Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
WHEN IT'S TOO MUCH FOR ME
Psalm 61:1-4 Text v.2
Introduction
[1] The TIME of this Psalm... II Sam.15-18
During or at the end of Absalom's rebellion
* A Time of Danger-
* A Time of Despair-
* A Time of Dependance-
[2] The TRUTHS of this Psalm... II Tim.3:12
Absalom, David's favored son has now become David's fiercest enemy.
* He slays Amnon his brother
* He steals the people's hearts
* He sets himself up as King in opposition to his father David.
In this Psalm we find the truth that.......
* God's people experience bitter troubles
Psa. 34:19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
* Those closest to our hearts have the most power to wound us and bring us grief.
* Our circumstances can be much bigger than we ever dreamed they could.
* Contrary to our high opinion of ourselves our circumstances are TOO MUCH FOR US!
[3] The TESTIMONY of this Psalm... Rom.8:28
Regardless of the circumstances; our God is able
I. THE PRESSURE DAVID FACED: v.2b
" When my heart is overwhelmed "
Notice he did not say.. If; but rather when! overwhelmed: denotes a burial shroud, clothed in darkness. David was encompassed with a dark cloud. The pressure was so great he felt as if he were dying. There are things in the lives of God's children that will overwhelm them.
1. SITUATIONS Beyond Our Control-
2. SATAN Battling Against Us- I Pet.5:8 Eph.6:10
3. SIN Rising Up-
Rom.7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Contrast Psa.51
4. SINNERS- Psa. 73
A. v.3 Their Prosperity
B. v.4-5 Their Power
C. v.6-8 Their Pride
5. SOLITUDE-
Gen.32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
6. SUFFERING- See... Job 23
7. SORROWS- See... John 11
8. SILENCE-
Psa.35:22 [This] thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O LORD, be not far from me.
9. SERVICE- II Cor.11:23-28 Note v.28
3 dangers to beware of that will result when our service overwhelms us.
A. Num.11:10-15 Moses was overwhelmed by the Impossibility of the task he faced.
- It caused his Confidence to fail.
B. I Kgs.19:4;9-10;14-18 Elijah was over whelmed by the Opposition to the task he faced.
It caused his Courage to fail.
C. Jonah 4 Jonah was overwhelmed by the Perplexities of the task.
It caused his Compassion to fail.
II. THE PRAYER DAVID MADE: vs.1-2a
1. The FEELINGS That Prompted His Prayer- v.2
A. David felt Distanced from God..
B. David Felt Defeated by His Circumstances
C. David Felt Discouragement in his heart
2. The FOCUS Of His Prayer- " O God "
A. David desires the Attention of God..
B. David desires the Assistance of God..
3. The FERVENCY Of His Prayer- "cry" vs.1-2
A ringing or piercing cry.. a deep emotional longing
4. The FOUNDATION Of His Prayer- v.3
" for thou hast been "
A. The Might of God.. "strong tower"
B. The Mercies of God.. "shelter"
C. The Memories of God.. "hast been"
David knew that even as things were, His God is the unchanging Sovereign!
Lam.3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
5. The FAITH of His Prayer- v.4 "trust"
A. Confesses Dedication in trouble.. abide
B. Displays Devotion in trouble.. trust
C. Acknowledges Deliverance from trouble...
"covert of thy wings"
* Closeness * Covering * Comfort
III. THE PLACE DAVID SOUGHT: v.2c
"to the rock that is higher than I"
1. It is a HIDDEN PLACE- "lead me" covert... secret See Psa.91
2. It is a HIGH PLACE- "higher than I" rock... cliff refuge safety
A refuge must either bring us above the storm or be more powerful than the storm.
3. It is a HUMBLING PLACE-
Humbles us because the need implies our weakness and inability to withstand on our own!
4. It is a HOLY PLACE-
Ex.33:21 And the LORD said, Behold, [there is] a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: v.22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
5. It is an HONORABLE PLACE- "by me"
A. A Place of Favor
B. A Place of Fellowship
6. It is a PLACE OF HOPE-
7. It is a PLACE OF HEART-FELT REJOICING- Psa. 40:1-3
A. His Salvation
B. His Stability
C. His Song
D. His Satisfaction
E. His Sovereign
Sermon By Pastor Ron Lovins
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