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Tested in the Night

Text: Psalm 17, 22
2 July 2006

(I) OUR DESIRE TO HAVE GOD ANSWER PRAYERS IMMEDIATELY

1. Natural aversion to remain in pain for any great length of time

2. Natural desire to recover quickly and completely

3. Prayers ascend to God for quick answers

(II) GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS ANSWER PRAYERS IMMEDIATELY

“My God, My God, why have Your forsaken Me? Why are you so far from helping Me,
And from the words of my groaning?
O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night seasons, and am not silent.” Psalm 22:1-2

1. Feelings can hurt deeply

a) Dismay

b) Discouragement

c) Despair

2. Feelings can affect our understanding and trust of God

a) God seems to have forsaken

b) God seems far away

c) God seems not to hear prayers

(III) UNDERSTANDING WHY GOD DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY

“You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night
You have tried me and found nothing;
I have purposed in my heart that my mouth shall not transgress.” Psalm 17:3

1. God will test the kind of heart we have

2. God will use the night season to test us

(IV) DETERMINATION TO TRUST IN GOD

“I have called upon You;
For You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me,
And hear my speech.
Show me Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand
O You who save those who trust in You…’ Psalm 17:6-7

1. Faith that God will hear prayers offered

2. Faith expressed in perseverance in praying

3. Faith in God’s “marvelous lovingkindness”

4. Faith that God will deliver “those who trust in Him”