Do Not Despair
The sermon encourages believers to maintain hope and perform their duties faithfully, even in times of despair.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of maintaining hope in God, even when feeling down or disquieted, as He is the source of our strength and joy. She emphasizes the significance of having a devout will over devout feelings, highlighting the need to diligently perform our duties with the intention of pleasing God and showing our love for Him. Tileston encourages not to be discouraged by moments of spiritual dryness, as long as we remain faithful to God and His will, viewing it as a trial rather than a betrayal.
Text
Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
PSALMS 43: 5
IN prayer we own Thee, Father, at our side,
Not always feel or taste Thee; and, 't is well,
So, hour by hour, courageous faith is tried,
So, gladlier will the morn all mists dispel.
JOHN KEBLE
SOMETIMES we are disturbed because we have no devout feelings; but what we want is a devout will. We cannot always control the imagination, but we can always do that which is our duty carefully and patiently, with a view to pleasing God, and proving our love to Him. We may feel cold and mechanical, but we cannot fulfil our appointed duty without an exercise of the will, and therefore all duties diligently performed testify a desire to love, and prove our love.
H. L. SIDNEY LEAR
WE must not allow ourselves to be cast down, nor to despair, because our hearts seem colder at one time than another. The test of the cold heart is the yielding to sin, and, if we are clinging to Him, and to His will, we may be quite sure that what we take for coldness of heart is a trial, not a treason.
FREDERICK TEMPLE
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding despair and its causes - The importance of hope in God - Recognizing the difference between trials and treason
- II points: - The role of prayer in overcoming despair - Faith as a daily practice - The significance of a devout will over feelings
- III points: - Diligently performing duties as an expression of love - The test of a cold heart - Clinging to God during trials
- IV points: - Encouragement to maintain courage - The promise of God's presence - Finding joy in the morning after trials
Key Quotes
“Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“We must not allow ourselves to be cast down, nor to despair, because our hearts seem colder at one time than another.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“The test of the cold heart is the yielding to sin, and, if we are clinging to Him, and to His will, we may be quite sure that what we take for coldness of heart is a trial, not a treason.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- When feeling despair, focus on your duties and trust in God's presence.
- Engage in daily prayer to strengthen your faith and connection with God.
- Recognize that trials are opportunities for growth, not signs of abandonment by God.