THIRSTY?

The Perfect Pick-Me-Upper

Psalm 42:1-11, 43:1-5

Espresso … is a concentrated beverage brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure.

Introduction• Psalms are EMOTIONAL,

THEOLOGICAL, and ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS.

• Spiritual dryness may be the result of LONELINESS. (vv5, 6, 9, 11)

• Your DRYNESS may be caused by God’s seeming silence or apparent absence. (vv3, 9, 10)

Espresso … has more caffeine per unit volume than most beverages, but the usual serving size is smaller

Thirsty PsalmistEmotional Questions• When will this be OVER? (42:2b)

• Where is GOD? (42:3b, 10b)

• Why has God FORGOTTEN me? (42:9a)

• Why is this happening to ME? (42:9b; 43:2c)

• Why has God REJECTED me? (43:2b)

dryness by

Separation

Thirsty PsalmistTheological Questions• Why are you in DEPRESSION, O

my soul? (42:5a, 11a; 43:5a)

• and Why have you become UNSETTLED within me? (42:5b, 11b; 43:5b)

The Only Answer• HOPE in God, for I shall PRAISE

Him (42:5c, 11c; 43:5c)

– Waiting for God to act in accordance with His promise = HOPE

– Responding to God’s promise, presence and/or His action = PRAISE

– The psalmist is thirsting for a return to the praise state

Sweet Praise Expressions• O God, I MISS YOU (42:4)

– Recognize your need of God, not the other way around

– Feel the weight, loss of relationship with God

– Pour out your soul, empty it of the junk you have swallowed

Sweet Praise Expressions• O God, I AM SORRY (42:7)

– Own your own sin and God’s right to punish

– Appreciate His steadfast love in discipline

– Cling to the Rock, the Living God

Sweet Praise Expressions• O God, I WILL FOLLOW YOU (43:3)

– Pray for deliverance, defense– Follow light and truth given to you– reEngage in forgiven worship

ConclusionYou who are thirsty, come drink

deeply of GOD– This relationship is fashioned

often under pressure, near the boiling point

– It has higher levels of “pick-up” and energizing quality than any other!