Temple Baptist Church - 1-21-2024
Psalm 119:25-32
Introduction: DALETH – an opening or a door. Something that can keep us in or through which we can go out. This Hebrew letter shows us choice! The 3rd stanza spoke of how to have a happy life. When we are not happy, we become depressed, and depression leads to discouragement. The Value of Prayer.
A. This 4th stanza of Psalm 119 begins with the words “My soul cleaveth unto the dust.”
1. These words set the tone for the next verses. Here we find the child of God in a very low time in life. Though not the will of God, we all feel this way on hopefully rare occasions.
2. These verses were inspired so as to help those who live in our day.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
B. Therefore, I feel the need in my introduction of the stanza to break these 6 words down so that we understand where the Psalmist is and why he will remain there without spiritual help from God’s Word.
1. “My” – This condition is Personal. When you are down in the dumps, the bottom of the pit of despair, it is based upon something that you did soul, not something that someone else did.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
2. “soul” – This condition is not a physical problem but a spiritual one. The soul is who we are. It has to do with the psychological instead of the Physiological. How we feel or think about something.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
3. “Cleaveth” – This condition is intentional. The word “cleaveth” means to cling or adhere to something.
First Mention: Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Some people just love to be down. There is an old saying: “It worries them if they don’t have anything to worry about!” BE CAREFUL. I often say to not become a victim for, if you do, you can blame everything and everybody for your condition instead of climbing out. Illustration:
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
4. “unto the dust” – prostrate or lying face down in the dirt is a dirty place to find oneself, as it is as low as one can get.
I heard the story of a man who once dug a very dip pit and attempted to bury his old mule alive. After shoving the mule into the hole, the man began to shovel in dirt to bury the mule. As the dirt fell to the bottom of the pit, the mule began to trample it down and eventually the mule just walked out. Thus, it is with us, as the dirt keeps piling up in the hole, just trample it down and look up. Soon, you will be free and walk away.
5. “Dust” – A place that is precarious. Nothing good will ever come out of being down in the dump. It is a place of spiritual resignation which brings about a complete loss of usefulness and worship.
C. “My soul cleaveth unto the dust is not the will of God for the believer. Not now and not ever! As being down in the dumps is an act of personal will, so is being encouraged.
Acts 26:1-2 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: (2) I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
D. We may all get that way occasionally but cleaving unto the dust is a personal choice that keeps us that way. The bottom of the pit of self-pity! Victimization becomes the catalyst that keeps them there. Why me, Lord?
E. Though there is no Scriptural excuse for discouragement, we all suffer it at times as our world in which we live is a discouragement.
1. Wrong is now right, and right is now wrong.
2. Common sense has been replaced with socialism and humanistic ways of thinking.
3. Injustice rules over Justice and bad things happen to good people while the wicked seem to prosper.
F. Three times in two consecutive Psalms we find these words: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalms 42:5,11, and 43:5)
G. When in this condition, you do not need a Psychiatrist, or a Psychologist. It is here that we need help from the Lord. The Holy Ghost working through the Bible.
1. Verse 25. The Recognition of Discouragement and The Value of Prayer. We need both go to God in prayer and also to be honest with God in prayer.
a. God’s people face the enemy of discouragement! It is a real problem because we are imperfect people living in a wicked, ungodly world where right is wrong, wrong is right, bad is good and good is bad! That is enough to discourage the best and toughest of God’s people.
b. Though God already knows, we must learn to identify the symptoms while honestly telling Him where we are and what we desire.
c. There are also many who are good with being down in the dumps and willfully remain in such a state. The Psalmist is not only honest with God, but he also desires to rise from the death of sorrow to a life of usefulness.
Psalms 143:11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
d. We find life again through the Word of God. “Quicken” – to be or to become alive. Make me alive in encouragement again. “Wilt thou not revive us again and again and again! Discouragement is a persistent problem!
Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
2. Verse 26. I have recognized and declared my ways. Teach me Thy Way.
a. Here we find both recognition and responsibility. The Psalmist takes personal responsibility for the plight and asks the Lord to teach him the right way.
b. There are times when we know how to get ourselves out of the dumps of depression, but there are other times when we need help that is found in God’s Statutes.
1 Kings 8:35-36 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: (36) Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
3. Verse 27. Give me understanding and a path to follow. Follow God’s Word and Way.
a. Personal revival, and that is what is found here, must be done in a godly, biblical way.
Job 23:10-11 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (11) My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
b. Too often, God’s people want out of trouble but seek the easiest path which will not do the job. God’s way may not be the easiest path out of trouble, but it will be the right path.
c. When we get victory, we can then teach others.
Psalms 51:12-13 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (13) Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: (32) But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
4. Verse 28. The Psalmist is “burnt out”. When a candle burns, the wax melts and runs down, becoming useless.
a. Burnt Out Syndrome. A time when we feel that we are worn out, “stick a fork in me because I am done”. The Psalmist soul has melted under the heaviness of his situation. It is a time when most people quit on God!
b. Someone once said, “I had rather burn out than rust out.” That sounds real spiritual doesn’t it? It is not because either way, you are “OUT”! We have no right to be out and, also, there is no need to be out. God made us to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
c. When we come to the end of our strength, it is THEN that we find His!.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
5. Verses 29-30. Living a lie! We all believe that God can do anything at any time in any place.
a. When we live a life that is defeated and give into the discouragement that goes along with it, we live contrary to what the Bible tells us that we should and can live. We deny what we believe.
b. Give me the grace to accept the truth that is laid before me. There is forgiveness found in God’s graciousness in the Law. Get right, get up, and get going!
c. The availability of the truth is laid before us tonight. I hope that you are holding your Bibles in your hands.
6. Verses 31-32. In these last two verses of this stanza, we find the answer to discouragement.
a. Stick with the Word of God and you will not bring shame on self or the Lord. As you cleaved to the dust, cleave to the Word of Truth.
b. RUN the way. The Bible encourages us to flee sin and run the way of God. Paul said that we were to run our race, not walk it. THEN, God will enlarge our hearts. Physically, an enlarged heart is problematic, but spiritually an enlarged heart is a strengthened one.
c. The greatest battlefield in the world is 5-6 inches wide and 5-6 inches long. It is the size of your brain. If we lose the battles there, we lose; if we win the battles there, we win!
Conclusion: We need constant revival: to revitalize or make alive again. The word “again” in Psalm 85:6 is a “rolling” word: again and again and again and again. As many times as needed!
Psalms 85:6-8 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (7) Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. (8) I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
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