A Study of Psalm 30
Psalm 30
Introduction
- Good evening … short intro on new format
- Open to all, may allow more to attend due to busy schedules
- Comments can be seen by all, questions can be asked through this
- Invite: Advent series on SUNDAY mornings at the church
- Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period
- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning
- We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 (runs through January)
- The Psalms have already given us plenty of opportunities to praise
-- The daily challenge for us is this: will we remember what we’ve been told?
- Today, we will examine Psalm 30 … a critical passage for believers
- FACT: God will discipline and shape us into who He desires us to be
-- A large challenge for us is how we will react to His correction
- For some, a correction may be minor – for others it could be a major life change
-- What is important to understand is that God desires to change us
-- He desires to make us more like His Son, Jesus, every day of our life
- This Psalm is a great example of how one man reacted to God’s correction
- Read Psalm 30 / Pray
Point 1 – David’s recalls a time of trouble
- David begins this Psalm by exalting the Lord
-- His discussion is about a time that God rescued Him (recalling an event)
• God raised me (1)
• God restored me (2)
• God rescued me (3)
- Quite literally, David’s praise is because God fulfilled His promises (Deut 31:6)
-- Bible tells us that God will never leave us … David praises this truth here
- David then encouraged others (discipleship point: we should do the same)
• Sing to the Lord (4) – Bible doesn’t instruct us to sing perfectly (thankfully)
• Praise His name (4-5) – We are called to praise Him for all He does
- APP: If we’d praise God more for what He has done, might not focus on the bad
-- Maybe we could challenge one another to do this … “we’ve got whining down”!
Love V5 … you’ve probably sung this (“Trading my Sorrows” by Darrell Evans)
I am blessed beyond the curse, for His promise will endure,
and His joy will be my strength.
Pre-chorus: Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning.
• God’s anger turns to favor – discipline lasts for a period of time (night)
• Man’s weeping turns to joy – happiness comes in the morning (daylight)
- IMP: When we are faithful to the Lord, even His correction brings JOY
-- We are joyous b/c He loves us enough to keep us away from negative things
-- APP: What an incredible God we serve who loves us enough to protect us
Point 2 – Why does God discipline us?
- Key life question: Why does God discipline us?
- V6 tells us exactly why David was disciplined:
• He felt self-secure: “I got this …”
• He had grown self-sufficient: “I can do it all …” (dangerous ground)
- TRUTH: God will discipline us -- this is a reality we should all learn
-- APP: Once we start thinking we’ve got it all figured out, we stop needing God
- V7 shows us how God disciplined David
• God’s face was hidden
• David’s heart was heavy
- God had become silent to David, he literally withdrew from fellowship
- Because of this, David became worried and afraid … and repented of his ways
- CHALL: Maybe some of us feel separated from God, perhaps need to repent?
- God is always available to you
-- But he will not condone (support) your sinful choices
-- Repentance returns you to having favor with God
TRANS: When God’s discipline stops … something incredible happens
Point 3 – God’s response to David
- Look at David’s response to God and God’s reaction to him
- David requested mercy from God
• Twice he asks for God to show mercy (8, 10)
- Mercy is underserved in rebellion to God; but it’s His gift to give to us
-- Consider: John 3:16 … God gave, not because we earned or deserved it
- David then reasons with God, explaining why he needs Him:
• If I’m silenced I cannot praise God (9a)
• It is my purpose, not the dust’s, to praise the Lord (9b)
- By showing signs of remorse for His behavior
-- And in response to God showing mercy upon him … David rejoices
- David rejoiced in God
• God turned his wailing to dancing (11a)
• God removed his sackcloth (mourning) and made him sing (11b-12a)
• David was moved from silence to giving thanks/singing (12b)
Big Idea: David deserved discipline but rejoiced in the Lord when it was over
- I think more of us could take a lesson from the life of David
-- When we feel apart from God, perhaps God is trying to get our attention
-- Perhaps there is a specific sin we must repent from to hear from Him again
- This week, can you focus on being closer to God by praising Him?
- Can we be more devoted to living faithfully for Him (instead of ourselves?)
- Pray
* Special thanks to Holman Old Testament Commentary for the foundational outline of this sermon.
