God is Great - Psalm 135:1-18

From fifty to one hundred years ago the lesson title represented the first three words to this nation’s most common prayer. Practically every child in a Christian home was taught this simple prayer. “God is great, God is good and we thank him for this food.” Since we were reminded of this truth three times a day [at each meal time] the repetition caused the truth to sink in and leave no doubt that God was great. Since we know that we serve an unchangeable God we know that he was great even in the day of the tribe of Levi who were probably responsible for the writing of this Song of Psalm; He has continued to be of the same greatness and will forever be as great to all who follow our way.

One of the very first ways that God has always proclaimed his greatness is found in this Psalm. God, our creator, our breath and our life, has made us to be compared to the angels and placed us in charge of the universe at the time of creation. In return for all that He has done for us including the gift of life itself—here in the first verse of chapter 135, the author lets us know that God simply request that we acknowledge him as the Great Redeemer of mankind. “Hallelujah! Praise the name of the LORD, Give praise, you servants of the LORD.”

According to the Holman Christian Standard Bible’s this first word “Hallelujah” translates into a two-word Hebrew sentence that simply demands that we “Praise Yah.” This expression is also translated as “Praise ye the Lord.” The word Yah is a shortened form of one of the names of God known as Yahweh. Note that in these few words in this sentence, the writer tells us three times to PRAISE GOD. First, the word Hallelujah says praise God. Second, the writer then repeats “Praise the name of the Lord.” The emphasis comes down the third time when the writer says, “Give praise, you servants of the Lord.”

Then read verse two. It is the verse which identifies who must praise God over and over…three times in this one simple verse…which is the very simple and little thing that God demands of us in exchange for his greatness shown toward us. Who are identified as those who must praise, serve, honor and proclaim His name? Who are to praise Him? “Those that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.” This simply refers to all of us that attend his worship services; those who frequent the buildings of praise and honor and carry out the work expected of all who are called Christ like.

The main idea found here is that the psalmist is inviting all of God’s people to worship and praise the God over all creation and the history or story that we know about it. There is no doubt but that the writer includes all who are involved with the service to and worship of God. There is even a greater likelihood that he is including all who are worship leaders of any kind such as teachers, counselors and pastors.

There is another main reason for worship and praise. The psalmist uses words of praise and worthy expression regarding who God is. He is Great. He is Good. He is Worthy. He is Faithful. He is Loving and Kind. He Knows All. And is All Powerful, and always Present, forever With Us. This call for praise not only includes all of these things that God is but also all of the things that he has done and will do for us.

In verse four today the writer speaks of the fact that God chose his people for a special reason. He says here that “The Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.” This refers to the word from Deuteronomy 7: 1-9. He calls Israel Jacob…they are the same. He chose Jacob, not because they were many but they were his elect. We Christians are a part of that elect group today. We were not chosen because we were strong but because He had made the promise to our forefathers. Our part of the inheritance comes down through the line of David to Mary and Joseph, and our Lord was born a virgin into this family. In this lesson today we find one of the greatest gifts to all mankind. We are the elect. He made us his elect by his choice and not our deserving position.

In 1 Peter 2:9 the new church is told that “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praise of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

How can we ever live one moment in the presence of God, with all He has provided us without praising Him? To our God is all the glory. We willingly and in all humbleness praise the almighty name of our living God.

God Is Faithful - Psalm 105:7-11; 106:6-7,19-21,40-45

No human being, young or old, married or single, parent or child, can obtain and maintain a characteristic that is more important to them and their piers as their faithfulness to God, and each other. I will start this chain of thought with the relationship at the time of marriage. Two young people give themselves to each other with no reservations, expecting true faithfulness without having to watch and wonder each day if fidelity is always present. Then one slips and the other finds out and from that day forever there is always a shade of doubt in their minds. A beautiful relationship is damaged, never to be completely restored to the perfection it once had.

