TREASURES FROM THE PSALMS WED PM JANUARY 25, 2023 CBCKING
What to Do When We Are Afraid! – Pt.2
Psalm 27
Introduction:
Psalm 27 = is both uplifting and powerful – speaks to the struggles of the heart.
David = the human penman… on the see/saw of life… up one moment and down the next… experiencing that tug of war of the heart… as he vacillates between fear & faith, trust & trembling, determination and doubt, security & insecurity.
Story Behind the Psalm:
Not really told at what point in David’s life this particular Psalm was written… do know not it was not written in a time of ease… sitting by the fire in his palace… time of great difficulty… fear had seized his heart.
**3x’s David mentions his fears: vv.1, 3
v.2 – enemies, foes about ready to devour him.
v.3 – potential of being surrounded by his enemies, engulfed in a time of war and fighting.
v.12 – will of his enemies… false witnesses… whispering lies and hurling false accusations against him… breathing out cruelty.
v.13 – “I had fainted” = stretched to the limits physically, emotionally, spiritually… exhausted, weak, weary… not able to make it.
Septuagint = Psalm 27 written before David was anointed.
Early Life = Running from Saul… living in caves.
Later Life = Running from Absalom… hiding in the wilderness.
Truth = David had his fears, and we have ours!
2Tim. 1:7 – the spirit of fear
1John 4:8 – fear hath torment
Icy hand of fear can creep into our lives… victimize us, monopolize and paralyze us… distract us mentally, destroy us emotionally, defeat us spiritually!
Preach: “What to Do When You Are Afraid.”
I. LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD!
Look: v.4
Psalms 26,27,28 = the Psalms of the Sanctuary
[26:6,8; 27:4,5; 28:2]
v.4 – verse of decision, determination
Times of difficulty we are going to live in one of two places… live in presence of fear or live in the presence of God… either going gripped by fear or gripped by God!
A. The Lord is My Light in the Dark Times
v.1a – ‘The LORD is my light…”
B. The Lord is My Deliverance in Distressing Times
C. The Lord is My Strength in the Difficult Times
II. LOOK AT THE BEAUTY OF GOD!
Note: v.4
“One thing” = focus!
Scientists: proven that the human mind is capable of only focusing on one thing at a time.
When gripped by fear… thoughts begin to bombard our minds… come faster than we can process them… leads to mental & emotional meltdown.
Illust: old time switch board.
• Jesus = one thing is needful
• Blind man = one thing I know
• Apostle Paul = one thing I do.
Rather than looking at your fears… look upon your God!
“Beauty” = delightfulness
Delightfulness = of His wisdom, mercy, grace, faithfulness,
As one of His children… focus on all that our Heavenly Father is in our life.
When you focus on your God; forget about your fears!!!
III. LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF GOD!
Look: v.4c – “… and to enquire in His temple.”
v.7 – “answer me”
Christian = we are not sinners in the hands of an angry God but saints in the hands of a loving Heavenly Father who desires that we bring every petition to His attention… cast every burden upon His all-sufficient shoulders…
Glad that are God doesn’t just hear us… answers us!
Seek His face… Spirit of God speak sweet peace to our hearts!
IV. LEARN OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD!
Look: v.13
David = on the roller coaster of life… up one moment and down the next… goes from fear to faith and from faith to fear.
Truth = fear lives next door to faith. Fear and faith fight for the mastery of the soul. Either live our lives in the grip of fear or in the power of a confident faith rooted in the living God.
God is greater!
Faith = rises above the circumstances, feelings, fears – confident in the goodness of His God.
Look: vv.2,3
A. Hide Me (5)
Pavilion = dwelling place … place of refuge or safety.
David’s = refuge – not a place but a Person! Hid himself in the presence of God.
Hymn:
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.
Quote: Greatest peace is not the calming of the storm but the calm in the midst of the storm.
B. Help Me (9,10)
David = knew that the Lord was His helper!
“take me up” = care one brings
Illust: Child fell skinned knee … parents run to his aid.
C. Teach Me (11a)
Help me to learn the lessons that I need to learn from this situation.
Help me not to be bitter but to be better!
D. Guide Me (11b)
Help me to see my way through!
V. LEAN ON THE STRENGTH OF GOD!
Look: vv.12-14
Times = struggles of life become so intense… think we are going to faint … not going to make it.
Listen to the Apostle Paul:
2 Cor. 1:8 – “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:”
Times = even the greatest of saints … verge of fainting!
God is faithful! Never fail us!
Remember: v.10
David = I don’t know when the trial is going to end… struggles will cease… understood what you and I need to understand… our times are in His hands. God hasn’t lost control of the situation!
In His good time He will bring us out!
Until then! Wait on the Lord!
When you don’t think you can take another step, about ready to faint… lean on the Lord.
Be courageous… God will give you the strength to go on!!!
Going to make it!!!
“Waiting” = not passive, its active – keep being who I am supposed to be; doing what I am supposed to do… in His time God will break through on the scene!
Conclusion:
D.L. Moody’s favorite verse was (Isaiah 12:2):
You can travel to heaven either first class or second class.
Second class = “what time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”
First class = “I will trust and not be afraid.”
What to do when you are afraid…
Live in the presence of God
Look at the beauty of God
Listen to the voice of God
Learn of the goodness of God
Lean on the strength of God
