BIG IDEA:
THE FAINT-HEARTED APPRECIATE GOD AS THEIR SOLID ROCK OF REFUGE
I. (:1-4) PRAYER FOR REFUGE CONNECTS THE FAINT-HEARTED WITH THEIR TOWER OF STRENGTH
A. (:1) Prayer Seeks an Audience with God
“Hear my cry, O God”
“Give heed to my prayer”
B. (:2a) God is Never Out of Range of Our Prayers
cf. Cell phones today where you hit a bad cell
1. God can seem far away from us
“From the end of the earth I call to Thee”
2. Our faith can seem to be very weak
“when my heart is faint “
C. (:2b-4) God Can be a Tower of Strength to Provide Refuge
1. the Rock that is higher than I
2. a Refuge for me
3. a Tower of Strength against the enemy
4. a Tent of Fellowship and Worship where I can safely dwell
5. a Refuge in the Shelter of Thy Wings
II. (:5-8) PRAISE FOR REFUGE MUST BE REINFORCED WITH DAILY FAITHFULNESS
A. (:5a) Praise is the Proper Response to Answered Prayer
“For Thou hast heard my vows, O God”
God responds to faithfulness
B. (:5b-7) Praise is the Proper Response to God’s Gift of Preservation
1. Preservation to enjoy godly posterity
2. Preservation to enjoy a long and successful life
3. Preservation to enjoy fellowship with God by faith
4. Preservation thru the twin shepherds of lovingkindness and truth
C. (:8) Praise is the Proper Response to the Opportunity for Continued Faithfulness