Message by Chad Kelly
Frodo, in J.R.R. Tolkien”™s classic “Lord of the Rings” series is that little hobbit on whom the One Ring falls. He and only he must bear this terrible possession to the fires of Mount Doom to save Middle Earth. He protests his assignment, having not asked for this awful burden that has fallen into his hands. He says to his mentor and guide, Gandalf, “I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.”
And how we wish our world was different, just like young Frodo.
But Gandalf wisely responds, “So do all who see such times. But that is not for us to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that we are given.”
We ALL deal with circumstances or relationships that we don”™t like and that truly are heavy burdens in our lives.
How will we handle the burden we carry?
What attitude will we choose to have?
Last Sunday we began a series based on our new Bible Study, “Lord, Change My Attitude” by James MacDonald. The message was “Lord, Cure My Complaining”.
Memory Verse:
Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing [that is, spoken, public murmuring/talking/whining/griping to others about our circumstances/situations/relationships], 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
This morning I want us to think together about Psalm 142 under the title”¦
Lord, Hear My Complaint
Psalm 142
Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.
Psalm 142 (NIV)
A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.
Don”™t miss David”™s circumstances: he is running for his life from King Saul and is literally in hiding in a cave.
1 I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
2 I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble.
It is KEY to notice here”¦WHO is receiving David”™s complaint?
GOD is! And that is the difference between the complaining Scripture so often warns about””and that God can”™t stand””and the prayerful “complaining” that the psalmist does in conversation with God!
Spurgeon
We may learn from this text that our complaint must never be of a kind that we dare not bring before God. We may complain to God, but not of God. When we complain it should not be before men, but before God alone. He exhibited his griefs to one who could assuage them: he did not fall into the mistaken plan of so many who publish their sorrows to those who cannot help them.
Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.
3 When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
people have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
Spurgeon
Human help fails most when most needed.
5 I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
THIS is how our complaints are transformed through prayer into faith!
We”™re talking to the One who rules over our lives with love like no other!
6 Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.
Psalm 142 (NLT)
A psalm of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.
1 I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord”™s mercy.
2 I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
3 When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn.
Abraham Wright
The committing of our cause to God is at once our duty, our safety, and our ease.
Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.
Wherever I go,
my enemies have set traps for me.
4 I look for someone to come and help me,
but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me;
no one cares a bit what happens to me.
5 Then I pray to you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.
6 Hear my cry,
for I am very low.
Rescue me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Bring me out of prison
so I can thank you.
The godly will crowd around me,
for you are good to me.”
Spurgeon
Note that we do not show our trouble before the Lord that he may see it, but that we may see him. Pour out your thoughts and you will see what they are; show your trouble and the extent of it will be known to you: let all be done before the Lord, for in comparison with his great majesty of love the trouble will seem to be as nothing.
Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.
Charlotte Elliott
From human eyes ’tis better to conceal
Much that I suffer, much I hourly feel;
But, oh, this thought can tranquillize and heal,
All, all is known to thee.
Nay, all by thee is ordered, chosen, planned,
Each drop that fills my daily cup, thy hand
Prescribes for ills, none else can understand,
All, all is known to thee.
God knows/understands our burdens better than we do!
AND”¦He cares about us! He LOVES us!
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.
Romans 8:31b-32 (NIV)
If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all””how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
In prayer and through the Word, we end up back at the Cross, which is the proof that no matter what we face, God”™s love and gracious commitment to us is signed, sealed and delivered in Jesus”¦and He WILL see us through!
So, when things get crazy and tough, instead of opening your mouth to others, pray, “Lord, hear my complaint”, as you pour out your heart to HIM!
Taking our complaints to God in prayer will cure our grumbling about God.