Special Focus

Psalm 9

Pslam 9

Occasion of this Psalm

Title. To the Chief Musician upon Muth-labben, a Psalm of David.

Muth-labben is translated with difficulty but may be translated as: "on the death of Labben" or "on the death of ben (the son)" or "on the death of the fool".

Perhaps Signifying:

Praise the Lord for His Marvelous Works, vv. 1-5

Psalm 9:1-5 — 1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. 4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. 5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

Praise the Lord for His Righteous Judgment, vv. 6-8

Psalm 9:6-8 — 6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. 7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Praise the Lord as a Refuge for the Oppressed, vv. 9-12

Psalm 9:9-12 — 9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. 12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

Praise the Lord for He is My Salvation, vv. 13-14

Psalm 9:13-14 — 13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: 14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Matthew 24:9 — Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (Mark 13:9; Lu 12:11; 21:12; Ac 5:40; )

Praise the Lord for He is the Champion of the Needy, vv. 15-20

Psalm 9:15-20 — 15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. 19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. 20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

Enemies Plan Backfired, vs. 15,16

The last word belongs to God!

Psalm 37:10-13 — For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

HIGGAION & SELAH, v. 16

HELL, v. 17

Isaiah 5:14 — Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. (Ps. 86:13; 27:20; Isa 14:15; Mt 5:29; 8:12; Luke 16:23)

Psalm 44

Deliverance in All Our Trials

TEXT: Psalm 44 (26 verses)

Introduction to Psalm 44

Psalm 44 is part of the Second Division (there are five altogether) of the Book of Psalms. There are 31 Psalms (Psalms 42-72) in this section. David wrote 18 of them, Solomon wrote 1 (Psalm 72), and the rest were written by Korah.

This is called the Exodus section, for in them we get a sense of the nation in ruin but calling out to God for deliverance. They speak of how God is able to rescue His people.

But Thou hast saved Us. vs. 1-8

Psalm 44:1-8—We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. 2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. 3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. 8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

But Thou hast cast off. vs. 9-16

Psalms 44:9-16—But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies. 10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. 11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. 12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. 13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. 14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. 15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, 16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

But Thou hast cast off. vs. 9

Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy v.10

Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat. v.11

Thou sellest thy people for nought. v.12

Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours a scorn and a derision 13

Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. v.14

Thou hast sore broken us. vs. 17-26

Psalms 44:17-26—All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. 18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; 19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. 22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. 24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. 26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.

Temptations, Testings, Trials, Torture

Temptations

1Th 3:5; 1Co 10:13; Jas 1:12-14; James 1:2

Testings

Ps 11:4; 26:2; 139:23; 17:3; 18:30; 66:10; 105:19; Heb 11:17; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:7

Trial of Faith

James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:7

Tortured for our faith

Ac 22:29; Heb 11:35; Ps 44:1; Ro 4:19; Ps 44:1

Deliverances

Psalm 44:4—Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

Their prayer is for deliverances.

A series of deliverances, a deliverance from every danger. A Continual Trust

Mt 8:8; Ps 107:20; Ps 56:13; Ps 116:8-9; 2Co 1:7-9

All deliverance: serious danger-peril | sickness | sorrow | self

Command deliverances, as one having authority, whose command will be obeyed. IN GOD WE TRUST. IN GOD WE BOAST. IN GOD WE REJOICE.

Psalm 44:6,8, 26

IN GOD IS OUR HELP. IN GOD IS OUR REDEMPTION.

Psalm 44:6—For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

Zec 4:6; Ro 9:32; Ga 2:16; Eph 2:10; Tit 3:5; Jas 2:22-26; 1Pe 5:2; 2 Co 5:7; Ps. 44:22; Romans 8:31,36

The predictions of this Prophecy show continual trouble

The prophet in Ps 44:22, foresaw a wicked world would always persecute and oppress the true followers of God. All the day long. Continually; constantly. There is no intermission to our danger, and to our exposure to death.

We are killed all the day long; constantly suffer, and are exposed to death. We are accounted as sheep. We are reckoned; or regarded, or dealt with. Our enemies judge that we ought to die, and deem us subjects of slaughter, with as little concern or remorse as the lives of sheep are taken.

Rom. 8:36. As it is written,(Ps 44:22) --quoted as descriptive of what God's faithful people may expect from their enemies at any period when their hatred of righteousness is roused, and there is nothing to restrain it

Ga 4:29; 5:11; Ga 6:17; Col 1:24; Ro 5:3; Jas 1:2-3,12; Joh 16:33; Php 1:29; Ac 5:41; Mt 5:11-12; Ps. 44:22; Ro 8:36; 2 Co 4:11; 1Co 15:30-31; 1 Co 4:9; 2 Co 10:10; 2 Co 11:22-33; 2Co 12:5-9; 1 Pe 2:12; 1 Pe 3:16-17; 1 Pe 4:14; Php. 3:4-21

The Awakening for the Bride vs. 23-26

Psalm 90

Psalm 90:1 <A Prayer of Moses the man of God.> 1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Introduction: Context of Psalm 90

Pslm 90 — A prayer of Moses the man of God.

In Numbers 13, Moses had sent out 12 spies to inspect the land of Canaan. 10 returned with an evil report that there were giants in the land and concluded that Israel was not "able to go up and take the people." The people were filled with fear, murmurred against Moses, Aaron and God, and even threatend to stone their God-given leaders and then return to Egypt. (All this takes place after 38 years of miracles in the wilderness.)

God speaks to Moses beginning with a question, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me?" The Lord also says he will disinherit them and make another greater nation than they.

Moses intercedes for Israel and prays for mercy.

Numbers 14:17-19 — And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, 18 The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

The Lord responds with pardon according to Moses' prayer and God would not make another nation. But All those who came out of Egypt and saw the glory of God and his miracles and yet still tempted God over and over, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, perished without entering the Promised Land and only their Children entered.

Our Dwelling Place is the Everlasting God, vs. 1,2

Psalm 90:1-2 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

  1. The Lord Has Been Our Dwelling Place

Psalm 91:1-2 — He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

  1. From Everlasting to Everlasting Thou Art God

Our Days are Passed Away in God's Wrath, vs. 3-11

Psalm 90:3-11 — 3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. 6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. 7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Psalm 7:11 — God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. [written by David]

The Beauty of the Lord Our God May be Upon Us, 12-17

Psalm 90:12-17 — So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. 14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

1Ch 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

2Ch 30:6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.

Psalm 83

Silence for Hidden ONES

Silence for Hidden ONES

Ps 83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.  

2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:  

6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.                           

9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

 

1-8 The Lord knows what is happening, do you?

9-15 The Lord will respond to a diligent faith

16-18 The Lord will glorify His Name in all the earth

 

This prayer begins with O God, O God and ends with O Lord, JEHOVAH the most high over all the earth.

Ps. 83 Israel is surrounded with enemies, that can’t get at them like they want

Ps 83:5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:                                                                                                                             Lu 23:12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

“they have consulted together with one consent “

There is no division in their counsels on on destroying The people of God.  

They have one desire -- one purpose -- in regard to .  Pilate and Herod were made friends together against Christ (Lu 23:12); and the world divided and hostile in other matters, has been habitually united in its opposition to Christ and to a pure and spiritual Revival.

The occult joining with the cult - The cult joining with occult

Ps 83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;              8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

Ps 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.                         Ps 35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.                                                                                                                                         Isa 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.                                      14 And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

Isa 8:9 Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

 10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

 11 For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,

 12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

 13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

Ps 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

 

History – but not just history, This is prophecy – rely only on the Lord

2Ch 20:1 ¶ It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

6-13 praying

2Ch 20:14 ¶ Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

2Ch 20:18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

2Ch 20:20 ¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

2Ch 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

2Ch 20:23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

2Ch 20:24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.

2Ch 20:35 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:

 

Jer 49:34 ¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,                                                 35 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.                                                                                                                                                   36 And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.                                                                                        37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:                                   38 And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. 39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.

Ac 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?                 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?13  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.                           14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

 

 

 

 

Silence for Hidden ONES

Ps 83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.                               

2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.                

3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

 

“thy hidden ones”

 

“The People of God”                                                                                                                                 Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.                                               

11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;                                                                                                            

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.                                                       

“The flock of God”                                                                                                                                         1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

“The Trees of Righteousness “                                                                                                      

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

 

Known as living epistles

2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:                                                                                                                            3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

 

Does God become silent on certain things?

Why God seems to become silent, God is certain, He is not uncertain, He is sure.

Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

 

Joh 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

 

Ps 18:41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

Pr 15:8 ¶ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Pr 28:9 ¶ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

 

When a person is inactive he will fear God is silent and inactive

  1. God tests our hearing,
    1. So that we can better please Him
    2. So that we can win the lost
    3. That we would distinguish His voice from others and not harden our heart.

