The Cure For Discouragement

Temple Baptist Church - 6-5-2011

Psalms 73

Introduction:

A. There are many spiritual obstacles that we face in these last days. One of the greatest obstacles that cause defeat in the life of the child of God is that of discouragement! There are many things that will discourage us so I will not try to deal with the ones that I know about. There are things that discourage that I have not yet faced so I am not an expert on the subject but here are just a few:

1. Sin Is Rampant. It is both heartbreaking and enticing. I have never seen the world so wicked as it is today. Some people think that it is getting better but they are obviously blinded to the progression that the older generation sees. It is disheartening and discouraging.
2. There Is Apostasy On Every Hand. I am not just referring to the religious crowd or liberal denominations; I am referring to people that I once respected and, now, can no longer walk with. It is disheartening and discouraging.

3. There Is Apathy Among God’s People. Sin is rampant; apostasy is in full swing; and God’s people do not seem to care! It is disheartening and discouraging.

B. It behooves us at this point to remember that discouragement is still a sin and sin must be dealt with at its source - Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life. (All sin is a heart issue!)

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

C. Asaph shows the condition of his heart in this Psalm.

1. vs. 1 – God’s Good To Israel And God Is Good To The Clean Of Heart (This should have told him something!)

2. vs. 2 – BUT God is not good to me!

3. vs. 3-4 – God’s Good To The Wicked

4. vs. 13 – BUT God is not good to me!

5. vs. 2-3 – He is ready to quit on God because of a backslidden heart full of envy!

D. I want to look at four things in these verses that give a clear report on the heart of this man of God.

1. A Distressed Look Because His Eyes Are Upon The Lost – vs. 2-12

a. The lost are free to do as they like – vs. 4

b. The lost have no obvious trouble – vs. 5

c. The lost are wicked and cruel – vs. 6

d. The lost have the “Midas Touch” – vs. 7

e. The lost get away with murder – vs. 8

f. The lost curse God and receive good – vs. 9-10

g. The lost mock God and prosper at every hand – vs. 11-12

2. A Disappointed Look Because His Eyes Are Upon Self – vs. 13-16

a. He is disappointed with salvation – vs. 13 “they fare better than I”

b. He is disappointed with chastisement – vs. 14 “I fail and am whipped”

c. He is disappointed with the brethren – vs. 15 “just don’t understand”

d. He is disappointed with things in general – vs. 16 “just too painful to think about”

3. A Discerning Look Because His Eyes Are Upon The Perishing – vs. 17-22

a. The place of understanding – 17 “sanctuary”

b. The word of understanding – vs. 17 “then understood I”

1) The Delusion of the lost – vs. 11-13

2) The Dilemma of the lost – vs. 18

3) The Destruction of the lost – vs. 19-20

c. The foolishness of the saint – vs. 21-22

1) Questioned God’s Goodness

2) Questioned God’s Justice

4. A Delighted Look Because His Eyes Are Upon His Saviour – vs. 23-28

a. The promise of the Savior – vs. 23-24

1) His Presence – vs. 23a

2) His Power – vs. 23b

3) His Guidance – vs. 24a

4) His Reward – vs. 24b

b. The surety of the Savior’s Love – vs. 25

c. The reality of the Savior’s Comfort – vs. 26

d. The realization of the Savior’s Goodness – vs. 27

e. The resting in the Savior’s Will – vs. 28