"Rising Above" (Psalm 63)

Pre-Message Communion



Christian Pastor, Andrew Brunson, from North Carolina, spent 20 years ministering in Turkey. In 2016, after a failed military coup, Brunson was arrested along with journalists, activists and others. The Turkish government had labelled him a ‘spy’. Brunson was held for more than a year without charges. He spent nearly two years in prison – at one point it appeared to him … that he may spend decades in Turkish prisons. Happily, Brunson has been released and returned to the US, but not before he went through a whole lot of trauma.



Following his return, Brunson has candidly spoken about the fact that he did NOT feel God’s presence during his stay in prison. God was silent. Brunson says: I was broken. I lay there alone in my solitary cell. I had great fear, terrible grief, and I was weeping. And the thought kept going through my mind – “Where are you God? Why are you so far away?”. But, as I opened my mouth … and as I wept aloud, I was surprised at what I heard coming out of my mouth. I heard, “I love you Jesus, I love you Jesus, I love you Jesus”. I thought … here is my victory. Even if you’re silent, I love you. Even if you let my enemy harm me, I love you.



I reckon there is power in saying those simple, yet profound, words – ‘I love you Jesus’! As we can’t really say these words, in times of trouble, unless we sincerely mean them, the words ‘I love you Jesus’, open up a pathway to experience God in a new way – where previously there only seemed to be silence. So, If you are coming to the communion table today, in something of a mess, or if you feel you have lost God somewhere along the way – then why don’t you simply say “I love you Jesus” … and see what happens! Like Andrew Brunson – this may be your victory!!



Message Introduction



When we can’t sleep, or wake up in the middle of the night with too much on our mind, we somehow need to know the presence of God with us. We need to have read Psalm 63 – which promotes a special intimacy with God … which will see us through the biggest crisis. Strange then … that the last time I did a sermon on this particular psalm was over 30 years ago. We’ll change that today.



I was prompted to study this psalm by an Our Daily Bread devotion (3 June 19) which suggested that we have here David’s middle-of-the-night experience of sadness over the rebellion of his son Absalom. That would weigh heavy – and many of us may be able to relate easily to this. It is often family problems or relationship issues that disrupt our sleep. Psalm 63 shows how David was able to call upon God’s presence, and because of this find a way forward.



The Beginning and The End



Just overviewing this psalm – the first section (verses 1-4) brings statements about the psalmist’s deep thirst for God, worshipful focus on God’s glory, praise for God’s steadfast love, and commitment to seriously live for God. Life is such that we need our Creator – that perfect source of love … which we cannot do without. We often feel in drought – so we need the living water of Jesus. We need to know God well! Without God, every other relationship seems to lack too much … for us to really rely on it. We can never quite be at peace with ourselves or our environment.



Yet, once we appreciate the presence of God around us, life feels very different – together in the company of other believers, we deeply behold God’s glory and wonder. We come to express this in praise and worship – and it’s NOT forced or unnatural, but rather becomes spontaneous and fluid. We can’t help but praise God … because this fuels us each day, and also provides a strong and personal testimony to others around us. We would naturally accept all opportunities of worship.



And, with God IN the picture, we know that others, like ourselves, are a work in progress – and that life is all about forgiveness, mutual encouragement, and side-by-side growth … toward the realisation of all human potential. The closer we get to God, and the more our spirit has been released in worship – the more we become a blessing to each other and the world – the more we tend to serve. Our very persona and lifestyle can show that we are living beyond ourselves – as we call on the name of the Lord (and are filled with His Spirit).



The final section (verses 9-11) speaks about the assurance that those who have sought to bring David undone, or destroy his reputation, will be silenced and held accountable for their actions – this, ultimately, vindicating David, as someone who has truly, with a repentant heart, sought to be God’s person. The opponents of humble leadership or sincere service will be ultimately defeated – if not in this world, certainly in the next; and in the way history is viewed.



