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The Psalms are a wonderful piece of poetry. They are full of truth and testimony that can be sung not only to challenge us, but to comfort our hearts, especially when we may feel overwhelmed. Psalm 61 is tremendous encouragement to those that are perhaps feeling weary in spirit, or have a heavy heart, being burdened down by certain things.
CH Spurgeon said, “This Psalm is a pearl. It is little, but precious. To many a mourner it has furnished utterance when the mind could not have devised speech for itself.” This Psalm would indicate to us that David was in exile (vs 2). David was driven into exile because of the rebellion of his son Absalom. David’s life was threatened and he was yet in danger. It would also denote that the Psalm would have been composed by David after he had returned to the throne. (vs 6) Delitzsch would have been correct in entitling it, “Prayer and thanksgiving of an expelled King on his way back to his throne.” David’s response when he was overwhelmed 1. His Prayer Psalm 61:1 “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.”
2. His Petition Psalm 61:2 “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:3 “For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” 3. His Passion Psalm 61:4 “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.”
4. God’s Promise Psalm 61:5-7 “For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. vs 6 Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. vs 7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.” 5. His Praise Psalm 61:8 “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever…”
6. His Practice Psalm 61:8 “…that I may daily perform my vows.”
Luke 16:14-15 “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
The preaching of Jesus Christ is always based upon truth - truth that exposes the hearts of men; for this cause the Pharisees could not stand the preaching and teaching of Jesus. The truth of Christ’s teaching (a truth that undermined the works and ways of man) was the main reason the Pharisees crucified Christ. The Pharisees presented a godly impression before others, but in actual fact they were consumed with themselves. The Pharisees loved possession and position, and did not want anyone interrupting their lifestyle. Their lifestyle proved what was in their hearts. God knew that the Pharisees put on a show to look good before the eyes of men. God knew that they had no heart for the truth. Luke 16:15 "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men..." May God help us not to say and do the right thing simply to justify our ungodly living. God knows each of our hearts. We can put up a front with each other but not with God. God knows whether we are truly surrendered or just living a covetous, convenient Christianity. The Pharisees heard Jesus and began to feel convicted, but instead of responding for good, they chose to reject the Truth. Luke 16:14 "...and they derided him." The Word "derided" means “they turned up the nose at him.” Wow! They had a proud look toward Christ, who was only trying to help them see their disposition. Our reaction toward the Word of God will determine whether we really love the truth. 1Thess. 5:20 "Despise not prophesyings." We must not treat the preaching of God's Word lightly. When God's Word is preached or read, it is to be adhered to with great seriousness and attention. We are to be ready to respond and not react. We are instructed to love all aspects of preaching – rebuking, exhorting, reproving, and doctrine. The doctrines of "creation, prophecy, and eternal security" can excite us, but what we do with them determines how we behave. We can learn to submit to and obey the Creator God who is sovereign over all things. We can occupy in the Gospel till the Lord comes again. We can be content and thankful to the Lord because He has written our names in heaven. The Bible is filled with the promises and blessings of God, but it is also rich with divine instruction in righteousness. We must receive both gladly. Our convicted hearts can either be humbled and respond, or be proud and walk away. Remember the account of the woman who was caught in adultery? She responded and fell at the feet of Jesus, but the others turned their back on the truth. John 8:9 "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." The same is true of the two thieves on the cross. One humbled himself and cried out to the Lord, while the other, moved with pride, died with no hope. The way we respond to the truth of God's Word can either help us or hurt us. No matter how we feel or what we think, God's Word will always prevail; so it is better for us not to resist it as we hear it. Luke 16:17 "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail." Psalm 119:164-165 "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” As we hear the Word of God week in and week out, let us have hearts like Ezra, hearts that are prepared to receive the Word of God so we can be changed by it, to live for God's glory, and not to live a covetous lifestyle. Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Keep praying for each other. (Hebrews 4:16) “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Prayer is an important component in having a close walk with God. At times, we all struggle to make time to pray and seek the Lord. However, if we are too busy to talk to God, then we are too busy. Remembering that it is a privilege to pray – an honour to approach God and talk with Him – will help us to set aside time to pray. Oswald Chambers said, “Beware of placing the emphasis on what prayer costs us; it cost God everything to make it possible for us to pray.” Prayer brings us into the Presence of God in a special way. We can go into God’s presence at any time of the day or night to obtain mercy and grace. It is a place where we commune with God. We can have the privilege like Moses to speak with God in an intimate way. Exodus 33:11 “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend...” Dwight Lyman Moody, “The Christian on his knees sees more than the philosopher on his tiptoe.” As we set aside time to pray there are some things we must remember while praying: 1. Prayer calls down the power of God Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!'” Prayer is seeking God to do the impossible in our lives. No prayer - no power. Hudson Taylor said, “The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge,” 2. Remain passionate in our prayers We must guard against going through the motions. It is easy to pray without thinking. Remember, we are addressing the God that is in Heaven. John Bunyan said, “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.” Matthew 6:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Dwight Lyman Moody, “Some people’s prayers need to be cut off at both ends and set on fire in the middle.” 3. Unconfessed sin will hinder our prayers (Psalm 66:18) “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” (Proverbs 15:8) “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” External acts of worship may be repulsive to God when the heart of the worshiper is not right with God. 4. We must pray according to God’s Will. (1John 5:14-15) “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: vs 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” To pray according to God's will is to pray seeking what God desires, not what we would desire or insist that He do for us. Oswald Chambers: “Never make the blunder of trying to forecast the way God is going to answer your prayer.” We should not pray just to get from God, we ought to pray for His direction. Corrie ten BOOM: “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” 5. Prayer must be mixed with Faith. 1 Timothy 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” A life that is lived by faith will cause us to pray in faith. George Muller once said, "“I believe God has heard my prayers. He will make it manifest in His own good time that He has heard me. I have recorded my petitions that when God has answered them, His name will be glorified.” Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” We all desire to have our prayers heard by our Heavenly Father; and our great God desires to hear our prayers. However, there are some things that hinder our prayers from reaching the ears of our God. When we look at Scripture we see a few things that encourage us to make sure we are in tune with God and have our prayers heard.
Sensitive to the Word Proverbs 28:9 “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” It is of the utmost importance to value and be serious about the Word of God. If we take God’s Word seriously, He will take our prayer seriously. If we would love to seek God through prayer, and have them heard, then we must love to seek and heed God’s Word. Spurgeon once said “Philip was a searcher after Christ in the place where Christ loves to be—in the pages of Scripture—and you must be the same if you desire to find Jesus!” Standing Upright Psalm 84:11 “…no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Unconfessed sin in our lives will stop us from walking uprightly and in return will hinder our relationship and communication with God. The psalmist mentions that “no good thing” will God withhold from those that walk in integrity and truth. God also states that their prayers will have strength and prevail; in others words their prayers will be heard by God like God answered Elijah’s prayer. James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Standing with Forgiveness Mark 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Vs 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” A heart that harbors resentment toward others will defiantly hinder our prayers to God. Sensitive to our Wives 1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” The Bible mentions that when the husband has an insensitive spirit towards the needs of his wife, his prayers will be hindered. Standing with Faith 1 Timothy 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” A life that is lived by faith will cause us to pray in faith. George Muller once said "“I believe God has heard my prayers. He will make it manifest in His own good time that He has heard me. I have recorded my petitions that when God has answered them, His name will be glorified.” Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Nehemiah 6:9 “For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”
