When I Don't Feel

Psalm 42

When I Don't Feel Peace

About someone else

If it’s a burden from the Lord, hit your knees

If you aren’t sure if it’s a burden from the Lord, hit your knees

I’m not a spiritual guru

About what’s going on

Outward peace is not promised

Luke 22:44 “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Quiet / Inward Peace is available

Philippians 4:4–7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Are you mindful about the Lord’s presence and coming?

Are you prayerful?

Are you thankful?

1 Kings 19:11–13 “And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””

Are you focusing on self rather than God?

Are you listening for God, or just circumstances

There is one place that over and over when I go, it keeps me mindful of the Lord, on my knees in prayer, fills my heart with thanksgiving, and I know for a FACT I am hearing from God and has more than any other place brought me peace. That place is God’s Word.

When I Don't Feel God’s Presence

Omnipresence

Psalm 139:7–10 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

Manifest Presence

Acts 2’s rushing, mighty wind

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Presence of Mind

John 21:3 “Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

He was NOT going out on the lake because that’s where he feels closest to God.

In that moment, the Apostle was overtaken in grief, confusion, and anger that God had left him, so he may as well return to what his life was before Christ.

Psalm 42:11 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

The Psalmist by grace KNEW his head and heart weren’t in the right place. He made the choice, the same choice we sometimes need to make, to lean INTO God, rather than run from Him.

I don’t see what I thought I was supposed to see. I am just not feeling it today God, but I know you’re there and I’m gonna fight Satan’s messages, his messengers, and my own mind if I have to until my soul is again firmly set on you, because you are my last and only hope!

When I Don't Feel Secure

In my ways

Psalm 1:1–2 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 119:1 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!”

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Are your ways inline with the lighted path of God’s Word?

If not, get in the Word, get on your knees, get with your church family, be honest with self and others, and purpose to align your life with the written will of God in that matter.

If so, hold on child of God; cry out to God, lean on your church family, and know that ultimately Christ Jesus will not let you suffer for no reason or past what His grace and enable you to handle.

In This World

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

1 John 2:15–16 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

If you don’t feel secure in this world, it is precisely because this world is dying. It is crumbling. It is coming to and end. Look for you security in heavenly things; in Christ.

Then you can know that as bas as it gets, HE is still in control, and if He has left you here, it is on purpose to witness for him. Find security in the ministry to which you are called.

In Christ

Read Hebrews

Romans 8:33–34 “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

There is no firmer foundation than the Word of God, pointing to the Son of God, Christ Jesus. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the seat of security.

Church Family, when you don’t feel peace, God’s presence, or secure, take your queue from the Psalmist: ”Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” - Psalm 42:11