PSALM 116 - REASONS FOR OUR TROUBLES
TEXT - PSALM 116
INTRO. - I love the way this psalm begins. The first four
words are outstanding. When you read them you immediately
want to know more. "I love the Lord because...". Our love is
always a consequent love. Something causes us to love. We
find it easy to love those who love us. God’s love is
opposite to our love. God’s live is uncaused, uninfluenced,
spontaneous. Verse 2 gives us the reason for the psalmist’s
love. I am sure that there were many other reasons that the
psalmist loved the Lord but the one the psalmist mentions is
found in verse 2.
Verse 15 is one of the best known verses in the Psalms.
I WANT US TO NOTICE SEVERAL THINGS THAT THE PSALMIST BRINGS
OUT IN THIS PSALM.
I. THE PROBLEM - TROUBLE CAME THE THE PSALMIST - Vs. 3
What kind of trouble? We are not told specifically. Whatever
it was, it could have killed him. Look at the words found
here -- sorrows, pains, trouble and death. Notice the rest of
the psalm speaks of "afflicted" - vs.10 and "bonds" - vs.16.
Notice discouragement in vs. 6
The psalmist is sick, in pain, sorrowful, and discouraged.
Others may have died - vs. 15
He is about ready to give up - vs. 8
Have you ever been there? Sure you have to some degree.
Ever been in vs. 11?
Ever think about just giving up?
II. THE ANSWER - PRAYER - Vs. 4
"Then" - shows the time of the prayer. It was when the
trouble came. Did you realize how short the prayer he prayed
was in vs. 4? Remember the Name of the Lord alone opens
heaven.
III. NOW, WHY DOES GOD ALLOW US TO GO THROUGH THESE TROUBLES
1. Proof - that he answers prayer - vs. 1
God wants to show us and then the world through us
that he knows, sees, hears, and cares. He tells us in
His Word but we need to see it.
2. Praise - vs. 1, 5, 19
The wonderful works of God are a cause for praise. If
we do not praise God for his goodness then we are
ungrateful, unthankful creatures. God’s goodness
caused the psalmist to love God more and to praise God
for his kindness in the midst of trouble.
3. PERMANENCE - vs. 2
If you are a child of God, the troubles you have faced
in the past are probably partly responsible for your
present love of and dedication to God.
4. PAYMENT - vs. 12 - 14, 18
There is no payment we can make for salvation. We can
never repay God for soul salvation. We were redeemed
not with corruptible things like silver and gold but
with the precious blood of Christ. Yet we do owe God
and ---
a. God’s goodness leads us to serve God - vs. 16
b. God’s goodness leads us to keep our promises to
God - vs. 14, 18. I wonder if the psalmist had
made a vow to God in his past and had not kept
his vow or had not paid his vow to God until
this time. God keeps his promises and I sure am
glad that he does. I wonder where we would be if
God had not kept his vows to us.
c. God’s goodness leads us to a change of heart and
attitude. He had been restless and dissatisfied
and yet notice him now in vs. 7. He had been
complaining but notice him now in vs. 11. He
had been unthankful but look at him now in
vs.17. He had been doubting God and yet now look
and see him in vs.10. NOW THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.
5. PURITY - Vs. 9
"Walk" means consistence. It means being faithful
inward and outward as we walk before the Lord in the
land of the living. It speaks of purity
6. PROCLAMATION - TELLING OTHERS - Vs. 1a, 14, 18, 19
We need to tell others. The psalmist tells us by
writing this psalm. He proclaims that he will tell
all God’s people. We also need to tell the lost of
God’s goodness and provision.
The psalmist found many reasons for and blessings in his
troubles. God brought him through and He will bring you
through. I love the Lord because......
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