Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. 2021 has been another challenging year

a) More infections

b) More deaths

c) More questions/ doubts

2. How do we prepare for the year ahead?

a) Meaningfully

b) Realistically

c) Courageously

PROBLEMS IN LIFE

(7 Features highlighted)

1. Hidden problems

“Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.”   Psalm 31:4

a) Net of a hunter

b) Hidden trap

2. Adversity

“I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,
For You have considered my trouble;
You have known my soul in adversities,

And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy;
You have set my feet in a wide place.” Psalm 31:7-8

a) Adversities

b) The hand of the enemy

3. Trouble

“Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble;
My eye wastes away with grief,
Yes, my soul and my body!”   Psalm 31:9

a) In trouble

b) Wasting away in grief

4. Iniquity

“For my life is spent with grief,
And my years with sighing;
My strength fails because of my iniquity,
And my bones waste away.”   Psalm 31:10

a) Confession of iniquity

b) Consequences

i) Grief

ii) Sighing

iii) Strength fails

iv) Bones waste away

5. Reproach/ Repulsion/ Abandonment

“I am a reproach among all my enemies,
But especially among my neighbors,
And am repulsive to my acquaintances;
Those who see me outside flee from me.”   Psalm 31:11

a) Reproach

b) Repulsion

c) Abandonment

6. Forgotten/ Broken/ Fear

“I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;
I am like a broken vessel.

For I hear the slander of many;
Fear is on every side;
While they take counsel together against me,
They scheme to take away my life.”   Psalm 31:12-13

a) Forgotten

b) A broken vessel

c) Slander of many

d) Fear on every side

e) Schemes of murder

7. Persecution

“My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.”   Psalm 31:15

a) Enemies

b) Persecution

FACING PROBLEMS IN LIFE WITH TRUST IN GOD

1. Trust in God expressed

“In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.”   Psalm 31:1

a) Trust in God

b) Prayer for deliverance

2. Trust in God expressed again

“I have hated those who regard useless idols;
But I trust in the LORD.”   Psalm 31:6

a) Rejection of idolatry

b) Trust in the LORD affirmed

3. Trust in God further expressed

“But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;
I say, ‘You are my God.’ ”   Psalm 31:14

a) Personal trust declared

b) A focused trust in God

FACING PROBLEMS IN LIFE BY CALLING ON GOD

1. Pleading God’s Protection

“Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.”   Psalm 31:2

a) Rock of refuge

b) Fortress of defence

2. Pleading Divine deliverance

“In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.

Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.”   Psalm 31:1-2

“My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.”   Psalm 31:15

a) Deliver me in Your righteousness

b) Deliver me speedily

c) Deliverance from enemies

FACING THE FUTURE WITH COURAGE

1. Committing our spirit to God

“Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”   Psalm 31:5

a) Committing our spirit to God

b) As redeemed people

2. Believing our Times are in God’s hand

“My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.”   Psalm 31:15

a) Our times in God’s hand

b) Believing in God deeply

3. Taking good courage

“Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!
For the LORD preserves the faithful,
And fully repays the proud person.

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the LORD.”   Psalm 31:23-24

a) To love the LORD

i) He preserves the faithful

ii) He will deal with the proud

b) To take good courage

i) To find renewed strength

ii) To find hope

CONCLUSION

1. Re-affirm faith in God

“I say, ‘You are my God’ ”   Psalm 31:14b

2. Focus Faith in God’s goodness

“Oh, how great is Your goodness,
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
In the presence of the sons of men!”   Psalm 31:19

3. Bless God

“Blessed be the LORD,
For He has shown me His marvelous kindness
In a strong city”   Psalm 31:21

4. Love God

“Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!
For the LORD preserves the faithful,
And fully repays the proud person”   Psalm 31:23