Sermon Tone Analysis

Setting -

In this psalm the problem is one of malicious slander and lies.

It is the psalmist’s reputation rather than his person that is being attacked, and what he needs is a sense of the presence and approval of God rather than physical deliverance.

This is not the problem in .

In this psalm the problem is one of malicious slander and lies.

It is the psalmist’s reputation rather than his person that is being attacked, and what he needs is a sense of the presence and approval of God rather than physical deliverance.

David is in a situation where weariness is catching up on him and he is being misjudged with his character being attacked

Most link the setting with the setting of

is the Morning Psalm - is the Evening Psalm

If the setting is the same as then David is still on the run from Absolam

He is feeling tired and desperate

The great poet John Milton, who wrote that epic poem Paradise Lost, makes this important statement, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of hell, a hell of heaven...” Let me read that again to you, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of hell, a hell of heaven…”

We’re going to look this evening at what is one of the most poignant, dramatic, sad stories in all of Scripture.

It’s the story of David and Absalom.

You know the story, David was the anointed King of Israel, and his son, Absalom, began to turn on him, began to quest for his throne.

We’re going to look this evening at what is one of the most poignant, dramatic, sad stories in all of Scripture.

It’s the story of David and Absalom.

David was the anointed King of Israel, and his son, Absalom, began to turn on him, began to quest for his throne.

The minute you know that, you know that this story can't go anyplace good--it cannot have a good end.

The Bible tells us that the hearts of Israel turned toward Absalom.

Remember, this is a monarchy.

Unless the king is willing to give up his throne, the only way the throne could be taken is by his death.

Think about the crushing grief of a father whose son, not only wants his throne, but is plotting his demise.

Think of how heartbreaking it is to have the people that you’ve led, the people that you’ve served, be so fickle and be so disloyal.

David has escaped the throne in fear of his life and is hiding out in a cave with a sort of loyal band of followers.

David has escaped the throne in fear of his life and is hiding out in a cave with a sort of loyal band of followers.

The story doesn't have a good end.

The report comes to David that Absalom has been killed.

David doesn't celebrate; he’s the father.

He crumbles into grief, and you can hear those cries of a father echoing down the years of history, “Absalom, my son, Absalom, Absalom!”

And so, is a wonderful look, a wonderful window into the heart of a man who's in the middle of that kind of trial, in the middle of the unthinkable.

And in that way, it's a bit of a textbook for us on how to fight this spiritual war of trial.

Brothers and sisters, realize this, trial is war!

And how do you fight that war for the soul that is always there in trial?

Well, let me read again for you ,

The story doesn't have a good end.

The report comes to David that Absalom has been killed.

David doesn't celebrate; he’s the father.

He crumbles into grief, and you can hear those cries of a father echoing down the years of history, “Absalom, my son, Absalom, Absalom!”

And so, is a wonderful look, a wonderful window into the heart of a man who's in the middle of that kind of trial, in the middle of the unthinkable.

And in that way, it's a bit of a textbook for us on how to fight this spiritual war of trial.

Brothers and sisters, realize this, trial is war!

And how do you fight that war for the soul that is always there in trial?

Well, let me read again for you

Observation and Application

The first remarkable application in this text is that in the midst of his disaster David Ran to God

Application:

Run to God NOT away from Him

Tempting - in these moments that stretch into hours that stretch into days … to Run From God

God I thought you loved me

God I thought you were good

I’ve followed you and obeyed you

This shouldn't happen

It can be tempting to drag God into the court of our judgment

Are you tired of the battle

What battle is making you weary right now?

What battle is making you weary right now?

If you work in an environment where everything is affirmed except faith in Christ, you may find that, over time, the ongoing erosion of an increasingly hostile culture begins to wear you down.

If you work in an environment where everything is affirmed except faith in Christ, you may find that, over time, the ongoing erosion of an increasingly hostile culture begins to wear you down.

If you are going through a stale time in your marriage or facing difficulties with a rebellious son or daughter, you may find that, over time, your energy drains and it is harder to keep going.

If you are going through a stale time in your marriage or facing difficulties with a rebellious son or daughter, you may find that, over time, your energy drains and it is harder to keep going.

Maybe you have been battling against a particular sin and, for a while, you made progress.

But then the old temptation reared its ugly head and, having fallen again, it’s hard to find the energy to get up and press on.

Maybe you have been battling against a particular sin and, for a while, you made progress.

But then the old temptation reared its ugly head and, having fallen again, it’s hard to find the energy to get up and press on.

Or perhaps, after serving in ministry for some time, you feel that you are running out of steam.

Anyone who serves God wholeheartedly will know what it is to come to a place of saying, “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

So how do you stay the course when you are tired of the battle?

Or perhaps, after serving in ministry for some time, you feel that you are running out of steam.

Anyone who serves God wholeheartedly will know what it is to come to a place of saying, “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

So how do you stay the course when you are tired of the battle?

Here David … Instead of Running from God … Ran too Him

Look at what He does

Psa;lm 4:1-2

David is grieved and tired … He turns to God.

Where do run?

Where does your heart run?

To God? or away from Him?

Look at

David reminds himself of His Identity in the Lord

Application:

Remember who you are!

IN the Book AWE … Paul Tripp states that when trials are upon us … we suffer from “Identity amnesia”

WE are like Jason Bourne … WE are functioning … maybe highly functioning … But we forget who we really are!

WE are Children of the Most High God …

WE have been set apart by Him … for Him and his purposes

Trials challenge the things that you look to for your identity

Where does your heart run in trouble

Identity NOT in …

Your Marriage

Job

Appearance

Financial well-being

Church membership

Physical health

If your identity is not in the Lord … you are in spiritual danger

LISTEN … Your trial will become more of a trial if that which you find your identity in is now in danger

Trials call us back to the place where our identity is secure

Is your identity in the LORD?

Not just theologically but functionally!