INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 138
GOD IS LOVING, FAITHFUL, MERCIFUL, OMNIPOTENT AND GRACIOUS. With these attributes, and many more, we can truly TRUST THE LORD to BE WITH US ALWAYS, and to ANSWER OUR PRAYERS.
" Then you will call on me and come and PRAY TO ME and I WILL LISTEN. You will SEEK ME AND FIND ME, when you SEEK ME WITH ALl YOUR HEART." Jeremiah 29:12&13 (NIV)
Through our difficult times in our lives - sickness, temptation, exhaustion - to name a few; we know that God will "PRESERVE US". David, the author of this Psalm, knows this PROMISE well. Although he had many trials, he always TRUSTED in His omnipotent Father. He didn't have "shelves of self help books", but when "weary and afflicted", he knew his faithful, reliable God would "never change" or let him down.
"God is our REFUGE AND STRENGTH, an EVER PRESENT HELP in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
PRAISE OUR FAITHFUL & LOVING GOD - Read Psalm 138: 1-3
David doesn't PRAISE with "empty adoration", his praise is full of FAITH and COMMITTMENT, through "meditation".
"May the words of my mouth and the MEDITATION of our heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, MY STRENGTH and MY REDEEMER." Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)
So WHY and HOW did David do this?
1. WITH HIS WHOLE HEART.
"I will praise the Lord with ALL MY HEART." Psalm 138:1a (NLT)
"We need a broken heart to CONFESS OUR SINS and a WHOLE HEART to PRAISE THE LORDS PERFECTIONS." Charles Spurgeon
He begins with a "bold declaration" - seeking the Lord with a "whole heart" - reflecting on all God has done for him.
2. BEFORE THE GODS
"I will sing your praises BEFORE THE GODS." Psalm 138:1b (NLT)
"A witness against impotence of idols - PRAISING THE LORD and the LORD ALONE, not gods of different nations". David Guzik
Why did David do this? We know he wasn't worshipping idols, but maye:
* He wanted to "prove his alliance" with God, and GOD ALONE.
* The gods he was referring to were "judges and kings".
3. BEFORE THE HOLY TEMPLES.
"I bow before the HOLY TEMPLE, as I WORSHIP." Psalm 138:2a (NLT)
"They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's adopted children. God revealed His glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them His law. He gave them the privilege of WORSHIPPING HIM and receiving His wonderful promises." Romans 9:4 (NLT)
Even though David may not have been worshipping in the Temple (Tabernacle), as, at times, he was in a cave and in exile. He accepted that the TEMPLE was indeed to be the PLACE OF WORSHIP for himself and God's people.
4. BECAUSE OF GOD'S LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS.
"I praise Your Name, for Your UNFAILING LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS." Psalm 138:2b
"The Lord's LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS go hand in hand. Thank you for your amazing LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS towards us.." Nicky Gumbel
"GOD IS FAITHFUL and will never fail us." Ruth Chou Simmons
Like David, our FAITH AND HOPE in God and His Son Jesus, lead to an acknowledgement of HIS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS. Even when we fall, God is our PROMISE KEEPER. He always ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS.
5. MAGNIFY GOD'S NAME AND GLORY.
"For His promises are backed by all the HONOUR YOUR NAME" Psalm 138:2c (NLT)
"Abraham never wavered in believing GOD'S PROMISES. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought GLORY TO GOD. He was fully convinced that God was able to do whatever HE PROMISED." Romans 4:20&21 (NLT)
GOD'S TRUTH is communicated to us by HIS WORD and shown through HIS GLORIOUS NAME. We too are encouraged to PRAISE AND WORSHIP the Lord, by HONOURING HIS NAME.
6. THE LORD ANSWERS HIS PRAYERS.
"As soon as I PRAY, YOU ANSWER ME; you encourage me by giving me STRENGTH." Psalm 138:3 (NLT)
"The POWER OF PRAYER is the ONE WHO HEARS IT, not says it. Our prayers make a difference, as God hears them and will aide and COMFORT YOU." Max Lucado
The Lord rescued David many times when he called out to Him IN PRAYER. God always responds to us, especially when we are in a time of crisis. He gives us STRENGTH and develops our FAITH.
Thomas Nelson, the writer of the Hymn: "GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS", had to deal with many troubles in his life. His health was poor, causing him to resign from the Methodist Ministry. As an author and composer, he faced a number of rejections of his work, until this hymn was finally published. Although this hymn was not based on "specific circumstances", it came from His love for the Lord and His Word.
PRAISE OUR GREAT AND GLORIOUS GOD - Read Psalm 138:4-6
"May all the kings of the earth PRAISE YOU, Lord, when they hear what you have, May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the GLORY OF THE LORD IS GREAT. Though the LORD IS EXALTED, He looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty He sees them from afar." Psalm 138:4-6 (NIV)
In the next few verses of this Psalm, David gives His thanks and praise in the "presence of the earth's kings". There are 3 reasons David gives for why he feels the kings need to listen to join with him in HIS PRAISES of a GREAT AND GLORIOUS GOD.
1. THE KINGS HAVE HEARD GOD'S WORD and THEY KNOW HIS WAYS.
David was king of Israel and GAVE PRAISES to the Lord, but he wanted all the kings of the earth to PRAISE GOD too. They would praise Him because others would tell them of 'HIS WORKS AND HIS WAYS."
