God Speaks, Even When There is No Hope in Sight

INTRO

Good morning everyone, How are we all doing?! If we have not had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Paul Walden and alongside my beautiful bride Bridgette and our 5 children, I have the wonderful privilege, the JOY of serving and being on staff here at Mission City Church. Specifically Bennington and serving alongside our awesome leaders. If this is your first time here with us I want to welcome you here. I believe that the Lord has placed you exactly where you need to be today and my prayer for you is that you would have a deep encounter with the Lord . If you were here last week, you had the chance to meet Pastor Tim who is our “founding pastor” and “lead pastor” here at Mission City Church. You also had the chance to see Pastor Jake Stone whom most of you know. You also had a chance to meet and hear from our director of operations, Tom Tench. We are one church with multiple locations. From time to time you will see various members of our team come down and be with us. I know that sometimes it can be easy for us to scoff at the idea that we are “one church” , when our other locations are 1hr 15 and 2hr respectively. I really want to hammer this down; there is a church in Rutland Vermont and there is a church in Middlebury Vermont who we get the privilege to stand side by side with, in relationship, in partnership, to help bring the saving, gospel message of Jesus Christ ( That we know is a message of HOPE, FREEDOM, JOY, GRACE AND TRUTH ) to streets and communities near and far. [ DOOR HANGER OPPORTUNITY COMING UP ] From Bennington, Rutland and Middlebury; to the ends of the earth, we are joined together by the blood of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations , IN JESUS NAME ! Who here is ready to bring the gospel message near and far?!? Come on now, we better be ready! Matthew 24:44 “This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” There will come a day when Jesus comes, Folks. A great and glorious day.

So, I want to highlight one of our values here today, that is “loving relationships set the tone for community”. We are better together. In fact, we were never meant to do this alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

A three strand cord is not easily broken. When we are woven together as believers in Christ, we are strengthened. Or resilience becomes greater, our shear strength becomes greater, our resistance becomes greater, the weight we can hold becomes greater. We carry a greater potential together , than we do solo. Don’t be on mission solo. Your small group time, time with your family, time with believers, time at inspire conference…. that discipleship time is vital to our health. It is vital for your personal health, but it is also vital to the body of Christ. If you are not yet in a an environment outside of Sunday morning, where you can be discipled and encouraged and loved and spurred on, make a point to do that. No solo missions.

PRAY//START

Lord I thank you. I thank you for giving us life. Thank you for giving us the ability to experience your goodness. I pray that our ears would hear what you want us to hear. That your holy spirit come down and we would be ready to experience what you have for us today. Whether you invade our hearts like a mighty rushing wind or whether it be like a dove. I ask that we would be ready and willing. That we would be spurred on and encouraged to be more like you . That we would LONG for you and your precepts, that we would LOOK for you and that we would DEPEND on you, in the highest of mountains and the lowest of valleys. You are worthy. In our mighty name we pray, Amen.

OKAY! So, we are in week 11 of our sermon series titled “God Speaks” . We have been diligently going through the longest chapter of the bible, Psalms 119. Psalms contains many great writings. So many great truths, but Psalms 119 is really focused on one thing, what is that? ( give them chance to answer) . Thats right, it is all about Gods word. His testimonies, decrees, precepts. We are journeying throughout this Psalm because we want to be diligent in making sure that this church, that you saints, know and understands the word of God. The greatness and glory of Gods word. In most bibles it is located right SMACK dab in the middle and today we find ourselves right smack dab in the middle of the chapter. While this is the middle of Psalms 119, this is really a low point for the Psalmist. I believe, most people believe the writer of Psalms 119 to be King David. We really do not know when this was written and what part of his life it was written. Maybe Saul was chasing him with a sword and spear. Who knows. What we DO know is that he has found himself at a low point. Found himself Languishing. Found himself in desperation mode. He found himself living in the “almost” . Almost gave up. Almost gave in. Almost lost it. Almost died. Has anyone ever found themselves living in the almost? In desperation mode? I sure have.

