Fear Not. Hope in God. Jesus is Coming: Psalm 42

Fear Not. Hope in God. Jesus is Coming.

Good Morning! Happy Father’s Day! Speak on hardest/stressful jobs in the world. Father’s abandoning their families. Especially now! Prison system. Etc… Acknowledge Father’s who are there, whom have committed.

When I was asked to speak today, it took some time in prayer on what to preach to you. With so much happening, I wanted to focus on where the Spirit was leading and not just my own opinion. Sometimes stand alone sermons can be hard, because you really need the context to what is going on. I also considered switching my sermon last minute, based on a conversation I had with my father-in-law this past week. He had been in John 17 where Jesus prayed for unity of believers, which is certainly much needed today.

Ultimately, I decided on the truth of God’s Word, out of Psalm 42 & 43.

Today’s sermon is about focusing on our true father in Heaven, the God who loves you and sent His Son to die for your sins so may live with your eternal Father forever. In a place with no chaos.

Today, we are seeing chaos everywhere.

COVID-19.

Highlighted Murders by Police.

Riots.

Looting.

Protests.

Increased Murders in Chicago.

Annexation Concerns in Israel.

Earthquakes.

Tornadoes.

Trade Relations.

Chip Implants.

Social Media Impact.

Autonomous Zones.

Experimental Gene Manipulation on Human Embryos.

Death.

Life.

False Prophets.

About a year ago, Zachary told me, “Your the 2nd best dad in the world.” I was confused briefly and asked him, who was the 1st? He said, “God.” Jeremiah and Eliana have both followed suit since then and I now hear regularly that I am the 2nd best dad in the world. See, it is all about perspective and truth. I am beyond thrilled that would think of God 1st as being the best Father. This should be our 1st perspective too, seeing God our Father as the 1st in our lives and reaching out to Him in times of trouble and need.

So such people were the sons of Korah of the Korahites. The are charged with writing 12 of the Psalms in Scripture. The Korahites were Levites who were musicians at the Temple and/or also commissioned with guarding the Temple doors. Psalm 42 & 43 may also have been written during the exile time, which may explain its tone. The Babylonian Exile took place over about a 20 year period. Daniel and his friends were taken during the first invasion of Jerusalem, by King Nebuchadnezzar and then on his 3rd invasion of Jerusalem, he destroyed the Temple and the city, in 587/586 BC.

Knowing this it could be easy to understand the songs of Psalm 42 & 43, the lament of what has been happening all around the author.

I am going to focus on three things today. Fear Not. Hope in God. Jesus is Coming. Listen for these three subjects as I read and maybe mark in your Bible where they may apply to what the author is lamenting about. These may overlap in the verses as well.

(Read Psalm 42 & 43).

(Deer Picture)

Fear Not:

The Psalmist is pointing to his troubles. concerns, and unknowns

Troubles

42.3 - Enemies say, “Where is your God?”

42.6 - I am depressed

42.7 - Everything is compounded

42.10 - My enemies taunt me

Unknowns

42.2 - When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?

42.5, 11; 43.5 - Why are you depressed?

42.5, 11; 43.5 - Why are you upset?

42.9 - Why do you ignore me?

43.2 - Why do you reject me?

43.2 - Why must I walk around mourning?

He is directing his path to focusing on God and His truth, instead of wordly answers

42.4 - I will remember

42.6 - I will pray to you while I am trapped

42.9 - I will pray to God, my high ridge

42.5 & 11; 43.5 - I will give thanks

43.3 - Reveal Your light and your faithfulness

Hope in God:

42.5, 11; 43.5 - Wait (Hope) for Go

42.1 - I long for God

42.2 - I thirst for God

42.8 - The Lord decrees His loyal love

43.1 - Vindicate Me, Fight for Me, Deliver Me

43.2 - God Shelters

42.9 & 43.2 point to our cries to God. This is real, this is human honesty. Where is God in all this? Satan uses that question from our enemies and in our own minds to thwart us fro, the truth. A couple weeks ago I spoke on the Holy Spirit. He was given by God to His people on the Day of Pentecost and going forward all Christians would receive the gift of the Spirit. Because, He is with us always.

Jesus is Coming:

42.5, 11; 43.5 - Give thanks to God for His saving intervention.

That is the saving acts of God. The psalmist, three times knew that he was to hope in God because He would save him. God keeps His promises to save His people.

Malachi 4

1 Corinthians 15.23-24

Matthew 24.29-31

During these strange and uncertain times please remember your number #1 Father. He will guide and give you hope during this life. His promises remain true and He will return.

Please read this week Psalm 42 & 43, All of Malachi, 1 Corinthians 15, Matthew 24, and 1 Thessalonians 4.

What are you focusing on for hope in your life right now?