Desperate for God
David, Part 6
Anthony Fusco
Part of Small Groups—Questions
April 6, 2025

HIGHLIGHTS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE MESSAGE

  1. David’s desperation for God in Psalm 61 came from a place of brokenness, yet he turned to God rather than seeking other solutions.
  2. When our hearts are faint, we should seek refuge in God’s character and promises rather than merely seeking escape from our problems.
  3. True desperation for God transforms our perspective from self-sufficiency to praising an all-sufficient God.

CONVERSATION STARTER

  • The sermon mentions the idea of being “desperate” for something. What things do people typically become desperate for in today’s world?

EXPLORING THE SCRIPTURE

Main Scripture: Psalm 61

Psalm 61:1-2a
Knowing that he cannot handle things on his own, this Psalm indicates that David learned to run first to God instead of taking matters into his own hands.

  • How does David’s mindset here differ from his past actions that we have previously studied in this series?
  • How has David’s faith appeared to have come full circle, back to the place he began when he confidently fought Goliath with full trust in the Lord? What does Mark 10:15 tell us regarding what our faith should be like and what does this actually mean?
  • David knew that only God could sustain him in this instance. Do you often assume your circumstances are greater than God? How does this contradict what the Bible tells us? Reference John 16:33, Matthew 19:26, and 1 Corinthians 10:13.
  • When we are without strength, our desperation for the Lord should lead us to recognize the blessings we have in Christ. What do the following verses teach us about these blessings: Romans 15:13, Matthew 11:28–30, Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 55:22, and Colossians 1:17.

Psalm 61:2b
David asks God to lead him, instead of leading himself.

  • Where did he desire to be led? What’s the difference in what he requested and being led out of our bad circumstances?
  • What is the significance in David’s use of the term “rock?” Cross reference this with Psalm 18:2, Psalm 62:6, and Isaiah 32:2.

Pastor Anthony said, “It’s not about getting removed, it’s about getting refuge.”

  • Do you often desire for your problems to just be removed?
  • What should we be praying and what does this look like biblically? Reference Galatians 2:20 and Romans 12:1–2.
  • “The goodness of God is not the absence of difficulty but the experience of God in difficulty.” How have you seen or experienced the goodness, presence, and mercy of God in difficult circumstances?

Psalm 61:3–5
David highlights the role of God as our ultimate refuge (cross reference with Psalm 46 and Psalm 91). What does this mean and how has God been a refuge for you throughout your life?

David recognizes that despite his circumstances, he can always trust the character of God.

  • With your group, make a list of the many character traits of God.
  • If God lacked even one of the traits in your list, how would it change His perfection? Why are each of them so important and why should it put us in awe when we see the totality of everything God encompasses?
  • Do you ever question the character of God? How can consistently reminding ourselves of each of these traits strengthen us and provide the lifeline we need when we are in the dark and cannot see our way out?

Pastor Anthony quoted A.W. Tozer: “When I understand that everything happening to me is to make me more Christlike, it resolves a great deal of anxiety.”

  • Does this quote resonate with you? How have you become more Christlike through the various situations God has allowed in your life?
  • How do you think this particular circumstance may have served to make David more Christlike?

In verse 5, what does David mean when he says that God has given him the “heritage of those who fear your name?” What is the heritage that we as believers possess? Reference Psalm 16:5–6, Ephesians 1:11-14, and 1 Peter 1:3–4.

Psalm 61:6-8
It’s certainly not wrong to ask about our personal desires… but at the end of the day, we need to come to a point where we can pray “not my will but Yours be done.” David claimed and requested the blessings that God had promised and ended his Psalm with praise.

Summary
Through this Psalm, God used David to show us a progression of the heart posture of a sinner, much like us. David first acknowledged his brokenness and need for God. He trusted in God’s character. And finally, he asked to receive God’s promises.

  • Do you follow this process in your own life? Which part of this progression is most difficult for you personally and why?
  • Which of the descriptors of God have you personally experienced and how has this strengthened your faith in Jesus?
  • How does this scripture enhance your understanding of the divine promises and inheritance that believers receive from the Lord? How does Psalm 61 point us to Christ as our ultimate refuge and rock?
  • How might following these steps take us away from our self-absorption and result ultimately in praise? What does “performing our vows day after day” (verse 8) signify and remind us that we should persist in doing?

GROUP DISCUSSION

Have you ever had to be taken to a point so low that you finally realized there was nowhere else or no one else to run to?

  • Did you turn to God, someone else, or something else?
  • What are the “steps” you tend to take when you run into a life issue? Do you go straight to the Lord, or do you seek other answers first in order to solve your problem?
  • Why do we often reserve God as a “last resort” and think we can handle things on our own? How will this week’s message change your actions moving forward?

What are the things in your life that you have previously been desperate for? A spouse? A child? Good health?

  • Have you ever found yourself “desperate” only for God? Not what He can give you, not what He can fix in your life, but simply just for Him? Why do you think He desires this mindset within us?
  • How did this message challenge your understanding of what it means to be “desperate for God?” Have you ever issued a prayer that comes even close to the words in Psalm 61? If not, what do you think must change in your relationship with the Lord to take you to that point?

Why is it important to be honest with ourselves regarding our failures and weaknesses?

  • How does this help us in our relationship with the Lord and with others?
  • Do you pretend to be okay when you are not okay? What are the “side effects” of living this way? What is the remedy?

This week, Pastor Anthony said: “When God allows us to be broken, He always puts us back together in a way that looks more like Christ.”

  • Have you experienced this?
  • How did you look different after you were “put back together?” Was it a good thing or a bad thing?

“Be so desperate for God’s way that you don’t count the cost.”

LIVING IT OUT

Do you honestly desire God’s presence, God’s power, God’s goodness, and God’s faithfulness over everything else?

Do you trust God’s purpose for your life despite continued pain, weakness, and hurt? What can you do from a practical standpoint to submit your fears and brokenness to the Lord this week and trust in His character?

When you find yourself in a desperate situation, remember David’s example and do the following:

  • Acknowledge your brokenness and desperate need for God. Ask yourself what areas of self-sufficiency might God be calling you to surrender.
  • Trust the character of God. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from solutions to the Solution-Giver?
  • Ask to receive God’s promises. What specific promise of God do you need to claim in your current season of life, even if you feel unworthy to ask for blessing?

PRAYER

God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, —Psalm 61:1–2

  • Pray for hearts that are genuinely desperate for God above all else
  • Confess areas where we’ve sought other solutions before seeking God
  • Thank God for being our refuge, strength, and shelter
  • Ask for faith to trust His character and His promises even in difficult circumstances

Interested in praying with and for others. Learn more by reaching out to us through prayer@nwbible.org.