God's Assurance & Presence (Psalm 42:1-11, Psalm 43:1-5, Romans 8:31)
Rev. William L. Barron, March 30, 2020Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
A Sermon For Our Times
We will be going through our archives and putting up some useful sermons from Pastor Barron to bring us together during this season of isolation. The first is from July 15, 2012, while we were the Travelers Mission of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The sermon, "God's Assurance and Presence," concerns what the Bible teaches us about coping with the "blues," or even depression....
Down times, the "blues," and times of depression are common to all people. We are instructed by the cases of God's saints who have been under assault. The sons of Korah rebelled against Moses. David had to flee from the assaults of Saul, and later from his son, Absalom, who rebelled against David's rule. Psalms 42 and 43 are likely referring to David's crisis with Saul. A Maskil is a prayer in a song. This is the song of a believer in crisis. David was separated from the house of God and the people of God. Some of us may from time to time feel truly depressed. This may be what is known as spiritual depression. We may think that God has forsaken us. Paul in Rom. 8 assures us that God will never forsake us. Job demonstrates for us the up and down in our understanding of God's faithfulness to us. Where do we find answers when we feel low? Do we follow advice to pray, read our Bible? Sometimes, we don't feel relief from this. Are we counseled to confess some sin that has brought us low? We should check to make sure we are not living in sin, and make sure, if so, that we confess. Praying is good advice, following confession and repentance. Lay out the struggles of your heart. Bible study is good advice, as long as you select the right passages. Sing some Psalms or hymns. Prayer, study and singing draw us closer to God. Connect with other Christians. Remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Remember Isaiah 40. God is with you always. [from 07-15-2012]
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant | None | Ezekiel Study, Chapters 1 Through 13 Recap » |
Psalm 42 (Listen)
To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.
42:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
(ESV)
Psalm 43 (Listen)
43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
(ESV)
Romans 8:31 (Listen)
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
(ESV)