As we strive to put God first in all that we do and seek to bring Glory to God by the way we live, we will face various discouragements. Nehemiah had discouragement come his way as he was doing the Work of God. Sanballat and Tobiah found out that the “walls of Jerusalem” were being rebuilt, and they wanted to make sure it didn’t happen. So they invented lies (that he was planning to cause a revolt against the king, and that he wanted to be king) about Nehemiah to cause him to fear so the work would cease. Nehemiah 6:8 “Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.” The devil at some point will use someone (whether they know it or not) to discourage you from the work of God. They will falsely accuse you and pursue you so that you would be fearful. This is to weaken and cripple you so will not be effective in the Work of God. Remember, the enemy does not want you to be used for God’s glory. What do we do when we are discouraged? 1. Cry out to God Nehemiah 6:9 “For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” King David was accustomed to cry out to God when he was discouraged. Either by his enemies or by his own sin. Psalm 59:1-12 2. Continue to do right Nehemiah 6:10-11 “Afterward I came unto the house of She-ma-iah the son of De-la-iah the son of Me-het-a-beel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee. Vs 11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” Nehemiah didn’t need to hide like a criminal as if he was guilty of the accusation. These were just lies trying to manipulate Nehemiah to do wrong. Nehemiah 6:13 “Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.” Fear can grip our hearts and therefore cause us to react and act in haste with our decisions; fear can leads us in a way that demonstrate a lack of Faith in God. As a result we can lose our testimony, and defame the name of God…Nehemiah knew that God will not encourage him to do wrong and go hide in the Temple of God. Nehemiah 6:12 “And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him…” Cry out to God, Continue to do right, and God will give you the grace you need to battle against discouragement. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 3. Commit the Discourages to God Notice how Nehemiah goes to God in prayer, entrusting his discouragers - Tobiah and Sanballat – into God’s hands. Nehemiah 6:14 “My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noa-diah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.” As the temptation arises to try clear your name, resist the urge and leave it to God…As the flesh desires to move forward to avenge itself, pull back and leave it to God. Romans 12:17-19 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Vs 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Vs 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” When you react the enemy has you where he wants you. They want you to act in fear. They want you to make hastily decision, greatest of all, they want you to lose your testimony. Notice what happens when you choose to cry out to God, continue to do right, and commit them in God’s Hands. Nehemiah 6:15 “So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.” Nehemiah 6:16 “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.” You’re able to finish the work God has entrusted to you, and your discouragers will see God’s power and know that they cannot prevail against Him or God’s people. The way you respond as a Christian will play a big part in the eyes of others. Let people see Jesus in you! God’s desire is that all His Children grow in His Grace. The Christian’s conversion is the start of God’s grace, but the Christian life is growing in God’s Grace.
David Livingstone once said “I’ll go anywhere provided it is forward”. G = God’s Gift Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: vs 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” God’s grace is His unconditional love toward us. He has demonstrated that love by giving us gracious gifts that are so amazing and undeserving. We have a God that is too good to us, and His love is better than anything this whole world can offer. The Psalmist said “…thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” AW Tozer said “Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving. Its use to us sinful men is to save us and make us sit together in heavenly places to demonstrate to the ages the exceeding riches of God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” 1. God’s Gift of Love – Romans 5:8 This amazing love is found in Jesus Christ. Through His love, He grants us forgiveness of sin and eternal priceless treasures that fade not away. a. Jesus – Romans 3:24, 2 Timothy 2:1 b. The Gospel – Acts 20:24 c. Salvation – Ephesians 1:7, Acts 15:11 d. Eternal Life – Romans 6:23 e. Divine Royalty – Romans 8:6-17 f. Repentance – Titus 2:11-12 Note: For God to give all people everywhere the opportunity to turn back to Him is great grace. 2. God’s Gift in Prayer – Hebrews 4:16 It is an absolute privilege to be able to talk to God through prayer and cast our care upon Him. Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” 3. God’s Gift in His Calling – Ephesians 3:7, Philippians 3:14 There is no greater calling in life than to have the Creator give us various abilities to use for His glory! Ephesians 3:7 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” 4. God’s Gift in His Service – 1 Peter 4:8-10 1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 5. God’s Gift of His Strength & Power 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
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