Thriving in 2026 - Abiding and Rejoicing

Temple Baptist Church - 2-8-2026

John 15:11

 

Introduction: 

A.  In 2026, God wants His people to thrive, not just survive!  Thriving in Christ is abiding in Christ, and abiding in Christ is fullness of joy!  One of the essential characteristics of “fullness of Joy” is found in rejoicing.  Here are two verses that express what John is telling us in John 15:11.

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice evermore.

 

B.  Last week, we saw that abiding in Christ brings about the joy of the Lord in the life of the Christian.  How can one walk in fellowship and harmony with Christ Jesus and not have that inner joy and peace that comes through being with Him?

 

C.  Rejoicing is an outward expression of an inner joy!  When your joy becomes “full” it overflows in tears and praise.  There is an old saying, “When your cup gets full, the saucer gets the blessing!”

 

D.  The word “rejoice” in its various forms is found 258x in your King James Bible.

 

1.  The First Mention - Exodus 18:8-9  And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.  (9)  And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

 

2.  The Last Mention - Revelation 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

 

E.  “Alway” is an interesting word.  It is a word not found in this computer's spell checker.  Every time I type “alway”, the word processor corrects it to “always.”  “Always” is found 62 times in the Bible while “alway” is found only 23 times.  When the Bible makes a spelling distinction, it behooves us to take a closer look at the wording.

 

F.  Both words come from the same two root words which mean “every” and “when.”  Therefore, to the casual observer, the two words are the same but this is not the case.  The “s” on “always” makes the word plural while the lack of the “s” makes “alway” singular.  This difference is an important one to the believer as our text verse will bear out.

 

1.  The word “always” refers to an expanse of time more than just an instance of time.

 

2.  The seemingly opposite is true in the context of the word “alway.” It seems that “alway” refers to a specific instance of time and encompasses many instances of time, but one at a time.

 

G.  Whether one agrees fully with that distinction or not, the truth it points us to is unmistakable: our joy is not tied to long stretches of ease, but to Christ’s presence in every moment.  I enjoy reading Philippians 4:4 and am glad that the Holy Ghost said, “Alway!”  It has been and is a joy during the hard times of my life.

H.  Let me give you another instance where the Bible uses the “alway” instead of “always.”  We know that the Lord said that He would never leave nor forsake us in Hebrews 13.  Though the word “always” is not used, the sense of the word is there.  I am glad that the Lord will be there with me and for me until the day He calls me home!  But, in Matthew 18:20, He said, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”  I believe that the difference is that, now, our Lord said that He would be with in every place, in every instance, and in every circumstance of life as we carry the gospel to a lost world.  Every situation and circumstance, He is there with us while having the power to deliver and sustain us.  “Even unto the end of the world” tells us that he will be with us in every circumstance all of the way home!

 

J.  I want to look at the latter part of this verse again this morning.  “That your joy might be full!”  “Fulness of joy.”

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

1.  Our Joy Comes Through Fellowship, not circumstances - Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

2.  Our Joy Comes Through Faith, not circumstances - Philippians 1:25  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

 

3.  Our Joy Comes Through Faithfulness, not circumstances - Psalms 84:4  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

 

K.  Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”  Notice with me that the verse says to “rejoice in the Lord alway.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice evermore.”

 

1.  To rejoice in all times and all seasons.  In season and out of season!

 

2.  To rejoice in all conditions and all circumstances.  Good times and bad times, times of plenty and times of little, times of health and times of sickness, times when you are up and times when you are down.

 

L.  It is easy to rejoice when you are up on the mountain, but how can we rejoice in the bad times?  By being full of the joy of the Lord.  Keeping our hearts and minds stayed upon Him, not on our surroundings and circumstances.

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

 

1.  Normally, “Rejoice in the Lord” would have sufficed, but Paul reinforced the word by beginning and ending the sentence with “rejoice.”  It shows us the importance of having the right attitude and a trusting one.

