O God; Thou Art My God
A Sermon on Psalm 63:1-3
Originally preached Sept. 26, 1965
Scripture
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2To see thy power and …
Sermon Description
Adversity is the quickest way to reveal the value of one’s faith. What are Christians like when they find themselves in the wilderness of suffering? In this sermon on Psalms 63:1–3 titled “O God, Thou Are My God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines David’s prayer as he turns to God in the midst of trouble. Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates a core Biblical truth: adversity always drives the true believer to God. In times of suffering, the non-Christian is annoyed and curses God. In contrast, the believer has just the opposite response. He turns to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this is because the true believer has discovered God’s lovingkindness to be better than life. Like a love-sick person, the believer is satisfied with nothing this world can give and is utterly miserable without God’s love. But with God, they can face anything. Nothing compares in value to God’s lovingkindness. Listen and find complete satisfaction in this intimate knowledge of God. The psalmist’s response to adversity should also be that of the Christian with lips that should praise Him. Rejoice in God. He will never let His child go.
Sermon Breakdown
- Times of trouble test our profession of faith. They show whether we are truly Christian or not.
- Adversity drives the true believer to God. False professors turn away from God in times of trouble.
- The true believer feels they have a right to turn to God. They know Him personally.
- The true believer thirsts for God above all else. Their desire for God is their greatest desire.
- God's lovingkindness is better than life itself for the true believer. Nothing else compares.
- The true believer knows this world is passing away. Life is transient.
- The true believer knows this world can never satisfy completely. There is always a longing for more.
- The true believer finds complete satisfaction in knowing God. He satisfies the mind, heart and conscience.
- The true believer knows God can overcome all enemies and trials. Nothing is impossible for God.
- Even if death comes, the true believer will be with God. To die is gain.
- The true believer is filled with thanksgiving, praise and joy in God.
- The true believer has a quiet confidence in God. They know His protection and provision.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.