(Psalm 5) Help me Lord! (v.2)

Help!

Everyone has or will find ourselves in a dark place where I feel like I am screaming at the top of my lungs - Help!

Your situation … is so out of your control you don’t know where to turn to, but you just know you need desperate and immediate help.

And where does someone find that help?

Whether you realize it or not,

your answer to that question speaks volumes about your faith.

Especially in that moment of desperation.

ILLUSTRATION:

I once was counseling a young lady who struggled with severe anxiety.

> She had grown up in a pastors home.

> In desperation, he sent her to an aunt and uncle’s house.

> She had turned to mental health workers who helped some, but she never really could get control of her anxiety.

-She now was a college student at the University of Wyoming … overwhelmed by anxiety.

She was overwhelmed by her fear of failing classes, finances, maintaining her job, … and literally every aspect of her life.

It was Physiologically effect her, as well as emotionally effecting her.

When we dug down, into the heart of the issue … What was the root of her struggle?

Though her situation seemed complicated and hopeless …

her most basic struggle was that she never truly believed God was her ultimate help.

And the greatest help she ever received … was sitting right front of her.

And she found relief from the fear, for the first time, when she begin to really come understand God as her helper.

Where you believe you find help from … speaks volumes about your faith.

I think sometimes we skip over, neglect, or assume, that as believers we look to God for help.

But so often … our fears drive us on an endless search for help.

- Our desperation causes us to swallow every gimmick imaginable … in hope that this one will cure me of my struggle.

- Our fear … causes us to miss the most important, and truest help we could ever find.

Why do we do that?

Because we are searching for something more than God.

In fact, I own a book titled - God is more than enough.

But the truest form of help - is The help that only God’s omnipotent, loving hand, could ever provide.

The Psalms as whole provide a resounding reminder of where true help comes from.

Psalm 5 in particular, a Psalm of David, reminds us that God is the one we should cry out to.

I challenge us with this -

We ought to look to God for help.

And this text gives us 4 works of God that should compel us to look to God for help.

Again, remember that college girl I told you about from the UW.

She struggled to truly see God as her help.

Begs the question,

Why should we look to God for help?

*************************************LETS PRAY************

The first work of God that should compel us -

1. God Hears our Prayers. (Psalm 5:1-3)

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Prayer, Perseverance in)

In 1982, Edmund Gravely died at the controls of his small plane while on the way to Statesboro, Georgia, with, his wife, Janice, still at the controls. Not a pilot herself, she kept the plane aloft for two hours. As the plane crossed the South Carolina/North Carolina border, she radioed for help: “Help, help, won’t someone help me? My pilot is unconscious.”

Authorities who picked up her distress signal were not able to reach her by radio during the flight because she kept changing channels.

We do that to God sometimes … we ask God for help .... but then turn the channel to some human intervention … because we don’t really believe God is hearing us.

Prayer is an interesting topic to talk about.

We all believe that God hears our prayers.

Yet, most of us would admit we don’t pray as much as we should.

In part, it is because we are looking for help somewhere else.

And in part, it is because we have lost a little bit of our zeal - that God hears our prayers.

The reason we don’t pray … is that we aren’t even sure God is listening.

I want you consider what this Psalm teaches us about God hearing our prayers?

David doesn’t mess around or beat around the bush.

He immediately goes to God for help.

Psalm 5:1–3 ESV

Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

In quick order he:

a. Cries for God’s Attention (Psalm 5:1)

First,

Our Psalmist asks God to consider his “groaning” in Psalm 5:1.

When we hear the word groaning we all get this mental picture of agony.

That deep, cry of pain.

This is the word used of someone in desperation.

ILLUSTRATION:

This is the person in desperate need for a job.

Or the parent pleading with a child - not to destroy their lives.

Or the Spouse who is trying to save their marriage.

This is a cry of deep pain.

David asks God to hear that pain.

Why does David believe God will hear his cry?

And immediately, he tells us - God is his king.

b. He Confesses God’s Kingship Over Him. (Psalm 5:2)

He says, “My king and my God”.

He confesses that God is the rightful ruler over him.

And thus,

c. He Confesses His Belief: God Hears His Prayer (Psalm 5:3)

Because God his king, he believes God is ruling over him, and ready to hear his prayers.

Sometimes, we look at David and marvel.

What it is like to be a man after God’s own heart?

And I would say … one of the reason’s David man after God’s own heart … is because he truly, and deeply believed in God.

What do you learn about David from your first line?

He prays … like he really believes God hears his prayers.

Do you believe God really hears your prayers?

Do you ask God for help like you really believe he hears you?

We should look to God for help because God hears our prayers.

The 2nd work of God that should compel us to look to God -

2. God Judges the Wicked. (Psalm 5:4-6, Psalm 5:9-10)

It is interesting … I have meet many people who doubt in God

because of wickedness in the World.

But I have never meet someone … who truly believed that wickedness doesn't exist.

