Sermon: From Distress to Strength
Bible Passage: Psalm 118:1-17; Romans 8:31-39

I. The situation of the psalmist (a few of them)
1. In distress (verse 5)
2. Enemies’ hatred (verse 7)
3. Being surrounded by enemies (verses 10-12)
4. Being attacked aggressively by enemies to knock down the psalmist (verse 13)

 II. The LORD brought deliverance to the psalmist when he cried to Him (verse 5)
1. From distress to wide open place (verse 5)
2. Not afraid of people who wanted to destroy him (verse 6)
3. Appears to be triumphant before those who hated him (verse 7)
4. Changed from defensive to offensive “I pushed them away” (verses 10-13)

III. With the LORD’s deliverance, the psalmist expresses His trust in the following way:
1. The LORD as friend (verse 6)
2. The LORD as helper (verse 7)
3. The LORD as shelter (verses 8-9)

IV. The result of psalmist’s understanding of his relationship with the LORD
1. Physical victory (vv. 11-12)
2. Emotional victory (verse 14)
3. Spiritual victory (verse 15-16)

V. The psalmist’s life experience gives him a new purpose in life (verse 17)
1. He wants to live
2. He wants to proclaim what the Lord has done in his life

The psalmist’s experience and the LORD’s deliverance becomes clearer when God sent His Son to bring salvation to the helpless (Romans 8:31-39)

TAKE AWAY
Be reminded of the Gospel that helps you to overcome your unfavorable situation