Distress and the Word of God (Part 4)

PROVOKED DISTRESS AND THE WORD OF GOD- Psalm 119:84-88

In Jeremiah 11:18-23 we learn of a plot by wicked and evil men. They wanted to kill Jeremiah, no doubt because he was faithfully preaching God’s Word and calling them out on their sin. Later on in his book, Jeremiah complains against God (Jer. 20:7-18), so much so that he regretted the day on which he had be born.

Jeremiah was under provoked distress from evil men and women. The distress was so severe, Jeremiah would cry out, “Cursed by the day when I was born; Let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me!”

How do you react when provoked distress comes? What is your response in the face of persecution? What do you do when others malign you, when they falsely accuse you?

You see, we have examined Personal Distress for the last three Wednesdays. In each sermon, we examined a particular aspect of distress. We began with holistic distress, that is, distress which affects the entirety of our being. Then we looked at mental distress and the ramifications that form of distress brings. Finally, we saw how physical distress can be detrimental, not only to physical health but also spiritual health.

This evening we are switching gears, following the lead of the psalmist who begins to discuss provoked distress. This refers to distress that comes from without, and most notably in the psalm from individuals.

This evening we will look at three points:

I. The psalmist looked to God for vengeance- Psalm 119:84, 86b

II. The psalmist distinguishes enemies with God’s Word- Psalm 119:85-86a

III. The psalmist displayed a sincere trust in God’s Word- Psalm 119:87-88

I believe that as we follow the example of the psalmist, adhering to God’s Word, we will learn how to glorify God and grow during times of provoked distress.

I. THE PSALMIST LOOKED TO GOD FOR VENGEANCE- Psalm 119:84, 86b

The initial response to provoked distress is retaliation, is it not? Thinking back to my childhood, whenever the boys would fight in the school yard or in the neighborhood, we only fought back when we were hit. We were taught to never throw the first punch, but once someone hit us we were able to defend ourselves.

However, the Scriptures teach us differently. Consider Romans 12:14-21. The Word of God teaches us to leave our defenses to God. This is wha the psalmist teaches us in these two verses. Rather than seeking his own vengeance, he turned his gaze to God.

I will be the first to admit that this is difficult, and might I say impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. There are people in Scripture who have responded this way, however.

Joseph responded this way in Genesis chapter 37. When his brothers sold him into slavery, he did not seek to destroy them. He was even given a perfect opportunity when he became the second in command of Egypt, yet he trusted God’s sovereign working in his life.

David also experienced incredible provoked distress, yet he also trusted God. In 1 Samuel 24:1-7 and 26:9-11, David had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul. David left Saul’s life in God’s hands.

More than these two (and there are plenty more), Christ exhibits this trait. The argument could be made, biblically speaking, that because Joseph and David were both sinners, they deserved any treatment they received because they were guilty. Jesus, in perfect contrast, righteously served God. He was without sin, and yet Jesus was persecuted over and over again. Consider 1 Peter 2:21-25. Christ “kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (v 23)

When you are facing provoked distress, look to God for vengeance! In both verse 84 and 86b we see this idea of persecution, of chasing down. So, what does the psalmist do? He looks to God for vengeance. But how? I see four ways that we can look to God.

Remember the spiritual way (Eph. 6:10-20; 1 John 3:13)

Remember the sovereign Lord (Psalm 135:6; Rom. 8:28)

Remember to keep talking to God (this psalm and many others)

Remember the example of Christ (Rom. 12:14-21 provides an excellent summary of the life of Christ)

So, the

I. The psalmist looked to God for vengeance- Psalm 119:84, 86b

II. The psalmist distinguishes enemies with God’s Word- Psalm 119:85-86a

II. THE PSALMIST DISTINGUISHES ENEMIES WITH GOD’S WORD- Psalm 119:85-86a

The psalmist refers to these individuals as arrogant based upon their rejection of God’s Word.

This is an important distinction, and one that we must constantly keep in our minds. As fallen, sinful human beings we are frequently guilty of calling someone our enemy who is not our enemy.

