This sermon emphasizes the importance of allowing God to break through our emotional barriers, encouraging the expression of genuine emotions before God. It highlights the significance of tears as a valid expression of deep emotions like sorrow, repentance, and longing for God, contrasting them with emotionalism. The speaker urges the congregation to seek God's liberation from fear and shame, to be finely tuned to the Spirit, and to embrace the full spectrum of emotions as a gift from God.

This sermon focuses on Psalms 119:57 where David declares, 'The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words.' The speaker emphasizes the importance of deliberate holiness, being impressed, rebuked, and encouraged by David's commitment to God. The sermon highlights the need for believers to boldly declare their intention to follow God's commandments, trust in His power to help them, and find encouragement in the forgiveness and grace offered by God despite human frailty.

Octavius Winslow emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a broken heart for sin throughout the Christian journey, illustrating that godly sorrow is not a one-time experience but a continual state of humility and contrition. He encourages believers to recognize the pervasive nature of sin and the importance of returning to the atoning blood of Jesus for cleansing and restoration. Winslow reassures backsliding Christians that through sincere repentance and a longing for communion with God, they can find acceptance and joy in His presence once again. The sermon highlights the transformative power of acknowledging one's iniquities and the grace available through Christ's sacrifice.

Thomas a Kempis reflects on the struggles of a disciple who confesses his weaknesses, battles temptations, and laments the constant conflicts between the flesh and the spirit. He questions the nature of life filled with troubles, miseries, and snares, yet acknowledges the allure of worldly desires that lead to love and hatred of the world. Kempis contrasts the pleasures of the world with the internal delight of virtue and the sweetness of God, urging a life of renunciation and holy discipline.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God's severe judgments serve as a wake-up call for individuals and nations to cease from sin and return to Him. He illustrates that God's corrections are meant to instruct and purify us, revealing the hidden sins in our hearts during times of prosperity. Just as rust is removed from iron through fire, so too are we awakened to our true selves through fiery trials. Brooks notes that in moments of affliction, our sins become evident, allowing us to confront our pride, unbelief, and discontent. Ultimately, he asserts that afflictions act as a mirror, reflecting both the greatness of God and the vileness of sin.