Overcoming Discouragement, Despair, and Depression: Insights from Psalm 73

Sunday, August 14, 2016 Speaker: Doug Virgint Discouragement, Despair, Depression: A Cause, a SolutionPsalm 73Message 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 waywe 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 arereserved 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.

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.

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.”

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

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)

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 depressionA cause and a solution Psalm 73

Overcoming Discouragement, Despair, and Depression: Insights from Psalm 73