"Although the Psalmist does not reveal what God has said to have spoken, this likely refers back to Psalm 138:2 where God's Name and Word or PROMISES TO ISRAEL have been exalted." \
Vanessa Lovelace
2. THE 'GLORY OF GOD IS GREAT'
Israel thanked their God for many things, lot least HIS AWESOME AND MAJESTIC POWER, MIGHT AND STRENGTH. They praised the Lord for all the great things God had done, specifically their redemption. GOD IS GREAT AND HOLY and this is another reason we GLORIFY HIM IN WORSHIP.
"The kings of the earth would not only PRAISE YAHWEH (GOD) with words; but with song. This was their response to a GREAT & GLORIOUS GOD." David Guzik
3. OUR GREAT GOD "LOOKS KINDLY" ON THE HUMBLE AND LOWLY.
Although the Lord is exalted, He still CARES FOR THE HUMBLE, but he keeps the proud at a distance, "not keeping company with the arrogant". David understood that God was great and glorious - our Sovereign Father - yet He still held the MEEK, HUMBLE AND LOWLY in high regard.
"Infinitely great as God is, He regards even the lowest and most inconsiderate parts of His creation; the humble and afflicted man attracts His notice in particular." Adam Clarke - cited by David Guzik.
"God opposes the proud, but gives GRACE to the humble." James 4:7/1 Peter 3:5 (NLT)
"So HUMBLE yourself under the mighty hand of God, and HE WILL LIFT YOU UP." 1 Peter 3:6 (NIV)
These verses tell of our God's LOVE AND GRACE, as a OUR GREAT AND GLORIOUS Father, and these are true too of His Son Jesus.
PRAISE GOD WHO CARES AND PROTECTS US -
Read Psalm 138:7&8
Like David, we as Christians, desire to LOVE AND SERVE our Father God and His Son, Jesus. Still, there are times when we FEEL DOWN and LOST; times when we are surrounded by TROUBLES. We don't seem to "have it all together". We can admit that we are "buried and bruised".
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me." Psalm 138:7 (NKJV)
"I know the Lord is always with me. I will be shaken but He is right beside me." Psalm 16:8 (NLT)
"God will never waste our pain, but will always use it for His glory." Ruth Chou Simmons
In our lives we may face many trials and temptations. In sickness we sometimes question the Lord, but because of his mercy and compassion, we know He will always "PRESERVE AND PROTECT US". If we lay down our pain and regrets, the Lord continues to SUSTAIN and to LIFT YOU UP. We may not understand when these bad thins happen to us, but we cab TRUST IN THE LORD, knowing that HE CARES FOR US. Then we can tell the world about HIS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS.
"The Lord will work out the plans for our life - for Your love and faithfulness, O God, endures forever. " Nicky Gumbel
"Trust in the Lord with all your hearts, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your names acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5&6 (NIV)
"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
CONCLUSION
One of my favourite Christian worship songs is: "GOD WILL MAKE A WAY". It was written by Don Moen, when he experienced a tragic event in his family. Embracing his brother and daughter in law, who had lost their children, Don encouraged them with these verses. It was dark time for them all, but Don still knew that God was still their 'GUIDE, RESTORER and PROTECTOR' forever. "He works in ways that we may not understand", but HIS MERCY AND GRACE give us assurance, that "He will make a way, when there seems to be no way."
"God, you are RIGHTEOUS, HONOURABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY. You crush darkness and shatter despair. You heal people and restore relationships. You continually invite people to KNOW YOU PERSONALLY. You are GREAT AND MIGHTY, and WORTHY TO BE HONOURED." You Version
"God's grace guides us each step of the way into His presence." Ruth Chou Simmons
References:
"Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"Holy Bible - New King James Version", 1982, Thomas Nelson
"Holy Bible - New Living Translation, 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"Praise", 2003, Brandon Lake, Chris Brown and Chandler Moore (Composers/Performers), Elevation Worship, You Tube
"Great is Thy Faithfulness", 1921/2024, Thomas O Chisholm (Composer), Don Moen & Lenny Le Blanc (Performers), Hope Publishers/You Tube
"God Will Make a Way", 1990, Don Moen (Composer & Performer), Integrity Hosanna Music
Alexander, Pat and David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible - 4th Version", 2009, Lion Hudson'
Chou Simmons, Ruth, "Pilgrim - 25 Ways God Leads Us Onward", 2023, Harvest House Publishers
De Class Walford, Nancy, "Commentary on Psalm 138", 2014, Working Preacher
Gumbel, Nicky and Pippa, "The Bible - Classic Version", Alpha/You Version
Guzik, David, "God Promises to Honour and Complete His Work - Enduring Word Comentary", 2021, www.enduringword.com
Hoeze, Scott, "Psalm 138 Commentary", 2023, Centre of Excellence in Publishing
Lovelace, Vanessa, "Commentary on Psalm 138", 2023, Working Preacher
Lucado, Max, "NCV - The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus", 2003, Thomas Nelson
Peterson, William J and Ardythe, "The Complete Book of Hymns - Inspiring Stories about 600 Hymns and Songs", 2006, Tyndale House Publishers
Spurgeon, Charles, "Six Sermons by C.H Spurgeon", 1856, James Paul, London
Terry Lindsay, "Sacrifice of Praise", 2002, Thomas Nelson
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