Approaching God In A Time Of Crisis – Notes/Study Sheet

(Psalm 102:1-12)

 

Introduction:

   * Prov. 25:11: “I know how you feel” are important words from those who have endured what we’re going through.

   * Psalm 102: “A prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before

      Jehovah.”  This prayer occurs in midst of tragedy and is directed toward God.

   * Anatomy of a lament:

      1)                               2)                                3)                                4)                                 5)

  

1. The writer’s prayer was one of distress (v. 1-2).

   * He knew __________________________ could help, but he wanted help ____________________________.

   * II Peter 3:4 –

 

2. The Psalmist lays out his case before God.

   * He’s going through a mental, physical, social, and spiritual crisis.

   * “For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth” – v. 3. Life’s trials strain us mentally.

 

 

   * “My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread” – v. 4. Psalmist cut down like

      grass. So distressed that he forgot to eat.

 

 

   * “By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin” – v. 5. He was anguished, felt as  “skin and bones.”

 

 

   * “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert” – v. 6. Lonely and depressed, unlike the eagle.

 

 

   * “Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me” – v. 8. His enemies

       reproached and tormented him.

 

            - Jn. 9:1-2 –

 

   *  “For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping” – v. 9. Ashes a token of mourning and he had

        more than his share.

 

 

   * Thought his condition was a result of divine wrath (v. 10). Not all suffering is result of personal sin (Jn. 9:1-3).

   * Saw life’s end approaching (v. 11).

 

3. What gave him hope:

   * God is above time (v. 12) –

 

   * Is a Being of mercy (v. 13) –

 

   * Vs. 14- 16 –

 

   * Vs. 17, 19, 20 –

 

   * When God gives us help, men will __________________ and ___________________ him (vs. 21-22).

   * Psalmist wanted his days to continue (vs. 23-24).

   * God is eternal (vs. 26-27) and will care for His children (28). Christ would bless all nations (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:26-29).

   * VICTORY is the word for God’s faithful! (Rev. 17:14).

 

                                                                                                                                    R.W. McAlister 11/30/08 p.m.