arrows.
I. Let’s go back to Ephesians 6:16 where it says:“…above all, taking the shield of faith…[why] with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
J. Peter writes: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” [I Peter 4:12-13, NKJV]
K. Listen: the trial of your faith is much more precious than gold, being tried by fire – every attack you face is about your faith!
L. I Peter 1:3-7 “[3] “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved [distressed] by various trials, [7] that the genuineness of our faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [NKJV]
M. So, a soldier would keep his shield moist by dipping it in water. But you would also find a soldier would also carry a small flask of olive oil to rub the shield when he couldn’t dip the entire thing into water.
N. Look with me at what Jesus said about wineskins. Matthew 9:17 “…no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”
O. He said, you must put new wine into new wineskins.
P. But, you aren’t just a ‘new’ wineskin – you are a ‘renewed’ wineskin!
Q. You renew a Roman shield the same way you renew the wineskin – it would require two elements – oil and water!
R. Oil and Water is required for renewal!
S. But that’s not all. Oil and Water may renew – but Salt preserves!
T. They would also rub salt into the leather of their shields – or into the animal skin on their wineskin – to keep out bacteria.
U. Salt always preserves! It gets out that which doesn’t belong! It removes the bacteria.
V. Do you want to be renewed, find someone who is seasoned in the Word –someone with some salt who will tell you what you need to hear.
W. Rubbing salt into a wound NEVER feels good!
X. You need to be washed in the Word to renew your mind!
Z. You need the oil – the anointing –of the Holy Spirit to keep you renewed – to keep you fresh!