Re 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.                                                                                                           10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.                                                                              

 

Heb 3:7 ¶ Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,                                                                                                                 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.                                                                                                                                                Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:                                                                                        

 

Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.                                                                                                                                                                                              6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.                                                                                                                                              7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.                                                                                                                                      8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

 

  1. God tests our obedience

 

2Co 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

 

  1. God tests our diligence

 

2Pe 1:5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

 

  1. Lukewarmness causes LONGER silence
  2. Ignorance causes LONGER AND LONGER silence

2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:                                                          

Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 

  1. God Tests our response to His Grace

 

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.                                                                                                

16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

    1. It is not a struggle of works but an attainment by faith

 

Ro 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

2Co 1:12 ¶ For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:                                                                                                                                           10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1Pe 1:13 ¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 1Pe 5:5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.                                                                                                               10 ¶ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,                                                                                                                   

2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.                                                         

2Jo 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.                                                           

Re 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

  1. God Tests our faith

 

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 

    1. Our faith must be developed  
      1. We get happy but do we have joy?                                                                                                       
      2. God adds to a diligent faith;
      3. We have a memory verse but do we have understanding
      4. We believe but do we have faith?

    

    1. Our faith must be complete     
      1. Will we come to the battle?  
      2. Will we come to the battle to fight the fight of faith?
      3. Will we continue in faith?
      4. Will we continue in faith to the complete victory?                                                                                                   

 

1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2Pe 1:5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;                                                                                                                             Lu 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?                                                                                                                                                      Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2Ti 3:10 ¶ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, {fully...: or, been a diligent follower of}                                                                                                         Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.                                                                                                                                  13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.                                                                                                                     22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.                                                                                                                             25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:                                                                                    

 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:                                                                                                                                   8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:                                                  

Ro 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Ps 15:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?  

2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.                                                                                                                                                     Joh 5:17 ¶ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.                                                                                                                Ac 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.                                                                                                                          Ro 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:                                                                                                         

 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,                                                                                           

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;                                                                                              

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

 

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;                                                                                          

 

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Ga 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

 Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:                                                                                                                                                

 Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

1Th 2:13 ¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

 

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;                                                        

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,                                                                                                                     18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;                                                                                                                          19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.                                                                                                

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

 

  1. God tests our knowledge of Him
    1. Know Him so that you can become filled with Him
      1. We need an increase of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ to increase in love                              
      2.  We need an increase of love to have an increase (perfection) of faith.                                                         
      3. We need a diligent faith for God to add to.

 

  • God Tests the uprightness of our heart

    • Ps 119:7 ¶ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  De 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.                                                               

    1Ki 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.                                                  

    1Ki 9:4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

    Job 33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

     

    Longsuffering has its limits; and when God begins to deal with sinful nations and ungodly men, his works of justice will be beyond measure dreadful.                                                  

     

     No comforts will be left to those who refused comfort in Christ.

     

    Isa 42:13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.                                                                                                   

    14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

    Job 33:29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,                                                

    30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.                                                                                                                                          Ps 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.                                                                                                                28:1 Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.  

    Ps 30:3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.                                                     

    Ps 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

     

    143:7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

    Lu 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

     

    Ps 86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

    Ps 88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

     

    Ge 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

    Ge 37:22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

    Ex 12:29 ¶ And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

    1. God Tests our fruitfulness

    Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

    Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

    Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

     

     

     

     

     

    1. God Tests our completeness

    Ps 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.                                                                                                         

    Ex 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.                                                                                                             Ps 56:1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.                                                                       

    2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.                                                                                                     

     Ps 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.                                                                                4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

    Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:                                                                                                                                             12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

    Ps 83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

     

    Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

    Ps 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.                                                                                                                       31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.                                                                                                                              32:7 ¶ Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.                                                                                                                        91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty                                                                                                    

    119:114 ¶ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

     

    Why God seems to become silent

    1. God tests our hearing

    That we would distinguish His voice from others and not harden our heart.

    1. God tests our obedience   
    2. God tests our diligence
      1. Lukewarmness causes silence                                                                         
      2. Ignorance causes silence
    3. God tests our response to His Grace
    4. God tests our faith             
    5. God tests our knowledge of Him
    6. God tests the uprightness of our heart
    7. God tests our fruitfulness                                                                                  
    8. God tests our completeness

    Psalm 82

    Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

    18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

    3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

    12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

    5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

     5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

     8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

    12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

     

    God stands, as chief director, in the congregation of the mighty,

    God standeth in the congregation of those He has given power and authority.

     

    Judges shall be judged

     

    1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

     16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

    2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

     16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

     17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

     

    The Great God is Judge. He judges the mighty, Ambassadors, judges and princes.

    Called gods, having received from God authority to act as his representatives.

     

    2Cor. 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

     

    Ambassadors for Christ! Judges! Beware what you do! God is in his court, and in the midst.

    As commissioned by God, act as His minister, oracle, deputy.

    Some of His honor is put upon them.

    2Sa 23:3      Rev 1:6; 5:10

    Pr 16:10 ¶ A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.                                                                                                                                           28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

    Ex 22:28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

    Princes and Judges know your responsibility, make your judgments, do your duty, God will judge your judgments.

     

    Psalm 79

    Psalms 79

    Psalms 79

    1  O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance;

            

    thy holy temple have they defiled;

    they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

     

    they oppose our faith in Gods Love, life, light

     

    unexpressed faith is selfishness, sin

     

    expression of faith that does not glorify God is a sin

     

    true expression of faith will be opposed

     

    True and faithful expression of faith will be rewarded.  

     

    v.6,12  vengeance, jealousy

     

    We have the right and the responsibility to protest warn and restrain man from sin.

     

    A very sad case but true

    1. They mocked the messengers of God

    2. They despised his words,

    3. They misused his prophets

    4. The wrath of the LORD arose against his people

    5. till [there was] no remedy.

     

    2 Kgs. 25.8-10 · 2 Chr. 36.17-19 · Jer. 52.12-14  Micah 3:12

     

    Jer. 9:11

    ps 79:3; Jer.14:16

    17:3

    22:6

    26:18

    35:17

    44:2

    Lam. 5:18

    Micah 1:6

    4:1

    Therefore shall Zion for your sake - for your sake shall Zion

    Be plowed as a field - They thought to be its builders; they were its destroyers.

    They imagined to advance or secure its temporal prosperity by bloods; they (as men ever do first or last,) ruined it. Zion might have stood, but for these its acute, far-sighted politicians, who scorned the warnings of the prophets, as well-meant ignorance of the world or of the necessities of the state. They taught, perhaps they thought, that "for Zion's sake" they, (act as they might,) were secure. Practical Antinomians! God says, that, "for their sake," Zion, defiled by their deeds, should be destroyed. The fulfillment of the prophecy was delayed by the repentance under Hezekiah. Did he not, the elders ask Jeremiah 26:19, fear the Lord and besought the Lord, and the Lord repented Him of the evil which He had pronounced against them? But the prophecy remained, like that of Jonah against Nineveh, and, when man undid and in act repented of his repentanee, it found its fulfillment.

    Jerusalem shall become heaps - (Literally, of ruins) and "the mountain of the house," Mount Moriah, on which the house of God stood, "as the high places of the forest," literally "as high places of a forest." It should return wholly to what it had been, before Abraham offered up the typical sacrifice of his son, a wild and desolate place covered with tangled thickets Genesis 22:13.

    The prophecy had a first fulfillment at its first capture by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah mourns over it; "Because of the mountain of Zion which is desolate, foxes walk" Lamentations 5:18 (habitually upon it. Nehemiah said, "Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste" Nehemiah 2:17; and Sanballat mocked at the attempts to rebuild it, as a thing impossible; "Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of dust, and these too, burned?" (Nehemiah 4:2, (3:34, Hebrew)), and the builders complained; "The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed (literally, sinketh under them), and there is much dust, and we are not able to build the wall" (Nehemiah 4:10, (Nehemiah 4:4, Hebrew)). In the desolation under Antiochus again it is related; "they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts, as in a forest or in one of the mountains" (1 Macc. 4:38). When, by the shedding of the Blood of the Lord, they "filled up the measure of their fathers" Matthew 23:32, and called the curse upon themselves, "His Blood be upon us and upon our children" Matthew 27:25, destruction came upon them to the uttermost.

    For the Glory of thy Name

    Psalm 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

     

    The greatest, the heaviest anchor is let out when the storm rages

     

    Ex. 33:19

    34:5

    23:21

    Jn.17:4-6

     

     

    [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

    Wretched man that I am — The struggle is now come to the height; and the man, finding there is no help in himself, begins almost unawares to pray, Who shall deliver me? He then seeks and looks for deliverance, till God in Christ appears to answer his question. The word which we translate deliver, implies force. And indeed without this there can be no deliverance.

    The body of this death — That is, this body of death; this mass of sin, leading to death eternal, and cleaving as close to me as my body to my soul. We may observe, the deliverance is not wrought yet.

    Identify the body of sin as the body of death

    Psalm 15

    Psalms 15:3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.                                                                                                                                               

    “He that backbiteth not with his tongue”---He is one who treats his neighbour with respect. He says nothing that might injure him in his character, person, or property; he remembers no slander, he is author of no slander, he insinuates nothing by which his neighbour may be injured. The tongue, because of its slanderous conversation, is represented in the nervous original as kicking about the character of an absent person; a very common vice, and as destructive as it is common: but the man who expects to see God abhors it, and backbites not with his tongue. The words backbite and backbiter come from the Anglo-Saxon bac, the back, and [A.S.], to bite. How it came to be used in the sense it has in our language, seems at first view unaccountable; but it was intended to convey the sense of cowardice, and brutality. He is acoward, who would rob you of your good name; he is a coward, that would speak of you in your absence what he dared not to do in your presence; and only an ill-conditioned dog would fly at and bite your back when your face was turned. All these three ideas are included in the term; and they all meet in the detractor and calumniator. His tongue is the tongue of a knave, a coward, and a dog. Such a person, of course, has no right to the privileges of the Church militant, and none of his disposition can ever see God.

