April 24, 2019 (Wednesday)
Today’s message is about a subject that is difficult, private and personal for many of us. This morning we are talking about pain. We all face pain in this life, but the question is how will you face the pain when it comes? Will you overcome it, or will it overcome you? Psalm 129 is a psalm about persevering through the pain and gaining the victory over those things that stand against you. Life is a struggle. It is a continuing battle, and it takes perseverance to go the distance.
As a Christian you will face persecution and suffering in this world, but Psalm 129 teaches you that you can persevere through the pain because in Christ your victory is assured. You can make it because God is with you. We’ve all heard about tough love before. Well Psalm 129 is about tough faith – trusting God to get you through the hard times, even when the pain is intense and the suffering is long.
New International Version (NIV)
A song of ascents.
I. Persevering through the pain (1-4
1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
II. Praying Through the Pain (5-8)
5 May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”
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Psalm 130 is a psalm about waiting. As we mentioned earlier it is one of the psalms of trust, and yet it almost begins as a psalm of trouble. The psalmist is crying out to the Lord from a place of deep pain and distress. We looked at Psalm 129 which was all about persevering through pain. Now we come to Psalm 130 which is all about waiting on the Lord. But the focus is not on waiting through the pain. It is about waiting in hope, which is what makes it one of the psalms of trust. Psalm 130 has a simple yet profound message for us today. Those who wait on the Lord wait in hope. We don’t wait in desperation or despair. Those who wait on the Lord wait in hope.
New International Version (NIV)
A song of ascents.
I. Cry to the Lord for Mercy (1-4)
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
II. Wait for the Lord Expectantly (5-6)
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
III. Put Your Hope in the Lord (7-8)
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
Psalm 131 is a psalm of David. There are four psalms of David in the Psalms of Ascent, and this is the third of four. (Psalms 122, 124, 131, 133) David is a good example of someone who learned the truths of this psalm well. When David was hunted by Saul, he refused to take matters into his own hands, but trusted God to make him king when the time was right. David is a wonderful example of someone who learned the twin truths of humility and contentment.
New International Version (NIV)
A song of ascents. Of David.
I. Practice Humility (1)
1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
II. Learn Contentment (2)
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
III. Live in Hope (3)
3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
Lyrics: Annie Johnson Flint (1925?) Music: Hubert Mitchell (1941) He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
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Outlines of Scripture and some quotes are from Ray Fowler. Click here for a list of his sermons on “Psalms of Ascent”