In Trouble or Distress – Where is God?
by Rodger Jamieson
Reading: Ps41
Lighthouse Motto – Light Love Hope Life
“No Blessing goes uncontested” – Bishop Sandy Miller (Holy Trinity Brompton)
Don’t be discouraged by the difficulties we face.
What are some of the difficulties, troubles and distress that we face?
Share our experiences – open time for sharing here
(my own tragedy with the loss of my wife Wendy through pancreatic cancer)
Read Psalm 41: (see below)
David faced many difficulties and troubles in his life and in this Psalm we see some of those:
- Sickness v 2, 8, 10
- Sin v 4
- Enemies and Slander v5-8 – enemies spreading lies about David
- Betrayal – even David’s best friend turned against him v9
LIES and BELIEFS:
- God doesn’t care about me
- How could God let this happen to me?
- I am alone
- No one can help me
Good thing is that we don’t have to get it all right – David cries out to God for mercy, help and healing even when he knows he is sinful.
TRUTH:
- I am not alone
- God does care for me
- He does help and heal
- He will be with us now
- We will be with him forever
David’s response
- Prayer – help – calls on God
- Tell God the realities of the situation – be real with God
- Focus on God who would help him
- Remember God’s promises
- Praise God
Scriptures
Deut 33:27 The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Is 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be discouraged, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand
Is 66:13 – As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.
Psalm 94:19 (GNT) 19 Whenever I am anxious and worried, you comfort me and make me glad.
2 Cor 1: 3,4 – Paul – Praise to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others.
Cast all you anxiety on me because He cares for you 1 Pet 5:7
Jesus Response
Example to us in the Garden of Gethsemane – always talks to His Father
Jesus said “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus said …. Surely I am with you always, to the end of the age (Mat 28:20)
Eternal
Promise – Ps 41:12 You will keep me in your presence forever – both now and after we die.
Others:
- Word of God – his promises to us – need to get the Word of God from the Bible into our heads (minds) and let the Holy Spirit move it into our hearts and correct any lies we’ve believed.
- We can be surrounded by friends, especially Christian friends, who care for us and support us both practically and spiritually through prayer.
Psalm 41 A Prayer in Sickness (GNB)
41 Happy are those who are concerned for the poor;
the Lord will help them when they are in trouble.
2 The Lord will protect them and preserve their lives;
he will make them happy in the land;
he will not abandon them to the power of their enemies.
3 The Lord will help them when they are sick
and will restore them to health.
4 I said, “I have sinned against you, Lord;
be merciful to me and heal me.”
5 My enemies say cruel things about me.
They want me to die and be forgotten.
6 Those who come to see me are not sincere;
they gather bad news about me
and then go out and tell it everywhere.
7 All who hate me whisper to each other about me,
they imagine the worst about me.
8 They say, “He is fatally ill;
he will never leave his bed again.”
9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted most,
the one who shared my food,
has turned against me.
10 Be merciful to me, Lord, and restore my health,
and I will pay my enemies back.
11 They will not triumph over me,
and I will know that you are pleased with me.
12 You will help me, because I do what is right;
you will keep me in your presence forever.
13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel!
Praise him now and forever!
Amen! Amen!