UNDER UNDUE PRESSURE …

PSALM 55

 

THE PSALMS HELP US EXPRESS LIFE IN A BROKEN WORLD AND POINT US TO HOPE ON THE LORD …

 

THE PSALMS ARE MUCH MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF PITHY PHRASES FOR COFFEE MUGS AND FUNERAL BULLETINS… THEY ARE A COLLECTION OF ENDURING SONGS THAT EXPRESS THE DIVERSE EMOTIONS OF THOSE THAT TRUST THE LORD – THE PSALMS EXPRESS WHAT WORDS ALONE CANNOT.

 

THE BACK STORY, 2 SAMUEL 15-17

 

THE PAIN OF UNDUE PRESSURE:

 

“THERE IS AN IMPLICIT PRESSURE TO STIFLE OUR REAL FEELINGS BECAUSE WE ARE URGED, BY PIOUS MERCHANTS OF EMOTIONAL DENIAL, THAT WE OUGHT TO HAVE FAITH

(AS IF THE MOANING PSALMISTS DIDN’T). SO, WE END UP GIVING EXTERNAL VOICE TO PRETEND EMOTIONS WE DO NOT REALLY FEEL, WHILE HIDING THE REAL EMOTIONS WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH DEEP INSIDE.”

CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT, THE GOD I DON’T UNDERSTAND

 

FRUSTRATION, VS.1-2

 

TREPIDATION, VS.3-5

 

“TROUBLES AROUND HIM, TERRORS WITHIN HIM, AND TREACHERY NEXT TO HIM.” WARREN WIERSBE

 

“…THE ULCER CAUSING, BIG TIME, MENTAL MONSTERS THAT CRAWL INTO YOUR HEAD, THEN GO WITH YOU TO BED AND STEAL YOUR SLEEP … THE CONCERNS YOU CAN’T SHAKE OFF.”

SWINDOLL

 

ISOLATION, VS.6-8

 

VINDICATION, VS.9-11, 15

 

HUMILIATION, VS.12-14,

 

A PROPER PERSPECTIVE ON PRESSURE:

 

STABILITY, VS.16

 

“I WILL CALL UPON GOD” ELOHIM

 

SALVATION, VS.16

 

“AND THE LORD WILL SAVE ME” JEHOVAH

 

SUSTAINING POWER, VS.22

 

APPLICATION:

 

BE REAL WITH YOUR EMOTIONS

 

RUN TO THE LORD