Get Back
Psalm 42:1-6
What do you do when you feel separated from God? When you feel distant from him? What do you do when you feel like you can’t sense his presence – or hear his voice?
Today we’re going to look at three scriptures that give us three clear steps to get back to abiding in God’s presence because that is where we belong.
Here are the steps
1). Get Resolute
2). Get Restored
3). Get Revived
Let’s pray that we would learn how to get back to abiding in God’s presence.
We’re going to start in Psalm 42, but let me say two things before we get rolling. Number one – I know there are some who may feel like you’ve never been in God’s presence and getting into God’s presence is something that is learned as well. We have to learn how to get into God’s presence before we learn how to get back into God’s presence. And so, to first learn how to get into the presence of God, I’d encourage you to watch, listen, or read what may the most important series I’ve ever taught. It’s called, “Alone With God” – six messages about how to get into the presence of God.
And then, number two, these three steps today are not just for what we would call “big sins” or “falling away.” This is something we need to always be ready for – always prepared for because John 15:4-5 says,
John 15:4–5 (ESV) (all 1-8)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch (you) cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 . . . Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Because of our nature, our flesh, and the world, if we think we’re just going to automatically remain (abide) in God’s presence then we have been greatly deceived. To remain in God’s presence takes a daily determined commitment, and the first day you sense not being in God’s presence – you’ve got to get back. The first day you realize the Holy Spirit is not leading and guiding you, you have got to start fighting to get back. And by the way, we also have a series called, “Abide” that addresses this crucial truth for all believers.
(You can get the series “Alone With God” or “Abide” on the websites calvarynuevo.org, wordbymail.com, or on the word by mail phone app.)
And so, today we’re talking about how to get back to that abiding place where we belong. And so, we’re going to look at:
1). Getting Resolute
2). Getting Restored
3). Getting Revived
And the first step (to getting back) is:
1). We must Get Resolute
In Psalm 42 the psalmist is dangerously depressed and deeply discouraged, and he wants badly to get back into God’s presence again. He has an enemy around him taunting him, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” and he remembers when… He remembers when he used to be right in the middle of the praise and worship to God. The psalmist is in a really difficult place.
Psalm 42:1-2(a) (NLT)
(the Psalmist begins by crying out for God)
1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God . . .
This is where getting back begins. It’s a desperate cry for God. We’ve got to truly long to be back in God’s presence. We’ve got to have a “life and death thirst” to get back into his presence. We’ve got to have a resolute determination to get back into the presence of God, and then we will say with everything in us what the Psalmist says at the end of verse 2.
Psalm 42:2(b) (NLT)
2. . . When can I go and stand before him?
This is a resolute determination. I long for the presence of God. I thirst for God alone. When and where can I go to get back into God’s presence?
And we may have an enemy of some type taunting us like the psalmist did in Psalm 42:3.
Psalm 42:3 (NLT)
3 Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”
You may have an enemy taunting you and your heart may be breaking the psalmist’s in Psalm 42:4.
Psalm 42:4 (NLT)
4 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!
Do you remember a time when you were right in the middle of all the worship, experiencing the presence of God? If you need to get back to that, then first you must have a resolute determination, and here is what that resolute determination looks like.
Psalm 42:5-6(a) (NLT)
5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?
I WILL put my hope in God!
I WILL praise him again— my Savior and 6 my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged, but I WILL remember you . . .
That is resolute determination to get back into the presence of God, no matter what!
The first step to getting back into God’s presence is to make an immovable, resolute determination to do it – whatever it takes.
So, to get back to where you belong, first, you have to get resolute.
2). You have to Get Restored.
And the best Psalm to get restored is Psalm 51. Psalm 51 is King David’s prayer to get restored to God after his massive sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah. He had committed adultery and murder. This is David crying out for God to restore him to that place where he belonged, to God’s presence, and to a right relationship with God, and this is the same process for us to get restored to God’s presence. It’s not about how big the sin is, it’s about the distance between you and God.
Psalm 51:1 (NLT)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Not because of anything I’ve done, or anything I can do, but because of your unfailing love, and your great compassion have mercy on me and restore me to a right relationship with you.
