Counting our many Blessings

 Read Psalm 21. 

Quite often people only see prayer as a means for what they can get from God.  Few take time to celebrate what He has already done.  King David took that time in this song.  God had been good to him and he wanted everyone else to know about it. 

1. He celebrated God's provision in his life.

-God answered his prayers (v.2)

-God gave him material blessings (v.3)

-God spared his life and legacy (v.4)

-God honored him (v.5)

-God made His presence personally known to him (v.6)

-God established his life with His love (v.7) 

2. He celebrated God’s protection of his life.

-God knows His enemies.  David's enemies were haters of God. (v.8)

-God judges those who oppose Him (v.9)

-God destroys the legacy of the wicked (v.10)

-God ensures that the plans of His enemies ultimately fail (v.11)

-God puts His enemies on the run (v.12) 

This is an encouragement for all of us to stop and make our own lists of how God has blessed us and protected us.  Let the music begin. 

"We will sing and praise your power." (v.13b)

Moving from blessing to Blessings

 Read Psalm 20. 

When reading this Psalm it may remind us of the old traditional Gaelic blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand. 

David's song of blessing takes us much deeper into the basis of our hope.  It is a prayer.

1. He prayed for specific responses from God. (vv.1-3)

"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!"

-protect you

-help you

-support you

-remember all your offerings

-regard your sacrifices 

2. He prayed for requests to God (vv.4-5)

"May he grant you..."

-your heart's desire

-fulfill all your plans

-your deliverance

-your victories

-all your petitions 

3. He prayed for powerful results from God (v.6)

-God saves

-God answers 

At the root of our hope is where we put our trust.  Some put their faith in things that will ultimately fail them.

"But we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (v.7b)

This will change your Life

 Read Psalm 19. 

The purpose of the Bible is not information, but transformation.  Life-change is to be the result of a personal relationship with the LORD.  The better we know and practice the principles of His Word the more our lives will be pleasing and acceptable to Him. 

1. God's Work. (vv.1-6)

Creation is a testimony to the existence, power and presence of the living God.  When a heart is open and receptive, the message becomes real and obvious.

"For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.  So they are without excuse." (Roman 1:20) 

2. God's Word. (vv.7-11)

The Scriptures are totally reliable.  They provide words of instruction, wisdom, encouragement, warning, and blessing.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

3. God's Worker. (vv.12-14)

Self-valuation is not always accurate.  Let the Scriptures be the unchanging standard of right and wrong.

"How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your word....I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:9, 11) 

A verse we should all memorize:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Singing Along with David

 Read Psalm 18. 

This is a song of victory.  The inscription identifies it as written in response to being rescued from his enemies, especially Saul.  Though a warrior with his own troops engaged in the battle, David gave God full credit for His divine intervention. 

Here the sweet psalmist of Israel showed his giftedness in writing artistic poetry.  Using multiple metaphors, David described graphically who God is and how God acted on his behalf.  It began with a testimony of worship.  He sings of his love for God and here is why-

"I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." (v.3) 

1. God rescued him.

David was in a tight spot, cornered, and seemingly with no way out.  God opened a door for him to overcome the adversity.

"But the LORD was my support.  He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (vv.18b-19)

"You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." (v.36) 

2. God rewarded him.

David had done nothing wrong, yet he was being pursued to the death.  God saw his character and humility.

"So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight." (v.24) 

3. God reminded him.

In his relief and joy, David recalled a truth he already knew, but at this point he could embrace it with even stronger faith.  God is trustworthy.

"This God-his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." (v.30) 

We can all sing along with David:

"The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation." (v.46)

 

5 Prayer Requests in times of Trouble

 Read Psalm 17. 

As many other prayer songs in the book of Psalms, David was gravely concerned about attacks from his enemies.  Do not miss how confident in prayer he was.  His conscience and life were clean before God and, therefore, he came boldly into God's presence with his requests. 

David not only knew God heard his prayers but also that the LORD would answer him.  What did he ask God to do? 

1.  He wanted God's attention.

"Keep me as the apple of your eye." (v.8a)

It was the assurance that God had His eye on what was happening that provided courage. 

2. He wanted God's protection.

"Hide me in the shadow of your wings." (v.8b)

God was the refuge that was needed.  Running to the presence of the Lord brought a sense of safety, perspective, and spiritual refreshment. 

3. He wanted God's action.

"Arise, O LORD! (v.13)

God was more powerful than any enemy's threats. 

4. He wanted God's succession.

As for those who are treasured by the Lord, "They leave their abundance to their infants." (v.14)

Not only was his life and wealth a concern, but he wanted to be able to pass these blessings on to the next generation and beyond.  Leaving a legacy of faith was a top request of his. 

5. He wanted God's satisfaction.

"As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness." (v.15)

It was enough for him to able to wake up from this trouble and find the character of God stamped on his life for all to see.

 

 

Does faith in God make any difference?

 Read Psalm 16. 

King David provided an analysis of the difference his trust in the LORD made both in the present and in his future. 

1. "...in you I take refuge." (v.1)

When life became tough, God was there as a place of safety and comfort. 

2. "I have no good apart from you." (v.2)

When everything around him looked bad and even his own sin bothered him, he turned to the LORD for His forgiveness and goodness. 

3. "As for the saints...in whom is all my delight." (vv.3-4)

He loved to be with others who also trusted in God.  The mutual fellowship encouraged him.  While those who chose to place their trust in falsehoods only multiplied their sorrows in life. 

4. "The LORD...you hold my lot." (v.5)

He recognized that the sovereign hand of God ultimately controlled what he received in this life. 

5. "I have a beautiful inheritance." (v.6)

With God in control, his future provisions were secure. 

6. "I bless the LORD who gives me counsel." (v.7)

As he meditated on upcoming decisions, he listened for God to guide his thoughts. 

7. "I have set the LORD always before me."

He did not keep God compartmentalized at his place of worship.  God's presence was always in the forefront of his thinking. 

8. "My heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure." (vv.9-10)

Inside and out- heart, soul and body-was upbeat because his eternity was secured by his faith in the promises of God. 

9. "...life...fullness of joy...pleasures forevermore." (v.11)

All this was his as a result of his personal relationship with the LORD. 

Who would not want such a life as this?

Who wants to spend time with God?

 Read Psalm 15. 

Imagine being invited to a place where the LORD lives simply to enjoy time with Him.  Some would not respond to the invitation.  Some would go but feel a bit awkward.  Others would drop what they were doing to spend time with their best friend...and not want to leave. 

David queried as to who could live in the presence of God. 

Then, he made a check list for self-evaluation.

1. What I do.

Do I behave in a way that pleases Him throughout the day? 

2. What I say.

Do I always tell the truth?  Does my vocabulary and content please Him? 

3. How I treat people.

Do I help other people and do what is right by them? 

4. How I fulfill my promises.

Do I fulfill my commitments no matter what? 

5. How I respond to those in need.

Do I try to take advantage of others? 

6. How I handle my business.

Do I deal with others in honesty?  Is my character for sale? 

The invitation to spend time with God is available to all.  His door is always open.

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." (Psalm 34:15) 

Sin causes us to feel distant from God.  Coming into His presence requires confession of what is wrong and receiving His gracious forgiveness.