 

2.  Our mental state has as much to do with our general outlook on life as our circumstances do.  As a “merry heart” doeth good like a medicine, a positive state of mind makes our outlook on life positive.  God controls, and He loves His children!

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice evermore.  (From now throughout our lives and all of the instances thereof.)

 

1.  Rejoice in the Lord during the good times of life.

 

a.  It is easy to forget God when things go well.

 

Deuteronomy 8:12-14  Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;  (13)  And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;  (14)  Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

 

b.  We need to rejoice in the Lord because He has been so good to us.

 

Psalms 106:1  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 

c.  We need to rejoice when our health is good. 

 

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 

d.  We need to rejoice when our power is still on and our cupboards are full.

 

Ecclesiastes 9:7  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

 

 

2.  Rejoice in the Lord during the hard times of life.

 

a.  We can rejoice because God’s providence controls our circumstances.

 

Job 23:10, 13  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold … But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

 

b.  We can rejoice because it is then that God provides our needs in hard times.

 

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

c.  We can rejoice because God protects our lives in desperate situations.

 

2 Timothy 4:17-18  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

d.  We can rejoice because We can count our many blessings in the valleys.

 

Psalms 145:8-10  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.  (9)  The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.  (10)  All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

 

 

e.  We can rejoice because God will bring about a right end when the trial is past.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Abiding And Joy

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-1-2026

John 15:11; Nehemiah 8:10

 

Introduction: 

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

Joy and Happiness are not the same: 

 

Happiness is circumstantial. The word itself is tied to what happens to us. It rises and falls with conditions.  Based on outward circumstances, Temporary and changeable; dependent on comfort, success, health, money, people, etc.

 

Joy is spiritual and internal.  Joy is rooted in God, truth, and relationship with Him—not in what is happening around us.  Based on inward assurance. Enduring and stable.  Can exist alongside sorrow, trials, and suffering

 

A.  I have been preaching on “Thriving in 2026.”  We thrive when we abide in the True Vine, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Two verses for this morning give us insight into the joy of the Lord.

 

1.  I often use this sentence when preaching: “I have said all of that to say this.”  A conclusion is now reached.  John 15 speaks of many perks that come automatically when we abide in the True Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

2.  Our Lord summed up His discourse on abiding with one word, “Joy.”  Two “joys” are mentioned in verse 11: “My joy” and “your joy.” 

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

 

a) “That my joy might remain in you.”  “My Joy” is the joy that our Lord finds in our abiding in Him, walking in Truth.     

 

3 John 4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

b)  “And that your joy might be full. “Your Joy” is the fullness of joy in both the Lord and things of the Lord. 

 

Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

1)  Supply – joy in the things of life that God has given to us.  We can either endure life or we can enjoy life.  “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord:”

 

2)  Strength – is found in the joy of the Lord.  “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 

 

B.  What was the joy of Christ?  I want to look at the best definition that I have ever seen, and it comes from your Bible.  Many years ago, I preached from the following verses, and what great joy they brought to our people.

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  (18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

 

1.  In these verses, we find both the “Cause” and “Effect” of the Christian’s Joy.

 

2.  As is the case many times in the Bible, we find the order reversed.  Rejoicing, the Effect, before Joy, the Cause.

 

3.  In Verses 18-19, we find the Cause of Joy:

 

a)  The God of my Salvation.  True Christian Joy comes from God in the form of Eternal Salvation.

 

b)  The LORD God, my Strength.  True Christian Joy is maintained in the spiritual Strength that comes from God, not circumstances.

 

4.  In Verses 17-18, we find the Effect of Joy:

 

a)  Though things go wrong, and they do; though life is hard and it is:

 

b)  Rejoicing comes from our inner fountain of Joy.

 

5.  There was a day when praise and rejoicing were spontaneous, not “worked up.”  “Popcorn Testimonies” have become a thing of the past.  We need to get our Joy back, and rejoicing will follow without being stirred.