The Title of Todays Message is: Admit Your Need For The Lord

[IF YOU NEED A BIBLE] Turn in your bibles with me to Psalm 119:81–88 “I long [ longing; deep desire ] for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. [82]My eyes grow weary looking for what you have promised; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” [83]Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget your statutes. [84] How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? [85]The arrogant have dug pits for me; they violate your instruction. [86]All your commands are true; people persecute me with lies—help me! [87] They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not abandon your precepts. [88] Give me life in accordance with your faithful love, and I will obey the decree you have spoken.”

Illustration:

How many people here have had their lives affected by addiction/substance abuse in one way or another? I know that I have been personally affected by substance abuse. When an addict does not have what their body and mind is craving, the body and mind will start to do something really powerful. When that addict has nothing at the pharmacy or when that addict no longer has the connect, the well is dried up, desperation comes on like a violent tornado. All consuming desperation. All you can think about is how you will satisfy that desire. All you will think about is how you can manipulate your surroundings. All you will think about is how you can hustle and con your way into a fix. [ Story about Jenn calling for diapers ]. I don’t care what the fix is, the desperation is generally the same. When an addict finds themselves in deficiency, we will do whatever it takes to become well. We will do whatever it takes to feel better. Most of the time, just knowing that your fix is coming, will make you feel better. PHYSICAL but MOSTLY MENTAL. I can almost guarantee that no addict started using believing that choice they made, could one day lead to losing their whole family, or would cause them to overdose, or lead them to sell off all of their worldly possesions. They didn’t think that this choice would lead them down a path that will consume every day , every thought and minute of their life while holding everything they have captive. But… HOT TAKE: I dont believe Addiction is not a disease. I believe that addiction is the byproduct of us choosing to try to fill a deficiency that can only truly be filled by the one who is all sufficient, El-Shaddai. He is more than enough . Do we believe that He has the power to heal or do we doubt? Do we believe that He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit or do we doubt? LISTEN! He isn’t the God who heals and redeems addiction Sunday and the God of the maybe I will heal and redeem addiction on Wednesday. He is the same yesterday, today and Forever. I think the thing that messes us up is our understanding and comprehension of the one who promises us these things. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” If you are here today and you struggle with addiction, please know that I am with you and I stand beside you in this fight. This church stands behind you in this fight. We are going to admit our need for the Lord, together. Together we cry out to God right now to say and declare that we believe God is going to put your addiction behind you and I pray in Jesus name that He is going to redeem that addiction of the past [ that once defined you ] to equip you and transform you into a testimony for supernatural power and authority for His kingdom and your future . That the generational curse that once bound you , would be broken and the thing that the enemy planned to use to bind your children would flee, IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY. Isaiah 55:8–9 ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We need to somehow come to the realization and understanding that my idea and understanding of healing and “recovery” is not the best way. Even though we like to think we know best. I think one thing we can agree on : The state of substance abuse in our country has only gotten worse. And if we are honest with ourselves we will admit that “ the further we stray from Gods design for us and the further we stray into territory that relies on “ a manmade pathway to recovery” , the more death we see. Paul says in Romans 7:19 “For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.” Like the desperation of an addict. It is not Gods will for us to be held captive by things that seek to destroy us. It is not Gods will for us to be held captive by an addiction that grips us. Whether food or substance that altars our ability to remain sober minded. We have the power and authority to like 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 says, “Since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” We are powerless and helpless and are stranded on the island of desperation and languish if we cant first “ Admit that we need the Lord”

This may not be for you. But it is for me. In our Passage today in Psalms 119 we’re reminded of a very human reality: we need the Lord. We need Him in every moment, in every circumstance, and in every season of life. These verses illustrate the psalmist’s deep longing, weary waiting, and dependence on God.

We will see a spiritual desperation, but also an unshakable confidence in God’s Word. This is a beautiful picture of what it looks like when we admit our need for God in our lives. A heart posture that depends on Jesus.

3 quick points for you today to help combat our tendency to live in the “almost”. 3 points that reflect a heart posture of “ Admitting our need for the Lord “

My soul longs for Him (Psalm 119:81-82)

Longing means “a yearning desire.” You ever have a yearning desire for something?