    “Nor doeth evil to his neighbor” ---He not only avoids evil speaking, but he avoids also evil acting towards his neighbour. He speaks no evil of him; he does no evil to him; he does him no harm; he occasions him no wrong. On the contrary, he Shows him mercy.

    “nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor”---(to strip, or make bare, to deprive one of his garments)---A man, of a good character is reported to have done something wrong: the tale is spread, and the slanderers and backbiters carry it about; and thus the man is stripped of his fair character, of his clothing of righteousness, truth, and honesty. All may be false; or the man, in an hour of the power of darkness, may have been tempted and overcome Those who feed, as the proverb says, like the flies, passing over all a man's whole parts to light upon his wounds, will take up the tale, and carry it about. Such, in the course of their diabolic work, carry the story of scandal to the righteous man; to him who loves his God and his neighbour. But what reception has the tale-bearer? The good man taketh it not up; he will not bear it; it shall not be propagated from him. He cannot prevent the detractor from laying it down; but it is in his power not to take it up: and thus the progress of the slander may be arrested. He taketh not up a reproach against his neighbour; and the tale-bearer is probably discouraged from carrying it to another door. drive the slanderer of your neighbour far away from you: ever remembering that in the law of God, as well as in the law of the land, "the receiver is as bad as the thief."

    Psalm 123

     

    1. Psalm of God’s present dealings

     

    “our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us”

     

    Ps 123:1 <<A Song of degrees.>> Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

     2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

     3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

     4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

     

    1Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

     

    1Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

     11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

     12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

     13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

     14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

     

    I see a slight incline,

    1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

    Just ahead I see the way to increase upward; a strong solid incline going only up.

    Ga 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

    Pr 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

    Ga 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

     20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

     21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

     22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

     23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

     

     

    1. Facing the hottest battle in life and you retire from them and leave them to be smitten and die.

     

      1. Careless—unwise in battle     

    NEED    Be Wise in battle but Be Wiser in Battle

      1. Heartless—weak hearted     

     NEED   Be strong in battle but be stronger in battle.

      1. Selfish—self-interested        

    NEED Be in Battle but be more into the battle yourself.

    Be in battle for His name sake not your own.

    Be in battle for His name sake while yours is not known.

    Be in battle for His name sake but not alone.

    THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO AND YOU COULD HAVE DONE THEM BEFORE IF YOU WANTED TO BUT:

    1. David could have went to Battle,

    “But David tarried still at Jerusalem”

    1. Joab could have fought harder,

    “But David tarried still at Jerusalem”

    1. Uriah could have lived,

    “But David tarried still at Jerusalem”

    1. Jerusalem Could withstand the accusations

    “But David tarried still at Jerusalem”

    1. The enemies would not be able to blaspheme God so freely.

    “But David tarried still at Jerusalem”

    1Ki 20:28 And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

    Psalm 72

    Psalm for the Young Men of God to Worship the King of Glory

    Ps 72:1 ¶ <<A Psalm for Solomon.>> Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

      1. Judgments - Divine Law, “verdict” (wise decisions)   Judicious-Judgment                                              
      2. Righteousness - Moral Virtue, “Rightness” (Righteous conduct)-Justice                  Let him rule according to the strict letter of thy law, base for all his decisions also according to equity, that rigorous justice may never become oppressive.

    2Samuel 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.                                                                                                                                                                                                    Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.                                        7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2Ch 9:8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.                                                                                                                                                                         Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

    A highlight of our day is deception, and we must be careful that we be not deceived.

     

    I  Cor. 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

    Luke 21:8

    And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

    1. Every decision must be based on the Divine laws of God.
    2. Every decision must be based on the Promises of God.
    3. Every decision must be based on God’s Grace.
    4. Every decision must be based on Truth.                                                                             God would give wisdom and grace to know and to do their duty.

    Decision will be according to truth, and cannot be changed.

    Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.     {looked (worshipped) to get not to give}

    There will be no possibility of changing the Divine decision in the judgment, for it will be determined forever.

    The Reign of The Son of God

    John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:                                                                                                                                                              26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;                                                                                                                                           27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.                                                                                                                                                            Php 1:9 ¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment                                                                                                                 Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.                                            30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;                                                                                                                                                 2Sa 23:4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.                                                                                                                                                                  5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

    Ps 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.                                                                                                                                     Isaiah 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

    1. The odour of his garments, not of blood and battle, but of sweet perfume.

    Ps 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.                                                                                Song 7:12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.  

    Be emptied out of self, be filled with His love, let it be reproduced in / through you.   

      Joy- “the tender grape appear”    Humility of Grace “the pomegranates bud forth”

    The devil tries to do everything he can to hinder anyone that begins to come forth with life and power.

    There is a place in the Spirit where we can grow up. We must not stay in childhood to long,

    We are called to grow up.

    13 The mandrakes give a smell, ( have love and express it) and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

    As the vine flourishes- the righteous flourish – (Must have life now, presently) Looking and taking opportunities to testify to His Glory

    Ps 72:18—Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.       What’s wrong with young men today?

    Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:                                                          6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.                                                                                                                                             12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.             14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

    Ps 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.  Not- stench, stimulated or nor stifled             Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

    Sinner---ignorant,

    Out of Way--Their heart is not right- Inappropriate-(out of place) no heart for truth

     

    Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

     6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

     7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

     8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

     9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

     

    Ps 72:16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

    17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

    SOS 4:13 “Thy plants are an orchard”—A Tremendous expansion

    God wants us to be big; (not in the carnal) but in the Spirit, God is a Big God and He wants us to be Big.

     

     

    Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.     

    He who is "born of a woman" must be a man; He whose name is "Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace," must be "equal with God."  Thus the union of a divine with a human nature, in the person of the Messiah, was clearly revealed to the prophets of the Old Testament.

    1. The Battle of the Warrior
      1. The battles of life
        1. Every battle needs a warrior
        2. Every battle is with confused noise
        3. Every battle is won with care

    a shaking, as of a spear; a concussion, tumult, noise, as of a battle.                                                                                     Noise the armor of the soldiers made - by the greaves, or war-shoes, worn on the feet and legs.       

    “Battle” - 05430.  c@'own,  seh-own'  military boot - protection from mud, (miry) c                                                                                                                                “Warrior” - 05431. saw-an'   miry-mucky waters; to shoe,  a soldier shod:--warrior.

    “Confused noise” - 07494.  ra`ash,  rah'-ash  vibration, bounding, uproar:--commotion, confused noise, earthquake, fierce, quaking, rattling, rushing, shaking.

        1. Every battle with garments rolled in blood

    “Garments” - 08071.  hlms  simlah,  sim-law'   everything to do with the carnal

     (through the idea of a cover assuming the shape of the object beneath); a dress, especially a mantle:--apparel, cloth(-es, -ing), garment, raiment.

    called to the fiery trials to resist to blood; not to shed the blood of their enemies, but to seal their testimony with their own blood.

     

     

    1. Every battle is with Collateral damage
          1. Our Children are being effected
          2. The worst battles are when our children are severely wounded
  • Battle Strong,

    • Jer 23:16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

      1. Battle Scarred,
        1. Begins with open wounds
          1. Visible scars
          2. Mental wounds
      2.  Battle wounds
      3. Battle Scarred vs. Battle Scared
        1. What a difference that one “r” can make
          1. Righteousness
          2. You battle-Your battle     -     battling     -     wound
          3. You bring to birth and than your brought to battle
          4. carrying wounds-(caring), carrying the wounded

    People who are battle scarred have a open wound that leaves a scar over time.                                       People who are battle scared, have a open wound that never closes.                                 Physical wounds-Mental wounds     Physically the battle could be over.                                                                                                   Mentally the battle is still going on.

    Some are not able to engage Physically into battle because Mentally they are wounded and torn, the battle is still fresh in their mind. So they’re unable to fight again today. Two people can engage in the same battle and experience the same thing. One pushes on to fight another day (the battle scarred) while the other can’t live with the memories of the battle (the battle scared).

      1. This battle
        1. “shall be with burning and fuel of fire”                                                                                                      No more darkness, No more battle after the flesh, The burning of all the implements of war , carnal weapons

    Ps 72:1 <<A Psalm for Solomon.>> Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.                                                                                                                 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.                                                3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.                                                                                                                             5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.                                                                                                                                6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

     9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

     10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

     11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

     12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

     13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

     14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

     15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.

     16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.                                                                                                                               17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.                                                 18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.                                    19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

     

    Psalm 131

    The Love of God reigning in the heart,

    will subdue self-love

    Psalm 131:1—LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

     2—Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

     3—Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and forever.

     

    Where there is a humble heart there is a humble look

    Where there is a proud heart, there is commonly a proud look.

     

    When our condition is not to our mind, we must bring our mind to our condition

    One of the shortest Psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn.

     

    It speaks of a young child, but it contains the experience of a man in Christ. Lowliness and humility are here seen in connection with a sanctified heart, a will subdued to the mind of God, and a hope looking to the Lord alone happy is the man who can without falsehood use these words as his own; for he wears about him the likeness of his Lord, who said, "I am meek and lowly in heart."

