The Psalms - The Language of Our Faith
Psalm 42 - Worship and an Honest Heart
March 4, 2018
Every human emotion is found at some place in the Psalms. From joy, to sadness, to celebration to anger - it's here.
Psalm 42:1-2 NIV
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
Pants (yearns) - used only twice in Scripture - means the animal "bends his neck" to drink the water
We're all hungry for something to satisfy our deepest longings.
Streams of water from the living God.
John 7:37-39 NIV
"On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive."
We're not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience. We're eternal spiritual beings that are designed to eternally worship our Creator.
When we're worshipping the one, true God, we can be truthful about the condition of our hearts.
Psalm 42:5-6 NIV
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon - from Mount Mizar.
The two most common lies told in church - "I will pray for you" and "I'm OK" ??
" There are two people who should always get the truth.
God
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
All spiritual advances begin with turning away from what is hindering our obedience.
" God does not expect us to clean up the house before inviting him inside. He is accustomed to visiting messy homes.
Ourselves
Self-Awareness - The ability to monitor and be honest about our inner world.
Research suggests that when we see ourselves clearly, we're more confident and more creative. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. We're less likely to lie, cheat, and steal. Harvard Business Review, January 2018
The Table:
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