Psalm 51:2-4 (NLT)
2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned. I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
If it is sin that has caused you to be separated from God. You’ve got to recognize it and confess it. You’ve got to ask God to forgive you – to wash you clean from your guilt and purify you from your sin.
We’ve got to recognize that sin separates us from God because ultimately our sin is against God, and we’ve got to realize if we have been separated from God, it’s because of our actions – not God’s.
Isaiah 59:1-2
The Lord’s arm is not short in that he cannot heal, and his ear’s not heavy that he cannot hear, but your sins have separated you from your God…
And we’ve got to be honest with God.
Psalm 51:5-6 (NLT)
5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. (in the womb)
6 But you desire honesty from the womb (or, in the deepest place of the heart), teaching me wisdom even there.
To get restored to a right relationship with God we’ve got to be one hundred percent honest with God from the deepest place in our heart, and we’ve got to ask God to reveal the truth to us about what has caused us to be separated from him.
Then, in verses 7-9 David asks God again to forgive him and to give him back the joy that comes from being restored to God.
Psalm 51:7-9 (NLT)
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me - now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
This is a prayer to be restored to God’s presence. Lord, forgive me. Cleanse me, remove the stain of my guilt, and please restore my joy again. Please give me back my joy again and allow me to rejoice.
And then, the famous verse.
Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
This word “loyal” is often translated “a right spirit” but it actually means renew a “steadfast” spirit, a “resolute” spirit, and an “immovable” spirit. This is getting restored.
Lord, create in me a clean heart, wash away anything that separates me from you, and renew a Loyal, Steadfast, Resolute, Immovable Spirit in me.
And then David’s number one highest priority desire.
Psalm 51:11 (NLT)
11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
David is saying, “Lord, the thing I fear most is being separated from your presence, and not sensing your Spirit – please don’t let that happen, Lord.”
And how David asks the Lord to do that is by restoring his joy and making him willing.
Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
In order to get back into God’s presence, you have to get restored. But listen, please. The sign that you are getting restored is obedience.
Verse 12…and make me willing to obey you.
Getting restored is not just praying… it’s also obeying. When our faith becomes action, then our lives are changed. We cannot pray this prayer and then keep doing the same things that caused us to feel far from God, to begin with. Our actions must change.
And then God will begin to use you again.
Psalm 51:13 (NLT)
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
Only as a result of abiding in (and getting back) to God’s presence can God truly use us.
And then look at how verses 14 and 15 turns to worship.
Psalm 51:14-15 (NLT)
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.
Being restored to God brings worship. It brings joyful singing and praise. And so, we pray, “Lord restore me to your presence and let it show by unsealing my lips that I may joyfully sing – that my mouth may praise you.”
This term “unseal my lips” is like a guilt response. It’s like, I can’t worship God because I have this “thing” on me. Unseal my lips… that my mouth may praise you. That’s the sign of being restored, joyfully singing of God’s forgiveness and praising his name.
And then Lord, don’t let me just go through the motions, which is what verse 16 is referring to.
Psalm 51:16 (NLT)
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
These things were then, what we call today “going to church.” David’s talking about going through the motions and we can’t think that just “going through the motions” is going to get us back to the Lord’s presence.
We’ve got to make it real, and verse 17 gives us the secret to making it real.
Psalm 51:17 (NLT)
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
It all starts with brokenness and a repentant heart. Getting restored to God starts with brokenness and repentance, then your brokenness and repentance lead to obedience. Then your obedience leads to praise and worship. Then your praise and worship lead you right into God’s presence and the filling of God’s Spirit.
And so, to get back into God’s presence
1). We must get a resolute determination
2). We must get restored to a right relationship with God
And then,
3) We will Get Revived.
And God does all of this final step. God does the work to revive you. We don’t revive ourselves. We just deal with what’s separated us from God, and then when we get back into his presence, he revives us.
Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)
15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live (abide) in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite (repentant) and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
It’s God who does it.
We come contrite and humble, meaning repentant and with our pride broken. We come to God that way and God revives us. God restores the humble and he revives those with repentant hearts. And when that happens, we get back into God’s presence.
1). We get a resolute determination to get back (Psalm 42)
2). We get restored to a right relationship with God (Psalm 51)
3). We get revived – by God (Isaiah 57:15)
Lord Jesus, help us to always get back into your presence because that is where we belong.