    1. Humility is set as the example
      1. Not haughty—a sign of not arrogant
        1. Haughty –a sign of arrogance
        2. eyes lofty--a sign of pride
    2. Maturity
      1. submissive temper of a true child of God.
      2. David  testifies his humility, and exhorts Israel to trust in God,
    3. Hope
      1. The grace of hopea man who is weaned from self thinks of others! a man who is weaned from self thinks of others! a man who is weaned from self thinks of others!

     

    I. He aimed at nothing high nor great, Ps 131:1.

     

     II. He was very easy in every condition which God allotted him (Ps 131:2); and therefore,

     

      III. He encourages all good people to trust in God as he did, Ps 131:3.  Some have made it an objection against singing David's psalms that there are many who cannot say, "My heart is not haughty,"

     

     

    Oppurtunity

    Possibility

     

    Disposition    Busy body  Character     Attitude                    Temperament happy

    Deeds             Behavior     Conduct       Accomplishments   Temperance  high spirited Duty     Believe        Confidence Actions  Temper       Hope

     

    1. Consciousness of integrity.
      1. David's rejoicing
        1. His heart  testified  he walked humbly with his God
          1. Under censures
          2. Under temptations
        2. He aimed not at a high condition,
        3. He was not desirous of making a name for himself
        4. It was whatever God would order
        5. He had no conceited opinion of himself, or his own merits: Lord, my heart is not haughty.
        6. Humble saints cannot think so well of themselves as others think of them, are not in love with their own shadow, nor do they magnify their own attainments or achievements.
        7. The love of God reigning in the heart will subdue all inordinate self-love.
        8. He had neither a scornful nor an aspiring look:

     

    "My eyes are not lofty, either to look with envy upon those that are above me or to look with disdain upon those that are below me."

     

    Where there is a proud heart there is commonly a proud look (Pr 6:17), but the humble publican will not so much as lift up his eyes.

     

        1. He did not employ himself in things above his station, in things too great or too high for him. He did not employ himself in studies too high; he made God's word his meditation, and did not amuse himself with matters of nice speculation or doubtful disputation, or covet to be wise above what is written. To know God and our duty is learning sufficiently high for us. He did not employ himself in affairs too great; he followed his ewes, and never set up for a politician; no, nor for a soldier; for, when his brethren went to the wars, he staid at home to keep the sheep. It is our wisdom, and will be our praise, to keep within our sphere, and not to intrude into things which we have not seen, or meddle with that which does not belong to us.  Princes and scholars must not exercise themselves in matters too great, too high, for men: and those in a low station, and of ordinary capacities, must not pretend to that which is out of their reach, and which they were not cut out for. Those will fall under due shame that affect undue honours.

     

    2. He was well reconciled to every condition that God placed him in (Ps 131:2): I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother. As he had not proudly aimed at the kingdom, so, since God had appointed him to it, he had not behaved insolently towards any, nor been restless in his attempts to get the crown before the time set; but,

     

    (1.) He had been as humble as a little child about the age of a weanling, as manageable and governable, and as far from aiming at high things; as entirely at God's disposal as the child at the disposal of the mother or nurse; as far from taking state upon him, though anointed to be king, or valuing himself upon the prospect of his future advancement, as a child in the arms. Our Saviour has taught us humility by this comparison (Mt 18:3); we must become as little children.

     

    But, by the grace of God, a soul that is sanctified, is weaned from those things. Providence puts wormwood upon the breast, and that helps to wean us. The child is perhaps cross and fretful while it is in the weaning and thinks itself undone when it has lost the breast. But in a day or two it is forgotten; the fret is over, and it accommodates itself well enough to a new way of feeding, cares no longer for milk, but can bear strong meat. Thus does a gracious soul quiet itself under the loss of that which it loved and disappointment in that which it hoped for, and is easy whatever happens, lives, and lives comfortably, upon God and the covenant- grace,. then our souls are as a weaned child.

     

    a man who is weaned from self thinks of others!

     

      II. Confidence in God; and this David recommends to all Israel of God, no doubt from his own experience of the benefit of it (Ps 131:3): Let Israel hope in the Lord, and let them continue to do so henceforth and for ever. Though David could himself wait patiently and quietly for the crown designed him, yet perhaps Israel, the people whose darling he was, would be ready to attempt something in favour of him before the time; and therefore endeavours to quiet them too, and bids them hope in the Lord that they should see a happy change of the face of affairs in due time.  Thus it is good to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord.

    Psalm 94:16

    Deliverance Center – Portland, Maine

    Deliverance Center – Portland, Maine

    Rev. Stephen G. Reynolds, Sr.

    Sunday Pm, February 22, 2009

    Title: Who Will Rise Up? You Can

    Text: Psalm 94:16

     

    Ps 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

     

    He will cause us to rise up and cause us to stand up.

    Who will? You can. By listening to the voice that says we can rise up and we can stand up.

     

    He is going to hold us accountable for our actions and the words that we speak. That is why the devil is fighting so hard to prevent you from showing forth your faith through works. He wants to cut you off from reward.

     

    --The evil doers are united in  text.-workers of iniquity-they work together against you, the plan and purpose of God. They are willingly blind and ignorant stuffing there fingers in their ears. Matthew 13. Their heart is hardened and refusing to hear what He wants to tell them.

    Psalm 81

    Deliverance Center – Portland, Maine

    Rev. Stephen G. Reynolds, Sr.

    Wednesday, July 6, 2011

    TITLE: Love God’s Ways & Praise Him
    TEXT: Ps 81:1 -16

    <<To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.>> Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. 2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. 5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. 6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. 7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. 8 ¶ Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; 9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. 10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. 13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! 14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. 15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. 16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

     

    The heart is where the Word of God needs to take root! If there is already other seed planted there, it must be ROOTED out.

    We need a nature change.

     

    v.11 God’s own people would not hearken to God’s voice. Refused to love God and His ways. They would get hungry and complain in the wilderness for having no food. Instead of praising God for their great deliverance and trusting his ways!

     

    We need to have a daily experience of getting our ORDERS from Him and our DAILY BREAD.

     

    Vs.1-5 Make a JOYFUL NOISE unto the Lord! This is encouraging.

     

    1. Do you know what it is to sing out of your heart in praise to God and experience the liberty in the Spirit.

    If you don’t know how to praise until you feel free in your spirit. You won’t know how to LIVE free!

     

    1. Harp & Trumpet – Balanced Worship

     

    1Co 14:26 ¶ How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

     

     

    Ps 81:1 <<To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.>> Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

    2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

    3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

     4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

     5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

     6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

     7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

     8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

     9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

     10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

     11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

     12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

     13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

     14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

     15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

     16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

     

     

    1Co 14:26 ¶ How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

    2Co 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

    Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

    Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

    Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

     

    A Revelation of two great subjects and one said decision

    1. True Dedicated Worship
      1. Praise the Lord
        1. For His Name is Holy
        2. For His love is Wonderful.
      2. Hear and obey the Word

    James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

    3-solemn feast day

    4 - For this was a statute     a law of the God of Jacob.

    5 - This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony

    8 - Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee:

    11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

    13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

    1. Divine Deliverance
      1. Deliverance
        1. From bondage
        2. From enemies
      2. Victories
        1. Over sin, self, the world and satan.
      3. Being fed and satisfied.
    2. Man’s foolish decisions
      1. To learn and tolerate the strange language of Egypt.
      2. To listen, serve and worship strange spirits.
      3. Not to listen to the truth
      4. Not to walk in the truth
      5. To hate God
      6. To hate the truth

     

    Ps 81:1—Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

    1. Strength gained through Worship
    2. Strong Worship
      1. Sing aloud unto God our strength

    God is our strength, let that strength be devoted to his service; therefore, sing aloud!

      1. Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

    God is our Joy, let that Joy be devoted to His service; therefore make a Joyful Noise.

     

    Ex 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

     19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

     20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

     

    Mount Sinai, which waxed louder and louder.

    As it was then to be done by singing psalms, singing aloud, and making a joyful noise so much more so now.  

    The pleasantness of the harp --- The awfulness of the trumpet

    Testify to us that God is to be worshipped

    With cheerfulness and joy --- With reverence and godly fear.

    Singing aloud and making a joyful noise testify that we have warm and affectionate praise for God, we must show forth His praise, as those that are not ashamed and that we should join many together in this work; the more the better.

     

    1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

     

    De 10:21 He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

    Ps 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

     

    Praising God is not only a good thing, which we do well to do, but it is our essential duty, which we are thankful to do; it is at our peril if we neglect it;

    As Israel remembered being redeemed out of Egypt, we ought, to remember a more glorious redemption wrought out for us by Jesus Christ from worse than Egyptian bondage, and the many gracious answers he has given to us,

     

    Let no Christian be silent, or slack in prayer and praise, for this God is our God.

     

    We delight the anointing of The Holy Ghost and in full bursts of praise.

     

    The Lord can only be truly adored with the heart

     

    Everyday should begin with Special Praise, there should be outburst of praise throughout the day.

     

    Ps 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

     

    A true desire for the better things of God

     

    Deliverance

     

    Pr 13:3 ¶ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

     

    Ps 81:5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

    Ps 81:9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

     

    Ps 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

     2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

     3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

     

    Who heard? And what was heard?

