BIG IDEA:
CONTINUED HOPE IN GOD IS THE ONLY ANSWER FOR THE SOUL-SEARCHING QUESTIONS OF THE ISOLATED BELIEVER (PART 2)
INTRODUCTION:
(must be read in conjunction with Psalm 42 as a unit)
(Review of Questions from Psalm 42)
I. (:1) QUESTION FROM THE SCOFFERS TO THE ISOLATED BELIEVER:
"WHERE IS YOUR GOD?"
Cut off from the worship of God at the temple in Jerusalem
and from the fellowship with the people of God
II. (:2a) QUESTION FROM THE BELIEVER TO HIS GOD:
"WHY HAST THOU REJECTED ME?"
Cut off from God’s answered prayer and deliverance from enemies
II. (:2b,5) QUESTION FROM THE BELIEVER TO HIS OWN THIRSTY SOUL:
"WHY ARE YOU IN DESPAIR?"
"Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"
Cut off from the enjoyment of the lovingkindness of the Lord;
overwhelmed with sorrow
Look at how the Psalmist deals with all of these questions as a unit:
A. (:1) Character of the Scoffers
1. ungodly
2. deceitful
3. unjust
B. (:1) Need for Vindication and Deliverance
"Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case"
"deliver me"
C. (:2) Character of God = Grounds for Vindication
my God is Strong: "Thou art the God of my strength"
He needs to demonstrate to those around me that He is strong on my behalf
D. (:2) Painful Present Reality = Oppression rather than Deliverance
"Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?".E. (:3) Pathway to Vindication and Deliverance = God’s Truth
"send out Thy light and Thy truth"
F. (:4) Restoration to Public Worship and Praise
"to God my exceeding joy"
ANSWER: (:5B)
"HOPE IN GOD, FOR I SHALL AGAIN PRAISE HIM,
THE HELP OF MY COUNTENANCE, AND MY GOD."
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) What would be the attributes of the best possible defense attorney? How does the Lord surpass these expectations in functioning as our devoted Advocate?
2) How can we improve our sensitivity and receptivity to the Lord’s work of guiding us by His light and truth?
3) Having been delivered by the grace of God, have we made worship at the altar of God within His holy sanctuary our number one priority?
4) Why do we sink down into depression and despair when we can so easily focus our hope on God, “the help of my countenance, and my God”?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
