JUST A SIMPLE MAN
Psalm 116
W. Max Alderman Bible Baptist Church
INTRODUCTION: Spurgeon said this about the simple man: The Lord preserveth the simple. How delightful it is to be able to reflect on the character of God as preserving the soul. The word properly signifies to defend us at any season of danger. The Hebrew word which is translated "simple, "signifies one who has no control over himself, one that cannot resist the power and influence of those around, and one, therefore, subject to the greatest peril from which he has naturally no deliverance. "The Lord preserveth": his eye is upon them, his hand is over them, and they cannot fall. The word "simple" signifies likewise those that are ignorant of their condition, and not watching over their foes. Delightful thought, that though we may be thus ignorant, yet we are blessed with the means of escape!
According to the world and its appraisal of who we are as believers, we are only simple men. Even so, as simple as we might be, God superintends over us and keeps us under the wings of His watch care. May we look today at the Simple Man…
I. THE SIMPLE MAN’S PRAYER (Vv. 1-8)
A. The Simple Man Will Pray During His Times of Sorrow (Vv. 1-4)
Two things may be noticed in our Text as it regards the prayer of the simple man. Notice first, the delight as the simple man prays… “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my supplications” (V. 1) and then notice the duration of the simple man’s praying. “Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live” (V.2).
Prayer is a wonderful, delightful opportunity for the believer because he knows that the Lord hears his supplications. The Psalmist said, when “the sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” It was then that he called upon the Lord. Often it is our sorrows and our fears that cause us to really pray. As the Lord hears and answers our prayers, we just as the Psalmist, begin to love the Lord even more, and will continue to pray to Him as long as we so live…
B. The Simple Man Will Pray During His Times of Shouting (V. 5)
Just as the simple man prayed during his time of sorrows, he will continue to pray even while he is shouting. I know that I enjoy praying when God answers my prayers. I just want to thank Him for answered prayers. We may all agree with the Psalmist when he said: “Gracious is the Lord and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.” God certainly is gracious and merciful, but it is in respect to His righteousness. We should never think that God is going to compromise His Holy righteousness while answering our prayers. It seems that righteousness stands between grace and mercy to serve as a safeguard to the two.
C. The Simple Man Will Pray During His Times of Sinking (Vv. 6-8)
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay…” Also, there are times when we will find ourselves downcast and discouraged even though we are not consciously sinning. During these difficult times, it is wonderful just knowing that we have the privilege and the opportunity to pray to the Lord… For He is a very present help in the time of our need.
Prayer is one of the greatest ways to combat discouragement. So many things can cause discouragement.
William ward said: “Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.”
Illustration: God sometimes allows us to enter into discouraging situations for the primary purpose of testing our faith. At such times we must refuse to give up in despair. Like Jonah in the belly of the great fish, we must turn to the Lord when our soul is fainting within us, trusting Him completely. James H. McConkey wrote, "What can you do when you are about to faint physically? You can’t DO anything! In your weakness you just fall upon the shoulders of some strong loved one, lean hard, and rest until your strength returns. The same is true when you are tempted to faint under adversity. The Lord’s message to us is "Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Hudson Taylor was so feeble in the closing months of his life that he said to a dear friend, "I’m so weak that I can’t work or read my Bible, and I can hardly pray. I can only lie still in God’s arms like a little child and trust.? And that is all the Heavenly Father asks of you when you grow weary in the fierce fires of affliction.’
Our Daily Bread, Monday, March 26.
II. THE SIMPLE MAN’S PROSPECTS (Vv. 9-15)
A. What Are His Prospects For Eternity? (V. 9)
It is simply:”I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (v.9). There is no greater peace than just knowing that you are saved and on your way to heaven. If you cannot rest with the assurance that you are absolutely saved, how can you have the glorious prospect of walking before the Lord in the land of the living? Whether you realize it or not, you are now walking in the land of the dying. Even if you have committed horrible unmentionable sins, the Lord can still save you. You can still walk in the land of the living. Listen to this poem carefully and then what the author had to say about facing death right before he was executed for murder…
Lord, With Glowing Heart I’ll Praise Thee
Lord, with glowing heart I’ll praise Thee
For the bliss Thy love bestows.
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows.
Help, O God, my weak endeavors,
This dull soul to rapture raise;
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.
Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched wanderer far astray;
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee,
From the paths of death away.
Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him who saw thy guilt-born fear,
And, the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained Cross appear.
- Johnny D. Pyles
The author, Johnny D. Pyles, of the poem, "With Glowing Heart I’ll Praise Thee", was on death’s row in Texas from 1982-1998 when he was executed. He says of his conversion: “I spent eight years on death row for murder before Jesus became my Lord and Savior. The consequences of my sins have not been removed. I will still reap that which I have sown. Thought I still face the death penalty, I have nothing to fear for Jesus is my Savior and Lord.”
B. What Are His Prospects For Enduring? (10-14)
The simple man who believes asks: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” This should be the attitude of every believer. For this reason, we should gladly serve Him who is so precious. The song say: “For He is so precious to me” and with that being so, we should gladly serve the Lord. Teach that class with gratitude; sing in the choir with gratitude; knock on doors, and support the Lord’s work with your tithes and offerings with gratitude. Everything that we do, we should do so with a thankful heart and with gratitude because of His great benefits towards us. We should continue and not be discouraged; we should endure, for so did He.
C. What Are His Prospects Upon Expiring? (15)
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”. His own death attests to this fact. The Lord paid the awful sin dead on the cross of Calvary because we are precious to Him both in time and in eternity.
The simple man who is a believer does not need to dread death or dying, because there will be no death in heaven.
D. L. Moody “Some day,” D.L. Moody used to say, “You will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield is dead. Don’t believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now!”
III. THE SIMPLE MAN’S PRAISE (V.16-19)
A. The Simple Man Will Praise God As He Serves (V. 16)
The simple man recognizes that he has been set free and now wants to serve as a bond slave or love slave. Service to the Lord ought to be delightful and marked by praise… Serve Him with delight not just out of duty.
B. The Simple Man Will Praise God As He Sacrifices (V. 17)
The Lord does really love a cheerful giver. When one sacrifices with a heart of gratitude, he will praise God as he does.
C. The Simple Man Will Praise God In His Stewardship (V. 18)
Ones ongoing stewardship should be recognized by all as a testimony to the Lord. It should be a public testimony for all to see. Everything that you possess should reflect your gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ.
D, The Simple Man Will Praise God In the Sanctuary (V. 19)
When we come to the meeting place, let’s praise Him. When we move about and have our being, Let us praise Him!
