Psalms 43:1-5
There is a question that men ask when the trials and storms of life gather. Often you will hear them ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people.” Has this question ever plagued your mind? Of course it has! We all want to know why the bad things in life happen to good people we know, or even to good people like ourselves. One day, a woman asked R.C. Sproul that particular question and his answer to her was a classic. Dr. Sproul said this, “I don’t know, I haven’t met any good people.” His answer was designed to accomplish two purposes. First, it was designed to remind the lady that we are all sinners. None of us a really good people! Secondly, he wanted her to understand that no one is immune from trouble. This second truth is driven home in the Psalm we have before us…

There is some debate as to who penned this particular Psalm. Some have suggested that it was David when he was fleeing from the revolt of his son Absalom. Others have suggested that it was king Hezekiah when Jerusalem was under attack from the Assyrians. Regardless of whether or not either of these is true, it would seem that the author of this Psalm is going through a time of stress, personal attack and inner turmoil. His life has brought him face to face with circumstances that are out of his control and they have brought pain and confusion to his heart.

The fact is, we have all faced times in our lives when we were embroiled in turmoil, pain and heartache. Those are the times of life that define us as believers and confirm or deny our testimony concerning our faith in and love for Jesus Christ.

As we read this Psalm, it becomes quickly evident that the Psalmist is a broken man. Yet, he clings to his faith in God as a man thrown overboard into the ocean clings to a life preserver. As this man lifts his prayer to the Lord, he cries out in his despair, “O, Deliver Me!” I want to look at this man’s prayer for deliverance from his troubles. I want us to see both the depth of his pain and the height of his faith in the Lord. We need this because there are times when we all cry out to the Lord “O, Deliver Me!” This Psalm offers us some reasons for encouragement in the midst of our troubles.–“Sermon Notebook”

“And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror; And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:”–Jeremiah 32:21–23

In addition to delivering the Children of Israel from the cruel bondage of Egypt, God brought the people into the land of Canaan and gave them victory over their enemies. As a result, they had a place to live that was already developed—cities and towns with houses they did not have to build, and vineyards and farms that were already productive. Yet in spite of the great blessings they received, they quickly turned from following God to worship the idols of the people around them, bringing judgment down on their nation as a result. It is much the same today. We live in a land that has been greatly blessed, yet we are neither grateful nor obedient.

Every time we disobey God, we are showing that we do not appreciate Him, despite the bountiful blessings we have freely received from His hand. The temptation of our hearts is to not only take the blessings we receive for granted, but to believe that we deserve them, rather than recognizing that they are solely a result of God’s love and grace. Paul wrote, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). God is patient and kind, but He will not tolerate the ingratitude of our disobedience forever.–Copied

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors“– Matthew 6:12

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He responded with what is commonly known as the “Lord’s prayer.” Embedded in the language of the prayer is this specific request for forgiveness.

It is evident from the content of the prayer that our Lord meant for us to pray after this manner daily, because it includes a request for this day’s daily bread. It is therefore equally plain that Jesus is instructing us to confess our sins daily and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Too often we allow a long time, and many unconfessed sins, to amass before we go to the Lord in prayer. As a result, we begin to feel estranged from God; our guilty conscience then makes it even more difficult to go to Him in prayer at all.

It is best to keep “short accounts” with God, going to Him regularly with our sin debt and allowing Him to wipe it clean. We then delight to go to Him for a regular time of confession, communion, and refreshing.

Notice, also, how this daily forgiveness is tied purposefully and inseparably to our own forgiveness of others. Jesus, in effect, couches this prayer in such a way that we must either forgive others completely and daily, or we are cursing ourselves each time we pray!

“Forgive us as we forgive others,” Jesus tells us to pray. Have you taken your sin-debt to God in prayer today? Have you forgiven others as you yourself hope to be forgiven?( Baptist Bible Hour)

“I will not leave you comfortless…”-John 14:18

Suffering Christian! Jesus is at your side, witnessing your sufferings. He sympathizes with you in your sorrows, and will do you good by every pain. He is always present with His people — for He has promised that He will never leave them nor forsake them. He is especially present with them when they are suffering trials. It is our responsibility to accept by faith that He is with us, and to commune with Him for the good of our souls. But when we are in great pain or extreme weakness, we are apt to forget, or at least we may not realize — that Jesus is present, and so we need to be reminded of it.

Remember too that Jesus, who is now with you — also suffered when He was on earth as a man. The Bible tells us that “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way — just as we are.” Hebrews 4:15. He is therefore able to sympathize with, and support, those who are tried, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:18.

His head has been racked with pain. His heart has been torn with sorrow. He mind has been overwhelmed with darkness and distress, occasioned by the hiding of His Father’s countenance. He understands what you are going through. He will treat you tenderly and lovingly.

Yes, He sees the effect your trial has on your nerves and on your soul. He will fulfill His precious promises in your experience. By looking to Him, trusting Him, and pleading with Him — you can obtain strength, comfort, and victory!

Sweet thought! Jesus is with me! That Jesus who suffered and died for me; that Jesus who is my advocate with the Father and who ever lives to make intercession for me; that Jesus who is preparing a place for me in His Father’s house, and who will soon come and receive me to Himself!

Heavenly Father, help me to realize that Jesus is with me; unfold to me His glories and allow me to enjoy His sweet and soul-satisfying presence!–James Smith