Do you want Survival, or Revival?
Psalm 143:1-12
If you have not noticed, TV has gotten quite “real” recently. There has been a boom of what they are calling “reality TV” shows. Each of the shows is unique and attempts to take the viewer into the lives of those on the screen.
One of the most popular shows of this type is the series, “Survivor.”
It has a cast of everyday people out in the wilderness, and their job is to survive. They must survive harsh living conditions, games/events each week, and of course being voted off the show all for a cash prize. Survival is truly the name of the game.
“Survival” is what they would have us believe, is the whole point to living.
I say nonsense! Life is not about survival; it is about … REVIVAL!
Read Psalm 143:1-12
Pray
∆ Point 1 – Feeling like David (1-4)
- David describes for us exactly what he is feeling
-- He describes for us his life circumstances; what’s happening right now
-- He talks about several spiritual battles that are raging inside of him
- Perhaps you have felt like this one time or another in your life?
-- Maybe you are feeling this way now… maybe life is just survival today?
- David begins with the spiritual battles raging inside of him
-- He says, “The enemy … crushes me to the ground.” (v3)
- There is only one enemy who gets to us; down to the depths of our soul
-- The tone of his words seems weary, tired, frustrated, and defeated
-- Do any of those words describe you: weary, tired, frustrated, or defeated?
- But notice, David does not stop with just his spiritual battles
-- These spiritual battles have also affected his life and his focus
- I cannot help but compare David, in this passage, to someone like Cain.
-- I realize that Cain’s situation was a result of killing his brother…
-- But the judgment against Cain brought his life crashing down
- Cain lost his family, his way of life, and he wandered until he died
-- His words to the Lord were, “My punishment is more than I can bear.”
-- Very similar to David: (v4) “My heart within me is dismayed”
- You could also compare David to someone like Job
-- Job was a man whose life was literally run into the ground
-- He lost his family, home, money, health, and everything he valued
- David, not alone in this, felt like he was walking around in darkness
-- Everywhere he went and everything he did, he stumbled; overwhelmed
-- He felt as though his heart was a desert wasteland; no escape
- It seems like to me that David (in this passage) is in “Survival mode.”
-- He was just getting by day by day -- taking one day at a time
-- His hope is that the next day would bring a little sunshine into his life
- Have you ever been in this position?
• Just living life day to day?
• Feel overwhelmed by life and its circumstances
• At the end of the day you are weary, frustrated, and defeated?
- In all of this, David knew something that I want to communicate to you
-- David knew that life was not just about surviving…
- Life is more than living day-to-day … or just doing “our best” to survive
-- This is not suitable for God’s children!
-- This is not for someone who has a God who is faithful and righteous
- Life is not about survival, but it is truly about REVIVAL!
∆ Point 2 – What can we do? (5-7)
- If I could get you to agree that life is not about survival it is about revival, the next logical conclusion would be how do we get there?
-- How do we get to revival in our lives, in our families, and in our church?
- David continues in this Psalm by telling us what he did to get out of “survival mode” and get into “revival mode.”
- Look at verses 5-7 …
-First, he says that he meditated on God’s works. (v5)
-- He recounted all that the Lord had done for his people.
- He remembered Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua
-- He remembered all the works God did for his people who obeyed Him
- He also recounted all that the Lord had done for him.
-- He remembered safety while he watched the flocks, victory over Goliath
-- His dealing with Saul, and all the blessings he had received in his life
- He pondered their meaning and their significance in his life
-- God is faithful. God is kind. God is righteous. God is good. (All the time)
- Second, he stretches his hands toward Heaven and prays. (v6)
-- FACT: You cannot have revival without prayer
-- He cried out to the Lord and cast all his burdens onto his God
- He prays to the Lord to save his failing spirit.
-- APP: He is able to let go … b/c prayer is essential to lift our spirits.
-- Prayer is essential to become more like Jesus.
- Third, he thirsts after the Lord. (v6b-7)
-- Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.”
- David was thirsty for the things of God. He desired them.
-- He wanted them. He made the effort to seek out the fruit of God.
- IMP: This verse holds a great promise for us that if we desire God and hunger and thirst after the things of Heaven, then we will be filled.
- It does not say we might be filled … It does not say we will get an IOU …
- It says we will be filled!
∆ Point 3 – If we are in revival mode, what will God do? (8-12)
- The last portion of this passage deals with God’s response for David.
-- What will God do to our desire for revival in our lives or in this church?
- Re-Read verses 8-12
- He will allow us to hear His loving-kindness in our daily lives.
-- He will enable us to see where and how He is working.
- It is a gift from God to be able to know His kindness and to have it lift our spirits. Our journey to higher ground begins with the simple things, like knowing God’s love in our lives. This is revival!
- Then it progresses to showing others that you love … UNSELFISHLY
-- If you live life just for yourself; missed the calling of being a disciple
-- This is revival!
- He will direct us in the way that we should walk and will lift our soul.
- I know that this was an answer to prayer for David since he specifically mentions he is “dwelling in darkness” in verse 3.
-- He is down in the dumps and prays that God will show Him the path to the mountains. This is revival!
- Our lives do not have to be full of questions and despair
-- They can be full of joy from the Lord
-- He will direct our paths. He will walk with us. This is revival!
- For someone who is overwhelmed and weary, the Lord will show them the path to strength. This is revival!
- He will also deliver us from our enemies and keep us out of trouble.
-- Relief comes in the form of God’s protection.
- We need to be in Revival Mode, Not Survival Mode church!
∆ Big Idea
- HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE DAVID?
Depressed, Hopeless, At the end of your rope
- WHAT CAN WE DO?
Meditate on God, Pray, Thirst after God
- WHAT WILL GOD DO?
Lift us up, Restore our souls, He will bring REVIVAL to you
- Pray
Note: Sermon used from another resource but the author of this is unknown.