Today we’re going to look at three scriptures that give us three clear steps to get back to abiding in God’s presence because that is where we belong.
Here are the steps
1). Get Resolute
2). Get Restored
3). Get Revived
Let’s pray that we would learn how to get back to abiding in God’s presence.
We’re going to start in Psalm 42, but let me say two things before we get rolling. Number one – I know there are some who may feel like you’ve never been in God’s presence and getting into God’s presence is something that is learned as well. We have to learn how to get into God’s presence before we learn how to get back into God’s presence. And so, to first learn how to get into the presence of God, I’d encourage you to watch, listen, or read what may the most important series I’ve ever taught. It’s called, “Alone With God” – six messages about how to get into the presence of God.
And then, number two, these three steps today are not just for what we would call “big sins” or “falling away.” This is something we need to always be ready for – always prepared for because John 15:4-5 says,
John 15:4–5 (ESV) (all 1-8)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch (you) cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 . . . Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Because of our nature, our flesh, and the world, if we think we’re just going to automatically remain (abide) in God’s presence then we have been greatly deceived. To remain in God’s presence takes a daily determined commitment, and the first day you sense not being in God’s presence – you’ve got to get back. The first day you realize the Holy Spirit is not leading and guiding you, you have got to start fighting to get back. And by the way, we also have a series called, “Abide” that addresses this crucial truth for all believers.
(You can get the series “Alone With God” or “Abide” on the websites calvarynuevo.org, wordbymail.com, or on the word by mail phone app.)
And so, today we’re talking about how to get back to that abiding place where we belong. And so, we’re going to look at:
1). Getting Resolute
2). Getting Restored
3). Getting Revived
And the first step (to getting back) is:
1). We must Get Resolute
In Psalm 42 the psalmist is dangerously depressed and deeply discouraged, and he wants badly to get back into God’s presence again. He has an enemy around him taunting him, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” and he remembers when… He remembers when he used to be right in the middle of the praise and worship to God. The psalmist is in a really difficult place.
Psalm 42:1-2(a) (NLT)
(the Psalmist begins by crying out for God)
1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God . . .
This is where getting back begins. It’s a desperate cry for God. We’ve got to truly long to be back in God’s presence. We’ve got to have a “life and death thirst” to get back into his presence. We’ve got to have a resolute determination to get back into the presence of God, and then we will say with everything in us what the Psalmist says at the end of verse 2.
Psalm 42:2(b) (NLT)
2. . . When can I go and stand before him?
This is a resolute determination. I long for the presence of God. I thirst for God alone. When and where can I go to get back into God’s presence?
And we may have an enemy of some type taunting us like the psalmist did in Psalm 42:3.
Psalm 42:3 (NLT)
3 Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”
You may have an enemy taunting you and your heart may be breaking the psalmist’s in Psalm 42:4.
Psalm 42:4 (NLT)
4 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!
Do you remember a time when you were right in the middle of all the worship, experiencing the presence of God? If you need to get back to that, then first you must have a resolute determination, and here is what that resolute determination looks like.
Psalm 42:5-6(a) (NLT)
5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?
I WILL put my hope in God!
I WILL praise him again— my Savior and 6 my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged, but I WILL remember you . . .
That is resolute determination to get back into the presence of God, no matter what!
The first step to getting back into God’s presence is to make an immovable, resolute determination to do it – whatever it takes.
So, to get back to where you belong, first, you have to get resolute.
2). You have to Get Restored.
And the best Psalm to get restored is Psalm 51. Psalm 51 is King David’s prayer to get restored to God after his massive sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah. He had committed adultery and murder. This is David crying out for God to restore him to that place where he belonged, to God’s presence, and to a right relationship with God, and this is the same process for us to get restored to God’s presence. It’s not about how big the sin is, it’s about the distance between you and God.
Psalm 51:1 (NLT)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Not because of anything I’ve done, or anything I can do, but because of your unfailing love, and your great compassion have mercy on me and restore me to a right relationship with you.
Psalm 51:2-4 (NLT)
2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned. I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
If it is sin that has caused you to be separated from God. You’ve got to recognize it and confess it. You’ve got to ask God to forgive you – to wash you clean from your guilt and purify you from your sin.
