NEW YEAR

 

 

 

    We have been looking at Psalms 111 which is an acrostic psalm talking about the characteristics of God and then Psalm 112, which is our response to the truth we learn from Psalm 111.  Ezra who is the author of these two psalms had an objective.  He was using the Hebrew alphabet in two forms.  One, to teach the people how to learn the Hebrew language, and secondly, to also learn about their God who they really did not know.  They had just returned from being in captivity for 70 years in Babylon.  They did not know their own language, religion and culture.  Ezra chose this method to accomplish is aim and goals.

 

1.      They will have no fear of bad news.  We are not given a spirit of fear but love, power and a sound mind.  From Paul we learn that fear is a spirit and must be overcome with God’s love which as John puts in 1 John 4:18, casts it out.  Then fear is rendered powerless through God’s power and lastly it is neutered by a sound mind. 

 

a.      The righteous do not fear bad news because they know God is with them.  They trust him with all their heart, acknowledge Him, and let Him direct their path.  They know God will never leave or forsake them and all things work together for good even if the thing is not good.  Bad news does not shake them because they have the presence, power, peace and promises of God.

b.      The righteous always anchors themselves in the love, faith and hope of God.  Love never fails and so bad news causes no fear.  Angels are camping around the righteous.   God is directing our path.  No accusation, temptation or deception will work because we have the Bible, prayer, armor of God, anointing, power, authority, enablement and divine help so we do not have to fear bad news. 

 

2.      Their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  The righteous have a heart that is secure in God.  It has the rock, fortress, and refuge of the Lord.  Remember from the heart is where the issues of life comes.  The heart is where the treasure is.  When a heart belong to God the past has been forgiven, the present is a gift and the future is eternal.  The righteous heart is steadfast, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, and dependable.  The righteous have maturity, stability, resolve, a firmness, and are unwavering.

 

3.      They trust in the Lord.  Ezra wants his audience to trust the Lord.  Trust means a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone in our case the Lord.  Trust has so many benefits.  Delight, freedom, peace, joy, faith, love, grace and blessing.  Faith and trust are interchangeable.  God is working on your behalf and like a child you simply trust Him

 

a.      You have a firm conviction that even when things are bad it will turn out good.  The psalmist said sorrow is for a night but joy comes in the morning.  He also said, the mercies of God are new every morning great is the faithfulness of God.  A new day is a new start. 

b.      Moses trusted the Lord for 40 years.  Trust says I trust you God and the process.  You know what you are doing and in the end  you win

 

4.      Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear.   Mankind has three areas of basic needs.  Food shelter, clothing and transportation are the first.  The second need is safety and security and the last is self-esteem and actualization.  When these three needs are met we feel fulfilled.  When a heart belongs to God these needs are not only met but exceeded

 

a.      When we feel secure we have no fear.  Fear is caused by insecurity, feeling of being unloved, loss of power and control.  When you feel secure, empowered and in control you have no fear. 

b.      David when he found Goliath he could beat him.  He had already beaten a lion and bear and this

Experience, he also knew he was fighting Goliath in the power of God.  With God for us who can be against us.

 

5.       In the end they will look in triumph on their foes.  Ezra remind his audience and us that in the

               End we win.  At the end of the book the people of God are victorious.  Ezra says don’t lose hope           

               In, the middle of the battle.  You have to run the whole race, fight the whole battle, do the

               Whole, competition to win the tournament. 

 

a.      Did you know there are crowns given for those who finish the race as believers and Christians

 

1.      Crown of righteousness – Those love His coming.

2.      Incorruptible crown – Being saved.

3.      Crown of life – Endured testing, persecution and trials.

4.      Crown of glory – Those who carried the gospel.

5.      Crown of rejoicing – Given at the end for faithful service.

 

b.      There are of course the rewards given to the overcomer.  Some people asked what is in it for me.  You get eternal and abundant life, a declaration of being a good servant and a reward of resting in the Lord.  In the Lord you get peace, beauty, love, friendship and security.