From the Pits to the Palace
Psalm 40:1-12
Introduction;
>Occasionally we all find ourselves in the pits of discouragement, depression or
disappointment. A general sense of hopelessness and despair overwhelms us.
>When we are in the pits of life we need the help of God to deliver us from emotional,
mental, financial, or social low predicaments.
>Sometimes, the Lord delivers us directly but other times, He uses certain people.
>Remember that God wants to move you from the pits to praise with His mighty power
to deliver.
>There are several lessons we can learn from David in Psalm 40 to help us move from
the pits of despair to the pinnacle of praise, power and higher perspective in Jesus.
(Intro and thought from Paul Fritz message “from the Pits to Praise” on sermoncentral.com)
1. THE PIT CAUSES ME TO WAIT PATIENTLY
Psalm 40:1 says…
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
~The Lord is there for us in the morning and in the evening to hear our prayers.
Psalm 4:8 says…
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 5:1-3 says…
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
~We can rest knowing that the Lord will in His time take care of all our needs. If we are
overcome in any area of life, waiting on the Lord will bring us the grace we need.
~In this fast pace life we live in, having pertinence is the hardest thing someone can ask
us to do. We live in such a fast pace life, we think we do not have time to wait.
~One preacher has said that it takes strong discipline to wait, but confidence to know that
He is able.
I love the verse found in Psalm 37:7, it says…
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
~I am glad to know that He, the Lord, is in full control of all things, and I can wait.
2. THE PIT CAUSES ME TO PRAISE
Psalm 40:2 says…
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
>He has delivered me out of great dangers, seen and un-seen. And for this I can praise
Him.
>When I was in my lowest of lows, He delivered. When I was at my highest moments of
life, He delivered.
>When I was lost and cried out to Him, He delivered.
>Now that I am saved, sealed, and secure, when I call, He still delivers.
>We need to thank God at all times for His:
Ability
Abundance
Acceptance
Accomplishments
Advice
Affection
Affirmation
Aid
Allegiance
Answers and His Assistance
>It does not matter weather we are in the pit or out of the pit, we need to praise Him!
3. THE PIT CAUSES ME TO BE POSITIVE
Psalm 40:3-4 says…
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
>We must be positive that God is able to bring us up out of any kind of pit.
>The pits of…
Despair, depression, and discouragement and out of
Hopelessness, sadness, and weakness and out of
Rejection, frustration, emotional, financial
II Corinthians 9:8 says…
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work
~When we see no clear way to be positive, remember, that God is able!
4. THE PIT CAUSES ME TO PROCLAIM
Psalm 40:9-10 says…
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. 5 things he has done for the Lord
>When you find yourself delivered by the hand of God, you tend to have something to
say of His grace. AMEN!?
Isaiah 61:1-2 says…
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.
~This means to:
Preach
Teach
Testify
Witness
Love
Fellowship
Suffer
Confess and
Delight in the Lord
Closing;
The Lord has done his part, in delivering us from the pit, will we do our part and have PATIENCE, PRAISE, be POSITIVE, and PROCLAIM Him where ever we may go.
For the Cause
Pastor Stepp
7/11/08
