ROSES WILL BLOOM AGAIN
Psalms 119: 81-88
Intro: For those brethren who either want to deny or refuse to deal with the fact of depression, then I will highly recommend that they refrain from reading
Psalm 119. This huge Psalm is packed full of moments in the life of David that are, without a doubt, midnight moments of depression. Whether it be mental
depression that affects the spiritual man, or whether it be spiritual depression that affects the mental man, depression is real and no amount of denial by the
spiritual elitists will make it disappear. There are times in the midnight hour, when one can get to the point that it seems that the roses will never bloom again.
No doubt, that David's prior sins had come before him, and absolutely no doubt that his enemies were dogging his every step, but even in this dark hour of the
winter time of depression, David's relationship with his God remained in tact and was very strong, and eventually would lead him out of this dark and dismal
midnight hour. This message is from the heart of one preacher that has been there, and in reality, is still there. Shame on any hyper spiritual legalist who
would dare imply or say that this state is a sin, or a spiritual weakness. Most of those that believe this way, are the very ones that inflict more pain on the
wounded, and tend to kick a man when he is down. God's army remains as the only army in history that will shoot it's own wounded. Love and compassion
for the brethren has vacated the ranks of most preachers today.
I. THE DARKNESS OF THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (verse 81-82)
A) When I cannot feel His Presence (verse 81) "My soul fainteth for thy salvation; but I hope in thy Word"
The word "fainteth" means "having little strength or vigor, feeble, lacking conviction, boldness or courage; timid; an abrupt temporary loss of con-
sciousness; to weaken in purpose or spirit". This statement deals with the feelings of the innermost soul. David is saying, "I cannot feel your salvation,
I cannot feel your presence". These were the words of the man "who was after God's own heart"!!!! He had grown weary with waiting, faint with watching,
and worn out with urgent need. In truth, haven't all of us, especially God's men, been in these circumstances before or are now? Only the untruthful
or self denying person would contend that this state has never been their lot. Notice that this condition did bring the Psalmist to realize that his only
hope was in the declared Word of God. Yes, in this state, we may seek or search for other solutions, but in the end, a child of God will always turn to
the only source that can and will provide help for the hurting soul.
B) When I cannot feel His Participation (verse 82) "Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?"
Undoubtedly, one of the hardest things, as a Christian, is to wait upon the Lord. While our soul is content in it's state of redemption, our flesh is never
content, because it lives for the moment, and the flesh craves time because that is all that it has. The impatience and restlessness of the flesh can be
overcome temporarily, but lives on in order to surface on another day. Our flesh wants to be self sustaining and self sufficient, therefore it will never yield
totally to the promises of God. When we become spiritually sick or depressed, the flesh will then rise up in strength. This was the obvious condition of
the Psalmist in this verse. The Psalmist trusted God's promise, but had grown weary in waiting for the assurance of that promise. In this midnight hour
scene, the constant battle between the flesh and the spirit had left the Psalmist weak and possibly even doubting that God was going to comfort him in
his pain. Notice that his question was "When wilt thou comfort me?", not, "Will you comfort me?" He was not doubting that God would, but he was
growing impatient waiting for the when.
II. THE DEEPNESS OF THE MASSIVE HURT (verses 83-85)
A) My Enemies have Smoked my Reputation (verse 83) "For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes"
This is the same David, who in his youth, was ruddy and of a beautiful complexion, and goodly to look at. But now he is shriveled up like a bottle of
skin. His character had been smoked with slander, and his mind was parched with persecution. All this had been inflicted by those who were closest
to him, and by those who had said that they loved him. He now had arrived at the thoughtpattern that possibly his usefulness had seen it's course, and
that men would look upon him as an old, worn out skin bottle, which could hold nothing and answer no purpose. Here was a man who had been king, a
poet, and a man after God's own heart, but was now seemingly a cast away and a has been. Many of us have felt the pain of similar situations, and the
isolation that is a result of this feeling of worthlessness. It is no wonder that during these low times, we slip into a depressed state. It is a dangerous
and destructive thing to feel useless and unwanted. Notice that it was in the midst of this depressed state, where very few things seemed to have any
meaning in life, that the living power of the grace of God shined through the dark clouds. A man may be reduced to skin and bones, and all his comfort
may be dried out of him, but he will still hold fast to the grace and glory of God. Sometimes the only light shining in the darkness of depression is the
light of God.
B) My Encounters have speeded my Death (verse 84) "How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?"
