Point of Grace Online Worship 8.2.20

Sermon Notes - “Psalms – Ancient Prayers for Unprecedented Times!”

In Psalm 42, the psalmist helps me navigate the tender terrain of my soul because he knows that,

“Knowing What Matters to My Soul Lets My Soul Matter”

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while it is said to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

What Matters to my soul?

- My soul thirsts. ……………… My Soul thirsts for the present God. (vs.1-2)

- My soul has questions? ……………… My soul needs to be questioned? (vs. 3-5)

- My soul needs grace from me. “Help” to hope and “yet” to praise. (vs. 5)

6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the Lord (Yahweh) directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

What Matters to my soul?

- My soul gets the grace of “therefore I will remember” even when downcast. (vs.6)

- My soul gets cascading waterfalls of deep grace overwhelming all thirst. (vs.7)

- My soul gets Yahweh (Jesus), His personal love, a song to sing and prayer to pray. (vs.8)

9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

What Matters to my soul?

- My soul gets to question my God and lament my situation while trusting Him as my Rock. (vs.9-10)

- My soul gets to “not” stay there but return to hope and praise. (vs.11)

Knowing What Matters to My Soul Lets My Soul Matter!

When my soul begins to matter to me like it matters to Jesus, then I will have been loved and lead a little further into the meaningful life He intends for me.

Homework: Read and pray Psalm 42 every day this week! (Hint: Follow the reading schedule in the notes below.)

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Join in through Facebook Live or go to www.pog.church/live to view.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

These resources which will help you “Pray Psalm 42” and “Let Your Soul Matter” this week.

A new book recommendation this week– “Soul-keeping: Caring for the most important part of you.” – John Ortberg

The Scripture Reading schedule for this week is somewhat unique. Our goal is to meditate on Psalm 42 all week. I encourage you to read the entire Psalm every day and then take some additional focus time on just a few verses each day. Repetition is your friend. Remember you are not necessarily looking for new information from the Psalm once you understand it. Repeatedly returning to the Psalm each day allows the Holy Spirit to use the Psalm to minister to you, to speak to you, to reveal you to you, and God to you. Some additional scripture references are cited on some days if you would like to do further reading. If the schedule below is helpful, please use it. If it is not, then work through the Psalm at your own pace.

Mon – Psalm 42… with a special emphasis on vs. 1-3 (John 4:7-14) Tue – Psalm 42 … with a special emphasis on vs. 4-5 (John 7:37-44) Wed – Psalm 42 … with a special emphasis on vs. 6-7 (Ephesians 3:14-19) Thu – Psalm 42 … with a special emphasis on vs. 8 (1 John 3:1, 4:9-12) Fri – Psalm 42 … with a special emphasis on vs. 9-11 Sat - Psalm 42 and 43 (It is thought by most scholars that Psalm 43 is not a separate psalm but the final stanza of 42.)

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller excellent daily devotional based on the Psalms

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Check out bibleproject.com. Look for their videos on the Psalms.

The “One Minute Pause” App by Ransomed Heart (use is multiple times every day)

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)