Sermon Cloud

The Consolation Of The Word

Psalm 119:73-80

 We have previously studied what the Psalmist has said concerning the Word of God.

• This morning we look at how the Word can provide consolation for us.
• Especially to those who are undergoing trials
• If we are not going through a trial right now – wait a  while – one will come along
• It is normal for the believer’s faith to be tested from time to time

1 Peter 4:12 - "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"

FRIENDS – God will comfort us!

• He does so not just to console us in the midst of trials – but to teach and prepare us to be able to minister comfort to others.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

FRIENDS – We find David in the midst of a severe depression but still looking to be an encouragement and blessing to others.

THE SOURCE OF ALL CONSOLATION– V.73-74

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. ⁷⁴They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

A.  God and His Word is the source of all comfort for us who have placed our faith in Him.

1. We are His workmanship
2. David freely acknowledges his Creator
3. He knew that he was not the product of blind forces of nature
4. He did not evolve into the person he was – he was fashioned by the very hands of God

GO WITH ME - Genesis 1:26-31

FRIENDS – As a direct product of God’s hands, who would be better able to comfort us?

EXAMPLE – MOTHER AND BABY

B.  The Purpose Of God’s Fashioning

1. God has never done anything without purpose or reason
2. The psalmist acknowledges this and prays for God to give him understanding that he might learn the commandments of God

HEAR ME CHURCH – This is why we were created!

• To have a personal, intimate, loving relationship with our Creator
• We cannot have this relationship – Christian – if we are not keeping his commandments
• Every sin breaks our relationship with God and causes us to miss out on His blessings

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

C.  V.74 - Others Will be Comforted By Us

“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.”

1)    David now pauses to reflect upon others of God’s people

2)   He knew that he had a circle of influence

3)   As others of God’s people saw him looking to God’s Word – it encouraged them

FRIENDS – WHAT ABOUT US?

• What a powerful testimony – parents – it is to our children for them to see us in God’s Holy Word.
• What a powerful testimony it is for our co-workers to see us in God’s Holy Word
• We talk about witnessing – what a silent witness it is for others to see us in God’s Holy Word!

FRIENDS – Is our testimony such that we are a comfort and encouragement to other believers?

• That is part of God’s plan for us

WHAT DO WE BRING TO OTHERS?

THE NEED OF CONSOLATION – V.75-76

“I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. ⁷⁶Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.”

A.  God’s Purposes Are Always Right

1.  We saw last week that David said it was good that he had been afflicted

 He understood that the trials and afflictions were part of God’s plan for his life

FRIENDS – Sometimes the afflictions come because we have strayed away from the path God wants for our life

Hebrews 12:11 - "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

• When we realize that God is at work through the trials – we will also realize that we must look to Him for the consolation and comfort

B.  V.76 - Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.”

1. In the midst of his chastening – David nevertheless sought for the merciful kindness of God for his encouragement
2. Moreover – David once again appealed to the promise of God – “according to Thy Word”

DO YOU SEE IT FRIENDS – The foundation of David’s prayer was anchored in the promises of God!

• He built his prayer life upon the promises contained in the BOOK!
• David also once again referred to himself as “Thy servant”

FRIENDS – That mentality ought to permeate our minds to this day!

THE BELIEVER’S DESIRE IN CONSOLATION – V.77-78

“Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. ⁷⁸Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.”

A.  “Thy law is my delight”

1. David once again appealed for God’s mercy
2. He was in a time of discouragement and even trouble
3. Yet – the focus of his hope was the mercy of God.

FRIENDS - There are blessings that are available only to those who delight in the law of God

• That doesn’t mean that they aren’t available to all – Just that those who delight in His Word can draw upon them
• The comfort sought according to God’s Holy Word will not come to those who neglect or reject His Word

 B.  V.78 - There Is No Consolation For The Proud

⁷⁸Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.”

EXAMPLE - Remember the example of Lazarus and the rich man

Luke 16:25 – “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”

• The rich man had no desire to seek after God and His Word
• Consequently – when they faced the same trial – death – Lazarus was comforted and the rich man found himself in torment.

NOTE – the contrast of V.78

1. They (proud - ungodly) dealt with him perversely

FRIENDS – Pride and wickedness are close relatives.

• Though they had dealt wrongly with him  - David once again vowed to “mediate on God’s Word”
• He would look to God’s Word for his encouragement
• He knew that God had allowed affliction to come for his own good
• When affliction comes it will test and try our character

FRIENDS – It isn’t really important what the affliction is – or even Why it came – BUT what is important is HOW DO WE RESPOND!

• Meditation on God’s promises always brings comfort and consolation
• The Bible reader finds its pages filled with godly comfort.

CLOSE

THE TESTIMONY OF CONSOLATION – V.79-80

“Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. ⁸⁰Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.”

A.  Believers Turn To Each Other For Consolation And Fellowship

1)     We can find strength and comfort from each other

2)   Paul instructs us to get personally involved with others

Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

3)   Solomon stated the importance of each other in the Book of Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. {10} For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

HEAR ME THIS MORNING CHURCH – If we are to comfort others – we must first be grounded in the principles of God’s Word

• “let my heart be sound statues …”
• David is asking that his heart  remain TRUE and PURE in the Word

THIS MORNING – DO YOU NEED CONSOLATION?

 YOU CAN FIND CONSOLATION IN:

1. 1.   GOD
2. 2.   HIS WORD
3. 3.   HIS PEOPLE

 Paul instructs us to bear one another’s burdens.

 Let’s be faithful to minister comfort and consolation to those around us who are going through trials.

 We can only be prepared to do that when our own hearts are “sound in His statutes”

 COME – let God have His way in our lives!