    Ps 114:1 ¶ When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

    De 28:49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

    Ps 39:1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.>> I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

    Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

     3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

     4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

     5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

     6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

    Pr 21:23 ¶ Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.    Prov 18:21

     

     

    Ps 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

     

    Ex 19:13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

    16 ¶ And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

     

    Ex 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

     20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

     

    Ex 24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

    Ps 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

    Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

     

     Isa 29:6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

     Isa 30:27 ¶ Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:

     Isa 30:30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

     Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

     

     

     

     

     

    Ps 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

     

    Nu 20:13 This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.

     

    Ex 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? {Massah: that is, Temptation} {Meribah: that is, Chiding, or, Strife}

    Massah signifies temptation or trial; and hbyrm Meribah, contention or litigation.

     

    Isa 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

     18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

     

    Ps 95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: {provocation: Heb. contention}

    Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

     

    Ps 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

    If only Israel would walk in God’s ways

    A might have been

     

    Ps 81:15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

    Ro 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

     

    As long as they hate God they will only bow to His power and providence.

    Ps 18:44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. {As soon...: Heb. At the hearing of the ear} {submit...: or, yield feigned obedience} {strangers: Heb. sons of the stranger}

    45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.                                       46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.                                                     48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

     49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

    Ps 18:50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

     

    Ps 66:3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

     

    Christ never reproved for himself; He never said, Why scourge you me? why spit you upon me? why crucify you me?  As long as their rage was determined against Him, he opened not his mouth; when Saul extended the violence to the church, to his servants, then Christ came to that, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" ... Here is a holy people, defensive and offensive; God shall not only protect us from others, but he shall fight for us against them; our enemies are his enemies.

     

    Thine enemies submit themselves. They tell their heart, lie unto thee.  This was remarkably the case with Pharaoh and the Egyptians. They promised again and again to let the people go, when the hand of the Lord was upon them; and they lied.

    Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee: in the original it is, they shall lie unto thee, a forced submission to God is seldom in truth.

     

    Submit themselves unto thee; be forced to profess subjection and obedience to thee.

     

    James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

     

    Submission produced by terror.

    superstitious fear, occasioned by a belief that the end of the world was at hand.  All their replies proved that they had not found God, though they had seen the greatness of his power in the earthquake.

     

    Submission produced by terror usually has only a temporary performance.

    A temporary performer or an overcomer?

    A Temporary submission and obedience out of fear leaves only shallow experiences and temporary performances.

     

    OVERCOMERS

    1John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

     

    Ps 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

     

    Not just the bran, but the flour, and the finest of the flour; they should have had not only honey, but honey out of the rock, which, as naturalists observe, is the best and purest honey.

    Colored friendships

    pretended friendship

    a ship wrecked in the harbour

    Jer 41:8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

     

    Honey out of the rock.  

    The rock spiritually portrays Christ, the Rock of salvation.

    1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.  

     

    Honey out of the rock

    Wild honey in the wilderness

     The fullness of grace and blessing of Christ

    The sure mercies of David

    The precious promises of the everlasting covenant

    The gospel, which is sweeter than the honey or the honeycomb

    Those who hearken to Christ and walk in his ways

    O such joy for those who hear and obey.

    Shows that the obedient are Filled, nourished, blessed and satisfied Shows what Israel lost by disobedience

    The sweetest springs and pleasures from the hardness of afflictions

    From mount Calvary and the cross, the blessings that give greatest delight; Whereas the world makes from the fountains of pleasure stones and rocks of torment.

     

    Ro 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

     

    Bees are diligent

    We can have a store for the hard places

    A process

    The finest of Wheat

    Ps 147:14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

    Honey out of the Rock

    Make wise and timely provision for the future.

    2Ch 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

     

    The Word of God Changes the Bride

     

    Ps 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

     

     

    The Bridegrooms Testimony of the Bride Now

    Song 4:11—Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

     

    The Bride has changed, (was just like everyone else)

     

    The Bride’s own Testimony from the beginning

    Song 1:5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

    Not beautiful, not fragrant

     

    1. The Change in the Bride’s  Heart

     

    Song 4:11”Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb”

     

    The Bridegroom is describing the bride’s Testimony

     

    Ps 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

     

     

    Pr 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

    Ps 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

    Ps 71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

    Ps 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

    Mat. 12:34”out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”

     

    1. The heart of the world. (The old nature)—flesh

    Jer 17:9—The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

    Romans 3:13—Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

    14—Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

     

    Mat. 12:34—O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

    35—A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

    15:18—But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

    19—For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

     Mark 7:21—For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

     Luke 6:45—A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

     

    James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?                                                                                                                         12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

     

    Mt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

     17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

     18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

     19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

     20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

     

    1. The heart of the Church

     

    Rev. 3:14—And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

     15—I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

     16—So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

     17—Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

     18—I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

     

    2Cor. 2:4—For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

     

     1Tim. 1:5—Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

     2Tim. 2:22—Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart

     

    1. The heart of the Bride

    Song 4:11—Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue

    1. Not just a change but something is added to the heart  
    2. God adds to a diligent faith

    He 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

    He 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

    Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

     

    He 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; II Pt. 1:5-9

    1. Word is in her heart   (De.30:14; Rm10:8; Eph3:17)

     

    Song 4:11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

    a. The Word of God changes the heart

    b. The Word of God changes the soul.

    c. The Word of God changes the spirit

    d. The Word of God changes the body

    e. The Word of God changes the speech  

    f.. The Word of God changes the nature

     

    He 4:12—For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

     

    2Cor. 7:1—Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

    Pr16:24—Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.  

     IIIJohn1:2; Pr 3:5-8, 4:20-27;12:18; 15:23; 23:16; 25:11; 27:9; De32:2; Ps107:2,20; 42:5,11; 43:5; 44:3;  Zech. 4:6: Eph.1:9-23

    The Word is—Knowledge, understanding wisdom, Revelation of God.

     

    Pr 22:11—He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

     

    Heb 13:9 “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines”

     

    Col 3:16  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”

     

    1. The change in speech:  SOS.4:11

     

    Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

    Gen. 49:21 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

    Rev.12:11; I kings 17:24; Jn.17:17; Judges 1:12-15

     

    1. The change in nature

    “garments is like the smell of Lebanon”  (Ps.119:11)

     

    Romans 13:12—The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light   James.3:2-6; Eph.4:13-32; 6:10-24; Col.3:5-17

    Hosea 8:3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.

    1Thess.5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

    Rev. 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

    Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

    Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

    6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

    The Bride comes to the changes graciously and Happily. Pp.4:4

    Psalm 119

     

    TITLE: God’s Word TEXT: Psalm 119

    1. Descriptions of God’s Word

     

    We need the inspiration of the Holy Ghost to get after this old man. Get this old man praying and reading Scripture every day.

  • God’s Word is Exceeding Broad Psalm 119:96
    1. The Psalmist’s Attitude Toward God’s Word

    Is my attitude toward God’s Word: Getting better? What it needs to be?

     

    SLAY BIBLE APATHY AND SLOTH!

     

    Ps 119.docx.docx

    The Word is the Answer to Wholly follow the Lord

    The Solution is ONLY Follow the Shepherd

    The Holy Ghost leads to obey the Word

    1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.                                                                                         176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.                                                                                                

    Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.                          1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.                                                                  Mt 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?                                                                         13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.                                                                    Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?                                                                                                                 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

    Eze 34:6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

    1. Being Arrogant, angry or annoyed losing our place in line, following afar off, becoming disinterested.                                                                               2. Being busy not able to keep close enough, becoming distracted.                       3. Being chased to and fro by my enemies, and having no place to rest then become discouraged.                                                                                             4. Being deceived, becoming divided.

    5. Being diligent in following, loving Him and loving every Word of God and seeking those that go astray.  We go where they are at, to bring them back without being ill affected.

    I. The Word is From God

    1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD         

    115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

    The law is from the Lord. We hold to the inspiration of Scripture - every single word in the original texts is inspired by God

    72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.                                                                                                                88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

    In 72 and 88 the law is described as being of God's mouth - these are God's words, as though God Himself actually spoke them. That's how important they are. No words are more important than those of the infinite, omnipotent God.  God is the source of these Words. “God hath… Spoken” Heb. 1:1-3

    1. God’s Word is Eternal

    Ps 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

    1. The source of this Word is God
      1. Springing from its source is the truth
        1. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven
          1.  He will not change his mind.
          2. Its truths and existence are eternal.
      2. What God says in time is eternally true.
        1. Settled in the heavens for ever - what a wonderful statement! What God has promised in His word is decreed and settled.
        2. Every Promise is Good, we can rely on every Word because God promises them - it's fine, they are settled in the heavens for ever. There's no reason to allow any doubt to creep in. What God has said is settled in the heavens for ever.

    Ps 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

    Ps 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

    God’s Word is True

    151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.                                  160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

    An Absolute God, Absolute Word, Absolute Truth.                                               God's Word IS True. Every single word as originally given is True.                                     Nothing in it is false; we can rely on it and its Truth completely.

    God’s Word is Very Pure

    Ps 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

    The word 'pure' used here comes from the refining process. Metals are refined by getting rid of impurities - once thoroughly refined they are pure. We have already noted that God's word is true , but this is an extra quality. There are many things that may be true, but not pure. But God is pure, God's Word is very PURE.

