Date: SUN 11:30am 20th July 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: Psalms 102:6
I am like a pelican of the wilderness:
I am like an owl of the desert.
Sermon Summary: Spiritual Lessons from an Owl (Psalm 102:6)
The sermon, based on Psalm 102:1–12, with a particular focus on verse 6 (“I am like an owl of the desert”), explores the spiritual significance of King David’s comparison of himself to an owl during a time of deep distress. Delivered in a traditional Christian context, the sermon draws out lessons from the owl as a biblical symbol, using it to reflect on human sinfulness, spiritual isolation, and the possibility of redemption through trust in God. The preacher uses the Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible and connects the imagery of the owl to broader spiritual truths relevant to the congregation.
Context of Psalm 102
The sermon begins by situating Psalm 102 as a prayer of the afflicted, written by King David during a period of intense personal trial. The psalm is described as a lament, with David pouring out his heart to God, using the personal pronoun “I” twenty times in the first eleven verses to express his feelings of desolation, loneliness, and spiritual turmoil. The preacher suggests that the psalm may have been written during one of two significant periods in David’s life: either when he was pursued by King Saul through the Judean hills or during the rebellion of his son Absalom, which forced him to flee Jerusalem. Regardless of the specific context, the psalm reflects a “day of trouble” and “bitter complaint” for David, capturing his sense of being overwhelmed and spiritually abandoned.
The Owl as a Symbol of Spiritual Truth
The sermon’s central focus is the phrase “I am like an owl of the desert” from Psalm 102:6. The preacher highlights that the owl, mentioned 14 times in the Bible (noted as a product of 7, the number of perfection, and 2, the number of witness), is a creature used by God to convey spiritual lessons. The owl is portrayed as a symbol of loneliness, desolation, and judgment, reflecting David’s emotional and spiritual state. The preacher draws three main lessons from the owl: its status as an unclean bird, its unique features, and its universal focus as a creature that can be tamed.
- The Owl as an Unclean Bird
- Biblical Context: According to Leviticus 11:16–17 and Deuteronomy 14:15–16, the owl is classified as an unclean bird under Mosaic Law, forbidden for consumption by the Israelites because it is a predatory creature that feeds on flesh and blood. This designation reflects its spiritual significance as a symbol of defilement.
- Application to Humanity: The preacher parallels the owl’s uncleanness to the spiritual state of humanity. Citing Isaiah’s declaration that “we are all as an unclean thing” and Jeremiah’s description of the heart as “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), the sermon underscores that all people are sinners by nature and practice. Passages like Mark 7:21–23 and Galatians 5:19–21 are referenced to illustrate the sinful tendencies of the human heart, such as adultery, pride, and deceit, which mirror the owl’s predatory nature.
- Backsliding and Spiritual Isolation: The owl’s presence in the desert, an unnatural habitat, symbolises spiritual displacement. David’s comparison to an owl in the desert reflects his sense of being out of place, cut off from God due to trials or unconfessed sin. The preacher challenges the congregation to consider whether they, too, feel spiritually isolated, perhaps due to personal circumstances, mockery at work or university, or unconfessed sin, likening this state to a “spiritual wilderness.”
- Unique Features of the Owl The preacher identifies several characteristics of the owl that carry spiritual lessons:
- Two-Facedness: Owls can rotate their heads 180 degrees, symbolising duplicity. The sermon compares this to Lot’s wife, who looked back at Sodom (Luke 17:32), and to professing Christians who claim faith but live worldly lives, as described in 1 John 2:15–17. The preacher warns against hypocrisy, urging believers to be fully committed to Christ rather than living with “one foot in the world.”
- Love of Darkness: As nocturnal creatures, owls prefer darkness, which the sermon equates with humanity’s tendency to love sin over righteousness (John 3:19–20). The preacher cites examples like crime and immorality that thrive under the cover of darkness, urging Christians to reject worldly pleasures such as horror films or occult practices.
- Worldly Wisdom: Owls are often associated with wisdom, but the sermon contrasts the “worldly wisdom” of figures like Athena in Greek mythology with the true wisdom from God (James 1:5, 3:15–17). The preacher critiques modern church practices that rely on worldly strategies (e.g., entertainment-driven worship) rather than God’s methods of preaching, prayer, and repentance.
- Silent Sinfulness: Owls can remain silent for hours, which the preacher likens to Christians who fail to share their faith or testify to God’s work in their lives (Psalm 107:2). This silence reflects a lack of spiritual vitality.
- Mournful Sound: When owls do make noise, their hooting is eerie and mournful, symbolising the pessimism and complaints of some Christians. The preacher contrasts this with David’s response in Psalm 102:12, where he shifts focus to God’s enduring sovereignty, encouraging believers to trust in God rather than dwell in despair.
- Universal Focus: The Owl Can Be Tamed
- Taming the Owl: The preacher recounts seeing a tamed owl at an event, perched calmly on its handler’s arm despite its wild nature. This serves as a metaphor for the transformative power of God, who can redeem and tame the sinful human heart. Just as an owl can trust its handler, believers can trust God, letting go of fears, frustrations, and self-reliance.
- Application to Believers: Citing Psalm 56:3 (“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee”), the sermon encourages the congregation to turn to God, confess their sins, and trust Him as their “divine handler.” This trust enables believers to experience God’s peace and power, even in times of trial, and to live in light of His sovereignty.
Conclusion and Application
The sermon concludes by urging the congregation to reflect on their spiritual state. Are they like the unclean owl, living in sin or spiritual isolation? Are they exhibiting the owl’s traits of duplicity, love of darkness, or worldly wisdom? Or have they turned to God, trusting Him to guide and transform them? The preacher emphasizes that God is in control, able to redeem and restore, just as a handler tames a wild owl. By turning to God and trusting in Him, believers can move from a state of spiritual desolation to one of peace and purpose, echoing David’s shift in Psalm 102:12 to focus on God’s enduring faithfulness.
The sermon closes with a call to action: to confess sin, trust in God as Lord and Saviour, and live fully for Him, letting go of worldly distractions and fears. The preacher hopes that these “spiritual lessons from an owl” will bless and guide the congregation in their Christian walk.
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