Psa 28 – From fear to faith – sermon notes
Text: Psalm 28
Wouldn’t it be great if
- the Christian life was easy and simple?
- bad things only happened to bad people, and good things only to good people?
- when in trouble, we could ask God, and he would sort it out, there and then?
We don’t know what David’s problem was, exactly. But it was serious and persistent.
Just like some of the problems faced by Christians today:
- Teenager struggling with depression or anxiety
- Student surrounded by those who are indifferent or hostile to Christian faith
- A young Christian with a heart for youth work encounters nothing but setback and disappointment
- Adult who has had to flee their home country because of bitter persecution
- Husband, wife, parent, child, who has been praying long and hard for a close family member
- Middle-aged person with longstanding bad habit or addiction.
- Older person facing chronic illness or disability
St. Theresa of Avila: ‘Lord, if this is the way you treat your friends, it’s no wonder you have so few!’
Thank God for the honesty of the Bible!
1. ‘Do not turn a deaf ear to me!’ (v1f)
‘I envy you Christians.’
Remember:
- who we pray to – ‘O Lord my Rock’, v1a. The God of comfort, of hope, or peace.
- what we ask for – ‘mercy’, v2a. ‘God have mercy on me, a sinner’ (Lk 18:13)
- where we focus our attention – ‘your Most Holy Place’, v2b. Where blood sacrifices were offered on the Day of Atonement. ‘We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus’ (Heb 10:19)
2. ‘Do not drag me away with the wicked!’ (vv3-5)
Don’t treat me as if I were your enemy!
But can we really pray v4?
It is right to long for God to put all wrongs to right.
What does the New Testament say?
(a) God will vindicate his people – “How long until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Rev 6:10)
(b) Why is he taking so long? – ‘He is patient with you’ (2 Pet 3:9)
(c) What should our personal attitude? – ‘Love your enemies’ (Mt 5:44; cf. Lk 23:34)
3. ‘Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry’ (v6f)
How does God answer prayer?
- Occasionally, by miracle
- Often, by providence
- Always, by strengthening our faith, reviving our hope, and deepening our love
Did you remember to say ‘Thankyou’? (Lk 17:17)
4. ‘The Lord is the strength of his people’ (v8f)
‘God’s anointed one’ (v8).
This points us to Jesus, who
- felt that God had turned a deaf ear (Mt 27:46)
- was dragged away with the wicked (Isa 53:12)
- ‘was heard because of his reverent submission’ (Heb 5:7)
- will be his people’s shepherd, and carry them forever (Psa 28:9)