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Psalm 42 -Part 1

OVV
May 10, 2020
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Psalm 42 -Part 1

In moments of "soul distress," what can we do? While managing our emotions is complex, there are incredibly powerful steps we can take to impact our spiritual trajectory. The author of Psalm 42 teaches us how.

OVV

May 10, 2020
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Transcript

  1. P It is a completely normal part of human experience

    to go through times of soul distress and not know what to do with it…
  2. P We are in great company! “If you will treat

    me like this, kill me at once.” (Numbers 11:15) “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life. (1 Kings 19:4)
  3. P The reasons for soul-thirst aren’t alwasys directly related to

    regret, trauma or other. Sometimes we just don’t know what is going on.
  4. P Tantrums Houston Relaxation After Devestation “A mom has those

    days when she really can't take it anymore - the kids, the boss, the husband… Before you slap someone, come see us.”
  5. P Psalm 42:1-3 “As a deer pants for flowing streams,

    so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (42:1-3)
  6. P Psalm 42:1-3 “As a deer pants for flowing streams,

    so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (42:1-3) Spiritual thirst is natural. Like physical thirst, it is a crucial rhythmic mechanism that repeatedly drives your soul to the love of God.
  7. P Psalm 42:1-3 “As a deer pants for flowing streams,

    so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (42:1-3)
  8. P Psalm 42:1-3 “As a deer pants for flowing streams,

    so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (42:1-3) God is not so cruel that He would give a powerful inner drive that tells you your soul is thirsty yet leaves you powerless to direct it to His love.
  9. P Thirst is meant to drive intentionality. Even if we

    have very little control, we can take steps (sometimes even if they are very small ones), that will direct our souls towards the love of God.
  10. P Psalm 42:1-3 “As a deer pants for flowing streams,

    so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (42:1-3) Thirst points to hope. It is evidence of water. Soul-thirst is evidence for the love of God.
  11. P If my soul is thirsty and needs to be

    intentionally directed towards the love of God… Where do I start?
  12. P “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and

    why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my Saviour and my God” (v. 5, 11 & 43:5)
  13. P “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and

    why are you in turmoil within me? (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) Soul direction starts with asking questions of your soul. cast down - bowed, crouched, humbled Questions of inquiry & introspection.
  14. P “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and

    why are you in turmoil within me? (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) turmoil - howling, roaring, brawling Questions of challenge. Soul direction starts with asking questions of your soul.
  15. P “My tears have been my food day and night.(d)

    They say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”(t) (42:3) “Why have you forgotten me?(d)… Why do I go on mourning?”(t) (42:9) “You are the God in whom I take refuge(d). Why have you rejected me(t)? (43:2)
  16. P “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and

    why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him…” (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) Directing your soul involves the exercise of authority. Martin Lloyd Jones… “Have you realized?…
  17. P “Have you realized much of your unhappiness is because

    you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning…
  18. P You have not originated them, but there they are

    talking to you. They bring to you the problems of the yesterday. Somebody’s talking. Who’s talking? Your SELF is talking to you.
  19. P Now this man’s treatment in Psalm 42 was this:

    Instead of allowing this “self” to talk to him, he starts talking to his self. Why are you cast down, oh my soul?, he asked.
  20. P His soul had been depressing him and crushing him,

    so he stands up and says, “Self, listen for a moment. I shall speak to you!”
  21. P “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and

    why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him…” (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) You can direct your soul to be “open.” hope ( לַחָי ) yachal - wait with expectation
  22. P “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and

    why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him…” (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) You can direct your soul towards the object of it’s hope or expectation. direct, assign, invest, place, put
  23. P For we are not given a spirit of fear,

    but of power, love and of self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
  24. P “Hope in God; FOR I shall again praise him,

    my salvation and my God.” (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) You can reason with your soul.
  25. P “Hope in God; FOR I shall again praise him,

    my salvation and my God.” (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) You PUT YOUR SOUL’S HOPE IN GOD when you intentionally preach the TRUTH of the gospel to your soul. You can reason with your soul.
  26. P “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

    my salvation and my God.” (v. 5, 11 & 43:5) Three elements of the gospel are key. “shall” -LOVE in the resurrection. “salvation” -LOVE in the cross. “God/Lord” -LOVE as a follower.