Finding Yourself in the Psalms
Psalm 28
A Psalm When God Seems Silent
(Psalm 35:22, NIV) "O Lord, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord."
Vance Havner, a well-known Southern Baptist preacher, once wrote that Christian experience has three levels. First there are “mountaintop days” when everything is going well and the world looks bright. These experiences are temporary: they can’t go on forever. It is unrealistic to expect, as many people do, that we can spend life leaping from one mountain peak to another as if there were no plains or valleys in between.
Instead, most of life consists of “ordinary days” when we work at our usual tasks, neither elated nor depressed. Then, third, there are “dark days” when we trudge heavily through confusion, doubt, despair, and discouragement. Sometimes these days string out into months or even years before we begin to experience a sense of relief and victory.– Vance Havner, Though I Walk Through the Valley, (Old Tappen, New Jersey: Revell, 1974). Cited in Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling, (Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1988). FBC 05/04/2003
I. PRAYER. 28:1-5
A. David’s Cry. 28:1-2
1. “For if you remain silent. . .” He has arrived at the point where he knows
only God can help him.
2. He cries to God for mercy
B. David’s Confession. 28:3-5
1. He knows the end of the wicked.
2. V. 3. Deceitful men. “Speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts” “Lips of honey but hearts of hate” (Scrogie)
3. Retribution?
a. David is not the one enforcing vengeance
b. They will reap what they themselves have sown.
II. PRAISE. 28:6-9
A. David’s Confidence. 28:6-7
1. V. 6. He HAS heard me!
B. David’s Celebration. 28:8-9
1. Praise for God’s faithfulness to the King and to His people
III. Times When God seems to be Silent
A. Afflicted for God’s Glory. JOB Job 19 (esp v. 7) Job 30:20
B. Suffering at the hands of evil men. DAVID/ JESUS Psalm 22:1-2
C. Troubled and overwhelmed. ELIJAH 1 Kings 19:11
I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be down-hearted, and here’s the reason why:
I have a God who’s mighty–who’s sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team. He is all-wise and powerful–Jehovah is His name;
Though everything is changeable, my God remains the same. My God knows all that’s happening–beginning to the end; His presence is my comfort; He is my dearest Friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me–to bring my head down low;
I call upon my mighty God; into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace,
He draws me close unto His breast where all my strivings cease.
When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control,
He gathers me into His arms–He soothes my heart and soul.
The great “I AM” is with me–my life is in His hand;
The “God of Jacob” is my hope; it’s in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated — my eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me as through this life I trod.
I’m looking past all circumstance to Heaven’s throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God–I’m resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything–my eyes are on His face;
The battle’s His, the vict’ry mine; He’ll help me win the race.
— Lita Kurtzer, Zion’s Fire, March-April, 1992
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