The couple has one or more children that are brought up in the nature and admonition of the Lord. The day comes when acquisitions are made against them by a fellow student or a teacher that just seem to be impossible. They must have been falsely accused…and there is no way you can accept it as being true. This hurts—and the pain is great. And then you find through your own knowledge, the undisputable fact that your child will actually commit the wrong for which they were accused; and that they very probably did already commit the wrong as they were accused. Your child has continually denied the accusation. Now you find that they have been unfaithful to you as parents; untruthful and untrustworthy for the future.

Life is loaded with examples like this that will result in the total destruction of you joy and happiness caused by the betrayal of a loved one. Sadly these loved ones range all the way from close friends to parents, and none…no not one…except God is Faithful. I regret that I must give one more example because it compares man to a dog. We know assuredly that God is Faithful! It appears at times that a man’s dog is more faithful to the man than man is to his God.

The writer of this Psalm has a good knowledge of the destruction caused when there is unfaithfulness present. It might be well for all of you who are Christians and reading and studying the results of being unfaithful would stop for a moment and remember your past. Have you fully trusted a person in your life to an extent that when you found there was some unfaithfulness involved in your relationship, you were totally devastated? Be thankful if you have not had this experience. If you have experienced the results of unfaithfulness in a love one, use that experience to help you develop a total acceptance of God’s Faithfulness to you in every phase of his dealings with you throughout your life. There is no relationship that can possibly be more important to man than to know that his one and only Savior is without fault and will forever be faithful to a sinful man saved by Jesus Christ.

When you read 105:7 and realize that He is the Lord our God; ant that His judgments are in charge of the whole earth…it chills ones heart to even think for on moment that He could be Unfaithful for even one moment about one tinny thing. You can not remove the divine providence of God and still retain the total perfection that is absolutely necessary for God’s system to work. In verse eight we are reminded that his covenant that he keeps faithfully is one that he ordained for a thousand generations—and this is just a way of saying for all eternity.

The scripture used today names several of the men of God like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to which God made decrees regarding their inheritance…the things he would and would not do for them. In verse eleven he gave the land of Canaan to them as their inherited portion. Would you just stop for a moment and try to realize what these men and their followers could have done if God had not been FAITHFUL in keeping his promises to them.

How well do you keep your commitments? What do you consider to be some of the most important commitments that you have ever made? I think we will have to consider at least three or four categories of commitments that w are involved in, and there may be others as important as these. First, we were born into a family to which we must have been committed. Secondly, we are married into a family that demands our faithfulness. Third, we are converted [born again] into the family of God and fourth, we are by nature created into the family of human nature that we continually remain a part of as long as we live.

All of the above commitments are important, but surely you need to think about prioritizing the right commitment at the appropriate time. What do you consider to be the most important commitment you have made to date? Have you ever made an important commitment that came to you without some sacrifice on your part? What are some of the prices you have paid in order to hold on to your commitments?

When we recall any sacrifice that has ever been ours to bear or make, we surely do not bring them to mind in any way to compare with the greatest ones made by our Father God. It is to recall the importance of sacrificial living. One thing that it does quickly is remind us that in comparison to what God has done for us we are inferior, tinny, and owe our all to Him who is the greatest of all.

Remember that the writers of the Psalms were continually singing songs of praise and writing poetry that expressed the heart of God to his people. It will always be time consuming to fully explore all the writings to see what each is referring to. However, there is one example I can mention at this time. If you will study all of the 105th Psalm and compare it verse to verse to the 106th Psalm, you will find that the 105th book explains the total faithfulness of God to man. And then chapter 106 reminds us of our unfaithfulness toward God. There is a comparison made here that actually shows that there is no comparison. We should study with a broken heart the comparison of the way God treats us and the way we repay Him.

God Is Just - Psalm 9:1-16

No statement ever made was more important to man kind than the one embodied in the title of our lesson for today! No other statement was ever as spellbinding to the soul of man: to the lost he is made to realize that he will receive his just award; and in the heart of the Christian he understands that he will be held accountable for any injustice for which he is guilty.

The messages provided through the Psalms are provided in songs of praise and prayers of thanksgiving. David constantly talked to us about the problems he faced and he prayed unceasingly to the almighty for the blessings that he constantly needed. David reminded God over and over about his troubles and let us know that he was constantly talking to God about the problems. Sometimes I think that I complain too much about my problems; but I don’t think I am any worse than David was. David also let us know how often and completely that God took care of his troubles. So, this may be the place where we fall short…maybe we do not thank God for his care and comfort as often as we should.

