As I was preparing for this message I read the following statement by James Montgomery Boice as he was preparing for a series on the Psalm.
"I decided to make a point every day of acknowledging God’s goodness in some area to some person.”
Boice “realized how much time
frequently went by without having praised God for anything.”
In studying Psalm 9, especially verses 9 and 10, I wanted to remind those listening of three things.
We need to run to God in times of trouble (v. 9).
We need to walk with God daily (v. 10a).
We need to remember that God will not abandon his children (v. 10b).
In Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, Mark
Vroegop writes “Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and
trusting in God’s sovereignty.”
This sermon was so much
more than just information that I researched.
This sermon has been a truth
that I have had to process and am continuing to learn how to apply to my life.
At the end of the message, I wanted to share some practical things people could do to help them remember Life is Hard AND God is Good.
Run to God in times of
trouble. This is a model of lament prayer from Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy.
- Cry out to him.
- Complain to him.
- Pray bold prayers.
- Trust in Him.
Walk with God
daily.
- Read your Bible.
- Meditate on specific passages of scripture for longer periods of time – http://www.fighterverses.com
- Pray every day.
- Make connecting with your church family a priority.
- Read articles and books that remind us of spiritual truths.
Remember God will
not abandon His children.
- Rehearse Biblical truth like those found in Romans 8.
- Read Christian biographies. Listen to Christian biographies.
- A great biography to check out is The Hidden Smile of God by John Piper.
