## Difficult Times

## Psalm 27:1-6

We live in difficult times today. There is much fear and concern not only about the future, there is fear of the here and now. Companies closing their doors and moving production to other areas or even foreign countries! Jobs that were once considered stable are now questionable. Our children are no longer safe from harm in our nation's schools. How do we handle the difficult times in which we live?

This morning, I want us to consider that difficult times are not just now occurring. Life is hard now, but it has never been easy! Perhaps life in earlier days was different, but not without difficulty.

We need to be reminded that God is eternal, and the principles of His Word are also eternal. They do not change! Even in a changing society. In the 27th Psalm, David presents several principles that enabled him to handle difficult times in his life. These principles will help us deal with whatever may come our way as well.

I. Our Relationship with God v1

A. This is foundational.

1. We must have an anchor that holds us steadfast in the midst of the storms of life.

2. James tells us that we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

3. None of us have any idea of what may be just around the corner.

4. Now, I don't say that to cause us to be afraid…or to worry about the uncertainty of life.

5. But it underscores the need of us having a personal relationship with God that we can draw upon no matter what.

B. Assurance of Salvation is Vital.

1. The songwriter put it this way, 'I don't know about tomorrow…but I know who holds my hand!'

2. David knew he was saved.

3. He didn't say maybe or might be…He is!

4. There are those that might say that I was being presumptuous to say that we can know that we are saved, but we do not have to look any further than the Word of God for that assurance.

(1 John 5:13) "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

C. Our relationship with God is a reality.

1. Either we really have a personal relationship or we really do not!

2. Salvation is both fact and faith.

a. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

b. The Lord is my strength of my life.

c. "Fact" - Christ died for the ungodly.

d. "Faith" - All who believe will be saved.

3. One of the reasons people have trouble handling the difficulties of life is that they lack the assurance of a personal relationship with God.

4. The apostle Paul could deal with the hardships and difficulties that he faced during his ministry because of his assurance.

(2 Tim 1:12) "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

5. Do we have that assurance today? If not we can get that settled once and for all right now!

(Acts 2:21) "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

II. Our Confidence in God. v2-3

A. David remembered his experiences with Goliath.

1. He remembered how God delivered him.

2. Goliath represented all that was wicked and evil.

3. He was the enemy that no man could conquer, but God enabled David to be victorious that day.

B. We all have giants that we must face from time to time.

1. What giant is in our path today?

2. What is it that seems to big to overcome?

3. Have confidence in God…do not be afraid.

C. Trust in the Lord.

(Psa 112:7-8) "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. {8} His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies."

1. This is not the power of positive thinking!

2. It isn't about summoning up loads of self-confidence.

3. This is about trusting the promises of God…a God with whom we have a personal relationship!

(Psa 118:8) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

(Prov 3:5-6) "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. {6} In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

III. Our Worship of God. v4-6

A. Worship as a part of our life.

1. We need to realize that worship is not just something that is done on one day of the week.

2. It is to be a part of our lives.

3. David said it was his one (first priority) was to 'dwell' or remain in the presence of God.

4. To be where God is…to dwell in His house

5. What is our number one desire?

6. What is our desire of the Lord?

a. He is not like the fairy tale genie in the lamp.

b. But if we had one wish, one request that we could make to God…

c. What would it be?

d. No wonder David was referred to as a man after God's own heart.

B. Note the connection in v5

1. In time of trouble…

2. I don't want to have to go looking for God.

3. I don't want to scramble around and stumble through some prayer.

4. I want to be able to trust in Him in times of trouble.

C. Set me upon a rock.

1. When I begin to sink deep into the mire of sin and problems.

2. I want to be able to call out to Him, knowing He is near.

3. To have confidence that He will reach down, lift me up, and set my feet upon the solid rock.

(Psa 30:1) "I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me."

(Psa 40:2) "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

D. The rejoicing. v6

1. Offer sacrifices of joy. (Literally means I will shout loudly like sounding the battle cry)

2. Sing praises unto the Lord. (Literally means like a strolling minstrel)

3. Let it be known unto others!

(Psa 107:2) "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;"

There is no promise that we will not have to face difficulties, but we can rest upon these principles to be able to get us through them.

- Our Relationship with the Lord
- Our Confidence in Him
- Our Worship of Him