Sunday, August 14, 2016 Speaker: Doug Virgint Discouragement, Despair, Depression: A Cause, a Solution Psalm 73 Message 5 in our 8-part series called Songs for the Soul - Psalms in the Summer.

Psalm 73 Introduction The descent (1-15) The turning point (16) The ascent (17-26) Conclusion (27)

Psalm 73 Introduction The descent (1-15) The turning point (16) The ascent (17-26) Conclusion (27)

1) Introduction Psalm of Asaph David’s friend choir director (1 Ch 6.39) authored 12 psalms but he went through discouragement! What honesty on his part!

1) Introduction This psalm deals with 3 great subjects: discouragement (depression) envy the prosperity of the wicked Job deals with this subject – without giving an answer (who are we to question God?) – Psalm 37 deals with this subject – be patient and wait – God will finally correct the situation

1) Introduction The word “heart” occurs 6 times in this psalm: pure in heart ( 1) hearts overflow with follies ( 7) clean heart (13) embittered heart (21) heart may fail (26) God the strength of my heart (26)

1) Introduction The expression “for me” occurs 4 times in the Hebrew text of this psalm: as for me ( 2) I was (22) nevertheless (23) but for me (28)

Psalm 73 Introduction The descent (1-15) The turning point (16) The ascent (17-26) Conclusion (27)

2) The descent (2-16) envying the wicked (2,3) describing the wicked (4-12) the wrong conclusions (13,14) a wise decision (15)

A) Envying the wicked (2,3) he thinks about their prosperity he compares that to his own difficulties he becomes angry with God, who allows things to continue like that this is so often the root of our problem! “God is not treating us the way we think He should”

B) Describing the wicked (4-12) they have no problems they have perfect health they rejoice in their pride (necklace) they enjoy their popularity no room for God in their lives always escape consequences always getting richer

B) Describing the wicked (4-12) no worries about tomorrow my life is “today” “now” = always no respect for God and his commandments (Vs. 7) thoughts = images, idols (Vs. 8,9) they control others with their speech

B) Describing the wicked (4-12) The key word: “prosperity” (3) “shalom ”

B) Describing the wicked (4-12) Key word : “prosperity” (3) “SHALOM ” health, peace, well being tranquility, prosperity, perfection rest, harmony absence of conflict or discord The Messiah “The Prince of Peace” “SHALOM ” (Is 9.6) But these blessings are reserved for God’s people!

C) Wrong conclusions (13,14) why bother living a clean life? why bother serving God? not only have I not received what I desired, but my problems continue to multiply! my situation is worse because I want to do what is right.

D) A wise decision (15) while it is true that isolation and silence is not a solution… we must carefully choose the people with whom we share our discouragement. we could cause a lot of harm to sensitive and fragile people.

Psalm 73 Introduction The descent (1-15) The turning point (16) The ascent (17-26) Conclusion (27)

3) The turning point (17) He went into the Lord’s sanctuary Calvin – there where God’s law was preserved Others – there where the burnt offerings on the altar demonstrate the result of sin Probably – he saw things as God saw them! When we see things as God sees them, we see them as they truly are.

Psalm 73 Introduction The descent (1-15) The turning point (16) The ascent (17-26) Conclusion (27)

4) The ascent (18-27) a new understanding of the destiny of the wicked (18-20) a new understanding of himself (21,22) a new understanding of God’s presence (23,24) a new understanding of God’s blessing (« shalom ») on the just (25,26)

4) The ascent (18-27) Verses 24-26 are perhaps the deepest expression of a truly deep spiritual life in all of the Scriptures We should all learn them by heart!

4) The ascent (18-27) “Nevertheless, I am always with you, You hold my right hand;     You guide me with your counsel, And afterward you will receive me to glory.     Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.    My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Do we really believe what 4) The ascent (18-27) Our Lord’s example: Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14.1) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14.27) Do we really believe what the Lord has said here?

4) The ascent (18-27) Le us read Matthew 26: 37-45 Notice here: Our Lord himself experienced anguish and extreme sadness! But he did not yield! Notice how he resisted – and won!

4) The ascent (18-27) Our Lord : chose friends to accompany him opened himself up to them asked them to pray with him and for him prayed himself, intensively, to God his Father confided himself to the wisdom and the will of God

Psalm 73 Introduction The descent (1-15) The turning point (16) The ascent (17-26) Conclusion (27)

5) The conclusion (28) First section “them, their” Second section “I” Third section “you” Fourth section “you and I”

5) The conclusion (28) This psalm begins with God’s goodness… (v. 1) … and also ends with God’s goodness (v. 28)

He entered into God’s sanctuary 5) The conclusion (28) The solution for Asaph’s problem: life’s circumstances did not change people around him did not change he did not find a “magic” pill or solution He entered into God’s sanctuary

5) The conclusion (28) life starts to make sense when we speak with God our communion with God is our greatest privilege nothing is more important than that!

Discouragement, despair and depression A cause and a solution Psalm 73