April 16, 2025
Lamenting Loneliness #
Psalm 88:1-7
Introduction
Some of the Psalms are like the bright sunny day, in which they simply praise the Lord! Others are like the cloudy dreary day in which it rains, but suddenly the clouds break way, and the sun begins to shine, and there is a bright and happy ending to the rainy day. Other Psalms are like that of a dreary storm, who’s clouds hang low, and cover for days on end. The rain doesn’t end, it simply drags on, and the sun doesn’t shine at the end of the chapter. This Psalm is like that, however we will find a ray of hope in all of it.
It is a Psalm of loneliness. The cry of the Psalmist is that of abandonment, the feeling of isolation and desolation.
Let us dive into the darkness so that we can resurface to the light.
I. The Solitude #
A. His Condition (1-7) #
1. Troubles (3) #
2. End of his life (3) #
3. No strength (4) – this is certainly humbling, and difficult to accept. #
4. Forgotten about (5) #
5. Knocking on death’s dark door (6) #
6. Feeling of God’s wrath (7) #
B. His Companions (8-9) #
1. Acquaintances left (8) #
2. God seems distant (9) #
C. His Clouded Judgment (Consternation)(10-14) #
- “Never make major decisions in moments of doubt, and confusion.”
1. Rhetorical questions to which he thinks not. (10-12) #
2. Questions of God’s involvement (14) #
II. The Saviour #
A. Jesus was sorrowful (3) #
Matthew 26:37-39
B. Jesus was despised & rejected (8) #
Is. 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
1. His disciples which had forsaken all and followed now forsake him and flee! #
Matthew 26:55-56
C. Jesus felt the distant from the Father (14) #
Matt. 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
D. Jesus was surrounded by enemies (17-18) #
Matthew 27:39-44
III. The Sympathy #
Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.