The Cry from a Storm-Filled Heart

About this sermon

Introduction: The 43rd Psalm serves like a follow up, an epilogue to Psalm 42. The internal evidence suggests that they are meant to be read together. In some ancient manuscripts, the two Psalms are one. There is no superscription above Psalm 43 (every other Psalm in book II (42-72) of the Psalms has a superscription, except for Psalm 71), and the refrain found in Psalm 42:5 and 11 is repeated at the end of this Psalm (vs.5). Two Psalms devoted to the same general distress is a good reminder that some stresses are ongoing. Not every situation that causes us grief or fear is quickly alleviated. Our God allows us to face situations that require us to think rightly in an enduring way. We pour out our hearts to God, not for a moment, but for a season — sometimes a very long season. The fact that the historical situation that was the prompting for these two Psalms is left unspecified, is a reminder that what is poured out in this Psalm could apply to a whole host of situations. There’s a reason that these two Psalms are among the most popular in the Psalms. Many believers have found their heart condition in Psalm 42 and 43, even when what they were facing was very different from the circumstances of the Psalmist. In terms of what those circumstances appear to be, one commentator writes this: Willem A. VanGemeren – “Even though the life situation remains controversial, it is evident that the psalmist was isolated from worship at the temple. He may have been a refugee, but it is more likely that he had been exiled to Aram, Assyria, or Babylon and was in the hands of taunting captors (42:3, 10).” Psalm 43 follows the same patterned structure as Psalm 42. The two Psalms are constructed in a way that there is an alternation between lament and hope, a sense of rejection and a longing for restoration. In Psalm 42 you sense more emphasis on introspection. In Psalm 43 there is more emphasis on invocation. And as we look at the 43rd Psalm, I want us to remember what all our trials really put to the test. Trials come in many different forms. There are trials we face in moments of crisis. There are trials we face in moments of relative peace. BUT WHAT IS ALWAYS MOST ON TRIAL, IS YOU. ESV James 1:2 aCount it all joy, my brothers,1 when you meet trials bof various kinds, 3 for you know that athe testing of your faith bproduces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be aperfect and complete, lacking in nothing. WE ARE ON TRIAL. WHAT WE BELIEVE IS BEING TESTED. WHAT WE MOST DESIRE IS BEING TESTED. This is the Psalm of a godly person. The assumption, as we think about practicing what we see in this Psalm, is genuine godliness. We assume a genuine faith. We assume a genuine love for God and desire to please God. We assume the capacity to practice these things. WHAT WE FIND HERE IS THE CRY OF A STORM-FILLED HEART THAT HAS THE CAPACITY, IN GOD, TO EXPERIENCE HOPE. THE CAPACITY TO BE ENCOURAGED IN GOD AND TO KNOW HIS PEACE. What do we see here? THE BELIEVER’S CRY TO GOD (vs.1-3) The first thing that we see, is a man pouring out His heart to God. He cries out to God and notice what he’s asking for. A CRY FOR DEFENSE (vs.1) It’s a cry for defense. Why does he need vindication? What he’s asking for, is for God to be both his judge and his defense attorney. He asks God to act as His judge, and therefore, strive for him against an ungodly people. This is not a claim to perfection. No godly person, who pleads with God regarding integrity, and vindication, is making a claim to be guiltless. This IS a claim concerning mistreatment. This IS a claim to a kind of relationship with God, and a relationship to what is right, that his attackers do not share. There IS a difference between imperfection and ungodliness. Godly people sin. But godly people confess their sins, and repent of their sins, and strive against their sins. HIS ATTACKERS ARE UNGODLY PEOPLE HIS ATTACKERS ARE DECEITFUL PEOPLE HIS ATTACKERS HAVE NO CONCERN ABOUT WHAT IS JUST

Topics

• Suffering & Trials
• Strength in Hard Times