Sermon Tone Analysis

This is the oldest psalm in The Psalms, and it was written by Moses, the man of God (Josh.

14:6; Ezra 3:2).

It deals with themes that began with the fall of our first parents and will continue to be important and puzzling until the return of our Savior: eternal God and frail humans, a holy God and sinful man, life and death, and the meaning of life in a confused and difficult world.

It’s possible that Moses wrote this psalm after Israel’s failure of faith at Kadesh Barnea (Num.

13—14), when the nation was condemned to journey in the wilderness for forty years until the older generation died.

That tragedy was followed by the death of Moses’ sister Miriam (Num.

20:1), and his brother, Aaron (Num.

20:22–29).

And between those two deaths, Moses disobeyed the Lord and struck the rock (Num.

20:2–13).

How did Moses manage to become a “man of God” after forty years in pagan Egypt that ended in failure, forty years in Midian as a humble shepherd, and forty more leading a funeral march through the wilderness?

Life was not easy for Moses, but he triumphed, and in this psalm he shared his insights so that we, too, might have strength for the journey and end well.

I see this chapter as Moses in repentance Speaking the Truth about three key things.

You see, often in this life, we have to cast off the lie and speak the truth.

Especially in the area of repentance!

I. Speak the Truth about God

1-6

Often times in this life we need to reset our thinking about God.

Specifically Moses mentions...

A. He Is Our Dwelling Place

v1

Charles Spurgeon beautifully expressed this idea:

To the saints the Lord Jehovah, the self existent God stands instead of mansion and rooftree; he shelters, comforts, protects, preserves, and cherishes all his own.

Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the saints dwell in their God, and have always done so in all ages.

Not in the tabernacle or the temple do we dwell, but in God himself; and this we have always done since there was a church in the world.

We have not shifted our abode.

Kings’ palaces have vanished beneath the crumbling hand of time—they have been burned with fire and buried beneath mountains of ruins, but the imperial race of heaven has never lost its regal habitation … Where dwelt our fathers a hundred generations since, there dwell we still.

B. He Created All Things

vs 2

God is powerful enough to create all things, He is able to protect and guide us.

And as we will see He is powerful enough to know all things, in His power...

C.

He Calls Us to Repentance

vs 3

As our father he created us, and as a father He Calls us to repent.

D. He Is Eternal

4-6

No matter how long we have lived, God is eternal.

If we could live for 1,000 years it would be only like one day to God.

Even like a watch in the night (4 hours)

v 5 the days and years are carried away like a flood,

disappear like sleep.

Here and then gone, like the grass

God is eternal but our life is very brief!

Which leads us to...

II.

Speak the Truth about Our Sin

7-12

A. Sin Will Be Disciplined

7

Sin is an affront to a Holy God.

Sin inflames God’s anger

Consumed - Sin brings death

There is no peace in Sin - God’s wrath troubles (disturbs, terrifies) us.

B. Sin Will Be Revealed

8

God reveals our sin to us

We will not get away with sin.

Even the things done in secret are brought to the light.

C. Sin Brings a Wasted Life

9-10

Life is short

Death is sure.

Sin the cause,

Christ the cure.

(Author Unknown)

D. Sin Can Be Avoided

1. Fear God

11

2. Focus on the Today

12

Make the most of each day!

Grasping the brevity of life will stir us to live wisely each day!

Do what you know is right, while you can.

3. Ask for Wisdom

III.

Speak the Truth about God’s Mercy

13-17

A. Pray for Mercy

13-14

Return - Moses felt as though he had been silent.

Repent - to be sorry , or pity - Doesn’t mean God had sinned, Moses just wanted God to change His mind.

Satisfy - fill, give plenty

So that joy may return to their hearts.

B. Pray for Gladness

15

Make Glad - Rejoice

Cause us to rejoice!

To the same level you afflicted us, may we have that much joy.

Even to the number of years we have seen evil.

C. Pray for Restoration

16-17

1. Restore God’s Works

We saw your work we crossed the Red Sea

We saw your work as we have travelled throughout this wilderness.

Help me see it again!

2. Restore God’s Glory

Glory - Majesty, honor, beauty - help us see your glory once again.

Help us glorify you through our choices and actions.

3. Restore God’s Favor

beauty - favour

Let the God’s favor be upon us again!

4. Restore God’s Control

Help us do the work you would have us do

Reworded again - for emphasis

guide our hands, be controlled by God, rather than our flesh.

Conclusion

This passage teaches us a glorious truth:

Failure is not final with God!

When we fail due to disobedience and unbelief, we can be restored.

We can be joyful and productive again in the work of the Lord.