Speaker Sermon/Lesson Title Audio   Video  Text     MS Word Category Bobby Stafford God Has Not Forgotten You       Perseverance

God has not forgotten you.

Here in America, we have gotten use to two days shipping or in some instances same day shipping. We get irritated when an email takes too long to arrive. We don't like waiting.

As Christians, we often are frustrated when God doesn't answer our prayers according to our timeline. We think God is forgotten us when we go to him with our sincere requests or we hear nothing. No answer period no response whatsoever. At least not right away. So what do we do? We listened to the words of Psalm 13.

 

Psalm 13

 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?

How long will You hide Your face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,

Having sorrow in my heart daily?

How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;

Enlighten my eyes,

Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest my enemy say,

"I have prevailed against him";

Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;

My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord,

Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

 

1.    When God Delays (Psalm 13:1-2)

a.     This text describes how David feels when od delays .  David had been anointed the future king of Israel but spent several year in the wilderness trying to avoid Saul and his armies. 

b.    Four times he cries out how long? How long will God forget? how long will God hide his face? how long will his enemies triumph?  His sufferings have been going on a long time.

c.     He feels abandoned by God. He feels that God isn't there.  Psalm 10:1

Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?  Why do You hide in times of trouble?  Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt like giving up on God? But God never gives up on you.   God seems so far away that it feels like he has stopped blessing David David feels forsaken. God's protection and safety seemed to have been taken away. David felt rejected. Note the Lord's word in Deuteronomy 31:17-18.  See the words of Psalm 22:1-2.  Jesus felt forsaken by the father so that you never would feel that way.

d.    He feels frustrated. God is not listening. He is wrestling with his emotions, sorrow and despair. Fighting negative thoughts. He feels he is fallen out of favor with God. Every day he feels the burden of his sorrows on his heart.  Note Psalm 89:46

e.    David feels his enemies are winning. It seems there are always people around to kick someone when they are down. Many of our enemies today come from the spiritual world.  Ephesians 6:12.

 

2.    When A Man Prays  (Psalm 13:3-4)

a.     David turns to God in prayer. The first thing to do is pray. David asks God to turn his face on him and see what is happening in regard and consider him. Don't throw in the towel and give up on God but, call out to him. Ask God to answer your prayer according to His will. (1 John 5:14)

b.    In light and my eyes. Put the light back in my eyes; make him alive again. David feels he is at the point of death. Also restore a close fellowship with the Lord. Desire to see things through God's eyes, see God working through the situation. David doesn't want his enemies to think they can overcome a servant of the Lord.  the righteous be victorious over the wicked. (Psalm 27:1-3)

3.    When the Heart Rejoices (Psalm 13:5-6)

a.     We see the progression from tears to triumph. David trusts in God's mercy. David's faith is rooted in God's covenant with his people. David possesses hope due to God's unfailing love.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)  God will not let you down when you fully trust in him.

b.    “Salvation” - The Lord has not forgotten him because even though life may seem bleak, he knows his salvation is secure.  (Psalm 18:46-50)  Ours is too. (Romans 8:35-39)

c.     “Sing of God’s Goodness”.    Remember what God has done for David in the past period we should do likewise.  This will boost our confidence in his ability to meet our present needs. (Psalm 28:7)  God has treated us far better than we deserve. He sent his son to die for us while we were still sinners.

 

4.    Conclusion:

a.     Even though it may feel at times that God has forgotten you, he has not. If you have prayed to him concerning some matter, know for a certainty he will answer in the best way possible whatever is best for you because loves you very much. When you do not feel God is there, activities that bring us in contact with his word and his people are very beneficial.

 

Bobby Stafford October 10, 2021