 

6.  We live in days when pastors feel the necessity to stir our emotions with fleshly music and preaching to produce rejoicing.  Thus, they become Entertainers, not Preachers.  Rejoicing should be a spontaneous result of Joy, not the cause of Joy.

 

7.  The hymns of the Faith no longer cause Rejoicing, so the modern-day “church” is now in the “Entertainment Business” instead of reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine.  Modern-day preaching and music reflect the world because most professing “Christians” are more worldly than spiritual.

 

C.  Both rejoicing and joy are to be despite our circumstances, not because of them!  Most Christians live in a state of discouragement, with little joy.  Why?  The answer is simple.

 

1.  Because of Our Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

 

God’s people are not drunks and harlots, but sin creeps in, and we now walk at a guilty distance from God, and the joy is gone.

 

2.  Because of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 

 

God’s people have their eyes upon the “wind and waves” of circumstance and not upon Christ.  When Peter looked up instead of looking down, he saw the Lord of the “wind and waves” and once again walked on the water.

 

D.  Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.

 

1.  For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances – Luke 12:16-21  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

2.  For The Christian, Joy Is Found Despite Circumstances - 2 Corinthians 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

 

2 Corinthians 8:2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

 

Colossians 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

 

1 Thessalonians 1:6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

 

E.  Loss of joy comes through:

 

1.  Losing the freshness of our salvation.

 

2.  Losing the burning love for our Saviour.

 

3.  Losing the excitement of our service.

 

WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY

 

1.  Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation - Luke 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

Psalms 35:9  And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

 

Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

Psalms 132:16  I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

 

Isaiah 12:3  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

 

2.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost - Romans 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World - Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

3.  Christian Joy Is Found In God’s Word - Nehemiah 8:9-12  And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.  And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

 

4.  Christian Joy Is Found In Church - Psalms 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

 

 

a.  The Joy Of Singing - Psalms 95:1  O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

 

Psalms 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

 

Psalms 98:4  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

 

b.  The Joy Of Praise - Psalms 27:6  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

 

5.  Christian Joy Is Found In Worship - Nehemiah 12:43  Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. 

 

6.  Christian Joy Is Found In Hope - Psalms 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

7.  Christian Joy Is Found In Eternity - Jude 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

8.  Christian Joy Is Found In Sinners Saved - Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

9.  Christian Joy Is Found In A Finished Course - Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

10.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 

Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Rejoicing in the Blessings of God

Temple Baptist Church - 7-13-2025

Psalm 33

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, I preached for the 249^th Birthday of the United States on verse 12 of this Psalm.  “God Bless America.”

 

Psalms 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

 

B.  God has blessed us all in so many ways that to count them would not be possible.  The context of Psalm 33 is “Rejoicing in God’s Blessings.”  Although I believe that we enjoy the blessings God has bestowed upon this great nation, I fear that we do not truly rejoice in the Lord for the blessings that we have.

 

C.  We are admonished to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”  (Philippians 4:4)

 

D.  Verse 12 is one of the middle verses of this Psalm, as it has 22 verses.  That being said, the context is on both sides of the verse!  To understand what God is saying, we need to break down the Psalm.

 

1.  Verses 1-3.  The Command of worship.

 

a.  Verse 1.  The rejoicing of the Righteous.  The unrighteous have no sense of gratitude for the many blessings of God, but the righteous understand that every good and perfect gift cometh down from the “Father of Lights.”  “Comely” – suitable or beautiful. 

 

Psalms 22:3  But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

 

b.  Verses 2-3.  Rejoicing in musical instruments: skillfully and loudly.  This is not the modern “Praise Bands” playing worldly music.  This is righteous music, not worldly music.

 

Ephesians 5:19-20  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  (20)  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 

2.  Verses 4-11.  The Cause of Worship.

 

a.  Verse 4.  For the Word of God that we hold in our hands.  I fear that the least used of all gifts from God is that of His precious Word.

