Introduction:   When crisis presents itself how do you respond?  Tragedy completely tears apart your world. The day my brother died was an unexpected shock to the system; it caused pain and often anger.  To be completely honest I do not know what I would have done if it were not for my faith being rooted in God.  A tragedy of this magnitude has completely changed my family forever.  Later that evening I sat down to read my Bible, the first thing I read was Psalm 55.  I would like to share with you how God used that hymn of praise to sustain me.

(Open Bibles) Please allow me to give you all a little background information: this psalm was written by King David after he fled Jerusalem due to his wicked son, Absalom, rebelled in a bid for power. 

I. First David’s pain is evident, he places his grief in this tragedy before God and desires to flee (read 55:1-8).

Note Selah—a term strategically placed for us to pause and ponder what was previously said.

This is exactly how I felt: Andy’s death was so unexpected, I wanted to leave; to awake from this tragic dream and for God to show me his purpose.  It is important to note that prayer alone is not enough, an answer from God is requested; we see here David begging God to answer him and we know exactly how he feels.  The inward grief has no resting place.  This feeling of wanting to flee is natural; we all feel this desire in times of trouble.  It is how you act upon these feelings that matter.  In times of crisis we must yield to God’s grace to carry us through.

II. Second, not only is his pain evident, but David’s anger is felt (read 55:9-15).

I hit this stage a few days later, I did not know up from down and was allowing the little things in my life to get under my skin.  In what I just read, King David lashes out at his betrayer, his close and trusted friend.  In the same way I’m sure many of you have been angry at God or at Andy as to why this accident occurred.

To God: why didn’t you protect him one more time?

Or, toward Andy: why did you get so close to the fire?

A tender and confident trust has been shattered, your world  feels as if it’s being torn apart.  It is here, in these times of trouble that your true character is brought to the surface.

III. Which leads us to my third point, David places his confidence in God.

David’s only recourse was to turn to God.  In God is the only place where peace from the pain and anger can be found.  Through the crises in life I have learned that only God will fulfill my desire, and in turn glorify himself in my peace (read 55:16:23).

Note Selah—once again strategically placed for us to pause and ponder, this time overwhelmed by the presence of God.

Only in God is true peace found, only in God will our soul find rest.  It is here that our heart can find peace.  Once again I direct you to verse 22 and the phrase Thy burden: God asks for all to be placed on him.  He allows crises to enter our lives and then requires us to give it back to Him with full confidence that God’s divine plan far surpasses our own understanding.

Conclusion:

Andrew died so unexpectedly, pain and anger are natural; yet we must understand that God allows tragedy to occur.  The magnitude of this crisis is great, but our resolve must not shake our confidence that what God has done is good, so we can rightly exclaim It is well with my soul.

1 When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like the sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well with my soul.’

2 Tho’ Satan should buffet, tho’ trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

3 My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious tho’t!—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

4 And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
‘Even so,’ it is well with my soul.

Chorus It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.