September 18, 2006

Text: Psalm 119:153-160
REVIVAL AMIDST AFFLICTION

AFFLICTIONS CAN TAKE A HEAVY TOLL
"Consider my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget Your law"    Psalm 119:153

"Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies"    Psalm 119:157

"I see the treacherous and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word"    Psalm 119:158

1. Need of deliverance expressed

2. Tremendous stress arising from having many persecutors and enemies

3. Emotional turmoil felt when thinking about "the treacherous"

CRY FOR REVIVAL
"Plead my cause and redeem me,
Revive me according to Your word"    Psalm 119:154

"Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness"    Psalm 119:159

1. Need for revival expressed twice over

2. Basis of Plea for revival

    a) According to God's word

        i) His will
        ii) His timing
        iii) His plan

    b) According to God's lovingkindness

COPING WITH AFFLICTION THROUGH FOCUS ON GOD'S WORD
"I do not forget Your law"    Psalm 119:153b

"The entirety of Your word is truth,
And everyone of Your righteous judgments endures forever"    Psalm 119:160

1. Remembering God's word

2. Trusting in God's word as "truth"

3. Trusting in God's word as "righteous judgments (which) endures forever"

COMFORT IN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
"Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD…"    Psalm 119:156a

"Revive me, according to Your lovingkindnesses"    Psalm 119:159b

1. This knowledge of God is obtained from the Word of God

2. It is strengthened through faith

3. It is confirmed through experience

4. It proves to be an invaluable source of comfort in times of affliction