 

b.  Verse 5.  The righteousness and goodness of the Lord.  We often associate goodness with our possessions, and I am genuinely grateful for them.  Brother Harold would frequently request the song “Count Your Blessings” because he knew that they were innumerable.  God has been so good to us in many ways that are righteous, not simply worldly, eternal, and not simple temporal.

 

c.  Verses 6-9. The glory of His creation.  He spoke and it stood fast.  It remains steadfast.  “In all around, God I see!”  By “THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH!”  The knowledge, the wisdom, the understanding, the power of an all-knowing, omnipotent Creator!  His creation declares the glory of God; His creation shows His handiwork!

 

d.  Verses 10-11.  The Counsel of the Lord.  As the psalmist reflects on the majesty of God’s creation and the deep reasons for worship, the imagery naturally leads us to consider the tender care and guidance that God provides to those who follow Him. This transition from acknowledging God’s power and righteousness to experiencing His personal leadership is beautifully captured in the next passages.

 

1.  Verse 10.  The Lord Overrules.  Spiritual wisdom always “trumps” worldly wisdom. The counsel of this world may fail us, but the counsel of the Lord remaineth to all generations.

 

2.  Verse 11.  The Lord Oversees.  The Lord watches over and guides His sheep.  In the multitude of counselors, there is safety, but they will sometimes either fail you or not be enough. In the counsel of the Lord, there is righteousness and peace of heart and mind.  Perfect leadership from our Great Shepherd.

 

Psalms 23:2-3  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  (3)  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

 

e.  Verses 13-19.  The Care of the Lord.

 

1.  Verses 13-14.  The Lord watches over our lives.  This is an amazing thought that God cares about every aspect of our lives.

 

Psalms 40:17  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

 

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

2.  Verses 15.  The Lord fashions our hearts.  The transformation of our heart and soul through the “renewing” of our minds.

 

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

3.  Verses 16-19.  The Lord delivers in hard times.  Barbara and I can personally testify that God has done exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask of think!

 

Psalms 37:25  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

 

Philippians 4:19-20  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  (20)  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

f.  Verses 20-22.  The Confidence in the Lord.

 

Psalms 118:8-9  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  (9)  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

 

Proverbs 3:25-26  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  (26)  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 

1.  Verse 20.  Wait upon the Lord.  God’s will, God’s time, God’s way!

 

Isaiah 40:29-31  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  (30)  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  (31)  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

2.  Verse 21.  Trust in the Lord.  God knows what He is doing so learn to trust Him!

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

3.  Verse 22.  Hope in the Lord.  The Lord is on our side in this world and one day, just like today,  He is coming again to take us home.

 

Jeremiah 17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

 

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

Psalms 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Living to Rejoice

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-11-2025

Psalm 30

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I find this Psalm particularly interesting. Two aspects stand out to me as I read it.

 

1.  In the Title of the Psalm, we find that it is a Prayer of Dedication of the House of David.  This is not a dedication of either the Tabernacle or the future Temple.  God allowed David to build a house for himself.

 

2.  In this verse, we find the promise of David’s house.  2 Samuel 7:11  And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

 

3. In the context of the Psalm, it is a Prayer or Rejoicing Because God allowed David to live to build the house.  This was important to the people of Israel.  Not only to build a house, but to dedicate the house to God.

 

4.  We find the importance in the Book of Deuteronomy.  Deuteronomy 20:5  And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

 

B. I want to “zero in” on David’s rejoicing because evidently, God had allowed him to live through a near-death experience to dedicate his house.    These two verses show us that there was a time when David was not right with the Lord and was under the fear of death because of it.

