Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Encourage Me Psalm 42-43 & Selected Human existence is accompanied by the basic fact that there will be problems in life The strain of striving to solve problems followed by continued defeat can result in the blues or depression

Encourage Me Psalm 42-43 & Selected to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; Hearten. to spur on; Stimulate. to give help or patronage; Foster.

The World’s Encouragement: I hope the fact that I am thinking about you will bring you comfort. I hope that the good memories you have of your loved one will comfort you now that they are gone I hope that time will help heal the hurt I have been through what you are going through, and I made it, so will you.

Encouragement’s Direction Encouragement must be toward the right direction and decisions or the consequences can be tragic Encouragement must assist in carrying out the right decisions

Biblical Encouragement Inspiring their courage to do what is right and follow after God Comforting them with hope in God; Stimulating them toward godliness Coming alongside to assist as needed towards those goals

Psalm 42 & 43 The Psalm occurs when David fled Jerusalem after Absalom’s rebellion Joy Lost - Psalm 42:1-4. David’s deep longing for God - vs. 1- 2 David’s despair in feeling separated from God - vs. 3-4

Chorus Psalm 42:5 David is honest about his condition, but seeks encouragement with hope in God

Joy Rethought Psalm 42:6-10 David acknowledges his despair as he remembers God from his place of refuge - vs. 6 David begins to turns his thoughts back to God as his hope for the future - vs. 7-8 David’s petitions God, his rock - vs. 9-10

Chorus Psalm 42:11 The reality of praising God becomes more apparent even while in despair

Joy Restored Psalm 43:1-4 David pleads for God to vindicate him though he does not understand his circumstances - vs. 1-2 David petitions God to restore him so that he worship & praise Him again - vs 3-4

Chorus Psalm 43:5 David will praise God because He is the help of his countenance and his God The cure for anxiety is to praise God, pray to Him, ponder what He says and practice godliness (Phil. 4)

Encouragement in the New Testament 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – this encouragement is firmly fixed in our hope in the return of Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – We comfort others with the comfort we have received from God ourselves.

Encouragement in the New Testament 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – The world’s comfort pales before the promise of Jesus’ return for all his people Proper encouragement is always based in God and our hope in Him

Practical Tips on Encouragement 1. Listen before you talk - Proverbs 18:2 & 13 2. Think before you answer or give advice - Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 15:1,2; Proverbs 28:23 3. Use God’s Word - Romans 15:4,5

Practical Tips on Encouragement 4. Keep the proper goals in mind – Rom. 5:3-8 Comforting encouragement must point to the source of hope which is Christ (Romans. 5:3-8) Inspiring encouragement must stimulate a person toward godliness (Romans 8:29b) Assisting encouragement must help towards godliness in action.

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