Sunday, January 7, 2018 pm
BLESSED IS HE WHO HAS GOD
Psalm 146
a.
We have addressed this
phrase many times. This is Hebrew
for Praise YHWH (Praise the LORD).
b.
Here the psalmist
declares that
his soul and being will
praise Him. It will be with
all that he is.
Not half-hearted – just as we love God with our heart, soul, mind and
strength – Luke 10:27
c.
As long as he lives, he will praise Him
– again, we are reminded this is a lifetime commitment – Revelation
14:13
d.
He will sing praises to
Him –
while there may be many ways we can praise the Lord, one of the surest
ways is through our worship to Him.
Consider all that we have addressed about worshipping God
properly – John 4:24. Worship is
something we do privately, but He has also always commanded public
worship. Therein, we show
that we are not ashamed of Him.
a.
Do not trust in princes
– a prince would be a ruler, or a future ruler, or someone with power
that can supposedly help you with something.
Psalm 118:8-9 – better to trust in the LORD than man or princes.
In worldly affairs it is not uncommon for men to turn to other leaders
for help. And from a
diplomatic or physical standpoint that is not always a bad idea.
Often wars involve coalitions, with the hope that strength and
superiority will cause one to relent before disaster or war occurs.
Business leaders often team up for better success.
BUT, man can be a disappointment.
That was a major concern with both Israel and Judah as they would
often turn to other nations (and their gods) for help instead of
trusting in God, at times in direct rebellion against the LORD’s
instructions. Almost always, it got them in trouble and often it angered
the LORD.
- Solomon’s wives were foreigners who turned his heart away from God.
(1 King s 11:1-13)
- Isaiah said, “Woe to the
rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to
sin; Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To
strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the
shadow of Egypt! (Isaiah
30:1-2, see 2 Kings 17:4)
- 2 Chronicles 16:7 records Hanani, a prophet coming to Asa, a somewhat
good king in Judah, and rebuking him for bribing Syria to fight against
Northern Israel (who prior was working with Syria to fight against
Judah).
Jeremiah 17:5, Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose
heart departs from the Lord.
- Then there is the
sheer wickedness of rulers who bribed rogues to do evil things.
Often, the wicked work together.
b.
How many today put their
trust in men and the ways of the world instead of God?
As nations, we rely on our massive armaments and standing in the world
and think that we don’t need God.
In the business world, far too many trust in their riches or
business associates, to the neglect of trusting in God (e.g. honorable
business dealings, etc.)
We are not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God – 1
Timothy 6:17.
1 Corinthians 2:5 speaks of how our faith should not be in the wisdom of
men, but in the power of God.
c.
All men die
(vs. 4) – Ecclesiastes 12:7, Solomon observed the vanity of trusting in
the things of this world – we die.
He said, Then the dust will
return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who
gave it.
Hebrews 9:27. This is one reason we should not put our trust in men.
James 4:14 tells us our life is a vapor that appears for a little while
and then vanishes away.
1 John 2:15-17 – we do not love the world, or the things in the
world…because it is passing away.
NO matter how much you rely on men, there is always uncertainty.
NOTE: We are not saying friends and cooperation are not good things, but
NEVER let such stand in your way of trusting God and seeking first His
kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
The rest of this psalms explains why we should trust in God.
a.
The psalmist speaks of
the God of Jacob.
Consider this in light of the many idols and pseudo gods that so
many relied on, including those in Israel and Judah who knew better.
This is a declaration of FAITH in the ONE true God.
HE is the only God who can help (save, deliver, etc.) – John
17:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:9 - the true God.
b.
He is a God who gives us
hope –
Romans 15:13, Paul described Him as “the God of hope”
1 Peter 1:3, Blessed be God who …has
begotten us again to a living hope…
1 John 4:4 – God is greater than he who is in the world.
John 16:33, as Jesus Himself said, “I have overcome the world.”
c.
He made heaven and earth and all in them
– He is Creator. Genesis
1:1.