Those who speak the truth soundly (or, “swear by him [God]” – v 11) will be vindicated; while those who lie, or twist the truth to their own ends, or serve false gods – they will be silenced. This not only leads to our personal and spiritual survival, but also allows for a more joyful and peaceful experience of daily life. We simply trust in God.



The Necessary Process



The middle section (verses 5-8) has a real intimate feel … around the things that we think about in the middle of the night … when we can’t sleep. This is where the work has been done … to allow for the praise in the first section, and the assurance in the final section. This psalm is all about rising above the negatives of life, to live as a redeemed and reformed person. We can allow this psalm to prompt a few questions to us!



What is it that might keep us awake, or wake us up, or cause us to sleep unsoundly? Specifically?!? And, how are these more negative thoughts replaced by the positive ones we need?? How is it that we will rise next morning above the problems around us, ready to engage with life, and make a positive contribution through all the interactions of a day. How is it … that we will NOT go back to those places that we have already been delivered from?!?



What do we think about in the sleepless hours?? Arguments, disagreements, broken relationships, anger, frustration, difficult decisions, illness, lack of work or loss of income, debts. Concern for the welfare of loved ones. Past or current abuse or trauma or grief. Lack of confidence or feelings of inadequacy – thinking “I won’t be able to do it”, or, “I can’t live up to those expectations”. Temptation. Maybe … how we can satisfy our current addiction. Maybe, our own death.



Night-time can be a time of greater vulnerability – alone in our thoughts … where negativity can take a primary position. ‘Monsters’ from the past can come back to oppress us. Sometimes these are our own mistakes … that we can’t quite ever leave behind, or forgive ourselves for. Regret over the past can cripple us … if we let it. Feelings of shame can haunt us – prompting us to believe lies like ‘I am NOT good enough, I am dirty, I am defective, I am worthless, I am insignificant, I am unlovable’ – lies like these … can undo us.



When distressed, or uncertain, or unable to decide, or we are caught between competing allegiances – this can all seem worse when we toss-and-turn and can’t sleep. So, if we can just turn our mind to the presence of Jesus with us, even if we don’t get an answer straight away; even if all we can do is say, “I love you Jesus” – we will know that we are NOT alone, that someone really powerful and loving cares for us – and that if we trust him, all will eventually be okay.



Many of us have found God to be helpful (in particular situations) in the past, and we need to reassure ourselves of exactly that! We well recall those times when God has been particularly real to us. This has often happened in the richness of community, rather than in the poverty of aloneness. We have worshipped before in the company of believers, and surely encountered the presence of God. In light of God’s love for others – God certainly, undeniably, loves me too!! This will be like our hunger being satisfied with the best of food, causing grateful words to spill forth. We know an answer is coming – perhaps resolution is NOT far away.



We will no longer feel alone, but rather feel “upheld” – for there is someone on the journey with us, clinging to us in unremitting care – ONE who can be totally relied upon. We just need to think of God – the psalmist puts it “when I think of you on my bed” (v 6), and also meditate on the good possibilities God brings. Then we can sense that tangible help – the way God is working in our minds to settle us down, and give us more clarity and understanding; and we can sense that protection and guidance of being encased under God’s wing. We might even break out in song!



Intimacy with God



We need to move beyond an awareness about God … to an intimacy WITH God. For me, this is the big difference between singing hymns just with our minds, and engaging in deep and passionate worship with all our being! It is okay to say that ‘God is with us’, but it is by actively turning our thoughts to God, and letting the Holy Spirit reign free – that we can truly experience God’s living presence with us (and therefore be truly sustained in our faith). This psalm certainly reflects a very earnest desire to connect cohesively with God. So important – because any measure of suffering is a dark place for anyone who doesn’t allow God to give it meaning.



