Psalm 102- The cry to God of a man afflicted by lonliness
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Some think that David penned this psalm at the time of Absalom's rebellion; others that Daniel, Nehemiah, or some other prophet, penned it for the use of Israel , when it was in captivity in Babylon
Starts sad but ends in hope from the Messiah!
Jesus our living hope!
Psalm 102:1-7 “1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me In the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: In the day when I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.”
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me In the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: In the day when I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
We could call this a sad song. A Psalm full of lament.
What is the cause of the writers problem? What could make them feel this way? What could cause all the issues in their life?
What could cause all that affliction? He was in a bad way. Life was ruined. What caused or contributed to this?
They are lamenting in the fact they’re alone.
The cause of this persons problems was loneliness
Not lonesomeness, not solitude but loneliness
Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive I. Loneliness Is a Common Fact
Solitude is good. We need some solitude. We need to get alone. You can be alone without being lonely.
Loneliness- Feeling alone when you don’t want to
It is feeling cut off. It is feeling unnoticed, unloved, uncared for, unneeded, and maybe even unnecessary
Loneliness is a big deal! If we do not learn to handle loneliness I’m afraid that loneliness will handle us!
at any given moment 1/3 of all people are lonely or rather feel that way
It’s an issue that sees no discrimination all people can suffer from it
rich, poor, high, low
presidents, professionals, prestigious people
It can even affect the popular. Lonely in a crowd?
Thoreau said, “A city is a place where hundreds of people are lonely together.”
Paul Tournier, the noted Swiss psychiatrist, said this: “Loneliness is the most devastating malady of this age.”
Today we are going to learn how God can remedy our loneliness
Psalm 102:6-7 “6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.”
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
They felt like a bird in the wilderness
small, vulnerable, insignificant, alone
Like an owl in the dessert
who gives a hoot?
Maybe thats you today of thats been you?
Nobody cares? Im too small?
Im just like that sparrow- all alone
Comforting fact: God knows about that sparrow
Matthew 10:29 “29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.”
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Loneliness’ consequences
Loneliness’ consequences
Loneliness is not a good thing! Look what God had to say about it.
Genesis 2:18 “18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
This loneliness had negative effects on the person
It had consumed their life!
Health problems
Psalm 102:4 “4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread.”
4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread.
Psalm 102:5 “5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.”
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
There are correlations between loneliness and heart attack, stroke, cancer, and early onset dementia
Emotional Pain
Psalm 102:4 “4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread.”
4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread.
Psalm 102:9 “9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,”
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,
Loneliness had ruined their emotional state
How often does that happen to us?
Loneliness- linked to anxiety, depression,
that lashing out? that bad response? that insecurity ?
Scriptural Premise
Genesis 2:18 “18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Paul in 2 Timothy 4 Didn’t want food or freedom he wanted fellowship!
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Loneliness’ causes
Loneliness’ causes
What we’re the causes of this Psalmist’s loneliness?
Believing lies from the Enemy
Psalm 102:8 “8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; And they that are mad against me are sworn against me.”
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; And they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
A cause of loneliness is we forget truth or believe lies.
We must beware of who we listen to
A trick of the enemy has always been “propaganda”
Their enemies had spat out a bunch of reproach against them
We must believe truth!
John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
God’s word over their word
Psalm 119:28 “28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.”
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
A trial
Psalm 102:10 “10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: For thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.”
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: For thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
God was doing something in their life and it had caused him to feel alone
Sometimes the trial and the feelings involved are just unavoidable but we can KNOW that God is working
James 1:2-4 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
1 Peter 1:7 “7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
They were in a trail, a time of trying, a test
just know the trials aren’t forever
A test is just preparation for a higher level
God often uses the times we feel alone in trials to build us
Moses in the desert
Jesus in the wilderness
Elijah at the Brook
Joseph in jail
Paul in Arabia
The disciples on the boat in the storm
Sorrow
Job 7:16 “16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: Let me alone; for my days are vanity.”
16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: Let me alone; for my days are vanity.
Sorrow had caused Job to wish to be alone.
Maybe sorrow has done the same to you
Loss and death
Losing someone dear to you
Forsaken of friends
Jesus warned us this might happen
Luke 21:16 “16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends...
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Pride
A pharisee too good to fellowship?
