January 28, 2008

Text: Psalm 143


WHEN HARD TIMES DO NOT GO AWAY QUICKLY

1. Reference to enemies who make life very hard"    (Psalm 143:3, 9, 12)

2. Evil activities of enemies

a) Persecution
"For the enemy has persecuted my soul"    Psalm 143:3a

b) Oppression
"He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in darkness"    Psalm 143:3 b, c

HARD TIMES CAN AFFECT ADVERSELY

1. Feeling of being overwhelmed
"Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me"    Psalm 143:4a

"My spirit fails"    Psalm 143:7

2. Feeling of Distress
"My heart within me is distressed"    Psalm 143:4b

3. Feeling that God has hidden Himself
"Do not hide Your face from me"    Psalm 143:7c

HOW SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO PRAY WHEN HARD TIMES STUBBORNLY REMAIN?

1. Simple prayers

2. Complex prayers

3. Depth of understanding

a) Making supplications
"Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications!"    Psalm 143:1a

b) Pleading the attributes of God
"In Your faithfulness answer me,
and in Your righteousness."    Psalm 143:1b

"For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble"    Psalm 143:11b

    i) Pleading the faithfulness of God
God has always proven Himself faithful- to hear the prayers of His people

    ii) Pleading the righteousness of God
God, being righteous, will give heed to the cries of His children

c) Pleading "servanthood"
"Do not enter into judgment with Your servant..."    Psalm 143:2a

"I am Your servant"    Psalm 143:12c

d) Pleading covenant-relationship
"For You are my God"    Psalm 143:10b

e) Pleading the name of God
"For Your name's sake..."    Psalm 143:11a