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"Are You Barely Surviving?
"Psalm 63 (NIV)
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8
“They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.” Psalm 63:9-10
“But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.” Psalm 63:11
"Psalm 63 (NIV)
Rev. Tony Toth, Dec 26th 2010
Introduction:
Psalm 63, “A psalm of David, when he was in the Desert of Judah.”
A. WHY THE DESERT?
1. Moses – Our own mistakes and choices
Exodus 2:11-22
2. David – Someone else’s mistakes and choices
1 Samuel 19
3. Jesus – God intentionally sends us there
Matthew 4:1
B. TRUTH ABOUT THE DESERT
1. It is not a location, it is a condition
2. It is common to everyone
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
3. It tempers our desires with development
“Success can be as painful as failure if you are not equipped for it.”
- TD Jakes
4. It will kill you if you stay
“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
C. SURVIVING THE DESERT
1. The Present : Seeking God’s Presence (v1-5)
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Psalm 63:3-4
2. The Past : Remembering God’s Faithfulness (v6-8)
“I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.” Psalm 63:2
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8
3. The Future : Anticipating God’s Goodness (v9-11)
“My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” Psalm 63:5
a. Can’t make choices for others
“They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.” Psalm 63:9-10
b. Choosing your reaction
“But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.” Psalm 63:11
Conclusion