All people will praise the LORD

 Read Psalm 117.

"Praise the LORD!"

This is a short praise chorus.  It is quick and direct but packed with meaning.

1. Who is to praise Him?
Believers do this now every day.  But here all nations and all peoples are called to worship God.  The Bible knows nothing of the acceptance of many gods, nor does it allow for the concept of worship as one may choose.  When Christ returns in all His glory every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

2. Why is He to be praised?
Translations will use different words but the Hebrew focuses on two main reasons:
-God is kind, good, merciful, and loving. 
-God is trustworthy, faithful and true.

His character does not change even when rejected by unbelievers.  Indeed, they experience His common grace every day.  His word does not change with our circumstances.  No matter what comes our way, our LORD's loving and reliable presence will be with us.

"Praise the LORD!"

Turning affection into Actions

 Read Psalm 116. 

Bill Gaither wrote the beautiful song:

"So many reasons why I love the Lord.

So many reasons I can't count them." 

One reason this psalmist sang that he loved the LORD was because He answered his prayers.  In a very personal exchange with the God of heaven, he discovered that the LORD is gracious, righteous and merciful.  It changed his life.  His affection for God turned into actions.  Notice how many times the words "I will" appear.

1. I will continue to call on God. (v.2)

2. I will live a life that pleases God. (v.9)

3. I will praise God for His deliverance. (v.13)

4. I will pay what I promised. (v.14, vv.18-19)

5. I will give thanks in prayer as a sacrifice. (v.17) 

Don't miss one of the most life-changing questions in the entire Bible in verse 12.  It is a question that should motivate every believer throughout every day.  It should cause us to check our own list of "I wills". 

"What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?"

The Uniqueness of the God of the Bible

 Read Psalm 115.

The God of the Bible is unique.  There is none like Him and there is no true God besides Him.  The song begins with the praise, giving Him glory.

Some question the very existence of God.  Many believe there is a God in heaven, but often question what He does or does not do.  However, the God of the Bible is not accountable to His creation.  "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." (v.3)

If a person rejects the God of the Bible the greater question is, "What is the alternative?"  They are left to their own made up religious devices.  They turn their faith to objects they made with their own hands.  But those manufactured idols do not work, do not speak, do not hear, do not do anything or any good.  Some worship the creation, instead of the Creator.  Others, place their faith in a philosophy of one kind or another in an attempt to rationalize God out of their conscience.  But none of those alternatives address their need of the forgiveness of sin and assurance of eternity.

The God of the Bible is the only One who personally involves Himself in our lives.  Three times in verses 9-11 we are reminded that He is our help and shield.  In other words, He is the provider of what we need and He is our protector. 

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”

 

Remember what the LORD has Done

 Read Psalm 114.

The nation was consistently reminded of those historic times where the LORD demonstrated His power on their behalf.

Three hallmark moments are in this psalm:
1. The Red Sea divided.
In Exodus 14, the rejoicing of freedom from bondage turned quickly to terror as the Egyptian army trapped Israel against the shores of the Red Sea.  But God intervened and parted the sea.  Israel crossed on dry ground.  Their pursuers all drowned as they attempted to follow.

2. The Jordan River divided.
In Joshua 3, God gave the next generation a similar experience.  Leaving their camp on the east side of the Jordan River, the nation marched toward the water at flood stage.  When the priests stepped into the river, it parted and Israel walked into the Promised Land on dry ground.

3. Water from the rock.
Between the first two miracles that are mentioned above is this one.  During the forty years of wandering the wilderness God miraculously provided for the nation.  In Exodus 17 they had no water for the millions of people in the Sinai desert.  The LORD instructed Moses to strike the rock and an ample supply of water flowed from it.

They were never to forget those times in the past when God intervened, answered their prayers, and met their needs.  More than their history, these events branded them as a nation.  No one else ever experienced these things.  But even greater was the overarching lesson of their faith.  The LORD always used the miracles to deliver a message.  The earth trembles at His presence (vv.6-7). 

God's miracles are proofs of His presence and care of His people.

 

He is the God who changes Lives

 Read Psalm 113.