The glories of human history … show history of -

Corruption

Lies

Barbarism

Murder

Rape

Enslavement

Torture

What does Human history teach us about humans?

That we are wicked people, with unclean lips, before a Holy God.

In Our Personal testimonies …

most of us can recall a teacher, a coach, a boss, a Sergeant

.... who was out to get us.

They sought ways to be cruel and hateful.

Why should we go to God for help?

Because God judges the wicked.

God is in the business of helping the oppress, by judging the wicked.

We see this in two parts in this Psalm.

Psalm 5:4–6 ESV

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. 5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. 6 You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

David confesses … that Wicked people have no standing before his King and God.

1. God is Holy (Psalm 5:4) - He will not allow evil to stand before him.

2. The wicked are guilty before God (Psalm 5:5) - They do not stand before the scrutiny of the Almighty.

3. Yahweh Judges the Wicked (Psalm 5:6) - Yahweh Destroys the wicked because he hates evil.

God judges the wicked.

God’s very character … who he is … does not allow for him to let evil stand.

He must judge the wicked.

And on account of their sin … David asks God to judge them.

Psalm 5:9–10 ESV

9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

> Many times as Christians,

we wonder why the wicked are allowed to be wicked.

> Unbelievers at times …

question the true reality of God … because wickedness is found in the world.

Let us be assured, they are not getting away with anything.

God is holy and there is a day,

in his all-wise timing,

when the wicked will be judged.

We should look to God for help because God helps the oppressed and Judges the wicked.

Third reason we should be compelled to look to God for help - because

3. God’s Love’s Us Unconditionally. (Psalm 5:7-8)

Psalm 5:7-8 reminds us of how a believer receives help, from a benevolent, loving King and God.

Psalm 5:7–8 ESV

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

According to this text -

We Stand in the Conduit of God’s abounding love.

Like a cup overflowing …

God loves us.

Even though we are not righteous on our own,

God through Christ shows his grace towards us.

He Leads us according to His paths.

What David is picturing … is that God answers his prayers not according to perfection …

but according to God’s abounding, steadfast love.

> The Word Love is the Hebrew word - Hesed … which most often speaks of God’s unconditional steadfast covenantal love.

And Psalm 5:2 and Psalm 5:7 play like wordplay …

giving us a description of God as generous, benevolent king, who abounds in his love for His Kingdom.

Why should you go to God for help?

Because God is a powerful, rich king.

Psalm 50:10–12 ESV

For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.

No one can compare to the riches of God,

because God owns all of creation.

God is a powerful, rich king.

He doesn’t have to

- raise taxes.

earn an income

invest

or worry about a bank account.

Because his riches are just as vast as every other part of his character.

But he is not just Rich!

Psalm 5:7-8 reminds us … that he is a benevolent rich king.

We live in the abounding love of God.

So instead of asking - why should you look to God for help,

Let me ask - Why wouldn’t you look to God for help?

He is a benevolent rich king who loves the people in his Kingdom.

The final work of God that should compel us look to him for help -

4. God Answers our Prayers (Psalm 5:11-12)

David begins Psalm 5 by declaring that God hears our prayers.

But hearing and answering are not the same.

ILLUSTRATION:

How many of us have written to our congressman … and never heard an answer back.

It is like it goes to an email that doesn’t exist.

I have written to my congressman a number of times with a concern I had

… and I have only heard back once.

We know God hears our prayers .... but how do we know God is going to answer our prayers.

David concludes his Psalm by declaring that God always blesses his people, and answers their cries for help.

Psalm 5:11–12 ESV

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

David promises that -

God protects his people.

God blesses His people.

And God shields his people

Why Should we look to God for help?

Because God answers prayer.

In this Psalm, David is like a lookout on a ship,

Who looks diligently expecting land to show up on the horizon any moment,

In the same way - David looks for God’s answer to prayer.

How often do we pray,

but have mixed doubt as to whether he will even answer.

Let us come boldly knowing that the all-wise God hears our prayers and answers our prayers.

We should look to God for help because God answers prayer.

CONCLUSION:

So back to our question - Why should we look to God for help?

ILLUSTRATION:

Perhaps this morning - your confession is that you are like that young UW student in counseled.

You know God is your helper, but you have never believed.

When you are desperate … don’t look for more gimmicks.

Say God is m helper … and that is enough.

God is my helper because -

1. God Hears My Prayers. (Psalm 5:1-3)

2. God Judges Those Who Seek to Do Harm Me (Psalm 5:4-6, Psalm 5:9-10)

3. God Love’s us Unconditionally. (Psalm 5:7-8)

4. God Answers our Prayers (Psalm 5:11-12)

These 4 works of God should compel us to look to God for help.

> God gave us the Scriptures … so we would look to him for help.

> He wrote in his word that God covers us with favor like a shield.

so that in your moment of need … you would look to God as your shield.

Your one sure protection.

I challenge us this morning.

When you need to scream for help

- LOOK TO GOD FOR HELP.