We’ve got to recognize that sin separates us from God because ultimately our sin is against God, and we’ve got to realize if we have been separated from God, it’s because of our actions – not God’s.
Isaiah 59:1-2
The Lord’s arm is not short in that he cannot heal, and his ear’s not heavy that he cannot hear, but your sins have separated you from your God…
And we’ve got to be honest with God.
Psalm 51:5-6 (NLT)
5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. (in the womb)
6 But you desire honesty from the womb (or, in the deepest place of the heart), teaching me wisdom even there.
To get restored to a right relationship with God we’ve got to be one hundred percent honest with God from the deepest place in our heart, and we’ve got to ask God to reveal the truth to us about what has caused us to be separated from him.
Then, in verses 7-9 David asks God again to forgive him and to give him back the joy that comes from being restored to God.
Psalm 51:7-9 (NLT)
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me - now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
This is a prayer to be restored to God’s presence. Lord, forgive me. Cleanse me, remove the stain of my guilt, and please restore my joy again. Please give me back my joy again and allow me to rejoice.
And then, the famous verse.
Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
This word “loyal” is often translated “a right spirit” but it actually means renew a “steadfast” spirit, a “resolute” spirit, and an “immovable” spirit. This is getting restored.
Lord, create in me a clean heart, wash away anything that separates me from you, and renew a Loyal, Steadfast, Resolute, Immovable Spirit in me.
And then David’s number one highest priority desire.
Psalm 51:11 (NLT)
11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
David is saying, “Lord, the thing I fear most is being separated from your presence, and not sensing your Spirit – please don’t let that happen, Lord.”
And how David asks the Lord to do that is by restoring his joy and making him willing.
Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
In order to get back into God’s presence, you have to get restored. But listen, please. The sign that you are getting restored is obedience.
Verse 12…and make me willing to obey you.
Getting restored is not just praying… it’s also obeying. When our faith becomes action, then our lives are changed. We cannot pray this prayer and then keep doing the same things that caused us to feel far from God, to begin with. Our actions must change.
And then God will begin to use you again.
Psalm 51:13 (NLT)
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
Only as a result of abiding in (and getting back) to God’s presence can God truly use us.
And then look at how verses 14 and 15 turns to worship.
Psalm 51:14-15 (NLT)
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.
Being restored to God brings worship. It brings joyful singing and praise. And so, we pray, “Lord restore me to your presence and let it show by unsealing my lips that I may joyfully sing – that my mouth may praise you.”
This term “unseal my lips” is like a guilt response. It’s like, I can’t worship God because I have this “thing” on me. Unseal my lips… that my mouth may praise you. That’s the sign of being restored, joyfully singing of God’s forgiveness and praising his name.
And then Lord, don’t let me just go through the motions, which is what verse 16 is referring to.
Psalm 51:16 (NLT)
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
These things were then, what we call today “going to church.” David’s talking about going through the motions and we can’t think that just “going through the motions” is going to get us back to the Lord’s presence.
We’ve got to make it real, and verse 17 gives us the secret to making it real.
Psalm 51:17 (NLT)
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
It all starts with brokenness and a repentant heart. Getting restored to God starts with brokenness and repentance, then your brokenness and repentance lead to obedience. Then your obedience leads to praise and worship. Then your praise and worship lead you right into God’s presence and the filling of God’s Spirit.
And so, to get back into God’s presence
1). We must get a resolute determination
2). We must get restored to a right relationship with God
And then,
3) We will Get Revived.
And God does all of this final step. God does the work to revive you. We don’t revive ourselves. We just deal with what’s separated us from God, and then when we get back into his presence, he revives us.
Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)
15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live (abide) in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite (repentant) and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
It’s God who does it.
We come contrite and humble, meaning repentant and with our pride broken. We come to God that way and God revives us. God restores the humble and he revives those with repentant hearts. And when that happens, we get back into God’s presence.
1). We get a resolute determination to get back (Psalm 42)
2). We get restored to a right relationship with God (Psalm 51)
3). We get revived – by God (Isaiah 57:15)
Lord Jesus, help us to always get back into your presence because that is where we belong.