Another post of sermon notes I took while in attendance at church. Today’s message is from Jonathan Schmidt, titled “His Joy and Delight”. This message was delivered in two parts at Grace Church over successive weeks (8/24-8/31/2003). This is part 1.

Our Primary text, Psalm 43, (ESV)

1. Our Joy and Delight

Verse 1: “Vindicate me…” illustrates someone who realizes the strength and power they possess doesn’t fix their situation like His power and strength. He (rightly) sees God as judge and defender.

Our situation

Consider where we are this moment as a result of the last week. Whatever it was like, only God knows the full story and can meet us where we need to be met. Let’s look at a David’s prayer in Psalm 39. He has at least 2 prayers in the Psalms, Chapter 22 is another, but let me read Psalm 39.

What Is the Measure of My Days?

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

Do we pray like David? God is who we can call on, and we should in all circumstances. Our situation may be dark and brim, or what we find uncomfortable, but if we seek Him, and call on Him like David did here in verse 4. To have God expose the situation like it really is, to grant us His perspective.

John 14:17 “even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

God’s Spirit of Truth, to reveal His purposes to us, in His time. And until then grant us His peace.

Isaiah 26:3 Is instructive here, can help us focus on that which brings us not only peace, but life:

“You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.”

More Spiritual encouragement can be found in John16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” 

Our “Friday” may be black situationaly, but take heart, Sunday’s coming.

Standing on HIS truth, (43:3 it’s His holy hill and dwelling) being led to where God is that we might find comfort, peace, joy, and all the love our Creator would have for His creation.

2. His Joy and Delight

Always our delight and joy is HE!

Vs. 4:Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.

The apostle Paul figured it out, and we can too, let’s look at Philippians 4:12-13:

12 “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Circumstances shouldn’t be the basis for our happiness, peace, and joy. Only God gets that credit.

Psalm 43:4:

“Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.”

As in our praise, like it’s written here in the second have of verse 4, our joy and happiness shouldn’t be based on situations we are in, as it’s about HIM.

Lamentations 3:22-23 is a famous pair of verses, I believe it’s the basis for the “Great is your faithfulness” hymn (but don’t quote me).

Vs. 22-23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

But if you go back one verse it is instructive.

Vs. 21 “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.”

That HOPE is essential.

Lamentations 3 continues, let’s check out a little farther on:

37-40

Who has spoken and it came to pass,
unless the Lord has commanded it?
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that good and bad come?
39 Why should a living man complain,
a man, about the punishment of his sins?

40 Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the Lord!

God always has us where He wants us. We shouldn’t ever see Him by where we are, but who He is.