Psalm 130 - Even when I can’t see you, I know you’re there!

Message Outline:

Introduction, Prayer, Scripture, Focus of text, Story, Preach, Apply,

Invite to chaplain services, Pray, Close invite

Introduction

Tony Hipszer

Spiritual and emotional care of the patients, their family and the hospital staff.

Chapel service is held in the chapel located on the 2^nd floor of the hospital Tuesday at Noon and on Sunday at 9:30a.

If you are unable to make it to the chapel, it is also broadcast on channel 10 of the hospital TVs.

Pray!!

Scripture Focus:

Even when I can’t see you, I know you’re there!

Psalm 130 NKJV

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

Background

ASCENTS: This psalm is known as one of the fifteen “songs of ascent” which is Psalm 120 through 134.

They are a collection of songs believed by some scholars to have been used as celebration when the Israelites were released from captivity in Babylon and were making their journey back to Jerusalem in the 6^th century before Christ.

Still other scholars believe that these were praise songs sung on pilgrimage back to Jerusalem for the agricultural festivals such as Passover and the Feast of Booths.

Regardless of which set of scholars you choose to side with – today these songs are reminders of God’s goodness in the face of our troubles.

This is especially true in this psalm with the passion in which the writer is calling out to God.

TWO AUDIENCES:

The author is speaking to two different audiences: in the first four verses of the psalm God is being addressed directly.

In the final four verses, the conversation shifts from God to Israel.

Lets peer into each one individually.

1 2	Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

DEPTHS: What does it mean to call from the depths?

This word is typically used in reference to a body of water – so think about the depths of the sea.

Many of us have heard that the ocean floor can be a dark place – but just how dark?

The Museum of Natural History describes that light molecules are dissipated as they travel through water. Even on the brightest of days, by the time light reaches 200 meters underwater – it is completely gone.

The bodies of water they would have been most familiar with are the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Seas which are 10 times deeper.

The author is saying: I am so far down that I cannot even see – I am calling to you from the darkest reaches of my life.

I am so hurt

I am so lonely

I am so confused

Only you are able to hear me God

3 4	If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

The author continues the dialogue with God by acknowledging that God’s willingness to see past the troubles of the world so that we can understand God.

EVIL: We live in a world where evil is allowed to exist. Even the most generous and loving person is not immune to the evils of this world – but God can see past all of it.

Three Names: Interestingly, the author has addressed God in three different ways at this point in the song. The Hebrew is more obvious than the English.

Verse 1 God is called Yahweh – the divine name for God.

Verse 2 he is called Adonai – which is another powerful term for God meaning Master or Lord.

Verse 3 God is known Adonai again, but just before it he is called “Yah” – the shortened form of the divine name.

DIVERSITY: Possibly the author has highlighted the majesty and diversity of God through all these terms. Possibly the author is remembering the context when “Yah” is first used in Scripture.

Exodus 15:2

The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

We hear the author’s cry:

LORD, I am hurting so much that I cannot see you in this situation.

But you are my strength and I praise you!

SHIFT: The author now reaches out to anyone who will listen, presumably it is Israel –

but still keeps his trust in God.

5 6 7 8

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

ALL of ME:

I wait – Every ounce of my being waits (soul)

In His word I hope

HOPE:

The deeper meaning behind this word is waiting, enduring, longing for, pleading.

WATCHMEN: Their role is to protect the city – pretty scary for those who have night duty.

·        Reminds me of Alaska. Was there a bear? Who knows?

·        Watchmen are in the midst of darkness, expecting trouble but hoping it never comes.

·        Morning light, when they can see and the enemies are chased away.

·        They KNOW morning will come, but for now – they wait anxiously.

Similar message, different audience, same focus:

While in the midst of despair they anticipate God's lovingkindness.

Complete, unconditional, unfiltered love.

Apply (Took)

I don’t know why you are in this hospital listening today.

Perhaps you’re a patient awaiting a diagnosis and treatment.

Perhaps you’re visiting where you sit hopelessly trying to care for a loved one who is scared and hurting – all while balancing life and home.

Perhaps you are one of the many staff members who have dedicated their lives to helping people in the midst of their physical pains.

Day in and day out you see suffering before the healing.

Whether is it right now, recently past or sometime in the future – you will find yourself in the depths of darkness where you think no one can see you or hear you.

TEACH: This psalm teaches us a few things:

It is okay to cry out to God, pleading for his help.

But while you are, wait in anticipation of God’s goodness and lovingkindness.

Francesca Battistelli

There's nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord

[Chorus:]
Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

As difficult as it may be, remind yourself of the times in your life where he sustained you – then praise God and wait for Him!

CLOSING:

Before we close, let me remind you that there is always a chaplain available here.

Let your nurse know.

Prayer, listen, keep you company.

PRAY!