This world is growing older and rushing toward the day when it will be no more—for Jesus is coming back someday to end all of these earthly things.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; 
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, 
but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3:9,10).

The people in this world are largely ignorant of these things and are thus totally unprepared for both the end of time and the end of their lives.

But we, as the blood-bought people of God, do understand!  And we know that we have a mission to live godly lives while evangelizing the lost multitudes.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner
 of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, 
wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements 
shall melt with fervent heat?  Nevertheless we, according to his promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless (2 Peter 3:11-14).

Let us use the time and talents we have been given to teach the truth to the people who are alive right now, thus accepting the challenge to—

A deer will often raise its head to get a scent or a better idea of its surroundings.  The word “pant” here in Psalm 41 has that idea in it. Although it begins by drawing our attention to the beautiful sight of one of God’s creatures actually doing that which it ought to do, the real focus of this poem is on the fact that when the deer is “panting,” a number of other things also occur.  So let us apply it to human beings by first deciding to do as we ought to do—pant after God; and then let us see the elements of panting:

• Needing (vv. 2,3).
• Remembering (v. 4).
• Hoping (v. 5).
• Praying (vv. 6-8).
• Asking (vv. 9,10).

The result of it all is in verse 11: Receiving!

Verse 1 serves as an introduction and overview of the song.  It can capture the attention of anyone who has seen this most beautiful and graceful creature. That part of the world has several kinds of deer, as ours does.  Since God made the deer, He is able to use their instinctive acts as lessons to teach us to develop our senses so that we recognize our own needs. This enables us to look to Him from the inner parts of the soul in order to receive satisfaction.

In this first main point, David teaches us that “panting” includes “needing.”  The deer stretches its neck upward and pants because it has a need.  Here, the poet expresses his need with the word “thirst.”  He desires an audience before God, especially in light of the fact that his difficulties are so severe that he has shed tears over them.  His suffering has increased because some are saying, “Where is your God?”  All who have lived godly lives have experienced such needs at times—and all who have truly panted after Him have had such needs met by the expressions of His lovingkindness. 

In this second main point, David teaches us that “panting” includes “remembering.”  The past has fond memories in it.  These memories help him to “pant” in the right direction and make it easier for him to go to the place where his “thirst can be quenched.”  Are your memories those of past service to God and fellowship with His faithful ones?  Do these memories serve to motivate you to keep stretching yourself in the right direction?

In this third main point, David teaches us that “panting” includes “hoping.” He expresses the despair he feels in the present situation, and he reminds his soul that the distress is to be resolved by hoping in the God Who will turn His countenance our way and help (David is here recommending that you talk to yourself!).

In this fourth main point, David teaches us that “panting” includes “praying.”  His prayer is coming out of his depression, but it is a commitment to pray at all of the places in his life.  The “land of the Jordan” is a wonderful lowland of milk and honey, the “heights of Hermon” is a place of spectacular views where there is a scene of the “big picture,” and the “Hill Mizar” is not known (It may refer to the foothills between the two other locations, where the land of the Jordan and the mountain meet, north of the Sea of Galilee, near the town of Dan). If at this time, David was in some great difficulty in this place away from home, he determined to look to God.  Matthew Henry has this note on verse 7:

“Whatever waves and billows of affliction go over us at any time we must call them God's waves and his billows, that we may humble ourselves under his mighty hand, and may encourage ourselves to hope that though we be threatened we shall not be ruined; for the waves and billows are under a divine check. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of these many waters. Let not good men think it strange if they be exercised with many and various trials, and if they come thickly upon them; God knows what he does, and so shall they shortly.  Jonah, in the whale's belly, made use of these words of David, Jonah 2:3 (they are exactly the same in the original), and of him they were literally true, All thy waves and thy billows have gone over me; for the book of psalms is contrived so as to reach every one's case (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

 In this fifth main point, David teaches us that “panting” includes “asking.”  His request clearly supports the fact that this was another of the very difficult times in his life.  His despair was so great at this point and in this place that he even wondered if God had forgotten him.  His enemy was exerting great power by oppressing him with the sword of reproach.  The enemy wanted to know where his God was—if the enemies were pagans, they probably had their “gods” with them!  But David’s God was (and is) the only true God, so he knew that if he were to go to Him and “ask” (see Psalm 41 again), he would be heard.

The poet concludes the poem about the “dear” one of God by announcing that those who “pant” after Him shall receive.  Again, He talks to himself, asking twice, “Why?”  Let us learn that our “panting” is necessary, but that we cannot receive the thirst quenching nourishment of the answers from God unless we “pant” after Him with the proper attitude and approach.  Then—and only then—will we receive!

And when we receive, let us praise Him for the fact that He has provided us with the 

Next week:Psalm 43
Good Questions!
BETTER Answers

When the new budget is presented on Sunday evening, the weekly goal will be increased to $6500.  We are grateful to God for His blessings, His commandments, and one another. Let us march onward and upward in the footsteps of our commander-in-chief—

SICK LIST:  Scot McAfee, John and Prince Williams, Myra Sellers, BJ Johnson, and Elijah Crawford were ill Sunday.  Peggy Hatcher is home from the hospital.  Let’s remember Jan Shifley and Electa Wilson in our prayers. 
WALLACES:  Terry and Frances Wallace are back in Duluth—for a week.  His mother is still in the hospital but is progressing well.  Terry has taken a job in Indiana so they will be closer to their families in Dyersburg.  They will be moving next week.  We will miss them!
RUSSIA:  Ken Lollar is doing mission work in Russia and will be away for a few weeks.  Let’s remember him and his work, as well as his family, in our prayers.
GROUP FOUR:  Group 4 is in charge of the service at Plantation South at 1:30 Sunday.  Also, please see your group leaders following evening services for visitation assignments.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 Sunday.  
LADIES’ CLASS:  Tuesday at 10:00.  
FOR THE RECORD:  
Sunday Bible Class    130
Sunday AM Worship  143 
Sunday PM Worship  118
Wednesday Bible Class 114   
Contribution    $6228
Budget    $6000  
SEEKING THE LOST:  Group 4 - 1/27.  SUPER BOWL PARTY:  Everyone is invited to the Andrews’ following evening services Sunday, January 30.  Please bring finger foods and drinks—and games if you do not want to watch the game!
SWEETHEART DINNER:  The Sweetheart Dinner is planned for Saturday, February 12, at 6:00.  All the ladies are invited as special guests—the men will prepare and serve the food.  There will be a brief organizational meeting for the men following evening services Sunday, January 23.  If you have questions, please see Greg Graham.