    God’s Word is very faithful

    Ps 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.                                                                                                            138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

    You can and must depend on God's word. We have seen that the Word is God's - He is the source, it is settled in the heavens for ever, it is true, pure and very faithful. But there is more:

    The Word is Wonderful

    129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

    God's word is wonderful, it is totally out of the ordinary, miraculous,  something to cause our astonishment - revelation of the infinite eternal God. It is so easy to lose the wonder of it; we read, we study, but we can easily lose our amazement, our wonder at such an extraordinary book. It is wonderful!            The Word is Wonderful

     

    The Word is “exceeding broad” Comprehensive complete

    Ps 119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

    The word “broad” here means, in any and every direction; God's word is comprehensive. It is relevant for every detail of our lives, its scope is broad. It is not, limited to our first day of the week (we hear of Sunday Christians) but God's Word is applicable and relevant to everything. That's one reason why the study of the Word is so important.

    The source is God Himself, it is settled in the heavens for ever, it is true, pure and very faithful. It is wonderful and exceeding broad (relevant for all details of our lives).

    1. The Psalmist's attitude to God's Word

    What an attitude about God's word - key point(s) - let's consider, what is our attitude toward the Word. How do we feel about God's word? NOW!!!

    Standing In awe of the Word of God

    161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

     We stand in awe of His Word because we stand in AWE of God. When we reflect on God's word it is awesome. God, the infinite, indescribable one, unsearchable, all powerful, all knowing, the creator of everything should choose to reveal Himself to us through words - that is awesome. He reveals, through His word – that He loves us so much that He gave Himself so that the ungodly can be saved and made acceptable to Him - that is truly awesome. The psalmist wrote "my heart stands in awe of thy word" - he had some understanding of the awe of God's word.

    One of the wonderful things about God's word is that although we view it with awe and amazement we can still have great Joy pleasure in it.

    God’s Word is My delight

    Ps 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.                                     70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.                                                    77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.                                                                                                                         92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.                                                                                                      143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.                                                                                                             174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

    The psalmist delights in the word - he looks at it with pleasure. It's a pleasure, a joy. Do we delight in God's word? Do we enjoy reading it?                        It challenges and corrects us rather than pleased with us - we can delight in correction from the word.

    God’s Word is My rejoicing

    Ps 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

     Ps 119:162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

    God’s Words are My songs

    54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

     God’s Word is Precious

    72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

    127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

    God’s Word is My meditation

    15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.                               23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.                                                                                                                   97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.                                                148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

     

     

    Meditation has got itself a bit of a bad name - meditation linked with emptying of the mind. The psalmist meditated - reflecting on God's word.

    "My eyes stay open during the night watches that I may meditate of thy word" Meditation was clearly of enormous importance to the psalmist,  several times we find him mentioning it. How important is it to us? giving time for quiet reflection on what God has written should be habitual for each of us.

    God’s Word is My desire

    20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.                                                                                                                      40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

    He has an intense desire for God's word. It is that important to him and gives him so much pleasure that he is always wanting God's word - he longs for it

    A Determination to Keep the Word to the end

    33  Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

    He is determined to be obedient right to the end. Life has many difficulties and discouragements, but whatever the problems being obedient to God and His word is what is important to him, and he is determined to keep it.

    Grief over the attitude of others

    Ps 119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.                                                                                                     136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. 158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

    Hurt, deeply grieved, weeps, sees God's word being ignored. He has the deepest respect for God's honour. And surely one of the saddest trends in society today is the progressive abandoning of God's standards.

    A Christian Nation; where the law was once based on Biblical standards, we find ourselves a very long way down the road,opposed to scripture. And this rejection of God's standards is grievous to those who truly love the Lord.

    keeps company with those who keep thy precepts

    63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

    Ps 119:74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

    Whose company do we enjoy? It is not those that grieve us, because of their disobedience to God; No, we find those who have a similar attitude to God’s word, these are our companions- those who keep God's precepts.

    loves

    Ps 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

     The one word that summarizes his attitude to God's word; he loves it.

    Often we find the author in a difficult situation, let's see his attitude to God's word when he has problems - examples:

    even when things are bad:

    61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.                                                                                                                  69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.                                                                                                                78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.                                                                                    87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.                                                                                                                               143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

    God's word gives life

    Ps 119:93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

    God's word doesn't just give information, it gives life. God's word is powerful and effective, and is life giving. How many there have been who have never heard a preacher but have picked up God's word or just part of God's word, read it and have found life. God's word is life giving. It can totally change the spiritually dead, it makes them alive.

    God’s Word gives understanding

    98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.                                                                         99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.m                                                                                                       100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.                     104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.                                                                                                                        130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

    The Word of God is a lamp and a light

    105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

    The Word of God is hid in our heart so we don't sin (verse 11)

    11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

    9  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

    Purity. Sexual purity is the most obvious. These words here are directed particularly to the young men, but let's not suppose that whatever our age or gender we are immune from the dangers. The word is clear, and we should, of course, remember that purity involves not just what we do, but what goes on in our minds as well.

    For those struggling with these issues, they are not something we tend to talk about much, but for those struggling with these issues, the psalmist tells what is required - "by taking heed according to your word". God's word needs to be hid in the heart and then obeyed.

     

    Peace in every trial

    Ps 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

    )Peace. Not the absence of external conflict, many troubles and problems facing the psalmist, - just to remind ourselves of some of the difficulties he was going through:

    23 "princes also did sit and speak against me"

    51 "the proud have had me greatly in derision"

    61 "the bands of the wicked have robbed me"

    69 "the proud have forged a lie against me"

    78 "they [the proud] dealt perversely with me without a cause"

    87 "they had almost consumed me upon earth"

    110 "the wicked have laid a snare for me"

    143 "Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me"

    157 "many are my persecutors and mine enemies"

    161 "princes have persecuted me without a cause"

    His life was full of external troubles, God did not keep him from them - but he was at peace. As someone who loved God's law he was at peace. He had peace with God and peace within himself.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ps 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.                                                                                                         2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.                                                                                                                  176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.                                                                                                

    1. WE all have been as sheep gone astray in light of the Psalmist.
      1. seek thy servant      Rom.3:23;
      2. Blessed…seek him with the whole heart.

    167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.          168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

    1. Some are as sheep going astray.
      1. From seeking Him with the whole heart.

    The whole psalm is designed to illustrate a sincere and conscientious attachment to the principles of the word of God in the various circumstances of life.

    “Blessed” “undefiled in the way” “Who walk in the law of the Lord” --- Who habitually obey his law.

    This constitutes sincerity, uprightness, perfection in a man's life, for the law of the Lord is the only just rule of human conduct.

    God’s written revelation, His word. Instructions for living and teachings on the importance of the "law of the LORD" are priceless and hold the keys for living a blessed life.

    1. Many have gone astray for a long time.

    Ps 119:126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.                                                                                                                                        Ro 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

    Da 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

    Da 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

    2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

    1Jo 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

    Da 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.                                              37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

    Times and laws; which have respect to religion.  He shall usurp God's authority in respect to religion.

    126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

    113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

    19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

    37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

    53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.                                                                                                                                          150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law

    89 ¶ LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

    Ps 119:160 ¶ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

    Ps 119:133 ¶ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

    Ps 119:143 ¶ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

    Ps 119:1 ¶ ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

     Ps 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

     Ps 119:12 ¶ Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

    Blessing and suffering      Promise and experience

    This Psalm is far more than just a celebration of the law of the Lord.

    The setting is a situation of deep personal distress at the hands of enemies who are never far away. Celebration is mingled with cries of anguish and longing for deliverance.

     

    Ps 119:11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

     

    Present external Christianity gives place to a universal apostasy.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ps 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.                                                                                                         35 ¶ Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

    There is a doctrinal keeping of the word when we are ready to die for its defence, and a practical keeping of it when we actually live under its power. Revealed truth is precious as diamonds, and should be doctrinal kept or treasured up in the memory and in the heart as the law was kept in the ark; this however is not enough, for it is meant for practical use, and therefore it must be kept or followed, as men keep to a path, or to a line of business.

    Ps 119:43 ¶ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

    Ps 119:74 ¶ They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

    Ps 119:81 ¶ CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

    Ps 119:114 ¶ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

     Ps 119:116 ¶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

    Ps 119:147 ¶ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

     

    They are worth having, and they are worth keeping; their designed effect does not come through a temporary seizure of them, but by a persevering keeping of them: "in keeping of them there is great reward."

    To will is present with me; but how to perform that which good I find not." Thou hast made me to love the way, now make me to move in it. It is a plain path, which others are treading through thy grace; I see it and admire it; cause me to travel in it.  This is the cry of a child that longs to walk, but is too feeble; of a pilgrim who is exhausted, yet pants to be on the march; of a lame man who pines to be able to run. It is a blessed thing to delight in holiness, and surely he who gave us this delight will work in us the yet higher joy of possessing and practising it. Here is our only hope; for we shall not go in the narrow path till we are made to do so by the Maker's own power. O thou who didst once make me, I pray thee make me again: thou hast made me to know; now make me to go.

