SF862 - WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE QUITING - 13 of 21 THE LYRICS OF LIFE (Psalm 13)

Psalm 13

Introduction

“David wrote this Psalm when he was exhausted and depressed.  This psalm was wrung out of the extremity of his soul.  He simply could not go on, not for another day, not for another hour, not for another minute.  (Phillips, Psalms Volume 1, 99)

“Most of us have been right there at some time or another.  It may be a long drawn out sickness or a financial problem of great severity or a long standing, difficult, tangled, seemingly hopeless.  It may be a wayward son or daughter, an alcoholic spouse, an unsaved loved one.  It may be a situation at work, a demanding, unreasonable boss; a jealous, spiteful co-worker.”  (Phillips)

We need to remember that our extremity is God’s opportunity.

Ø       Before God does something about our situation, He wants to do something about us.

Ø       We want Him to deal with our circumstances; He wants to develop our character.

Ø       We cry, “hurry up Lord,” He says it is your move.

What should you do when you feel like quitting?

Tell God how you feel.

Ask God for what you need.

Trust God to do what is best.

1A.      Tell God How You Feel  (13:1-2)

Four times David asks the question, “How long?” The trial through which he was passing had brought him into a state of dread and desperation.  David was getting a busy signal from God.

1B.       David felt that God had abandoned him.  (13:1)

He felt the Lord had forgotten him.

Job 13:24 (NKJV) 24Why do You hide Your face, And regard me as Your enemy?

He felt the Lord had forsaken him.

Mark 15:34 (NKJV) 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

2B.       David felt that God had rejected him.  (13:2)

His feelings had brought him low.  (13:2a)

Ø       David was down on himself.

Ø       David was defeated and discouraged.

His foes had brought him low.  (13:2b)

Ø       David could only see that his enemies seemed to be doing well.

Ø       David was disillusioned.

2A.      Ask God For What You Need  (13:3-4)

Agitation should lead us to supplication.  David uses the language of the covenant relationship: “Consider and hear me, O Lord my God” (13:3).  He is asking for two things:

1B.       A Fresh Revelation of God  (13:3a)

A fresh revelation is the result of earnest supplication.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6…  He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

A fresh revelation will result in a renewed dedication.  (Isaiah 6:1-8)

2B.       A Full Restoration to God  (13:3-4)

The story of Simon Peter’s restoration

Ø       Peter’s pride

Luke 22:33 (NKJV) 33But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

Ø       Peter’s fall

John 18:17, 25-27 (NKJV) 17Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”  He said, “I am not.”  25…they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”  He denied it and said, “I am not!”  26One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

Ø       Peter’s repentance

Matthew 26:75 (NKJV) 75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”  So he went out and wept bitterly.

Ø       Peter’s restoration  (John 21:15-17)

3A.      Trust God To Do What Is Best  (13:5-6)

David has come through tears to truth and trough truth to triumph.  David now can sing God’s praises because he abides in God’s presence.

1B.       You can sing because of the Lord’s Salvation  (13:5)

The Lord has saved you from penalty of your sin.  (Romans 6:23)

The Lord has saved you from the power of your sin.

John 8:34-36 (NKJV) 34Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

One day the Lord will save you from the presence of sin.

Revelation 22:3-4 (NKJV) 3And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.  4They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

2B.       You can sing because of the Lord’s sufficiency  (13:6)

David has gotten his eyes off his situation and his sorrow and onto his Savior.

We will sing when we see Him.

Application

What should you do when you want to quit?

Tell God how you feel.

Ask God for what you need.

Trust God to do what is best.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE QUITING
The Lyrics of Life – Part 13 of 21
Sunday, October 24,1999 - Psalm 13

1A.      Tell God How You ___________________  (13:1-2)

1B.       David felt that ______ had abandoned him.  (13:1)

He felt the Lord had _______________________ him.

Job 13:24 (NKJV) 24Why do You hide Your face, And regard me as Your enemy?

He felt the Lord had _______________________ him.

Mark 15:34 (NKJV) 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

2B.       David felt that God had ____________ him.  (13:2)

His ________________ had brought him low.  (13:2a)

His ________________ had brought him low.  (13:2b)

2A.      Ask God For What You _______________  (13:3-4)

1B.       A __________________ Revelation of God  (13:3a)

A fresh revelation is the result of earnest supplication.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6…  He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

A fresh revelation will result in a _________________ dedication.  (Isaiah 6:1-8)

2B.       A ________________ Restoration to God  (13:3-4)

Peter’s ___________  (Luke 22:33)

Peter’s ___________  (John 18:17, 25-27)

Peter’s repentance  (Matthew 26:75)

Peter’s restoration  (John 21:15-17)

3A.      Trust God To Do What Is _____________  (13:5-6)

1B.       You can sing because of the Lord’s _____________  (13:5)

The Lord has saved you from _________________ of your sin.  (Romans 6:23)

The Lord has saved you from the ______________ of your sin.

John 8:34-36 (NKJV) 34Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

One day the Lord will save you from the __________ of sin.

Revelation 22:3-4 (NKJV) 3And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

2B.       You can sing because of the Lord’s sufficiency  (13:6)