We think when someone cuts us off in traffic that they are our enemy. We believe when someone skips us in line they are our enemy. We believe that people who view the political realm differently they are our enemy. They root for a different team, they own a different car, the list could go on and on. We are naturally given to division.

But the psalmist makes something crystal clear: his enemies were his enemies because of his relationship to God. And this is something that we must maintain in our lives.

Unsaved people should not like us because we are devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and for no other reason. This is how he distinguished between his enemies. It was not on personal dislike.

I mentioned this earlier about these enemies, but they reject God’s Word. This sometimes a clear call. For example, atheists are not our friends. They deny the existence of God. It is clear in their case that they are no friend to Christianity.

However, there are times when this is not so clear. Consider the example of Judas. Here was a man who was with the Lord Jesus during his earthly ministry, and yet none of the disciples knew his heart.

That is why it is important to base our evaluations from the Word of God. So, how do we evaluate our enemies? Do we evaluate them on the basis of irritation? Do we think we have enemies because they disagree with us?

We must follow the example of the psalmist is distinguish our enemies on the basis of God’s Word. And remember the first point, we look to God for vengeance, we do not take it into our own hands.

So, we have seen

I. The psalmist looked to God for vengeance- Psalm 119:84, 86b

II. The psalmist distinguishes enemies with God’s Word- Psalm 119:85-86a

III. The psalmist displayed a sincere trust in God’s Word- Psalm 119:87-88

III. THE PSALMIST DISPLAYED A SINCERE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD- Psalm 119:87-88

Our last point is that the psalmist displayed a sincere trust in God’s Word. And in this display we see two important attitudes that every disciple of Jesus Christ must have.

It is like Black Friday shopping. You go into prepared. You have your advertisements, your store lay outs with all the items you want to buy, and the most effective route to hit all the sales that you want to before you leave the house. You are prepared for the madness.

Well, in a more glorious way the psalmist has prepared his heart for the onslaught of persecution that inevitably comes for the faithful.

A. The psalmist did not forsake God’s Word in spite of impending death

Both of these attitudes are lacking in Christianity in general, and I have to admit in my own life as well. The psalmist describes his near-death experience, but during that time he never failed to keep God’s Word.

After preaching a convicting message, Stephen was stoned by the Jewish leaders of his day. (Acts 7:54-60) Death did not prevent him from obeying the Word of God.

Many of our brothers and sisters all over the world are facing similar circumstances. Christians are being killed for their faith. I fear that we are not as far off from that in our country as I perhaps once thought.

Will you and I stay faithful to God’s Word in spite of impending death?

But there was another way the psalmist displayed a sincere trust in God’s Word, and that is he prayed for life to continue in order to follow God’s Word

B. The psalmist prayed for life to continue in order to follow God’s Word

On the basis of God’s covenantal love (i.e., lovingkindness) the psalmist prays that God would give Him life so that he could continue keeping God’s Word.

Isn’t this prayer completely opposite of how we normally pray? We find ourselves praying for a good job, not so that we may be able to serve God more faithfully, but so that we can have a nice bank account and retirement plan. We pray for health, not that we may serve Christ, but so that we can be free from pain and suffering. The psalmist’s life was structured around God’s Word, regardless of the provoked distress he faced.

Application

We have seen the following this evening:

I. The psalmist looked to God for vengeance- Psalm 119:84, 86b

II. The psalmist distinguishes enemies with God’s Word- Psalm 119:85-86a

III. The psalmist displayed a sincere trust in God’s Word- Psalm 119:87-88

Remember the spiritual war (Eph. 6:10-20; 1 John 3:13)

Remember the sovereign Lord (Psalm 135:6; Rom. 8:28)

Remember to keep talking to God (this psalm and many others)

Remember the example of Christ (Rom. 12:14-21 provides an excellent summary of the life of Christ)

In the midst of provoked distress, we must follow the example of the psalmist and remember the spiritual war, our sovereign Lord, to continue praying to God, and the example of Christ.