God’s Cure for Loneliness

Introduction:

Sam. 17:31-50 – David kills Goliath. 18:5 – David is taken into house of Saul; prospers; set over men of war. Beginning in 18:10 – Saul turns against David. 18:29 – Saul was David’s enemy continually. Throughout 1 Sam. 20-21 – David goes into hiding.  He is alone; hungry; and can trust no one.  No sanctuary anywhere for him. 22:1 – escapes to the cave at Adullam. Some have said it is from here that David pens Psalm 142. Here is a beautiful presentation of the cycle of discouragement everyone goes through at some point in life.

I.  In Psalm 142 David gives a detailed description of his emotions.

A.     142:3 – David says he is overwhelmed.  His spirit is muffled within him.

B.     142:4 – he had been deserted.

C.     142:6-7a – David says his feelings of disorientation & desertion have resulted in depression.

D.    142:6b – David says he is defeated.  Is there any hope for the future?

II. 142:1-2 – David teaches us that it is OK to tell God how we feel.

A.     Done through prayer.  Note – how he verbalizes his emotions:

1.     Verbs:  cries (142:1); pours out (142:2); declares (142:3). 

B.     It is good to verbalize our emotions.

1.     Too often we withdraw from interaction w/God.

C.     In verbalizing his emotions – David shows his great dependence on God!

1.     Prayer is not merely language – it is LIFE for the soul! Js. 4:7-8

III. 142:3-4 - David visualizes his emotions. 

A.     David paints a picture of how he feels.

B.     This teaches us it is OK to visualize our problem so long as we keep it in perspective.

C.     E.G., Num. 13:25-26 – 12 spies report on what they find in Israel.

1.     14:7-10 – Joshua/Caleb’s faithful report.

a)    Difference: these men included God!

D.    Back to David.  Does he include God?  142:5, 7

IV. 142:3-4 – David recognizes God already knows what David is telling Him.

A.     He has confidence in the personal insight of God.

1.     142:3 – you knew MY PATH; the way where I walk.

B.     We can take comfort in the fact that God is already aware of our problems before we even approach Him & that He understands.

V. 142:5, 7 – David realizes God’s provision.

A.     When he sees God’s strength – his problem begins to fade away.

B.     142:5 – God was David’s refuge. 

1.     Heb. 13:5-6

C.     142:7 – David had unbounded trust in God’s goodness.

Conclusion:

A.     Friend, there’s no living in the land of the living like living on the living God!