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The True Faith Max A Forsythe Christ
Covenant
REFORMED
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I NEED YOUR SPIRIT
Psalm 143: 1-12
Our psalm today is the last of what was called the seven penitential psalms. Spurgeon notes that this distinction is more traditional than actual. Yet, he includes in his notes from bygone saints the opinion of J.W. Burgon who reports that in an older church liturgy this psalm was noted as useful for repentance from the last of the seven deadly sins: indifference or carelessness. Derek Kidner entitles his comments with the words that I have chosen for our meditation today: "My Spirit fails". While we may not make the tradition of seven deadly sins a matter of orthodox teaching, we may at least appreciate David's affirmation of personal spiritual failure. And like David we may learn to seek the leading of God's Holy Spirit to give direction and purpose of our work and witness in this present life.
To that end let us consider these inspired words of David the King. We may divide this psalm into two parts as David does with the pause called for at the end of verse six. Again and again throughout the Psalter we see David's very human situation of being dispirited in the process of living amongst the worldly. Now we know that every thing that happens to God's elect saints may be turned for their eternal benefit. In the last ten years as I have worked to bring together the Lord's people it has been a constant source of concern and awe of how God disciplines his people to make them usable for His service. Certainly we ought to know that if we earnestly desire to be of real service to our Lord, then Satan will turn his attention in our direction to test our faithfulness!
On more than one occassion I have talked with people who are prayerfully considering the starting of a new congregation in their area. They have already had some experiences in this matter before and are reluctant to make themselves spiritual targets again. Some of you know full well the challenges of which I am speaking. So the worldly pressures of David's situation here should be well known. If you are presently under the gun and feeling a heavy spiritual load, perhaps David's experience here can help you appreciate the conclusion that David was forced to confront. Even in extremity David does what we so regularly fail to do, he comes to the Lord in prayer. "O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy."
In the second half of verse one David affirms God's faithfulness and righteousness as he petitions Him for relief. In verse two he confesses his sinfulness as he prays that the present circumstance might be more of Satan's attack than judgment for personal sin. Here we see that as we suffer trials and tribulations we should regularly ask if the trouble is well deserved and if the purpose is to bring us to repentance. Sometimes this is indeed the case and until we repent and change, the Lord's discipline will continue and may grow in intensity!
In David's situation he is being pursued, bodily he feels crushed. Perhaps he is even afraid of lighting a campfire? If you have ever camped out you may well know the comfort of a fire. Consider David's situation, he is not living, he feels like one far from civilization, far from home and almost like the dead. "Therefore" as an older version translates "so", "my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed." David bottoms out and realizes his utter spiritual bankruptcy.
He then remembers what he has learned and experienced from the hand of the Lord. He evaluates his life situation and because of His prior positive experiences with the God of heaven, He asks for more of God's presence in His life. He holds out his hands in prayer as he looks up and compares himself to a dry parched land. Have you realized that the rains of the last few weeks have not yet balanced the water shortage of Central Ohio for the last few years? Would you wish that God's spiritual blessings on the spiritual desert of our area would be relieved in a like manner to His handling of the parched Ohio lands?
And so we come to the end of our first portion of Psalm 143. David pauses and asks us to consider our like need for the spiritual blessing from our Father in heaven. In verse seven David urges God to quickly answer his need. "Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit." Do you ever have doubts about your relationship to God? Have you lost your assurance and desperately needed some affirmation of God's immediate presence? With his heart poured out, we can almost see David turn to sleep, hoping for a morning answer to his prayer. In his continuing escapades from Saul and the Philistines David literally seeks for a way of escape. "Show me the way I should go".
Have you ever asked such directions from the Lord in the midst of troubles? Have you ever hoped for the leading of God's Spirit? Well may we ask, as David did, since we too belong to the Lord even as he did. "Show me the way I should go". Rescue me, teach me, lead me "for your name's sake". In these words in verses nine and ten we see David's complete surrender to the will of God. In essence David is praying "Lord use me for your purpose, direct me to accomplish your will." Even as Jesus Christ accomplished completely the will of the Father, so ought God's elect make themselves available to serve our King. Then we may be certain that within God's providence we shall be safe at long last in God's presence. Our enemies may indeed be God's enemies whom we may leave to His eternal disposition.
The challenge of this psalm for each of us is this: Have you yet come to the conclusion that your handling of your life, your resources and your spiritual needs is not adequate? Have you realized as David did the utter bankruptcy of our human condition and our need like David to be led by the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit lead us to the same level ground where David dwelt. Amen.
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RESOURCES USED |
PLACES PREACHED |
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Alexander, Joseph
A. |
Christ Covenant
Reformed (PCA) |
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Kidner,
Derek.. |
Christ Covenant
Reformed (PCA) |
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Spurgeon,
C.H. |
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psm143a.htm |
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