PSALM 111

 

 Today we are focusing on the second part of Psalm 111.  Ezra is using this acrostic psalm to make 22 statements about God.  It is also a psalm to help the people of his day learn the Hebrew language that had been lost because they had been in captivity in Babylon and then Persia for 70 years.  His task was to reintroduce the Hebrew language, lifestyle and religious life.  We are in the same critical time.  The church is losing our young people at an alarming rate.  Like Ezra we are in a time where our children could lose their identity.  That is why we must pray for revival and work hard.  Paul says that in the last day there will be a great falling away in 2 Thess 2:3.  We are in that time.  We must recapture this moment or we could lose our children, society and nation.  Remember righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.   Ezra gives us seven things to remember about the Lord.

 

 

1.      He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord does this in several ways.  He uses His people and the pages of the Bible to do this.  The Bible is a love letter, a written account of God dealing with mankind throughout history.  The Bible is a written account of redemption.  It is a record of the character, nature and essence of God.  We get a glimpse of God because of the Bible. 

a.      Next, He uses science.  Science is practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.  As mankind studies creation it points more and more to a master designer.  One policeman told me when he is in doubt all he has to do is look around.  Creation is God silent witness.

b.      He uses us to proclaim Him as creator, redeemer and love agent in our world.  We are His love letters.  We are His bibles.  Our words and deeds present Him.  Our job is to go into our world and love others.  I love this quote, “People may not always remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel.” 

2.      The Lord is gracious, we have been saved by the gracious intervention of the Lord.  The Lord is merciful, forgiving, kind and lenient.  By grace He does not give us what we deserve.  All of that came because of the broken body, shed blood, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  His grace gave us undeserved mercy and will lead, keep and help us no matter when and where we find ourselves.  Paul says as we have received we are to give to others.  That means as Christians we are to express, kindness, graciousness, being courteous, encouraging and inspirational.  It also means having an elegance, good taste and being a lady or gentleman.  Being a gentleman or lady means to make those around you feel as comfortable as possible. 

3.      And compassionate.   This means to show sympathy and concern for others.  Pitying, empathetic, understanding, caring and concern.  This of course is an outgrowth of our life in the Lord.  When we love God and are healed we will in turn show true genuine love for others.  It is what flows out of our innermost being.  Jesus calls these rivers of living water.  Jesus showed compassion numerous times.  He often looked at people as sheep without a shepherd.  I often feel great pain for those who do not have the Lord.  They have no foundation, help, support, direction and destination.  We have that and so much more.  It was God’s compassion that brought about salvation and divine intervention.  Well we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  We did not go looking for Him He came looking for us.  Talk about my conversion.

4.       He provides food for those who fear him;  Ezra, points out that God is Jehovah Jireh.  Phil 4:19, says our God will supply every need according to His riches in glory.  Jesus reminded us in the Sermon on the Mount that we do not have to worry if God can clothe the flowers of the field and feed the birds of the air He will take care of us.  Worry means you do not trust God, yourself and others.  I like this quote.  “If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present.”

 

a.      Don’t waste your time in anger, regrets, worries, and grudges. Life is too short to be unhappy.”

               ― Roy T. Bennett

b.      God will take care of your needs, food, clothing, housing and transportation.  Remember the mercies of God are new every morning.  This is the day which the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Live this day for the fullest it is the only one you have.  Look at the present as a gift given by God to be lived fully and abundantly

 

5.      He remembers his covenant forever.  That means when God makes an agreement or promise He will keep it forever.  That why Paul could say in 2 Cor 1:20, the promises of God are yes and amen.  We may not keep our side but God will keep His.  That is why God is still dealing with Israel and will in the future.  That is why the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  He uses us in spite of us.  Ezra pointed this out because the people had just returned to Judah.  They had been in captivity because of their sin but God was restoring them because of a covenant He had made with Abraham.  When you gave your life to Jesus Christ God made a covenant with you.  You are His we may walk away but God will not.  This promise is the foundation for 1 John 1:9, if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us.  Remember Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.  God will be with you as He was with those in the past. 

6.      He has shown his people the power of his works, Ezra was telling the people to remember the power of His works.  The exodus, parting of the Red Sea, manna, the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  How God enabled them to take the land.  The prophets like Elijah, Elisha and Isaiah.  The judges like Gideon and Samson.  The Kings like David, Solomon and Hezekiah.  Today we have the record of the Bible with its miracles, healings, resurrections and prophecies.  In my own life I have seen signs, wonders, healings, miracles, gifts of the Spirit, supernatural provision, visions and dreams.  I contend that God can do the same for you.  He is no respecter of persons.  As His people He will do the same for all of us the secret to look and expect.

7.      Giving them the lands of other nations.  Ezra was reminding them that the reason they were back in Jerusalem and Judah was because God gave them back their nation.  Other people had been living there but God gave them back their promised land.  The grace of God was again extended to His covenant people.  In 1948, that happened again.  This of course has not been without opposition.  For Ezra, Zerubbabel, Joshua and Nehemiah their resettling of the land was filled with opposition.  Israel has fought five wars, numerous attacks including one this year.  God did this because of His covenant with Abraham.  Jesus told us to go into our world.  We have a mandate to take our world.  We have the power, enablement, authority, right and boldness to do it of course there will be opposition but we can and will win if we rely on the Lord.  I love the testimony of Paul in Thessalonica.  The people there said the men who have turned the world upside down have come to our city.  The world should be more fearful of us than we should be of the world.    Let us turn our world upside right today