 

Psalms 30:3  O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

 

Psalms 30:9  What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

 

C. I also find this Psalm to be a Penitent Psalm. 

 

Psalms 30:1-3  A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.  (2)  O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.  (3)  O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

 

Psalms 30:9  What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

 

D.  There was a time in the life that is not recorded in the historical books of 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, or 1&2 Chronicles when he was sick unto death because of his sinful condition.  There are two recorded occasions when David strayed from the will of God and paid a horrific price for his sin: his sin with Bathsheba and numbering the people.  Both times, after a great cost was incurred, David reconciled with the Lord. However, neither of these times resulted in David being sick unto death.

 

E.  We will deal with this Psalm later, but I want to read a portion of Psalm 38, which speaks of the chastisement of sickness for sinfulness in David’s life.

 

Psalms 38:1-12  A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.  (2)  For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.  (3)  There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.  (4)  For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.  (5)  My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.  (6)  I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.  (7)  For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.  (8)  I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.  (9)  Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.  (10)  My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.  (11)  My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.  (12)  They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

 

F.  I believe that verse 5 is the key verse of the Psalm.  David suffered because of sinfulness more than we know because, though he was a man after God’s heart, he was still just a man.  I am glad that God does not expose all of my faults and failures.  All of us know that in our personal walk with the Lord, there are many times where we fail God.

 

1.  His anger endureth but a moment. 

 

a)  God chastens but holds no grudge.  Oftentimes, people get angry over something temporal but hold a grudge for life.  No amount of repentance and apology can cause them to restore your old relationship.  I tell people to ask forgiveness and, if they will not grant it, move on.

 

Ephesians 4:31-32  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  (32)  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

 

b)  God forgives and forgets.  God restores the sinner to a righteous state.

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

c)  God restores the fellowship of the believer to Himself.

 

2.  In His favour is life.  Life and death are in the hand of God.  He gives life and He can take life.  A time to be born and a time to die are designated times.

 

3.  Weeping because of sinfulness is a terrible thing. Verse 5 shows us several things relating to such sin.

 

a)  Weeping – brokenness is often the heart condition that brings about repentance.

 

b)  May – or may not endure. Most of the time, our weeping here on earth is short-lived. I thank God for that, as none of us enjoys the hardships of life; both natural and self-induced times of weeping are temporary. However, there will be times when both natural suffering and spiritual suffering are lengthy.

 

c)  Endure – often our sinfulness brings about chastisement that is lengthy or unending. Frequently, our tears are related to a lack of self-forgiveness. When God forgives us and restores us to a state of righteousness, we must learn to forgive ourselves as well.

 

c) Night – such sinfulness is referred to as “night." A time of darkness and loneliness.  A type of loneliness and confusion. 

 

G.  But joy cometh in the morning. 

 

1.  I often tell mourners that the sun will still come up in the morning.  Time is a great healer. 

 

2.  Our tears may never entirely go away in this life, but time will lessen the sharpness of the pain of suffering. 

 

3.  It is not God’s will that His people weep forever. 

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

H.  Psalm 30 is a song of the sinner made free.

 

1.  Verse 1.  I will extol thee, O LORD!  Extol – to promote or to make high.  I will lift Thee up in praise and glorification.

 

2.  Verses 1-3.  Reflection.  Thou hast lifted me up.  Thou hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.  Thou hast healed me.  Thou hast brought up my soul from the grave.  Thou hast kept me alive.  Thou hast saved me from the pit.

 

3.  Verse 4.  Singing and thanksgiving.  Bless the LORD, O my soul!  Some never sing nor are thankful.  Learn to sing, as it is the prelude to praise.  Learn to be thankful for everything.  “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

 

4.  Verses 10-11.  Learn to “think myself happy!”  Happiness is a heart condition, but a circumstance. 

 

Psalms 90:14  O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

 

Psalms 118:24  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

 

5.  Verse 12.  Psalms 30:12  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

 

a.  Regardless of how dark the night, there is always hope.

 

b.  Regardless of how wicked the sin, there is always forgiveness.

 

c.  Regardless of how far you have gotten from the Lord, He is just a whisper away.