Kindling a Fire in Times of Despair

We are apt to be cold

Psalm 42 (NKJV)

To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the Sons of Korah.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

While they continually say to me,

“Where is your God?”

When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go with the multitude;

I went with them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

For the help of His countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me;

Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,

And from the heights of Hermon,

From the Hill Mizar.

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me—

A prayer to the God of my life.

I will say to God my Rock,

“Why have You forgotten me?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

As with a breaking of my bones,

My enemies reproach me,

While they say to me all day long,

“Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.

THE WORLD IS A COLD COUNTRY FOR GRACIOUS MEN

BY REASON OF OUR INBRED SIN, WE ARE COLD SUBJECTS AND FAR TOO APT TO BE LUKEWARM OR FROZEN

COLD SEASONS COME-IT IS AS WELL VERY CONTAGIOUS. IT HAPPENS TO CHURCHES, TO MINISTERS, TO LEADERS

CHILLING INFLUENCES ARE NOW CREEPING EVERYWHERE.

DEPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF FELLOWSHIP (VERSE4)

it is a powerful weapon when used appropriately. Getting cold just happens as a result of abuse, betrayal

It is a gift that is designed for self preservation- This will lead you to inner search. Do I really need to do this. It also allows you to examine the impact of your coldness

It could be disastrous for a long haul- You become FROZEN, or dead.

Identify the source of coldness

The Psalmist here is overwhelmed with despair (my tears have been my food) This means a lot of crying to the point that you drink your own tears. Desperation has consumed him day and night.

He used to go to Fellowship- he remembers what he used to do. He used to be with a multitude of people going to the fellowship..to the temple. to worship corporately.

This is corporate worship. This is corporate gathering. You see a multitude expressing their thanksgiving to God.

Acts 2:42 (KJV 1900)

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.