Rescued While Living on the Edge

A. The Psalmist found himself in deep trouble.

1. Evil people rose up against him. He longed for help while living on the edge.

B. This man of God felt his life was in danger. Let’s take a look...

Psalm 94:17–19 NKJV

17 Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence. 18 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. 19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

He felt his life was in danger. “My soul would soon have settled in silence.” “My foot slips.”

“settled in silence” refers to the world of the dead. The psalmist felt he was in mortal danger.

How did God rescue his slipping servant?

1. “My sou

God Helped Him (v. 17)

1. “My sou

Psalm 94:17 NKJV

17 Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.

1. “My sou

1. “Unless the Lord had been my help.”

2. Many troubled believers have found the Lord to be their help.

1. Many troubled believers have found the Lord to be their help.

a. God is a “very present help in trouble” ()

b. “My help comes from the Lord” ()

c. “Grace to help in time of need” ()

3. How many find themselves in need of help today?

4. “Without the Lord’s help the psalmist declares he would have died and gone into the silent land where no more testimonies for the living God can be given.” (C. H. Spurgeon)

5. Our loving Lord helps those who cannot help themselves.

God Held Him Up (v. 18)

Psalm 94:18 NKJV

18 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.

1. Mercy arrived when his foot was slipping. He was in grave danger.

a. He was rescued by the everlasting arms of God.

2. God meets us where we are.

a. He meets us when we’re tempted ()

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

b. He meets us when we feel like giving up.

3. How long will God’s mercy hold us up?

4. God’s mercy follows us all the days of our lives ()

Psalm 23:6 NKJV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

His mercy endures forever. ()

Psalm 106:1 NKJV

1 Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

God Comforted Him (v. 19)

Psalm 94:19 NKJV

19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

1. The comfort of the Lord delighted his soul.

a. His fears fled as comfort relieved his anxiety.

b. The Holy Spirit is our comforter in times of need ()

John 14:16–18 NKJV

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

2. Jesus comforts every troubled soul.

a. He gives assurance of salvation to those who trust Him. ()

John 6:37 NKJV

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

b. He gives peace to troubled hearts ()

John 14:27 NKJV

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

3. Bring your anxieties to Jesus and find peace. ()

John 16:33 NKJV

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Conclusion:

A. He extends a compassionate call to those living on the edge.

B. Christ stands ready to help, comfort and keep you.