January 21, 2008

Text: Psalm 142


IN VERY HARD TIMES

1. When you feel overwhelmed
"My spirit was overwhelmed within me"    Psalm 142:3

2. When you feel you are all alone
"There is no one who acknowledges me"    Psalm 142:4b

3. When you fear there is no shelter
"Refuge has failed me"    Psalm 142:4c

4. When you feel no one really cares
"No one cares for my soul"    Psalm 142:4d

FACING HARD TIMES WITH FAITH IN GOD

1. Reaching out to God in prayer
"I cry out to the LORD with my voice;
With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication"    Psalm 142:1

"I cried out to You, O LORD..."    Psalm 142:5a

a) Every prayer requires faith to be exercised

b) Every prayer is an expression of our faith in God

c) Every prayer experience can result in an even stronger faith

2. Holding on to faith in God
"I said, 'You are my Refuge,
My portion in the land of the living'"    Psalm 142:5b

a) Holding on to God as your Refuge

b) Choosing God as your Portion

d) Note: "In the land of the Living" (and not in the land of the dead)

3. Crying out for deliverance
"Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I"    Psalm 142:6

a) Bringing petitions to God

b) Praying with great candidness
    i) Personal weakness

    ii) Strength of the enemy

c) Praying with a deep sense of need for God's help

d) Pleading humbly to God to hear this desperate cry for help

4. Exercising firm faith in God
"Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name
The righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me"    Psalm 142:7a

a) Looking forward to being "released from prison"

b) Looking forward to giving praise to God's name

c) Believing in God dealing mercifully and bountifully

d) Rejoicing in God surrounded by the righteous