WAITING IN HOPE

Psalm 42-43

I. The Problem of Waiting II. The Struggles of Waiting III. Finding Hope in Waiting

I. The Problem of Waiting

I. The Problem of Waiting

He longed to experience the intimate presence of God.

I. The Problem of Waiting

He longed to experience the intimate presence of God.

He knows God is real, but has lost the relational intimacy with God.

I. The Problem of Waiting

He longed to experience the intimate presence of God.

He knows God is real, but has lost the relational intimacy with God.

Feels a spiritual dryness, drought, darkness, and even deadness.

I. The Problem of Waiting

Spiritual dryness is not necessarily correlated with sin in our lives.

I. The Problem of Waiting

Spiritual dryness is not necessarily correlated with sin in our lives.

Every Christian will at some point experience a spiritual dryness.

I. The Problem of Waiting II. The Struggles of Waiting III. Finding Hope in Waiting

II. The Struggles of Waiting

1. Spiritual dryness can cause a negative physical impact.

II. The Struggles of Waiting

1. Spiritual dryness can cause a negative physical impact.

2. Spiritual dryness can lead to loss of community.

II. The Struggles of Waiting

If you are here long-term, you will need to actively and regularly reconstruct your community.

II. The Struggles of Waiting

If you are here long-term, you will need to actively and regularly reconstruct your community.

3. Spiritual dryness can cause deep sorrow over life’s circumstances.

II. The Struggles of Waiting

His enemies are tearing him down spiritually. “Where is your God?”

II. The Struggles of Waiting

His enemies are tearing him down spiritually. “Where is your God?”

He starts to question God himself. “Why have you forgotten me?”

I. The Problem of Waiting II. The Struggles of Waiting III. Finding Hope in Waiting

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

1. He pours out his soul to God.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

1. He pours out his soul to God.

If you are waiting on God or feel spiritually dry, keep reading the Bible, praying, worshipping with your church family, etc.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

1. He pours out his soul to God.

If you are waiting on God or feel spiritually dry, keep reading the Bible, praying, worshipping with your church family, etc.

If you don’t feel anything, tell him.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

2. He analyzes his soul.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

2. He analyzes his soul.

It takes courage to ask ourselves the hard questions.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

2. He analyzes his soul.

It takes courage to ask ourselves the hard questions.

He’s been putting his hope in things that have let him down.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

What are you really hoping in today?

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

What are you really hoping in today?

What you hope in is what you value.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

3. He acknowledges God’s sovereignty over his circumstances.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

3. He acknowledges God’s sovereignty over his circumstances.

The trials of life are ordained by a good and wise God who is working out his divine plan for you.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

4. He remembers God’s love.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

4. He remembers God’s love.

Remembering is a powerful tool in building hope.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

4. He remembers God’s love.

Remembering is a powerful tool in building hope.

LORD= Yahweh. God’s covenant name.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

Steadfast Love=hesed. The covenant and loyal love of God for his people.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

5. He preaches to his own soul.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

5. He preaches to his own soul. Faith and doubt can co-exist. Not wrong to have doubts.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

At some point you have to stop listening to your soul and start preaching to your soul.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

At some point you have to stop listening to your soul and start preaching to your soul.

You must remind yourself of God’s truth and grace.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

Because of Jesus, God promises to never leave us or give up on us.

III. Finding Hope in Waiting

Because of Jesus, God promises to never leave us or give up on us.

Christian: Nothing can separate you from his love.