He is the ONLY creator! He
did not leave us without witness – Acts 14:17. Romans 1:20 – there is
enough proof that God exists, AND that the God of the Bible is He!
Acts 4:24, So when they heard
that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord,
You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in
them, part of a prayer by the disciples for boldness after Peter and
John were released from the council (the first time)
d.
He keeps truth forever
(6) – He
is a God who keeps His word.
Hebrews 6:18 tells us it is impossible for Him to lie.
Numbers 23:19, God is not a
man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Depending on when this psalm was written, God had continually
proven Himself to be their God and able to keep His word – from delivery
out of Egypt, to giving them the land, to protecting them, sometimes in
miraculous fashion.
e.
He is a God of justice
(7) – He executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry –
we see a God that cares and takes notes of how those who belong to Him
are treated.
His salvation is not an elitist plan, but available to all.
Romans 3:26 – He is just and the justifier of the one who has
faith in Jesus.
Furthermore, He cares having provided for man what He needs.
We have noted often how we are to care about others, especially the
needy. God WILL take note of
this when we stand before Him (cf. Matthew 25:31-46, 10:42 – a cup of
cold water, James 1:27, etc.)
ONE of the oft repeated downfalls of both Israel and Judah was their
oppression of the needy and poor.
Jesus rebuked it as well (Matthew 23:14).
f.
A LORD who gives freedom – Isaiah 61:1,
“The Spirit of the Lord
God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings
to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim
liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are
bound;
Luke 4:17-19, where
Jesus in Nazareth reads from Isaiah 61 noting that He is the fulfillment
of that passage. We enjoy
freedom from sin in Him – Romans 6:18.
Again, Israel in reflecting on their history can retell many times when
God gave them freedom.
g.
He demonstrates by His
works (8)
– the psalmist takes note of the wonderful works the LORD had done in
their midst. He declares
here His ability to do whatever is needed, including miracles.
One of the challenges Isaiah made against Idols was to demand that they
prove themselves by doing something, ANYTHING to prove their power –
Isaiah 41:21-24.
God has over and over demonstrated Himself to be God.
None other, even among so-called gods today, have or can.
ALSO, what is mentioned here COULD be prophetic as it describes the
types of miracles Jesus performed - the eyes of the blind opened,
those bowed down were raised, etc.
cf. John 9:32-33 – His works declared who He was.
Matthew 11:5 – Jesus proved to the followers of John that He was
the coming one performing great miracles.
God’s ULTIMATE deliverance is from sin and it is found in Jesus.
He proved Himself while on earth.
h.
He loves the righteous
– God knows those who belong to Him and does love them. John 14:21-23.
i.
He watches over the strangers and relieves the fatherless and widow
– again, we see that God takes note of those who the world often ignores
or spurns. Should we not do
the same?
j.
He turns upside down the ways of the wicked
(9) – again, a study of
Israel’s history shows this more than once.
Examples include Israel delivered from Egypt (including the Red
Sea), the defeat of Sennacherib at the gates of Jerusalem (Isaiah 37),
the punishment of Israel and Judah for their wicked ways, the humbling
of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-33), Haman in the book of Esther, etc.
Of course, some might ask, what about today?
We may not understand why or how.
And while the wicked may get his way in this life, in the end he will be
overcome. Furthermore, God
is in control and can stop whatever He wishes.
While God can work today (consider Acts 17:26-27),
We may not understand why God allows things to happen as they do, but
that does not diminish His power or His reign.
k.
He shall reign forever (10) – kingdoms of this world come and go.
They change! But
God’s kingdom will last as long as this world and beyond.
Revelation 11:15, Then the seventh
angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The
kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His
Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Yes, this book is highly
symbolic, but the overall message is that God WILL win!
His kingdom endures forever – 2 Peter 1:11 (everlasting kingdom)
And
thus we conclude our examination of another psalm.
Far too many in this world put their trust in princes and the
ways of men. May we put our
trust in the one true God.
This psalm has mentioned several reasons why we ought to do this.
Hebrews 12:28 says,
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let
us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and
godly fear. Where is
your trust?