An intimate relationship with God must be established. Close fellowship with God must be cultivated. It is in deep communion with God … that we will receive all the grace, wisdom and strength we need … to handle our difficulties. Another psalm famously says, “God is our refuge and strength – a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). Paul, in Romans chapter 8 (vs 26-27), talks about the Holy Spirit interceding for us, when we just can’t find the words to approach our situation. The Holy Spirit prays for us (and with us) in accordance with God’s will, such “groans or sighs” being heard and understood and responded to … by God.



Here, God’s Spirit is merging with our spirit … in the deepest act of intimacy. Scot McKnight writes, “The Spirit takes our worries and sets them before God, and takes our consternation and resolves it in God’s presence”. McKnight also writes, “Prayer, when swallowed up by the Spirit, takes us to new places in the presence of God”. This deep communion, as Frances Hogan writes, is “a drink from the river of life in the heart of God – a drink that invigorates and heals, as well as teaches and gives direction to life”. As we are now fully open to God, God, who is Spirit, communes with our spirit … to pour living water onto thirsty ground.



As we surrender all of our concerns to God – we release God to show all of His love, regard and care … for us, and also for those around us. In deep communion with God, we also deal with the sin within our own heart, and seek forgiveness for our part in the troubling situation we are in; while, at the same time, finding the strength (in God) to forgive those others who have offended us – leaving their fate in the fair and just hands of God. As we free up space like this, in our thinking and in our spirit, we can begin to sense those new paths forward, and creative ways of approaching various challenges.

Identity with Christ

Rather than predominantly thinking about our troubles – what can we think about? Here is what we can replace negative thoughts with – 'Jesus restores broken people'!! And Jesus wants to be our friend, and Saviour!! The only way to be healed from feelings of shame … is to shift your focus from who you are in your own eyes to who Christ is … what he has done for you, and what he declares about you. You are NOT what someone else says negatively about you; you are NOT what someone has done to you – you ARE saved by the grace of God in faith (or can be), and ARE being renewed into the image of Jesus. In Christ, you are forgiven, you are free, you are redeemed, healed and beautiful.

You are a cherished child of the everlasting Father. You are fully known and fully loved. [From J D Greear]. The grip of grace never lets you go. And, the resurrection of Jesus … shows God’s victory … even over our own physical death (this sometimes being our greatest worry). We are forgiven through the death of Jesus on the cross, and we are saved through Jesus’ resurrection – the forerunner of all new life … the new life we are being given (Romans 5:10). Because Jesus lives we can live … on-and-on. Our new spiritual life … is Jesus’ life.

We are in Christ, and he is in us. Jesus’ life is our life (John 14:19, Col 3:3-4). When we die, we can be safe in the arms of God’s love and mercy. As we allow Jesus to shape our lives here and now, he will continue to shape our lives through eternity (wherever that leads). Salvation is NOT just a word (that we throw around), but rather, salvation is … a person!! And that person loves you. The name of Jesus means – God’s salvation. Like David, in this psalm … be reassured, in those sleepless hours of the night, that Jesus is with you!

Conclusion

It is only God that can help us. And it is through Jesus that we can rise above our difficulties and stresses. The resources of God are much greater than our own, or any we will find (anywhere) in the world. Yet, as life goes on, we will likely need to place greater value on God, and our relationship with God, than we have ever thought before! Maybe sometimes we will be challenged (by God’s Spirit) about our inaction … about our inattention to certain matters or particular people. But, at the same time, God is offering us his (powerful) resources … through which to provide for our forgiveness, and so we can attempt various forms of activity … that previously may have seemed too difficult.

It is in seeking and staying close to God, and in affirming that God will never leave us, but rather sustain us, and, in this, will always have our best at heart, that we will survive the biggest challenges – and not just survive, but also grow … and rise above! But sometimes, when the crunch comes suddenly, we remain unprepared. This is why we need to get the Word of God into us, and fully understand who Jesus is to us – our subject for next week; but reading and re-reading Psalm 63 would be a good start. This is so that, when the crunch comes without warning, we are better prepared with the tools and resources we need. Amen.