     

    We are bound to keep with all care the word of God, because it is his testimonies. He gave them to us, but they are still his own. We are to keep them as a watchman guards his master's house, as a steward husbands his lord's goods, as a shepherd keeps his employer's flock. We shall have to give an account, for we are put in trust with the gospel, and woe to us if we be found unfaithful. We cannot fight a good fight, nor finish our course, unless we keep the faith. To this end the Lord must keep us: only those who are kept by the power of God unto salvation will ever be able to keep his testimonies. What a blessedness is therefore evidenced and testified by a careful belief in God's word, and a continual obedience thereunto.  God has blessed them, is blessing them, and will bless them for ever. That blessedness which David saw in others he realized for himself, for in Ps 119:168 he says, "I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies," and in Ps 119:54-56 he traces his joyful songs and happy memories to this same keeping of the law, and he confesses, "This I had because I kept thy precepts." Doctrines which we teach to others we should experience for ourselves.

     

    In total, US millionaire households have at least $45.9 trillion in wealth, the majority of this wealth is held within the upper one-tenth of one percent of the population.

    Most people cannot even comprehend how much $1 trillion is, let alone $46 trillion. One trillion is equal to 1000 billion, or $1,000,000,000,000. To put it in perspective, last year the entire cost of feeding all 40 million Americans on food stamps was $65 billion.

    Now consider, according to the latest IRS data, only 0.076% of the population, less than one-tenth of one percent, earned over $1 million in 2009.

    The highest bracket for annual income is $50 million or more. Only 74 Americans are in this elite group. The average income within this category was $91.2 million in 2008. As astonishing as that is, in 2009 they averaged $518.8 million each, or about $10 million per week. This means, in the depths of the recession, the richest 74 Americans increased their income by more than 5 times within this one year. These 74 people made more money than 19 million workers combined.

    In context, overall, the richest 400 people in the US have as much wealth as 154 million Americans combined, that’s 50% of the entire country. The top economic 1% of the US population now has a record 40% of all wealth, and have more wealth than 90% of the population combined.

    To get into the top economic 0.01% (one-hundredth of one percent) of the population, you have to have a household income of over $27 million per year.

    All-time record-breaking bonuses. 2009 was an all-time record-breaking year for Wall Street executives bringing in a total of $145 billion. And then, in 2010, they raised the bar even higher, breaking the all-time record set the year before by pulling in another $149 billion. The audacity of it all is stunning.

    Finding people more grotesquely greedy than Wall Street executives would seem to be impossible. However, health insurance CEOs are giving them a run for their money.

    Record Breaking Poverty in America: 52.8 Million and Growing; 46 Million on Food Stamps; 34 Million in Need of Work; Over 1 Million Deaths Annually; World’s Largest Prison Population 2.5 MILLION

    To demonstrate attacks against the poor, there was $17 billion cut from public housing programs, while there was an increase of $19 billion in programs for building prisons, “effectively making the construction of prisons the nation’s main housing program for the poor.” Before laws began to be rewritten in 1980, with direct input from ALEC, we had a prison population of 500,000 citizens. After laws were rewritten to target poor inner city citizens with much more severe penalties, the US prison population skyrocketed to 2.4 million people.

    The US, by far, has more of its citizens in prison than any other nation on earth. China, with a billion citizens, doesn’t imprison as many people as the US, with only 308 million American citizens.

    We now have the largest prison population in the world. With only 4% of the world’s population, we have 25% of the world’s prison population.

    For another revealing statistic, which has been quickly increasing, we can look at the number of Americans currently surviving off of food stamps. In 2005, 25.7 million Americans needed food stamps, currently 45.8 million people rely on them. As the chart to the right shows, the number of people in need of food stamps has been rapidly increasing year-over-year.

    Meanwhile, Congress is cutting the funding for the food stamp program at a time when the Department of Agriculture estimates that an additional 22.5 million people will need them, bringing the total number of Americans in need of food assistance to a stunning 68.3 million people.

    9 KEY WORDS: "Torah" (Law) (v 1..), "eduth" (statutes) (v 2..), "piqqudim" (precepts) (v 4..), "huqqim" (decrees) (v 5..), "mishvoth" (commands) (v 6..), "mishpatim" (judgments, or ordinances) (v 7..), "dabar" (word) (v 9..), and "imrah" (word) (v 11..) “natsar” (testimonies)

    Ps 119:129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.                                                                                                             140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.                                            160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.                                                                                                161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.                                                                                          162  I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

    172 ¶ My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

     

    Formal relationships in the Psalm

    Psalm 119 is in the form of an acrostic, with a different letter of the Hebrew

    alphabet being assigned to each of the twenty-two stanzas consecutively, and with each of the eight verses in each stanza beginning with the appropriate letter for that stanza.

    Almost every verse (the exceptions being vv. 3, 37, 90, 122)

    contains one of eight key words which are synonyms for the teaching of the

    Lord.

    The term YHWH occurs twenty-five times and the second person masculine singular pronomial suffix some 225 times.

    apart from verses 1-3, the whole Psalm is directly addressed to the Lord.

    Ps 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.                                                                                                         2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

    1. WE all have been as sheep gone astray.
      1. seek thy servant
      2. Blessed…seek him with the whole heart.

    167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.          168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

    1. Some are as sheep going astray.
      1. From seeking Him with the whole heart.

    The whole psalm is designed to illustrate a sincere and conscientious attachment to the principles of the word of God in the various circumstances of life.

    “Blessed”

    “undefiled in the way”

    “Who walk in the law of the Lord” --- Who habitually obey his law.

    This constitutes sincerity, uprightness, perfection in a man's life, for the law of the Lord is the only just rule of human conduct.

    God’s written revelation, His word.

    Instructions for living and teachings on the importance of the "law of the LORD" are priceless and hold the keys for living the blessed life.

    Ps 119:126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

    Ro 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

     

     

    1. The Change in the Heart

     

    Ps 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

     

    Pr 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

    Ps 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

    Ps 71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

    Ps 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

     

    Mat. 12:34”out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”

    1. The heart of the world. (The old nature)—flesh

    Jer 17:9—The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

    Romans 3:13—Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

    14—Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

     

    Mat. 12:34—O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

    35—A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

    15:18—But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

    19—For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

     Mark 7:21—For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

     Luke 6:45—A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

     

    James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?                                                                                                                         12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

     

    Mt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

     17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

     18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

     19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

     20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

     

    1. The heart of the Church Rev. 3:14-18

     

    2Cor. 2:4—For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

     

     1Tim. 1:5—Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

     2Tim. 2:22—Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart

     

    1. The heart of the Bride

    Song 4:11—Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue

    1. Not just change but something is added to the heart  
    2. God adds to a diligent faith

    He 8:10 I will put my laws into their mind, and write…in their hearts:

    He 10:16 I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

    Heb 11:6 He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

     

    He 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; II Pt. 1:5-9

    1. Word is in her heart   (De.30:14; Rm10:8; Eph3:17)

     

    Song 4:11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

    a. The Word of God changes the heart

    b. The Word of God changes the soul.

    c. The Word of God changes the spirit

    d. The Word of God changes the body

    e. The Word of God changes the speech  

    f.. The Word of God changes the nature

     

    He 4:12—For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

     

    2Cor. 7:1—Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

    Pr16:24—Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.  

     IIIJohn1:2; Pr 3:5-8, 4:20-27;12:18; 15:23; 23:16; 25:11; 27:9; De32:2; Ps107:2,20; 42:5,11; 43:5; 44:3;  Zech. 4:6: Eph.1:9-23

    The Word is—Knowledge, understanding wisdom, Revelation of God.

     

    Pr 22:11—He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

    Heb 13:9 “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines”

    Col 3:16  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”

     

    1. The Change in Speech:  SOS.4:11

    Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

    Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

    Gen. 49:21 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

    1Ki 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

     

    Jg 1:12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

     13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

     14 And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?

     15 And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

     

    Rev.12:11; Jn.17:17;

     

    1. The Change in Nature

    “garments is like the smell of Lebanon”  (Ps.119:11)

     

    Romans 13:12—The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light   James.3:2-6; Eph.4:13-32; 6:10-24; Col.3:5-17

    Hosea 8:3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.

    1Tim.5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

    Rev. 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

    Mark 12:30 first commandment.

    Hebrews 5:12 first principles

    6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

     

    The Bride comes to the changes graciously and Happily. Pp.4:4

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Psalm 122

    We need to love each other. If we love someone, we will pray for one another.

    Prayer is the foundation.

    God Removed Saul and put in a man after His own heart. God sought him a man after his heart and found that man in David.

    Psalm 122:1-2 Heart for God

    Psalm 122:3-5 Heart for Prayer

    Psalm 122:6-9 Heart for Praise

    Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

    I Samuel 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

    Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

    This is not going to be an easy road. David was a true worshipper and a man of war.

    19 times in Scripture “I have sinned.”

    A perfect man is one that can bridle his tongue.

    Peace won’t come where there is division.