The psalmist begins by expressing his longing, his DESIRE for God’s salvation and his hope in God’s Word. There is a deep, inner yearning that cannot be satisfied by anything else but God Himself. This longing is not just for physical comfort or relief but for the spiritual fulfillment and that can only come from God. Psalm 42:1 “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.”

Too often when we find ourself in a situation of desperation, our response is to try and figure it out in our own strength. In our own understanding. In the same way, we can often find ourselves longing for God when life becomes difficult or uncertain. Whether it’s in times of personal struggle, fear, or a sense of lost direction, we all experience moments where we realize our desperate need for the Lord. I hear of this often, of people on their death bed after having lived their life not knowing God, but in that moment of desperation, when things get real and we are confronted with the possibility that there may be eternal consequences for my actions [ or rather my inaction ] Our souls cry out for His presence and His salvation. God I long to be in your presence. Save me from eternal damnation. In a situation of desperation, praise is our weapon.

This is not the kind of desperation that we see from the psalmist. The psalmist knows the Father. He knows his decrees, he knows his precepts, the psalmist’s longing is an expression of trust—he knows that only God can satisfy this deep need. When our souls long for God, we’re admitting that we can’t handle life on our own. We need His guidance, His comfort, and His peace.

In his sermon titled God’s Time for Comforting, Spurgeon gave some practical answers to the question, “When will You comfort me?”

· Comfort will come when we put away unbelief.

· Comfort will come when we are finished complaining.

· Comfort will come when we put away the sin that we tolerate.

· Comfort will come when we fulfill the duties we have neglected.

My eyes look for Him (Psalm 119:83-85)

The imagery here is powerful: the psalmist feels like a “wineskin dried by smoke,” a picture of exhaustion, weariness, and vulnerability. But even in his distress, he holds fast to God’s Word. He looks to the Lord for help, even though he feels overwhelmed by his circumstances. His eyes are fixed on God’s promises, even as he waits for deliverance.

Deuteronomy 4:29 “But from there, you will search for the Lord your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.” The psalmist knew exactly how to seek the one who could sustain him.

You will have opposition when living and operating in your calling for Christ . If you are not facing opposition in your walk with the Lord, you may not be walking with the Lord. 2 Timothy 3:12 “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

This speaks to the reality of the Christian journey: the world around us can be harsh, filled with difficulties, and even persecution, yet we are called to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord. We look to Him not just for relief but for the fulfillment of His promises. It can be a struggle, especially when the answer doesn’t come immediately, but the psalmist’s response is clear: Don’t forget His Word. Keep looking for Him.

In our own lives, when things seem bleak and God feels distant, we must choose to look to Him—because He is faithful. His promises will stand firm, even when everything else seems uncertain. Acts 17:27 “He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”

My life depends on Him (Psalm 119:86-88)

The psalmist has experienced the severity of life’s trials—so much so that his life was “almost” taken. Maybe it was Saul searching for his head. But despite the threats and lies against him, he clings to the commands of the Lord. His life depends on God’s faithful love, and he is steadfast in his commitment to obey His Word. In “the almost” is where I believe David clung by his fingernails to the testimonies he speaks of. Where on the brink of death, he doesn’t give up . Where persecution is guaranteed, he trusts the Lord to execute the judgement on his persecutors. Not on his own strength. Not on my own strength. Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”

When the psalmist says in verse 88, “Give me life according to your faithful love,” he is acknowledging that apart from God, his very existence is fragile. The reality is that our life, both physically and spiritually, depends entirely on God. He is the source of our strength, our hope, and our preservation. There is something really powerful about being willing to admit that you just don’t have it figured out and depending entirely on God. There is so much wisdom and power in exalting the name in which all authority and blessing flow. David, on his deathbed speaking to his son Solomon says this: 1 Kings 2:2–3 ““As for me, I am going the way of all of the earth. Be strong and be a man, and keep your obligation to the Lord your God to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees. This is written in the law of Moses, so that you will have success in everything you do and wherever you turn,”