“Better than” others
Sin
Sin is antisocial
Amnon sent his friends away when he commited his sin
Saul hurt those around him because of his hearts condition
Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
That too applies to your relationships
Maybe some unaddressed sin is manifesting as loneliness?
Maybe an unaddressed heart issue
Regardless of the cause, loneliness is dangerous and must be defeated!
Loneliness’ cure
Loneliness’ cure
The Psalmist was lonely but knew where help was!
I want to get to the good part: Loneliness may be a defeated foe.
Let me tell you WHO the answer to loneliness is!
Not what but who!
HIS NAME IS JESUS!
(Well come back to that)
The Psalmist knew to pray
The Psalmist knew to pray
Psalm 102:1-2 “1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me In the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: In the day when I call answer me speedily.”
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me In the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: In the day when I call answer me speedily.
He ran to God in prayer!
We can to!
It’s encouraged!
1 Peter 5:7 “7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Run to the Father!
There is no problem that cannot be solved by prayer. There are no problems too big to solve, just people too small to solve them.
Whats impossible with men is possible with GOD!
The Psalmist was looking for Jesus!
The Psalmist was looking for Jesus!
Psalm 102:19-20 “19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;”
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;
Jesus read words like this about himself!
Luke 4:17-18 “17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Psalm 102:13 “13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: For the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”
13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: For the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
He most certainly arose!
Luke 1:68 “68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people,”
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Said of Jesus!
Philippians 2:5-7 “5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
He came down and showed mercy!
Jesus understands our loneliness
Jesus understands our loneliness
Isaiah 53:3 “3 He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
3 He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not.
John 1:11 “11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
He understood what it was like to be alone
Jesus died alone
Forsaken of friends, family, and even God him self
Matthew 27:46 “46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
He knows how we feel!
He knows how we feel!
Hebrews 4:15 “15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
It’s okay to be lonely. You haven’t sinned. Loneliness is not a sin. It may come out of your sin, but it may not. And it’s not a sin. Jesus was lonely.
He understands us!
Psalm 139:2 “2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.”
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
He has truly felt your pain, and he can empathize with you. Moreover, he can deliver you from sin and enable you to overcome your circumstances
Hebrews 2:17-18 “17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Jesus did not lose anything from being tempted—He only gained in glory and sympathy and ability to help His people.
Jesus meets the needs of our loneliness!
Hebrews 13:5 “5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with16such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Matthew 28:20 “20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
HE EVEN CALL US FRIENDS
John 15:15 “15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
He’s a real friend! Rejoice in that! He’s not going to abandon you!
Jesus allows for real fellowship!
Jesus allows for real fellowship!
1 John1 :3 “3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
The progression of faith: God accepts me; that’s grace. Then I accept God’s acceptance of me; that’s faith. Then I accept myself; that’s peace. Then I can accept you; that’s love. Then you are free to accept me; that’s fellowship.- Adrian Rogers
Because of Jesus we get fellowship with God & each-other!
1 Cor 1:9 “9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
He was comforted by God’s faithfulness !
He was comforted by God’s faithfulness !
Psalms 102:25-28 “25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.”
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.
The hope of the suffering psalmist was solidly grounded. The material world and the human order are transitory. But God the Creator is forever “the same”. His love and his purpose do not fail.
We can be comforted and take hope in the fact that God is unchanging (Immutable)
Hebrews 6:18-19“18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
There are “two immutable things” that give us assurance: God’s promises (for God cannot lie) and God’s oath (for God cannot change). The unchanging Word of God and the unchanging Person of God are all we need to assure us that we are saved and kept for eternity. We have a “hope” to anchor our souls, and this “hope” is Christ Himself!
The fact that God is true and unchanging offers us so much hope!
His promises are true, his word is true, his plans will come through!
The Psalmist knew this! Psalm 102:28 “28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.”
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.
He knew that God’s plans were not done despite the circumstances or feelings!
Conclusion- Loneliness may be inevitable but it’s not incurable. Thanks to this wonderful Psalm we have some very practical advice on how to over come the battle with loneliness. The solution is not a what or thing but a who! Jesus brings victory! He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He cares for you and what you’re going through. You can run to him, he actually encourages us to (1 Peter 5:7 “7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” )
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
You can trust him. He knows how you feel. You can know that he will accomplish what he set out to do. Seek him, trust him, believe him.
John 15:13 “13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
No matter how deep the loneliness may go just know YOU’VE got a friend!