What Wait I For

WHAT WAIT I FOR

Psalm 39

Psalm 39 is probably a continuation of Psalm 38. David is still in the same dreadful plight of man who has been stricken by God. It was written by David who is suffering under the stoke of God for his flagrant sin with Bathsheba and for his of Uriah, one of the most faithful men David had.

David is fully aware of the fact that he deserved to be punished by the living God for his flagrant sin, his abuse of privilege, position, and power.

Observe David’s promise (verses 1-3)

Observe David’s plea (verses 4-6)

David said he was weary of life and he wished to know the measure of his days, that he might see how long he had to suffer.

Observe David’s plight (7-11)

It is as if David comes to his senses and declares “Why should I where the prospect is so uninviting, and the present so trying?” The psalmist then turns to his God, in disgust of all things else. David now cast himself wholly and unreservedly on the very God under whose hand he was be chastened.

Observe David’s prayer (12,13)

David wants God to make him once again:

Happy

Holy

Healthy

DAVID’S HOPE WAS IN THE LORD. Life with the Lord is an endless hope, but life without the Lord is a hopeless end.

Now many today should ask the question that David asked in verse 7, “What wait I for?” I trust this morning God will grip our hearts with this question?

I. WHAT WAIT I FOR, the DEMAND will never be greater (Matthew 9:36-38)

A. The MISERY Jesus saw (36)

Jesus saw people they way they really were. He looked past their faces and saw their fear. The outward was nothing to Jesus except a clear indication of the inward. Pharisees looked at the multitude and saw a crowd of people, but Jesus looked at the multitude as a flock of sheep.

1. Jesus saw the people as sheep that were hurting

"fainted" __ troubled, battered, bruised, mangled, ripped apart, worn out, burdened, and exhausted. They were hurting!

2. Jesus saw the people as sheep that were helpless

"scattered" _ cast down, to be prostrate and unable to get up because of a mortal wound. If a sheep ever falls over on its back, it will starve to because it cannot right itself and get up. This world is full of people who have fallen down and cannot get up.

3. Jesus saw the people as sheep that were hopeless

"as sheep having no shepherd" _ a person without God is not only lost, he is hopelessly lost. A lost person is like a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that is not there.

Sheep without a shepherd are absolutely hopeless. They are unfed, un-watered, and unguarded. They have no idea of where to go or what to do.

B The MINISTERS Jesus sought (37,38)

1. The problem described (37)

Problem was not with the harvest but with the laborers. The opportunities are great but the workers have diminished. The harvest is always "plenteous," "great," and "white." The problem is not the size of the harvest, but the lack of servants.

2. The prayer demanded (38)

What is Jesus solution to the problem do? He calls us to pray!

Pray for the lost? PRAY FOR THE LABORERS! He does not call us to pray for the harvest but for the harvesters.

Every child of God is called upon to pray this prayer. Every Christian is commanded to pray this prayer! BUT WHY?

Christ sends forth those whom he commanded to pray (10:1). Prayer is a preparation for ministry.

If we prayed more for the harvest, I am confident we would be burden to do more in the fields.

II. WHAT WAIT I FOR, the DIRECTIONS will never be plainer

It is not what I don’t understand in the Bible that bothers me, it is what I understand and do not do. It is not the directions that you and I have problems with. It is our will that we have all the problems with.

A. The charge for the saints is simple

See Matthew 28:18-20. It is time we make His last command our first concern.

1. The decree is plain “Go”

2. The duty is personal “YE”

3. The dynamic is provided

B. The call to the sinner is simple

Jesus was the Master of everything, and this includes speech. Had He so desired, he could have delivered messages that would have dumbfounded the most educated Pharisees. However, he spoke in with a language that all could understand. Isn’t it strange that one of the longest words Jesus used was "whosoever," and the one He seemed to like the best was "Come." Matter of fact, the word "come" seems to be a favorite of the Godhead when addressing sinners. The plea of God in the Bible to sinners is seen in the simple word "Come."