When we admit our need for the Lord, we acknowledge that without Him, we are nothing. We recognize that our physical life, our emotional well-being, and our spiritual vitality are all sustained by God. This dependence requires humility, as we must surrender our sense of control and acknowledge that He alone is the giver of life. It is not only your life who depends on him but it is your family’s life. If the Lord has charged you and blessed you with the beautiful responsibility to lead a family, you have a responsibility and a duty to get in your war room, daily and fight fight fight. A cornerstone of scripture for the Walden house is Psalms 127. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.” Don’t walk away from today wondering how you are going to pull together enough strength to fight the battle that was never meant for you fight.

END

As we end today. I want to remind us to look back at our passage of scripture today. I find it fitting to notice how this stanza is organized. David starts with a declaration and hope in Gods word and promises and if we look at the end, he ends the stanza pleading and declaring that he will obey the decrees , the testimonies that God has set before him. Isn’t it encouraging to witness real faith from a real person, experiencing real pain, burdened by real life…. relying and depending on a very real and very powerful God. I end with this passage of scripture to encourage you today. Let this wash over you. Go home and let it wash over you. Addict, I am speaking to you. Broken, I am speaking to you. Faithless, I am speaking to you. Hopeless, I am speaking to you. Rich or Poor, I am speaking to you, Saints, I am speaking to you…. [ pick up bible and read … ] 2 Corinthians 4:7–18 “Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are afflicted [ PRESSED ] in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you. Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

THATS GREAT NOW WHAT: As we close I am going to ask Christian to come up and play for a moment. Lets just spend a moment seeking Him this morning. With every head bowed and every eye closed. Knowing His word is important. Knowing Gods word is important. Critically important. But it means nothing, it means nothing if we do not know him. It means nothing if we don’t have a relationship with Him. As we close our time today, we cant leave this building without asking this question.

This land that we live on is but a temporary stop in the journey to our eternal destination. James 4:14 “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.”

Do you know Him? If you don’t know Him, there is a body of believers here today who want you to know that there is hope. There is an answer. There is a cup overflowing with goodness and mercy and grace. If you don’t know the Lord this morning, if you have not asked Him into your life as your personal lord and savior, there is hope. John 3:16 tells us that , “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” This promise of everlasting life is awaiting you. There is a book of promises waiting for you. If you want your final dwelling place to be with the Lord, in glory; this is your opportunity. This is your Next Step ! This is not about perfection. God doesn’t require us to have it all together to know him. He doesn’t require you to fix all of your mess before you ask Him into your life. Every head bowed, every eye closed, this is a personal moment. I am here to tell you today that Jesus makes it easy for us to know Him. Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” But this is not just some cheap grace. It is going to cost you. Not a lot, just everything. It requires repentance. Recognizing and turning from your old ways and acknowledging Him. That the old ways of doing things, is no longer for YOU. It is going to require you to take up your cross and follow him daily. Matthew 7:14 “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” If you don’t have it today, Gods gift of salvation is available to you.He wants us to be close to him. It is the best decision you will ever make. So I ask you this, if you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and WANT TO KNOW HIM - This is for you, I invite you to say this prayer. Right here , right now. You can whisper it or you can speak it boldly and I am willing to bet there is a room of believers willing to join in with you. Say this with me : Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and rose again. I trust in you as my Savior and invite you into my heart.Help me to follow you and live the life you have for me. Thank you for loving me and thank you for forgiving me.

Nobody is looking around. If you made that decision today I want you to raise up your hand so I can see it. We have a couple amazing people who want to tap you on the shoulder and walk alongside you in that decision. We are better together and you DO NOT have to do this alone.

Father, we love you. Lord I thank you for saving us, I thank you for giving us life in your word today. I pray that as we leave this place, your Holy Spirit would help us, guide us, encourage us in everything we do. That when we face trials and tribulations, we would seek refuge in you. That your presence would be our constant resting place. Be with us as we go, and all the saints said ! Amen!

Numbers 6:24–26 “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” . Shake a hand and hug a neck. We love you guys and will see you next week!