Last Sunday we discussed the fact that men and women have differences in their prayer and worship lives. It is more difficult for some men in particular, than for women, to show forth a heart of care and concern for other people. David was a man of great concern for others, and is probably the greatest bible character known to worship with depth of heart; and to praise with great sincerity.

There are times in the lives of some men when they are disturbed inwardly; they are even moved to tears which they try hard to subdue because they do not want to appear as a week character. David lived a life alone in harm’s way as the protector of his sheep and often realized that he was forced to believe in the protection that had to come from God. He tells us that he learned about God—and who God really was and how he was forced to depend on God.

I do not know why men hate to admit that they have fears just as women do, but I know it is so. Can you imagine being alone, and asleep at midnight guarding a flock of sheep that are wonderful and easy to secure food for a pack of wild dogs or wolves—even a heard of lions? David had been there. David admitted that he suffered great fear. Probably even harder for David was the fact that he had to admit that he depended on God for his very life. Oh, how I wish that I could be so honest in my admission of my dependency upon God. Later in the life of David when he had men as enemies—he remembered the wild animals in his youth as a shepherd and turned to God for his protection.

In verse one of chapter number six we have an example of the way that David was able to express his dependence on God and even admit it to both friends and foe. He openly praised God and told us of His wonderful works. Then in verse 2 he told God that he rejoiced and would continue to boast about God, and sing about his name admitting to everyone that God was the most high. Tell me…why is hard for men to openly worship and praise God in the presence of his friends…especially his lady friends.

Now, let me ask you to try just now to openly admit to some one else in your presence that you love God. Stop for a moment and intentionally sing about God’s name as being the Most High.

The most of us have enemies today. We are fortunate at times and our enemies retreat and for some reason stop bothering us. Do you ever think about the relief you feel being possible because that your enemies actually stumble before God. David was one of the greatest warriors of bible history, but he never forgot from whence his power came. It was not his sword or his power and he realized that. It was God’s power that he allowed to flow freely through him.

We are living during a period of time when far too many men do not believe in an existing Almighty God. Now add this to the fact that even greater numbers of men do not believe that the God which we proclaim is a Just God. Some actually blame God for their problems and refuse to admit that it is the failings of man that causes problems—they even believe and will proclaim that God is unjust. Claims such as this will usually come from those who believe they are ill and do not deserve it. They have lost love ones for no reason of their concern but only that God is not fair to all.

You will see in verse 15 that nations even in David’s day had fallen into their own trap. We need to compare this thought in that time with the facts that exist today. The desire of nations to overpower the rest of the world has led to the destruction of nation after nation down through the ages. Egypt lost to the Israelites who in turn lost to Rome. Even later in history, Hitler and Germany set out to rule the world…and Italy, Russia, Japan, followed. Today we see Islamic nations desiring the destruction of the Christian world.
In every one of these cases the cruel despots are falling into their own traps. They are caught up in the net that they have concealed. Nations must realize that God is just and will only allow his justice to win out in the end.

Some of God’s foes use men like David, Paul, and other outstanding bible characters as examples of the unjust treatment allowed and even encouraged by God. God’s word explains the wicked ways of David and then applauds him for his strong trust and dependence in God. With adultery and murder in his past, he was applauded as a man after God’s own heart.

Paul admitted to being the most wicked of all men but has to be one of the greatest of all disciples…the greatest of men who ever lived and taught. These are only two examples of men who emerged in greatness because of their submergence in their true belief in God Almighty.

Just remember that it is not the sins you commit that will doom you to hell. Think now…It is not your sins of commission that will cause your final destruction…but it is your one sin of omission. The one thing that you fail to do that becomes final and unforgivable happens during your life time of failing to accept Christ as your Savior…Salvation is in him, AND HIM ONLY.

