July 05, 2023

Dealing with Discouragement #

Psalm 39:1-2

Introduction

When it rains, it pours is the old saying. Last week, we noticed the Psalmist having a Pity party, lamenting his personal problems. This Psalm Deals with Discouragement. Everyone faces discouragement in their life. It is not something uncommon, and some deal with discouragement more than others.

Discouragement is often the results of unfulfilled expectations. You are expecting something to happen, and when it does not happen, you become sad, sullen, and often discouraged from the results that were not as you expected.

Sometimes we pray, and expect God to do great things… and He doesn’t do what we expected, or answer in the way that we thought he would. We then become discouraged, frustrated in life. That seems to be what this Psalm is dealing with.

I. Silence (1-2) #

A. Desire (1) #

1. Words that discourage – Seeing we are sinful creatures, it is easy to speak words that are incorrect. It is easy to say express thoughts and frustrations which we should not. #

James 3:1-3

2. Words that destroy – Sometimes the words we speak, can be destructive. The Psalmist, didn’t want to hurt other believers with his frustration. - We should be careful not to allow our frustrations to hurt other believers. #

B. Discipline (2) #

dumb – simply means, unable to speak.

1. Withhold – James says that if you don’t offend in word, you are a perfect man. (None of us are!) WE have offended in word. Sometimes it is tough to keep your mouth shut. #

2. Woe - “even from good” – in his discipline, he went into the ditch on the other side, and didn’t speak up for good. #

II. Sorrow (3-6) #

A. Feelings (3) #

B. Frustration (emotional outbreak). (3c-4) #

1. Venting to God (4) #

2. Frailness #

3. Finalize my life “make me to know mine end” #

C. Futility of Life (5-6) #

1. Brevity of Life (5) #

2. Best time of life (5) – vain–most focus on things #

3. Belongings (6) #

III. Submission (7-13) #

A. Futility of Earthly possessions (7) #

B. Freedom from worldly mindset (8) #

C. Faith (9) #

1. Waiting on God! “I was dumb” (unable to speak) #

2. Watching for God’s moving “because thou didst it.” #

D. Focus (10-11) #

1. Attention (10) - #

2. Correction (11) “When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity” #

E. Fix (12-13) #

1. Direction (12) “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry” #

2. Petition (13) “O spare me, that I may recover strength” #

• Recover, before the end! Ask God to sustain you!