The Inner Struggle
The Inner Struggle
Text: Psalm 130
Big Idea: We can turn to God with our guilt and struggles.
Purpose: To encourage people to turn to God with their guilt and shame.
Introduction:
Today, I would like to take you on a journey
-climbing a mountain – trying to reach our destination
-as we climb that mountain – we sing songs
-songs about rising from the depths of life
-songs that call us to focus our eyes on the mountain
-songs that tell us of the wondrous joy on top of that mountain
-free from the toils of life below
The singing – done in a winded fashion
-as the effort of making this ascent – over 2,000 feet above sea level
-makes our bodies weary, but the songs encourage us to push forward
I am not asking you to imagine something unreal, or imaginary
-many people have journeyed up this mountain
-it is in the southern portions of the Judean mountains
-many travelers would make the journey up this mountain
-often referred to as Mt. Zion
-in order to celebrate and worship – in the city of Jerusalem
-the place where God dwelled in His temple
They would climb the mountain, to be with God
-as they made this journey – they would sing a series of songs
-noted as songs of ascents (Psalms 120-134)
120 – God answers us
121 – Lift up my eyes to the Mountains
122 – Let’s go to the house of the Lord
123 – I lift up my eyes to you, whose throne is in heaven
124 – Remembering the Lord protected Israel through trying times
125 – the Lord surrounds His people like mountains surround Jerusalem
126 – Remembering when captives returned to Jerusalem (Zion)
127 – The Lord watches over the city
128 – Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who blesses from Zion
129 – May all who hate Zion turn back in shame
130 – I come to the Lord, from out of the depths (our text today)
131 – stilled my soul to be in God’s presence
132 – Remembers the troubles of David
133 – Good and pleasant when brothers live in unity
134 – as they enter city, Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord
Today, we consider one of these songs of ascents
Psalm 130
-a song in which the Psalmist speaks of trouble or a struggle
-Recognizing that he is coming to God from out of the depths – as he climbs
-realizing – his life has relegated him to living below the sanctuary
-remembering the record of his wrongs
-and how they keep him from the top of the mountain
Sermon Body:
Movement 1: Whenever we approach God, we will have mixed emotions.
-come into His greatness
-which is truly a blessing
-but we are also reminded – of our shortcomings
There are moments when we want to avoid people
-shortcomings make us feel inadequate
-high school class reunions
-everyone wants to look like a success
-finest clothes, stories of success since days of classwork
-if they have no success, only sadness and struggles
-they will not want to attend
-don’t want to face the shame
This tendency to avoid can become pervasive
-it can even affect our walk with God
*We naturally want to avoid people when:
1. We have offended them.
-we know that we have done wrong
-and when we face them we feel guilty
-how often has that caused troubles in your friendships, marriages
-you have reacted badly to someone
-because you felt guilt
-whether true or not
-you felt judgmental eyes bearing down on you
-you were certain that if a dispute ever arose
-the other person had the ace in the hole
-that you had offended
2. They are responsible for our struggles.
-ironically, we also avoid others
-when we are angry at them
-when we feel that they have wronged us
-we don’t want to explode with anger
-we don’t want to give them the gift of our presence
-and being near them makes uneasy
Just as we may have this response to people
-so we can respond to God
-a desire to avoid him
-when we have sinned
-when we have a complaint, wonder what he is doing
The Psalmist, while climbing into God’s presence
-models a prayer for us
-when we aren’t sure we want to be near God
Movement 2: *The Psalmist turns to God with a record of wrongs.
1. Asks for God's attention - remarkable in itself (vs. 1-2)
-doesn’t want to sneak past God
-but wants things to be set right
-Psalmist has a love for God – that overcomes desire to avoid
-acknowledges the tension – his sin
-yet still longs to be near God
2. Thankful that God doesn't keep a record (vs. 3-4)
-which is good news for us today
-which comes from a proper view of God
3. Pledges to wait for God's intervention
-makes us aware of the need to wait
-comment about watchmen alerts us to longing
The Psalmist does has two insights in this Psalm – that are noteworthy
a. We can confess our sin
b. God is our comfort, rather than the cause, of our trials
4. Calls other to put hope in the Lord
Psalmist has seen and experienced peace in God’s presence
-pledges that he will climb the mountain
-in order to be near His Lord
Movement 3: *When we want to run from God; that is when it is best to run to Him.
-a few weeks ago - just get away from stress
-this Psalm - directly about getting away from God
With guilt
With struggles
When we don't understand
God is a grace-filled God
He will make every wrong right
-forgiveness of sins
-bringing justice
There is nothing that can keep us from Him
-and the goodness of His loving presence
When we want to run from Him,
-we find peace in running to Him
Conclusion:
Horatio Spafford was a wealthy man, who had made his money in real estate, primarily along the Lake Michigan Shoreline of Chicago, IL. In 1871, Chicago was struck by the great Chicago fire, and many of Horatio's friends and associates lost everything they had. Horatio was overwhelmed by the tragedy and consequently sought to establish a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. He decided that the busyness of Chicago was not the place to do this, so he and his wife took their four daughters (they had lost their only son years earlier to scarlet fever) and decided to move to Jerusalem. When they were ready to sail from New York to France, Horatio was called back to Chicago to tie up some loose ends from business deals. He sent his wife and daughters off to France, never realizing it was the last time he would see his family together in this life.
As the ship sailed across the Atlantic, it had a terrible accident. In midocean, the ship collided with another ship, and went down in minutes. When his wife finally reached shore, she sent her husband a telegram that contained only two words, "Saved Alone." Spafford had lost all four of his daughters.
As he sailed to France to meet his wife, Spafford was made aware of the point in the voyage where the tragic accident that claimed his family had occurred. As he looked out onto the ocean and contemplated the loss of his children, he wrote these words.
When Peace, Like A River, Attendeth my way
When Sorrows, Like Sea Billows, Roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is Well, It is Well, With My Soul