Keep Trusting God's Word When Trouble Comes

Last night, during our National Day of Prayer Service, I resumed my exposition of Psalm 119. I was scheduled to preach this message last Wednesday night, but both physical fatigue and mental distractions resulted in me going home to get in the bed hours before the service. Praise God I had another opportunity to present this message. And after having a week to let it "marinate," I didn't have some of the typical anxieties I have when I am preaching a new message. Likewise, this has been a really tough week for me. I am now going in the different direction that what is really on my heart to do. Honestly, I am tired of doing that. I am not even sure that it is the right thing to do. But it often seems the wise thing to do for the sake of maintaining unity. Well, with all of this going on within me, the one who preached last night probably needed the message much more than anyone and everyone in the room who heard it. Preaching that message last night has saved my ministry at a critical time of frustration, disappointment, and exasperation. Here is the sermon skeleton. I hope you will find it helpful as you read through Psalm 119.

Title: "Keep Trusting God's Word When Trouble Comes"

Text: Psalm 119:49-56

Theme: The sustaining power of God's word for troubled believers

Point: Keep trusting God's word even when trouble comes.

Outline:

I. God's word produces true hope (v. 49).

II. God's word produces great comfort (vv. 50-52).

A. The source of our comfort (v. 50)

B. The depth of our comfort (v. 51)

C. The means to our comfort (v. 52)

III. God's word produces holy zeal (v. 53).

IV. God's word produces stubborn joy (v. 54).

V. God's word produces faithful obedience (vv. 55-56).