Seeing Jesus in Psalm 43

Heart, I’m talking to you! Why do you expect it to be easy? Psalm 43 (possibly originally part of Psalm 42) repeats the same chorus with the same formula. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? There is a famous verse in the Bible. Maybe you know it just from the reference: John 11:35, does it ring a bell? It is not only very famous because it is possibly the shortest verse in the Bible but maybe it should be the most famous verse because it teaches us one of the most important lessons in the Bible. Sorrow is not sin. By the way, it's worth memorising this short verse from Jesus' best friend, John’s gospel. John 11:35 Jesus wept. Let me say it again, sorrow is not sin.

“He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” -”... it was our sorrows that weighed him down.” Isaiah 53:3-4 (excerpted)

“ He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38

Sorrow is not sin.

MAIN POINT: Problems (sorrows, enemies, difficulties, oppression, discouragement) focus our attention on God.

We go to God for justice and validation. (v.1)

We go to God for rescue from evil people. (v.1)

We go to God for safety. (haven v.2)

We go to God with our accusations and confusions. (Why must I v.2)

We go to God with our need for direction. (guide me v.3)

We go to God with our desire for belonging and connection. (where you live v.3)

We go to God with our sacrifice. (altar v.4) (I’d like to explore the reference to altar instead of ark)

We go to God with our joy. (v.4)

We go to God with our praise. (v.4)

We go to God with our discouragements. (discouraged and sad v.5)

We go to God with our hope. (v.5)

We go to God with our adoration (praise v.5).

We go to God with our need for saving. (Savior v.5)

We go to God with our identity. (my God v.5)

We need to be dependent on God. He is the source of life, light, health, hope, happiness (joy), meaning, belonging, …. ! Even our sorrows and confusions are welcome tools to give glory to God.

Please don’t imagine it to be otherwise, that is a lie. This side of the grave and this side of the heavenly shore we need all God’s means and methods to keep us dependent on him. Jesus didn’t live without sorrow, David didn’t live without sorrow, Joseph didn’t live without sorrow, Moses didn’t live without sorrow, Abraham didn’t live without sorrow, Paul didn’t live without sorrow, Peter didn’t live without sorrow, John didn’t live without sorrow. WHY DO YOU IMAGINE YOU NEED TO LIVE WITHOUT SORROW? That day is coming. That is promised for heaven; and our sorrow does turn into joy. But expect that to be a process that happens over and over again. So you will keep going back to God. What did Jesus do after He wept? He prayed a prayer of thanksgiving.

Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” John 11:41-42

Be like Jesus: weep, when it's appropriate. Pray when you've wept. Thank God when you pray. Expect miracles in response to your prayers because you realise problems, pain, and persecuting people are God’s way of making you dependent on Him, the place of joy, safety, and salvation.

Conclusion: So next time your sorrow, enemies or problems seem too much, remind yourself, sorrow is not sin. But joy and hope will be found in bringing your sorrows to God.

Handwritten Psalm 43

Seeing Jesus in Psalm 2

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Seeing Jesus in Psalm 32

I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 NLT Psalm 32 Have you ever heard the voice of God? People want God to speak to them, until He does. As you probably know, Lyssa and I help Christians in Belgium by serving in the Christian bookstore/coffee shop, Het Goede Boek in Leuven. Sometimes people want a red letter edition of the Bible. Other times we are asked for a Dutch language version of the King James Bible. I think both requests come from the same desire. People want to really know what God says. Today in reading and longhand copying the Bible from Psalm 32, I too got a bit excited and I thought I knew what to share about God from Psalm 32 because of a particular translation choice. When I checked my observation with several other translations in three languages, I found a big difference. v.8 “Le Seigneur dit : Je t'enseignerai” (NFC), “De Heer zegt: "Ik leer je” (BB), “The Lord says, “I will guide you...

Seeing Jesus in Psalm 1

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Seeing Jesus in the Psalms

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