Sermon Tone Analysis

One thing I admired in my wife’s spiritual life is that, as soon as she gets up from bed in the morning, she gets on her knees to pray.

Do you pray when you get up in the morning?

What do you pray for?

, as the title indicates, is a morning prayer from the lips of David.

The beauty of the Psalms is more appreciated when we know the circumstances under which they were written.

Life deals us circumstances where the only thing we can do is praying for assurance.

Absalom had rebelled against his father, had gathered an army and wanted to become king.

As an experienced warrior, David could have easily killed Absalom, but instead of fighting his son, he decided to abandon Jerusalem and fled from Absalom and his men.

He sought the Lord in prayer.

When the enemies increased.

“O Lord, how my adversaries have increased.

Many are rising against me.” 1

When you do what is right, when you speak or preach the truth, you’ll have free enemies.

Absalom had killed his half brother Amnon because he had raped his sister Tamar.

David, not wanting to make things worse, as a punishment sent Absalom to exile.

After a couple of years, David allowed him to return to Jerusalem.

Absalom conspired against his father and wanted to kill him.

Do you have enemies?

Are there some that do not like you?

What do you do?

Do you go to God in prayer?

David sought the Lord in prayer!

Although the psalm does not express it, Don’t you think that he prayed for Absalom, his son and enemy?

That’s what Jesus expects us to do too:

and He gave us the example: He loved Judas, the betrayer!

Mat 5:43-44

When it seems there is no hope.

“Many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no deliverance for him in God.’” 2

Sometimes we are in situations where everything seems to be lost, when the storm does not let us to see light.

But as the refrain states, “While there is life, there is hope.”

Remember that you are not alone, God is with you and goes with you.

To the people in the desert, He told them:

Difficulties are the best moments to come before the Lord, our High Priest:

2

It is only in Jesus that we can find hope.

He is the anchor that holds our boat when is shaken by the waves of trials:

Our job is to do what is right, to live in the fear of the Lord, and hope in Him:

Pro 23:17-18

See also ; ; ; ; ;

See also ;

He depended on God for protection.

“But you.

O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.” 3

He found assurance in God.

The assurance described in for us,

were written a thousand years before by David in

Despite his failures, David experienced God’s protection, God was his shield.

Despite his failures, David experienced God’s protection, God was his shield

See also ; ; ; ; ;

He could sleep in peace.

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.” 5

When your heart is depending on the Lord, you do not lose your sleep.

David could say, “Thanks Lord for the rest you gave me last night, and for allowing me to wake up!”

No matter the amount of danger or the number of enemies, he could sleep.

He said, “I will not be afraid of ten thousand people who have set themselves against me round about”.

On , he expressed it this way:

Psa 27:3

He left everything in the Lord’s hands.

Not seeking vengeance.

“For you have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.”

7

He had preferred to flee rather than facing Absalom.

Later, he even instructed his soldiers not to harm Absalom.

That’s the heart of a good father!

What do we gain by seeking vengeance?

Nothing!

If we seek it, we are taking the place of the Judge, God.

Although is not ascribed to David, it would not surprises if he was the author.

On it, the writer cried out for God’s action upon the enemies:

Christians are instructed by the Lord:

-2

Rom 12:17

and...

9-21

Acknowledging that salvation belongs to God.

“O Lord; save me, O my God… Salvation belongs to the Lord;” 7-8

Though he was known as a “man after God’s heart”, David knew that he deserved more than what was suffering; he was a miserable sinner, and adulterer and a murderer; what was happening with Absalom was related to that adultery and murder.

He deserved condemnation!

See also ; ;

He also knew he could not earn salvation and he could only cry out for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Assurance in ministry

Are you facing trials?

Seek God in the morning!

;

Do you need hope?

Seek Him every morning!

See also ; ; ; ;

Do you need salvation?

God offers it to you! Salvation is a gift from God that carries a label called the Gospel...

Assurance in prayer

See also

Assurance of God’s will

See also ; ;

Assurance may be strengthened

Examples of believers asking for assurance

Abraham; Moses; Gideon; Zechariah

Assurance through understanding

Assurance through waiting on God

See also ; ; ; The revelation of God’s righteousness among his people results in true peace.

Assurance strengthened by others

by example; through teaching; through prayer; through encouragement amidst trials

False teaching weakens assurance

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The delusion of false assurance

The danger of self-assurance

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Such assurance proved false by conduct