[Notes of a sermon preached in August, 2016]

Psalm 5 – Praying under pressure

Do you feel under pressure as a Christian?

• a home situation where any mention of Christ and his message is met with frosty silence, if not downright hostility?
• a class or lecture theatre where any challenge to secular humanism is dismissed with contempt?
• a workplace where any advocacy of God’s good plan for women and men is regarded as the height of intolerance?

Worldwide, over 200 million people who are suffering because they are Christians.  ‘Beaten, killed, forcibly detained, their churches and homes bombed and burned, their children abducted… oppressed, marginalised, denied education or job opportunities, labouring under the burden of relentless surveillance, unjust laws and endless discrimination.’ (Open Doors)

1. I cry out – does God hear? vv1-3

‘My words’, ‘my sighing’, ‘my cry’, ‘my voice’, ‘my requests’.

v3 – ‘You hear my voice; I wait in expectation.’

Heb 5:7 – ‘During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard.”

2. I am oppressed – does God care? vv4-6

v4 – ‘You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil’

This is good news!  A righteous God gives a moral compass to the universe.  How futile life would be if God were not intolerant of evil!

When we are opposed as Christians, do we take it personally, or do we look at it objectively as opposition against Christ himself?  Mt 25:40 – “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

3. I am guilty too – will God accept me? v7f

v9 – quoted in Rom 3:13 to show that all are guilty.

v7 – ‘But I, by your great mercy, will come into you house’

Whereas the ground of divine rejection is sin (4-6), the ground of divine acceptance is ‘mercy’.

Christ has opened up ‘a new and living way’ by his blood, and we are accordingly invited to ‘draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith’ (Heb 10:19-22).

4. Evil seems to triumph – will God ever put the world to rights? v9f

‘Declare them guilty’, v10.

It is God who judges, and not we ourselves.  This frees us to bless those who curse us, to love our enemies and seek to win them for Christ.

God’s enemies can become his friends.  2 Pet 3:9 – ‘The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise…He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’

5. I feel lonely and afraid – will God keep me safe? v11f

In what, or in whom, do we take refuge?

‘Let all who take refuge in you be glad’, v11.

John 10:28f – “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

This is the same Jesus who cried out to his heavenly Father, and was heard; – who counts opposition to his people as opposition to himself; – who has opened up ‘a new a living way’ by which we can draw near to God; – who will one day judge the world with justice; – and who promises that not one of his children will be lost.

There was a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the photographer and arrived with these angry words: “This picture does not do me justice!” The photographer replied, “Sir, with a face like yours, you don’t need justice, you need mercy!”

A mother who sought from the emperor the pardon of her son. The emperor said it was the man’s second offence, and justice demanded he be punished. “I’m not asking for justice,” said the mother. “I am pleading for mercy.” “But,” said the emperor, “He doesn’t deserve mercy.” “Sir,” replied the woman, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask.” “Well, then,” replied the emperor, “I will show mercy.” And her son was freed.