When a person reaches the state of uselessness, then life itself loses it's meaning. This is what David was now praying to God. "How long do I have to
live in this condition? Extended days of life now seemed to be more of a burden than a blessing. For those precious souls who have experienced and
endured these dark times, we know that the heavier the burden, the longer the days. At this point, the Psalmist seeks relief from the heavy pressures of
persecution and attack. He now asks God to either shorten his days, or to execute judgment on his persecutors. Here is yet another sign of depression,
, in the anger that arrises when we are persecuted and forgotten. We know that the Bible says, "vengeance is mine, saith the Lord", but the flesh does
not abide in or obey the Word of God.
C) My Entrapment is systematicly being dug (verse 85) "The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law"
Just as hunters, who hunt wild beasts and make pitfalls and snares to entrap their prey, David's foes had did the same for him. It sometimes seems
unbelievable how mean and vicious even those who claim to be God's people, can become. There sometimes seems to be no end to the dastardly
deeds and the ungodly depths they will descend to, in order to smear the reputation of a man of God. The systematic plots of our enemies are careful
and viciously planned and executed. It should be no surprise to any of God's men that the Psalmist, as well as us, started asking God just how long this
persecution would last. I believe too much is accredited to the devil, because many a persecution of a man of God was devised and plotted without any
aid from Satan. Our only comfort in these circumstances is to know and realize that our enemies are also the enemies of God, and that though, they
may never answer to us for their wrongs, they will answer to God.
III. THE DAWNING OF THE MORNING HOPE (verses 86-88)
A) Help is on the Way (verse 86) "All thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me"
The Psalmist knew that God's command would cost him, but he knew that it was worth it. His way may be rough, but it still was right. The way
of God had been his best friend in the past, and would now prove to be an even greater present help. Even though he had felt lousy while in the dark
of the night, he now realized that he would not be a loser. He also now realized that the fault for this current condition and circumstances lay with
his persecutors and not with God nor himself. This was and is the first step toward healing, in that he was reassured that help was on the way.
The words of this request "Help thou me" were few, but the meaning was full. Help was needed so that the persecuted Psalmist could avoid the
snares of the enemy and might recover from the reproach. It really does not matter who hurts us, as long as God helps us. No other help is
sufficient. We must always remember that faith is like film, it only develops in the dark.
B) Healing is on the Wake (verse 87) "They had almost consumed me upon earth, but I forsook not thy precepts"
Having understand that help was on the way, the Psalmist was now on the road to healing and recovery. It would be a slow course, but a sure
course. The word "almost" signifies just how close he had come to being completely consumed by his aggressor, and by the condition that this
persecution had caused him to enter. Evidently, he had fallen under their power to a large extent, and had escaped by the skin of his teeth. The
Psalmist now sees the limit of the enemy's power and that the maximum they could inflict, would be to consume him upon the earth. They could
touch his earthly life and earthly goods, but he had an eternal portion that they could not even nibble at. David could now say that even in this low,
dark state of persecution and depression, he would not forsake the precepts of God. He knew that if he stuck to the precepts, he would be rescued by
the promises.
C) Happiness is in the Word (verse 88) "Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth"
The word "quicken", regardless of where it is used in the entire Bible, always means "to bring, give or restore life". Our best protection from
tempters, persecutors and even our own flesh, is more life. Since God is the giver and sustainer of life, both physical and spiritual, then He is the
only source we can plead and pray to for results. His lovingkindness can never grant us a more useful and protective blessing than to have life more
abundantly. Since it usually becomes the final aim of our enemies that we die, as was in the case of David, then when God grants us more life,
and that life is sustained, our enemies are baffled and defeated. When quickened by the Holy Ghost, we shall have a holy testimony, and will
have a holy character. No one can keep the Word of the Lord's mouth unless the Word of the Lord's mouth quickens them. Notice that the
Psalmist is not praying now for freedom from the trial, but for renewed life that will support him under the weight of the trial. Indeed, as the title of
this message indicates, "Roses did bloom again in David's Life".
Psalms 119: 81-88
Intro: For those brethren who either want to deny or refuse to deal with the fact of depression, then I will highly recommend that they refrain from reading
Psalm 119. This huge Psalm is packed full of moments in the life of David that are, without a doubt, midnight moments of depression. Whether it be mental
depression that affects the spiritual man, or whether it be spiritual depression that affects the mental man, depression is real and no amount of denial by the
spiritual elitists will make it disappear. There are times in the midnight hour, when one can get to the point that it seems that the roses will never bloom again.
