The Afflictions of the Righteous
Part 20
Sermon Series: A Word about the Word
Date: October 5, 2003 P.M. Service
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Psalm 119:153-160
Introduction
Once again the psalmist seems to be preoccupied with the oppression and opposition he is facing. He is making his way out of the valley, but not quiet there yet.
· Once again we see the phrase he has used so many times; “quicken me.”
· This passage of Scripture is very applicable, if only to me.
So let’s begin. First we see the psalmist…
I. Persistent Affliction
· Why is it that he keeps coming back to his afflictions?
· My only guess is because they have never left.
· This oppression is not like some toothache that comes and goes; it is constant and persistent.
A. Appraisal v. 153
Matthew Henry says David…
· Has and eye to God’s pity and prays, “Consider my afflictions.”
· Take them into Your thought and all the circumstances of the situation. And by the way don’t sit by as if unconcerned.”
· God is never unmindful of his children’s afflictions.
· But He does want us to put him in remembrance. He does want us to bring our afflictions to him and then leave it to his compassionate consideration to do in it as He sees fit.
Next we see the psalmist’s…
B. Advocate v. 154
· He pleads his dependence upon the word of God and his obedience to its direction.
· The closer we cling to the Word of God, as our rule and as our guide, the more assurance we may have of deliverance in due time.
Next we see a…
II. Precise Assessment vv. 155-156
· Even in times of trials and tribulation when given the precise assessment, makes us to see things in the proper perspective.
· But notice once again, he speaks of the…
A. Pursuit v. 155
· We see a description of the wicked men. “They seek not Thy statutes.”
· We see the doom of the wicked. “Salvation is far from them.”
· Let me ask this question; How can anyone think they are doing good or doing the will of God, when the life they are living and the things they are doing are certainly not according to the Word of God?
· It greatly disturbs me of those who say we don’t go to church because we have this thing with God.
· I am going to marry this man or this woman because I know it will be okay with God.
· Greek word; “Bologna.”
B. Provision v. 156
· God is a merciful, loving God.
· The psalmist continues to recall to mind God’s mercies.
III. Pernicious Attackers
In verse 157 he says they have made his situation one of…
A. Gravity v. 157
· Many of us have ridden a bicycle downhill. It is easy to go downhill but not so easy to ride a bicycle uphill.
· Being a believer is not always a joy ride.
· Some would want us to think that the Christian life is all a downhill ride.
· The psalmist didn’t find it that way; every where he looked there were faces of those who opposed him.
· He was tempted to give up but he didn’t.
· Paul speaks of two major themes in the book of Ephesians; our blessings and our battles.
· Both of them are found in the heaven lies. Our wealth is in the heaven lies, but so is our warfare.
· Following the Lord is not a picnic. There will be opposition from those who will try to lure us from fellowship with the Lord.
Next we see his…
B. Grief v. 158
· Many of us pray for those God has burdened us with.
· But when was the last time you prayed for those that are transgressors.
· We do a great job praying for the sick and needy; but I don’t hear much about folks having a burden for the lost.
The last two verses the psalmist gives us an example of a…
IV. Proper Attitude vv. 159-160
· The psalmist has used the word quicken or revive three times in the section and nine times in all in this psalm.
Notice the psalmist’s…
A. Devotion v. 159
· He has shown over and over his great love for God’s Word.
· I need to stop and say this; it is impossible to be attached to God’s Word without knowing its quickening power, but it is entirely possible to be devoted to the Word of God and not be revived or spiritually tuned in to God.
· Jimmy Draper says; “We are in a day among evangelists where it is popular to thump the Bible, talk about how much we believe it, and how much we love it. But we can thump the Bible and talk about how much we love the Bible and still not be spiritual. Just because we use all the right clichés and all the right words to describe the Bible does not mean we are walking with God.” He goes on to say; “In fact, in the name of God and from people who profess to love the Word of God, has issued more venom and hatred in our day than perhaps in many others.”
· Again I say this we as Baptist stand on the inerrancy of the Bible; we hold that the Bible is the true and inspired Word of God. But we do not worship the Bible. The Bible reveals the one true, living God who deserves our worship. It points us to the one true Christ, Jesus, who is the one way to salvation.
· But my dear friend, we can say all we want about what we believe, but unless we live it, unless it makes a difference in our lives.
He closes with a…
B. Declaration v. 160
· David once again comforts himself with the faithfulness of God’s Word.
· No matter how the world tries to move away from the teachings of God’s Word it will always be true.
· God’s Word has not gained a greater validity over the years. It has been and forever will remain true.
I sat this past week with a man that has been pasturing a lot longer than I have. I asked him several things and gleaned from his wisdom.
I asked him if he could put his finger on why folks don’t attend church anymore and why has our world come to the place we are today what would he say it was?
His answer; people do not want to be offended by the Word of God. They do not want to hear they are a sinner in need of a Savior.
My dear friend we need more God fearing people who will be totally devoted to God’s Word; letting it shape and form their lives.
And more people ready to declare it truth.
Invitation
