National Lament Lament of an individual

The Good man is not exempt from life’s troubles !God provides a way to lead us out of our troubles

Cry Out To God - Psalms 77:1-3

1. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

3. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.” Selah.

Cry Out To God - Psalms 77:1-3

David Vocalizes his agonyWhen distressed, pray

He kept asking because he needed an answerBrokenhearted, feels crushed.

Ps. 20:1-3 The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;2. Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;3. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

Cry Out To God - Psalms 77:1-3

Deep in despair and depressionThought God had hidden his face from himDid not feel God’s goodness like in pastSpirit is ready to faint

Job 29:1-3 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,2. Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;3. When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;

Remember Past Blessings - Psalms 77:4-6

4. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

5. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

6. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Remember Past Blessings - Psalms 77:4-6

David tossed and turned all nightWhen looking through dark glasses, he saw only the bad.Maybe his troubles were due to past sin.

Ps. 38:3-5 “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.”

Remember Past Blessings - Psalms 77:4-6

He needed to remember the “song in the night”

Ps. 42:8 “Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

Isa. 30:29 “Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.”

Focus Your Thoughts - Psalms 77:7-12

7. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

8. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?

9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.”

Focus Your Thoughts - Psalms 77:7-12

Allow yourself to ask difficult questions.

Ask God to help you understand.

In difficult times, this is normal.

You are not the only one who has ever questioned God or had doubts about your faith !

Focus Your Thoughts - Psalms 77:7-12

10. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

11. ¶ I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

12. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”

Focus Your Thoughts - Psalms 77:7-12

Commit to changing your thoughtsPhil. 4:6-8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Focus on God’s wonders and mighty deedsPs. 105:5 “Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;”

Trust In God- Psalms 77:13-20

13. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God ?

14. Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

15. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

16. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

Trust In God- Psalms 77:13-20

Jehovah is not one god among many

But He is the God, the one and only God

He is the Great I Am

He is the creator and sustainer of the Universe.

Trust In God- Psalms 77:13-20

17. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

18. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

19. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

20. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

Trust In God- Psalms 77:13-20

Refers to the parting of the Red Sea.

The people were in slavery but God led them away and delivered them through the waters.

God cares for each of us individually.

God’s way is the best way.

“His way is holy, so obey Him. His way is hidden, so trust him.”

We can feel overwhelmed at times. Feel there is not a solution

We need to:

Cry out to God

Remember the good from our past

Focus our thoughts on the power of God

Trust in God and His promises

19. Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.20. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.21. ¶ This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.22. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.24. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

arthurpigman@bellsouth.netarthurpigman@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening February 17, 2013