Reasons For Our Troubles

PSALM 116 - REASONS FOR OUR TROUBLES

TEXT - PSALM 116

INTRO. - I love the way this psalm begins. The first four

words are outstanding. When you read them you immediately

want to know more. "I love the Lord because...". Our love is

always a consequent love. Something causes us to love. We

find it easy to love those who love us. God’s love is

opposite to our love. God’s live is uncaused, uninfluenced,

spontaneous. Verse 2 gives us the reason for the psalmist’s

love. I am sure that there were many other reasons that the

psalmist loved the Lord but the one the psalmist mentions is

found in verse 2.

Verse 15 is one of the best known verses in the Psalms.

I WANT US TO NOTICE SEVERAL THINGS THAT THE PSALMIST BRINGS

OUT IN THIS PSALM.

I. THE PROBLEM - TROUBLE CAME THE THE PSALMIST - Vs. 3

What kind of trouble? We are not told specifically. Whatever

it was, it could have killed him. Look at the words found

here -- sorrows, pains, trouble and death. Notice the rest of

the psalm speaks of "afflicted" - vs.10 and "bonds" - vs.16.

Notice discouragement in vs. 6

The psalmist is sick, in pain, sorrowful, and discouraged.

Others may have died - vs. 15

He is about ready to give up - vs. 8

Have you ever been there? Sure you have to some degree.

Ever been in vs. 11?

Ever think about just giving up?

II. THE ANSWER - PRAYER - Vs. 4

"Then" - shows the time of the prayer. It was when the

trouble came. Did you realize how short the prayer he prayed

was in vs. 4? Remember the Name of the Lord alone opens

heaven.

III. NOW, WHY DOES GOD ALLOW US TO GO THROUGH THESE TROUBLES

1. Proof - that he answers prayer - vs. 1

God wants to show us and then the world through us

that he knows, sees, hears, and cares. He tells us in

His Word but we need to see it.

2. Praise - vs. 1, 5, 19

The wonderful works of God are a cause for praise. If

we do not praise God for his goodness then we are

ungrateful, unthankful creatures. God’s goodness

caused the psalmist to love God more and to praise God

for his kindness in the midst of trouble.

3. PERMANENCE - vs. 2

If you are a child of God, the troubles you have faced

in the past are probably partly responsible for your

present love of and dedication to God.

4. PAYMENT - vs. 12 - 14, 18

There is no payment we can make for salvation. We can

never repay God for soul salvation. We were redeemed

not with corruptible things like silver and gold but

with the precious blood of Christ. Yet we do owe God

and ---

a. God’s goodness leads us to serve God - vs. 16

b. God’s goodness leads us to keep our promises to

God - vs. 14, 18. I wonder if the psalmist had

made a vow to God in his past and had not kept

his vow or had not paid his vow to God until

this time. God keeps his promises and I sure am

glad that he does. I wonder where we would be if

God had not kept his vows to us.

c. God’s goodness leads us to a change of heart and

attitude. He had been restless and dissatisfied

and yet notice him now in vs. 7. He had been

complaining but notice him now in vs. 11. He

had been unthankful but look at him now in

vs.17. He had been doubting God and yet now look

and see him in vs.10. NOW THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.

5. PURITY - Vs. 9

"Walk" means consistence. It means being faithful

inward and outward as we walk before the Lord in the

land of the living. It speaks of purity

6. PROCLAMATION - TELLING OTHERS - Vs. 1a, 14, 18, 19

We need to tell others. The psalmist tells us by

writing this psalm. He proclaims that he will tell

all God’s people. We also need to tell the lost of

God’s goodness and provision.

The psalmist found many reasons for and blessings in his

troubles. God brought him through and He will bring you

through. I love the Lord because......

end