No doubt, that David's prior sins had come before him, and absolutely no doubt that his enemies were dogging his every step, but even in this dark hour of the
winter time of depression, David's relationship with his God remained in tact and was very strong, and eventually would lead him out of this dark and dismal
midnight hour. This message is from the heart of one preacher that has been there, and in reality, is still there. Shame on any hyper spiritual legalist who
would dare imply or say that this state is a sin, or a spiritual weakness. Most of those that believe this way, are the very ones that inflict more pain on the
wounded, and tend to kick a man when he is down. God's army remains as the only army in history that will shoot it's own wounded. Love and compassion
for the brethren has vacated the ranks of most preachers today.
I. THE DARKNESS OF THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (verse 81-82)
A) When I cannot feel His Presence (verse 81) "My soul fainteth for thy salvation; but I hope in thy Word"
The word "fainteth" means "having little strength or vigor, feeble, lacking conviction, boldness or courage; timid; an abrupt temporary loss of con-
sciousness; to weaken in purpose or spirit". This statement deals with the feelings of the innermost soul. David is saying, "I cannot feel your salvation,
I cannot feel your presence". These were the words of the man "who was after God's own heart"!!!! He had grown weary with waiting, faint with watching,
and worn out with urgent need. In truth, haven't all of us, especially God's men, been in these circumstances before or are now? Only the untruthful
or self denying person would contend that this state has never been their lot. Notice that this condition did bring the Psalmist to realize that his only
hope was in the declared Word of God. Yes, in this state, we may seek or search for other solutions, but in the end, a child of God will always turn to
the only source that can and will provide help for the hurting soul.
B) When I cannot feel His Participation (verse 82) "Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?"
Undoubtedly, one of the hardest things, as a Christian, is to wait upon the Lord. While our soul is content in it's state of redemption, our flesh is never
content, because it lives for the moment, and the flesh craves time because that is all that it has. The impatience and restlessness of the flesh can be
overcome temporarily, but lives on in order to surface on another day. Our flesh wants to be self sustaining and self sufficient, therefore it will never yield
totally to the promises of God. When we become spiritually sick or depressed, the flesh will then rise up in strength. This was the obvious condition of
the Psalmist in this verse. The Psalmist trusted God's promise, but had grown weary in waiting for the assurance of that promise. In this midnight hour
scene, the constant battle between the flesh and the spirit had left the Psalmist weak and possibly even doubting that God was going to comfort him in
his pain. Notice that his question was "When wilt thou comfort me?", not, "Will you comfort me?" He was not doubting that God would, but he was
growing impatient waiting for the when.
II. THE DEEPNESS OF THE MASSIVE HURT (verses 83-85)
A) My Enemies have Smoked my Reputation (verse 83) "For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes"
This is the same David, who in his youth, was ruddy and of a beautiful complexion, and goodly to look at. But now he is shriveled up like a bottle of
skin. His character had been smoked with slander, and his mind was parched with persecution. All this had been inflicted by those who were closest
to him, and by those who had said that they loved him. He now had arrived at the thoughtpattern that possibly his usefulness had seen it's course, and
that men would look upon him as an old, worn out skin bottle, which could hold nothing and answer no purpose. Here was a man who had been king, a
poet, and a man after God's own heart, but was now seemingly a cast away and a has been. Many of us have felt the pain of similar situations, and the
isolation that is a result of this feeling of worthlessness. It is no wonder that during these low times, we slip into a depressed state. It is a dangerous
and destructive thing to feel useless and unwanted. Notice that it was in the midst of this depressed state, where very few things seemed to have any
meaning in life, that the living power of the grace of God shined through the dark clouds. A man may be reduced to skin and bones, and all his comfort
may be dried out of him, but he will still hold fast to the grace and glory of God. Sometimes the only light shining in the darkness of depression is the
light of God.
B) My Encounters have speeded my Death (verse 84) "How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?"
When a person reaches the state of uselessness, then life itself loses it's meaning. This is what David was now praying to God. "How long do I have to
live in this condition? Extended days of life now seemed to be more of a burden than a blessing. For those precious souls who have experienced and
endured these dark times, we know that the heavier the burden, the longer the days. At this point, the Psalmist seeks relief from the heavy pressures of
persecution and attack. He now asks God to either shorten his days, or to execute judgment on his persecutors. Here is yet another sign of depression,
, in the anger that arrises when we are persecuted and forgotten. We know that the Bible says, "vengeance is mine, saith the Lord", but the flesh does
not abide in or obey the Word of God.
