God’s Cure for Loneliness

God’s Cure for Loneliness

Psalm 142

Introduction:

Look at 1 Samuel 17-19 – a recount of David’s triumphs and subsequent struggles with Saul, king of Israel. Because of jealousy – Saul seeks to kill David. Throughout 1 Sam. 20-21 – David goes into hiding. He is alone; hungry; and can trust no one. No sanctuary anywhere for him. 22:1 – escapes to the cave at Adullam. Some have said it is from here that David pens Psalm 142. Psa. 142 is a cry of loneliness from David. He is completely overwhelmed. It = a beautiful presentation of the cycle of discouragement everyone goes through at some point in life.

I. In Psalm 142 David gives a detailed description of his loneliness.

A. 142:3 – David says he is overwhelmed. His spirit is muffled within him.

B. 142:4 – he had been deserted.

C. 142:6-7a – David says his feelings of disorientation & desertion have resulted in depression.

D. 142:6b – David says he is defeated. Is there any hope for the future?

II. 142:1-2 – David teaches us that it is OK to tell God how we feel.

A. Done through prayer. Note – how he verbalizes his emotions:

B. It is good to verbalize our emotions.

1. Too often we withdraw from interaction w/God.

2. When we withdraw – we head down a dark road of loneliness & despair.

C. In verbalizing his emotions – David shows his great dependence on God!

III. 142:3-4 - David visualizes his emotions.

A. This teaches us it is OK to visualize our problem so long as we keep it in perspective.

B. E.G., Num. 13:25-26 – 12 spies report on what they find in Israel.

1. 13:27-29; 31-33 – note the picture they paint.

2. 14:7-10 – Joshua/Caleb’s faithful report. Difference: these men included God!

C. Back to David. Does he include God? 142:5, 7

IV. 142:3-4 – David recognizes God already knows what David is telling Him.

A. He has confidence in the personal insight of God.

B. We can take comfort in the fact that God is already aware of our problems before we even approach Him & that He understands.

1. Mt. 6:26-30; 34; 1 John 5:14-15

V. 142:5, 7 – David realizes God’s provision.

A. When he sees God’s strength – his problem begins to fade away.

B. 142:5 – God was David’s refuge. Heb. 13:5-6

C. Someone has said, Friend, there’s no living in the land of the living like living on the living God!

D. 142:7 – David had unbounded trust in God’s goodness.

Conclusion:

A. Friend, there’s no living in the land of the living like living on the living God!

B. Are you living on God? Are you living the kind of life in which you can have a relationship w/Him? W/o this relationship – you really are alone & w/o hope!



God’s Cure for Loneliness *Psalm 142* Introduction: Look at 1 Samuel 17-19 – a recount of David’s triumphs and subsequent struggles with Saul, king of Israel. Because of jealousy – Saul seeks to kill David. Throughout 1 Sam. 20-21 – David goes into hiding. He is alone; hungry; and can trust no one. No sanctuary anywhere for him. 22:1 – escapes to the cave at Adullam. Some have said it is from here that David pens Psalm 142. Psa. 142 is a cry of loneliness from David. He is completely overwhelmed. It = a beautiful presentation of the cycle of discouragement everyone goes through at some point in life. I. In Psalm 142 David gives a detailed description of his loneliness. A. 142:3 – David says he is overwhelmed. His spirit is muffled within him. B. 142:4 – he had been deserted. C. 142:6-7a – David says his feelings of disorientation & desertion have resulted in depression. D. 142:6b – David says he is defeated. Is there any hope for the future? II. 142:1-2 – David teaches us that it is OK to tell God how we feel. A. Done through prayer. Note – how he verbalizes his emotions: B. It is good to verbalize our emotions. 1. Too often we withdraw from interaction w/God. 2. When we withdraw – we head down a dark road of loneliness & despair. C. In verbalizing his emotions – David shows his great dependence on God! III. 142:3-4 - David visualizes his emotions. A. This teaches us it is OK to visualize our problem so long as we keep it in perspective. B. E.G., Num. 13:25-26 – 12 spies report on what they find in Israel. 1. 13:27-29; 31-33 – note the picture they paint. 2. 14:7-10 – Joshua/Caleb’s faithful report. Difference: these men included God! C. Back to David. Does he include God? 142:5, 7 IV. 142:3-4 – David recognizes God already knows what David is telling Him. A. He has confidence in the personal insight of God. B. We can take comfort in the fact that God is already aware of our problems before we even approach Him & that He understands. 1. Mt. 6:26-30; 34; 1 John 5:14-15 V. 142:5, 7 – David realizes God’s provision. A. When he sees God’s strength – his problem begins to fade away. B. 142:5 – God was David’s refuge. Heb. 13:5-6 C. Someone has said, Friend, there’s no living in the land of the living like living on the living God! D. 142:7 – David had unbounded trust in God’s goodness. Conclusion: A. Friend, there’s no living in the land of the living like living on the living God! B. Are you living on God? Are you living the kind of life in which you can have a relationship w/Him? W/o this relationship – you really are alone & w/o hope!