In A Pickle

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Scripture

I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul.

~Psalm 31:7, NASB

Quote

Where you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

~Thomas Jefferson

 

 

This is a Psalm of David written during Absalom’s rebellion. David may have been one of the last to find out about coup d’état because he mentions the whispering that was going on around him. Everything seemed to be going against David, even his most trusted adviser Ahithopel had deserted David and joined ranks with Absalom. Even friends and neighbors didn’t want to be seen with him. Read David’s on testimony and let the words try to imagine how he felt…

I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

Note David’s anguish of soul:

  1. He felt shame…He was the object of scorn, the butt of the jokes.
  2. He felt alone…the elders, the people were backing Absalom.
  3. He felt forgotten…Out of mind.
  4. He felt useless…Like a piece of broken pottery.
  5. He felt paranoid… the whispering of many disturbed his mind.
  6. He felt terror…They were plotting to take David’s life.

Have you ever been in a pickle, a jam, a tight place? Did it make you feel alone, afraid, ashamed, forgotten, useless and paranoid? I agree with Joe David, we all need to read the Psalms everyday. The reason for this is that David experienced and recorded every emotion we feel. David wasn’t perfect but he was real and the songs and prayers he wrote have an unbelievable impact on our lives. I am absolutely amazed at how powerfully God used David. On any given day, there are millions reading and heeding the Psalms.

So what is the solution when we are in a pickle, a jam, a tight place?

  1. Make the LORD your REFUGE…In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in Your righteousness deliver me. [V.1]
  2. Commit your spirit to the LORD…Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. [v.5] Jesus added one word, “Father, into your hand I commit my spirit.” We do just as Jesus did, commit our spirit to the LORD.
  3. Put your Faith in the LORD…“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” [v.14]
  4. Bless the LORD…Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. [v.18]
  5. Love the LORD {Jesus}… Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. [v.23]
  6. Be Strong, take courage in the LORD. [v.24]
  7. Wait on the LORD…Trust His word and be patient. [v.24]

Old David was a pretty good theologian, wasn’t he!

  • Prayer Pause…Pause 10 seconds and say a prayer for Deidra and Soy Taylor {Missionaries to Guatemala} and Jessica Hogan {New Mexicon}.
  • Do the same for those traveling and out of the country…Keith McKay {India} and Eddie Turrentine {China}.
  • Remember our YOUTH LEADERS… Sylaina Hinkle and Noah Hogan. Appreciate them…send them a text or card.
  • THE GATHERING…tonight at 6:30

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