God Is Revealed - Psalm 19:1-14

We will start the fall semester on September 6, in the book of Psalms, chapter 19: 1 through 14 and the title of the lesson will be GOD IS REVEALED. The format will change from what it has been. We have been starting with the first chapter and verse and continuing sequentially through the book. Now we will select topics for discussion and use different passages as reference material. For example the first lesson is GOD IS REVEALED, 19:1-14; lesson 2 will be GOD IS JUST, 9: 1-20; lesson 3 will be GOD IS FAITHFUL, 105: 1-21.

I have been actively engaged in learning about God and teaching others to know about God and his plan to make it possible for all men everywhere to be saved. Baptist believe that a person must know God in a personal way and believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He is the Way the Truth and the Light and the only means by which anyone can be saved. Down through the years of my study and teaching, one question has always presented a problem of difficulty for many unsaved people to accept. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God: and all must repent of our sins and accept Christ as our Savior.

The life long question of many is—what about those who have never met Christ personally? What about those who live in a heathen nation and have never read the bible or have never been taught by a minister? How can this person be saved? Now the answer to this question forms the central truth and aim of our study today. In the Psalms we are taught that GOD IS REVEALED; and the WORD of God and bible ministers are not the only ways that GOD IS REVEALED. The first verse in chapter 19 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Just pause for a moment and remember that history teaches us that many people, such as the different tribes of early American Indians who were unable to read and write still were able to read the language of the universe. They knew that there was a higher power even though they did not know who he was or what his name was. God revealed himself to them through the universe. The heavens, referring to the sun, stars, and planets, declared the glory of God.

This divine glory is the sum total of all God’s holy character and attributes which are made known to man. God made him self holy by the work of his own hands…that is by his creation. In simple explanation, the Psalms tells us that it is impossible for the dummies of the universe to see all of God’s creation all bout him every day that he lives and still not realize that there is a higher power both on earth and in heaven. No man will ever live and die in his sinful state without realizing that there is a God. The dumbest man in the deepest jungle of South Africa will never be able to stand in the great judgment and give God the excuse that he was never told about The Almighty God who would judge him in that day.

People of all nations, rich or poor, wise or unwise, educated or ignorant are surrounded by fantastic displays of God’s craftsmanship. The heavens and earth give forth evidence of His existence, his power, and his love for man. For any man to argue that this universe just happened by chance is absurd. And for any man to live in and enjoy God’s creation and deny the existence of Holly God will lead him to his deserved destruction.

There are two types of revelation, and God has used both to make him self known. First, He has made him self known through natural revelation that is the universe that we have been studying. Then he has made himself known through his supernatural revelation—that is through his revelation through the scriptures. He is the glory of God, unveiled…made known. We should be of the same accord in revealing ourselves as children of God. God is so great that we should strive to be like him. Our aim is not to reveal ourselves but God through us. Think about this…you do not visit the Grand Canyon or Pikes Peak to increase you self-esteem—but we go there to help us realize how minor we are in the presence of God’s creative glory. John Piper says that there is greater healing for the soul in beholding the splendor of Grand Canyon than in beholding ones self in a mirror.

We are fortunate as Americans that God has revealed himself, first through his creation of the universe. But even more we are fortunate that he has revealed himself through his word which we think of as his special revelation that comes though our ability to read, study and know his scriptural revelation. Through special revelation we know how to become a member of God’s family. The sun and skies [his works] reveal his power. The Holy Scripture teaches us how to become a member of His family.

We have come to the conclusion that God has made himself known to man though natural revelation in the physical creation and through supernatural revelation of scriptures.

David wrote some of the most beautiful prayers ever offered up to Almighty God. He prayed that God would hide his hidden faults. He prayed that God would keep him from willful sins that they might not rule over him. And then he prayed the prayer that crosses my mind almost every time I address the throne of God. “May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer?”

Psalms 19 could well be one of the most important studies in Holy Word. It tells us that no man is without hope and that even the heathen can look up into God’s creation and see and know all he needs to know to become a child of God. The horror is with the unbeliever; the person with no faith—for by grace through faith you are saved, it is not of yourself—not because of or in exchange for any good works that you may do. Thank you for the saving grace that you made the object of our faith. Thank you for revealing yourself to us as our one and only everlasting Savior.