No one who believes there is a God in heaven would argue His greatness.  The psalmist pictures the LORD seated on high watching what takes place in the universe and specifically on earth.

So, how is the God of the Bible different from all man-made mythical gods?  The LORD of heaven not only created all things, and controls all things, but He sovereignly intervenes in individual lives.  He has a purpose and a plan for each one.

Two examples are given here.
1. The poor.
He does not raise up every poor person from their poverty.  But when He does it demonstrates His power to change a life.  More than seeing this only as an economic change consider the statement in 2 Corinthians 8:9.  "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."  There is no poverty like spiritual poverty.  There is no greater wealth than becoming a child of the King of Heaven.
2. The barren woman.
He does not give children to every woman.  But when He does it is evidence of His miraculous power to give life from conception.  "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." (Psalm 139:16)

Every person who comes to Him by faith experiences His grace.  That intervening grace changes our lives to be conformed to Christ.  As the songwriter began, so he closed: "Praise the LORD!

 

6 principles of blessed Life

 Read Psalm 112.

It is important to distinguish between a principle and a promise.  When God makes a promise, it is a commitment that He will certainly fulfill.  When the Scriptures state a principle, it is a broad, foundational truth that may vary in its effect from person to person.

In this psalm, there are multiple, general descriptions of one who is blessed by the LORD. 
1. The children will be strong champions and live uprightly. 
But not every believer has children.  And, as diligent as some godly parents are, their children do not always live lives that please the LORD.  Our responsibility is to be faithful stewards of what and who God chooses to give us. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)  Being living examples of a transformed life and seeking to disciple the next generation can be powerfully used by the Holy Spirit.

2. The person will enjoy prosperity. 
But not every fully-devoted follower of Jesus dies rich.  Indeed, many of the rich in every country are among the most wicked.  However, God has promised to meet the needs of generous believers. (Philippians 4:13)

3. They have discernment.
Like a light being turned on in a dark room, the Holy Spirit helps those who love the LORD to understand the word of God and apply it to life.  Such discernment comes from Him. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

4. All goes well with them. 
If a person is generous and just then everything in life may bring contentment beyond circumstances.  But sometimes the most kind and giving people may experience heartache, great disappointment, and loss.  Proverbs 19:17 reminds us that "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed."  That is a promise.  God sees our good works and one day will reward us for them.

5. Their legacy will be forever.
One who fears the LORD is firmly established and their good works will always be remembered.  But many who love God serve Him quietly and in obscurity.  Even many of the so-called famous Christians are forgotten in a single generation.  But the Savior promised to never forget us.  "Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..." (Isaiah 49:15-16)

6. He is not afraid. 
But many things in life can cause even the most mature in the faith to tremble.  God's promise is "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Regardless of the individual circumstances, God’s character does not change.  "He is gracious, merciful, and righteous" no matter what our temporal evaluation may be.  Know and practice the principles, but depend on the promises.

 

How to respond to an Awesome God

 Read Psalm 111.

The second half of verse 9 should be memorized by all those who love the LORD.  The name of God is holy and to be revered.  Never should His name ever be used flippantly, as in OMG.  The name of God is awesome.  Too many have lost the meaning of the word awe.  He alone is truly awesome.

So, how did this songwriter respond to the holy and awesome God?

1. He gave thanks in corporate worship. (v.1)
The Bible does not know about secret believers or those who keep their faith to themselves.  Assembling with other believers to praise the LORD and to give thanks for what He has done is an essential part of genuine worship.

2. He studied God's works. (v.2-9a)
An occasional reading of the Bible will not satisfy.  One who has experienced the grace of God possesses a desire to know more.  Studying the word of God takes time and consistency.  Learning to feed oneself with the Scriptures is necessary for spiritual growth.  Notice the benefits listed here:
-It reminds us what God has done.
-It reminds us what God has provided.
-It reminds us of God's power.
-It reminds us that His word is trustworthy.
-It reminds us of our redemption.
-It reminds us of God's promises.

3. He practiced what he learned. (v.10)
Just knowing what the Bible says will not change our lives.  The Scriptures were not given to us for our information but for our transformation.  That transforming work takes place as we put into practice what we know God wants us to be doing.