SPITITUAL DROPOUTS
PSALMS 73: 1 & 2
DR. WHEELER L. JONES
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD P.G.T.
TYLER, TX. 75701
Why do I struggle when wicked people seem to be so trouble free?
The plaguing question is not why do the righteous suffer, but why do the wicked prosper.
He questions the value of holiness when its wages are paid in the coin of affliction
This Psalm deals with the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous. It is a probing into not only the suffering of the Psalmist; but more importantly it investigates the lack of punishment of the wicked. It goes deeper into the problem than does the 37th division of psalms where we are told to "fret not thyself because of evil doers, for they shall soon be cut down.
These are the words of a man whose faith has been severely tested.
It contains the godly mans trial in the first part and his triumph in the latter part.
In this age old writing, Asaph takes a pilgrimage or journey if you would into the valley of doubt. As I consider Asaphs dilemma, it appears to me that we have all been down that road and found ourselves situated in that valley called DOUBT.
"THE VALLEY OF DOUBT"
In the valley of doubt we look at cancer and wonder why God who is so good, allows cancer to eat up our bodies.
In the valley of doubt we look at the A.I.D.S and wonder why an all-knowing God would allow such a plague to go on uncured
In the valley of doubt we see a mixed up world, where men are dressing like women and women are acting like men, and become curious as to why God does not step in and straighten out this mess.
In this valley we see dope addicts and junkies boldlly walking the streets, and good law abiding citizens locked up, prisoners in their own homes.
In this valley we get a glimpse of little newborn babies, being brought into this world already hooked on crack as a result of the negligence of their mothers and fathers
in this valley we see a scenario where instead of carrying books to school, young boys and girls are carrying uzi’s, semi-automatics and Saturday night specials into the classroom.
This is a perplexing mental conflict; why do the wicked prosper?
God’s people are turned hither and thither, perplexed with doubts of gods goodness.
The Psalmist, partaking of these troubles, is especially disturbed in view of his own case, that with all his diligent efforts for a
holy life, he is still being tried in the furnace of life.
Why is it that my friend can beat and cheat, and drive a new Cadillac, while in my commitment to righteousness I have to drive a beat- up old car?
Why does my neighbor who is an alcoholic and doesn’t know what the inside of a church looks like, have such nice kids, while mine are driving me crazy?
Why is it that I can hardly make ends meet, and the sinner man lives such a Psumptous life?
Why is it that I owe everybody and can’t hardly pay nobody, While Mr. Do-wrong pays everything in cash
Why is it that I’m Mr. Hardworking and I drive a Batallac and Mr. No working drives a Cadillac.
Why is it that the saints sigh and the sinners sing? Rest is given to the disturbers and yet peace is denied the peacemakers. How is it that things can be turned so upside down?
WHY DO THE EVIL PROSPER
If all we see is the world around us, then we will surely fall.
If you are inclined to be impressed by those who appear to have it made, take another look at what it has made of them. Where is God in their life?
Psalms 73:13 HE THROWS A PITY PARTY
a. feels that commitment has netted nothing
b. more interested in cash than in character
c. wants his righteousness to pay off in dollars and cents, in physical strength rather than in
spiritual health.
WE MUST LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE
HE BECAME DISCOURAGED AND READY TO DROP-OUT
Hebrews 13:5 Be content with what you have
We appear to be more interested in comfort than in character, more interested in convenience that commitment, cash more than christ.
Romans 1:21 & 22 " Because, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, bvut became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
PERSEVERANCE--means to remain; under--It is the ability to stay under the pressure of our difficulty with a good spirit.
As christians we must learn to persevere. When we would leave and give up the watchword is to remain under. Stay where you are for that is where God wants you to be. I did not instruct you to go under but rather I said remain under. Reach out and with that old time resolve say " I will never, No never NEVER, let go of his hand.
When trouble pulls at you on the one side and persecution on the other side Hold on to God’s unchanging hand.
When peace like a river attendeth my soul
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Thou hast taught me to say,
Whatever my lot,
It is well, It is well, with my soul
When we dropout we abort what someone else suffered to conceive.
ISAAC WATTS
Am I a soldier of the cross
A follower of the Lamb
And shall I fear to own his cause
Or blush to speak his name
Shall I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease
While others fought to win the prize
and Sailed through bloody seas
Are there no foes for me to face
Must I not stem the flood
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, If I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by thy Word.
Misery loves company--Misery needs company
IIChronicles 29:30 Words of David & Asaph
Nehemiah 12:46
Oh my God however perplexed I may be, let me never think ill of thee
He saw the prosperity--his eye was fixed too much on one thing; he saw their present, and forgot their future.
His griefs were not only continued, but renewed with every opening day.
Verse 15-- If I speak-- we ought to look at the consequence of our speech. Irresponsible speech is responsible for much of the trouble in the church.
TRULY IN VERSE 1 is translated yet
Though sorrow salutes you every morning and trouble tucks you in the bed every night, YET you
are blessed
Though storm clouds rise and sea billows roll, YET you are blessed
Though you’re sometimes up and most of the times down, YET YOU are blessed
Though it seems like you’re going under while the dope addict is getting over, YET you are
blessed
Though your breakfast is the bread of sorrow and your drink is the water of adversity, YET you are blessed
Though your best friend and as a matter of fact your only friend appears to be Tommy Trouble, yet you are blessed.
"DON’T DROP OUT"
Wait on the Lord
The race is not given to the swift, neither the battle to the strong, but he that endureth to the end shall be saved
Tell the Lord, " Lord hold my hand while I run this race
Runners have friends along the way who throw them towels or hand then cups of something to drink.
Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us
Jeremiah 18th chapter, the lord sent him down to the potters houses
In the 20th chapter, he was ready to drop out, verse #7 " O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I , and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
Wait on the Lord…….
Run the race with patience….
Hold on to God’s unchanging hand….
Go on and see what the end is going to be….
Stand…
And having done all …Stand…
Stand on his promises..
I don’t know about you but I’m standing on the promise of God.
Will anybody stand with me?