C) My Entrapment is systematicly being dug (verse 85) "The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law"
Just as hunters, who hunt wild beasts and make pitfalls and snares to entrap their prey, David's foes had did the same for him. It sometimes seems
unbelievable how mean and vicious even those who claim to be God's people, can become. There sometimes seems to be no end to the dastardly
deeds and the ungodly depths they will descend to, in order to smear the reputation of a man of God. The systematic plots of our enemies are careful
and viciously planned and executed. It should be no surprise to any of God's men that the Psalmist, as well as us, started asking God just how long this
persecution would last. I believe too much is accredited to the devil, because many a persecution of a man of God was devised and plotted without any
aid from Satan. Our only comfort in these circumstances is to know and realize that our enemies are also the enemies of God, and that though, they
may never answer to us for their wrongs, they will answer to God.
III. THE DAWNING OF THE MORNING HOPE (verses 86-88)
A) Help is on the Way (verse 86) "All thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me"
The Psalmist knew that God's command would cost him, but he knew that it was worth it. His way may be rough, but it still was right. The way
of God had been his best friend in the past, and would now prove to be an even greater present help. Even though he had felt lousy while in the dark
of the night, he now realized that he would not be a loser. He also now realized that the fault for this current condition and circumstances lay with
his persecutors and not with God nor himself. This was and is the first step toward healing, in that he was reassured that help was on the way.
The words of this request "Help thou me" were few, but the meaning was full. Help was needed so that the persecuted Psalmist could avoid the
snares of the enemy and might recover from the reproach. It really does not matter who hurts us, as long as God helps us. No other help is
sufficient. We must always remember that faith is like film, it only develops in the dark.
B) Healing is on the Wake (verse 87) "They had almost consumed me upon earth, but I forsook not thy precepts"
Having understand that help was on the way, the Psalmist was now on the road to healing and recovery. It would be a slow course, but a sure
course. The word "almost" signifies just how close he had come to being completely consumed by his aggressor, and by the condition that this
persecution had caused him to enter. Evidently, he had fallen under their power to a large extent, and had escaped by the skin of his teeth. The
Psalmist now sees the limit of the enemy's power and that the maximum they could inflict, would be to consume him upon the earth. They could
touch his earthly life and earthly goods, but he had an eternal portion that they could not even nibble at. David could now say that even in this low,
dark state of persecution and depression, he would not forsake the precepts of God. He knew that if he stuck to the precepts, he would be rescued by
the promises.
C) Happiness is in the Word (verse 88) "Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth"
The word "quicken", regardless of where it is used in the entire Bible, always means "to bring, give or restore life". Our best protection from
tempters, persecutors and even our own flesh, is more life. Since God is the giver and sustainer of life, both physical and spiritual, then He is the
only source we can plead and pray to for results. His lovingkindness can never grant us a more useful and protective blessing than to have life more
abundantly. Since it usually becomes the final aim of our enemies that we die, as was in the case of David, then when God grants us more life,
and that life is sustained, our enemies are baffled and defeated. When quickened by the Holy Ghost, we shall have a holy testimony, and will
have a holy character. No one can keep the Word of the Lord's mouth unless the Word of the Lord's mouth quickens them. Notice that the
Psalmist is not praying now for freedom from the trial, but for renewed life that will support him under the weight of the trial. Indeed, as the title of
this message indicates, "Roses did bloom again in David's Life".
Preachers, you can now share your sermons and outlines with other preachers. "Just Baptist Outlines" is a sermon
sharing group for members only. You can join by emailing Bro Jimmy Chapman @ preacher30673@gmail.com
sharing group for members only. You can join by emailing Bro Jimmy Chapman @ preacher30673@gmail.com
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This website will remain on the internet as a memorial to the wonderful 6 1/2 years that I saw the very hand of God as He blew that sweet wind of salvation into the sanctuary of Gospel Light Baptist Church. God's eternity is now sweeter because of the 43 precious souls that heard that soul saving gospel, repented of their sins, and became a blood washed child of God. As Paul said in II Timothy 4 "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness"
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Are You ready to meet God? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father except by me." You may dispute this, but if you are wrong, you will have eternity to live with your mistake!! God said in His word, "Come now, let us reason together". Will you not just listen to reason? "Behold, now is the accepted time". "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men".
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