Finding Yourself in the Psalms
Psalm 102
The Prayer of a Sufferer
Outline: Scrogie
I. A Sufferers Complaint – Man is a frail creation – this is a personal prayer
A. The Cry of a mortal man (1-2)
B. The Condition of a mortal man (3-11)
II. A Sufferers Consideration (12-22) – this is national statement
A. The Near Prospect (12-17) B. The Far Prospect (18-22)
III. A Sufferers Confidence (23-28) – this is a personal prayer once again
A. His Lingering Fear (23-24a) B. His Steady Faith (24b-28)
PRINCIPLES for a SUFFERER
• Suffering will come.
(Job 5:7) "Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward."
(John 16:33) "“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”"
PERSECUTION
– (2 Timothy 3:12) "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted,"
– Matt 10:16-19, 21-22, 34-36
TRIALS
– James 1:2-3, 12
– 1 Peter 1:6-7
• Suffering works a good that is greater than the pain of the suffering.
Romans 8:38
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5
• The Suffering of the Righteous Glorifies God
sec 1, and sec 3 are addressed to God
in verses sec 2 (12-22), only 4 of 11 verses are addressed to God, and these verses are praises and not complaints!
Persecution
– (1 Peter 4:16) "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."
Trials
– (Job 1:20) "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship"
– (Job 13:15) "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face."
• God has compassion for those who suffer
in temptation. (Hebrews 2:18) "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
in trials. (Psalm 34:18) "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
(Psalm 147:3) "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
(Psalm 51:17) "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
• Suffering will not last
(2 Peter 2:9) "if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment."
(Psalm 30:5) "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
• Your circumstances will Change, but God will never change
Psalm 102:25-28
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