    Psalm 1

    Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

     2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

     3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

     4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

     5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

     6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

     

    Pr 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

     2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

     3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

     4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

     5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

     6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

     7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

     8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

     9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

     10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

     11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

     12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

     13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

     14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

     15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

     16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

     17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

     18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

     19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

     20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

     21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

     22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

     23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

     24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

     25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

     26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

     27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

     28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

     29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

     30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

     31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

     32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

     33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly but walks in godly counsel, God’s Eternal Purpose is for us to walk in His Counsel

     

    Acquaint them with the will of God in doubtful cases, and to explain the laws of God

     

    Ex 18:13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

     14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

     15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

     16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

     17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

     18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

     19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

     20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

     21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

     22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

     23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

     24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

     25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

     26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

     27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

     

    Ne 6:4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

     

    Ps 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

    Isa 5:19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

    (His work--counsel; the threatened judgments of God.  They are scorners) and say this in ridicule.

     

    Isa 28:29 This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

     

    When a man gives place to ungodly counsel, or to his own self(sin nature is a term misused), (stands in the way of sinners) he begins to forget himself in his sin, and so falls into contempt of God, which is called the seat of the scorners.

     

    (sin nature is a term misused that some just accept and other’s try to ignor)

     

    Ro 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

    Ro 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

    15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

    Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

    Ro 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

    Ro 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

    Ro 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

    25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

    Ro 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

    4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

    5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

    6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

    7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

    Ro 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

    2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

    Ga 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

    Ga 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

     

    1Co 3:1 ¶ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

     

    1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

     

    1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

     

     Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

    Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

    Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

    Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

    Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

    Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

     

    Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

     

    Eph 2:1 ¶ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

    2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

    3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

     

    2Pe 2:10 ¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

    2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

     

    1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

     

    Lu 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

     

    Psalm---a set piece of music, a sacred song, Singing is the voice of joy

    The book of Psalms is most helpful for devotions

     

    1Co 14:26 ¶ How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

    Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

    Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

    The Spirit's filling is the personal manifestation of Christ to the believer who walks obediently day by day.

    John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

    A consciousness of His presence and His leadership—moment by moment. This consciousness is the believer's privilege.

    The Spirit's filling is not just an automatic experience.

    The responsibility of being filled with the Spirit rests upon the shoulders of the believer. He is continually filled only as he walks obediently to Christ

    Pr 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

    6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

    Joh 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

     

    There are three characters, each exceeding the other in sinfulness.

     

    The ungodly, sinners, scornful

     

    There are three words which mark three different degrees of evil conduct

     

    The ungodly man has his counsel; the sinner has his way; and the scorner has his seat

     

    The ungodly man is unconcerned about true religion; he is neither zealous for his own salvation, nor for that of others

    He counsels not to trouble themselves about praying, reading, meditating on the Lord and on the Word unto faith and repentance.

     

    Counseling with the ungodly must be avoided, it make us more like them

     

    The ungodly neglect the truth

    Sinners refuse to comply with the truth

    Scorners reject the truth

     

     

    Ps 1:1 ¶ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

    Pr 1:10 ¶ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

    4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

    15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

    Ps 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

    Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

     

    Pr 1:20 ¶ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

    21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

    22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

     

    They scoff at religion and contemn the word and faithful ministers of God.

    They despise, as well as reject, truth.

     

    Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

     2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

     

    Divine revelation is wisdom

    Blessing and cursing

    Blessing and Judgment

     

    Pr 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

     

    It is dangerous to listen to the ungodly

    It is most dangerous to not listen to the call of God. (The wisdom of God)

    Or seek to live without the blessing of God.

     

    The righteous plow the earth and sow a harvest

    The ungodly plow the seas and the waves return and the ways are forgotten

     

    Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

    Pr 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

     

    Not until calls of love have been rejected does the Lord give stern rebuke; but when grace has been neglected, and even insulted, justice must speak in tones of thunder.  

     

    The Lord Jesus wept over sinners in the days of his flesh, and still by his Church entreat and warn them, and yearn over them; but it will not always be so, for the time cometh when he will have no pity, but will utterly reject the cries and petitions of his enemies.  They say that the sweetest wine makes the sharpest vinegar, and so the very gentleness and tenderness of Jesus will make him the more terrible when his patience at length turns to wrath.  Oh! may all of us be warned by the terrible words in Pr 1:24-31

     

    Don’t neglect God’s wisdom, don’t refuse the invitations of God’s Grace

     

    Know the Grace and wisdom Of God to Praise, serve Him, speak for Him

     

    Pr 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

     

    worldly men, seek their portion in this life

    Godly men seek the truth

     

    2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

     

    We must grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    We must Follow on to know the Lord.

    Ho 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

     

    Labour to know him more clearly and more fully, to know more of Christ...so as to be more like him and to love him better. This is the knowledge of Christ the apostle Paul reached after and desired to attain, Phil. 3:10. Such a knowledge of Christ as conforms us more to him and [will] preserve us from falling off in times of...apostasy; and those who experience...the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will...give thanks and praise to him, To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen

     

    Psalm 2

    Ps 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

     2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

     3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

     4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

     5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

     6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

     7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

     8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

     9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

     10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

     11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

     12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

     

    Pr 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

     2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

     3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

     4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

     5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

     6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

     7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

     8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

     9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

     10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

     11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

     12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

     13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

     14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

     15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

     16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

     17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

     18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

     19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

     20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

     21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

     22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ps 2:7 ¶ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

     

    Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

    Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

     

    Mt 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

    Mt 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

    Lu 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

     9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

     10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

     11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

     12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

     13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

     14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

     15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

     16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

     17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

     18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

     19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

     20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

    Lu 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

     

    2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

     

     

    1. The Angels worshipped Jesus (13)
      1. shepherds abiding in the field

    Mt 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

     

    Col 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

    5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

    6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

     

    1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

    1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

     4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

     5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

     

    Ro 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

    12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

    1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

    Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

    Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

    Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

    Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

    1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

    Ro 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

    Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

    Ro 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

     

    1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

    2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

    Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

    1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive

    a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

     

    1. The angel of the Lord came upon the shepherds
      1. The glory of the Lord shone round about them  (9)

     

    Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

    Heb 2:10 ¶ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

    Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

     

    1. A multitude of heavenly host of angels shewed themselves to the shepherds (13)
      1. A multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

    Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

    Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

    Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

    11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

    Mt 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

    31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

     

      1. The Lord hath made known unto us (15)
      2. God sent the birth announcement to sinners-shepherds?

    Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

    They came with “haste.” They felt an urgency to act and act now. They wasted no time. They found the baby just as the angel had said! They found the perfect kingdom baby born in poverty – A baby born in obscurity and loneliness – Born in humiliation, into a corruptible world full of sin, selfishness, greed and unkindness. The shepherds listened to the angel and moved.

    The angels bore witness of the Savior to the shepherds; we are to the world

    15…Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

    Lu 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

     32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

     

    1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

     27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

     28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

     29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

     

     

    Lu 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

     

    Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

     

    Ro 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

     2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

     3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

     4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

     5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

     6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

     7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

     8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

    Ge 22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

     15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

     

    Ge 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

    17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

    18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

     

    Ge 31:11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

     12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

     13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

     

    Ex 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

     2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

     3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

     4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

     5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

     6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

    Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

    Mt 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

     

    Mt 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

     2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

     3  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

     4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

     5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

     6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

     7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

     8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

     

    Php 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

     

    God give us men that will run with the message that Jesus Christ is Son, Saviour, Lord and Bridegroom.

     

    Ac 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

    Ac 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

    Ro 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

    1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

    1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

     

    His anointing was without measure

    His ministry was with all power.

     

    2Th 1:11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

     

     

    Mt 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

     Mt 25:1 ¶ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

     Mt 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

     Mt 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

     Mt 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

     Mr 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

     Mr 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

     Lu 5:34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

     Lu 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

    Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    “Serve the LORD with fear”  and  “rejoice with trembling”

    Ps. 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

     

    There must ever be a holy Joy mixed with the Christian's fear.

    Fear without joy is torment; joy without fear is a dangerous feeling.

    Fear with Joy is a blessing, safe, right

    Fear that is in awe of His presence, reverence to His word, respect to His Purpose.

     

    Php 2:12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

    Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

    6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

    7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

     

    Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

    23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

    24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

     

    Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

     

    Pr 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

     2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

     3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

     4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

     5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

     6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

     7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

     8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

     9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

     10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

     11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

     

     

    The word of God will guide you, and teach you how to govern yourself.

    Pr 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

    Pr 1:7 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

    Pr 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

    2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

    Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

     

    Es 8:17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

     Jer 33:9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

     Mt 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

     

    Awe and Rejoicing

     Lu 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

     

    Awe and Rejoicing

    Ps 1:4 ¶ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

     

     

    Ps 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

     

     

    Ps 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

     

    ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little

     

    It is an awful thing to perish in the midst of sin without His mercy and grace.

     

    Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

    Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

    29 For our God is a consuming fire.

     

    The Lord can take the pieces and put them back together again

     

    The Lord can restore broken vessels

     

    Vessels brake in sin

    Vessels brake because of rebellion, we have no protection outside the Lord

    Rebellious vessels don’t understand the fear of the Lord and become mixed with emotions and try to break off the restraints of godliness.

     

    Ps 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

     

    unwillingness of the rebellious nature to submit to Divine law, that restrains the desires of men. Corrupt affections are enemies of Christ, and their language is, We will not have this man to reign over us. Doctrines would be readily believed if they involved in them no precepts; and the Church may be tolerated in the world if she will only give up her discipline."

    His yoke is Righteous, Godly, Holy, True

     

    Mt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

     30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

     

    True wisdom is to know and fear God and let everyone know with great joy.

     

    Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

     7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

     8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

     9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

     10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

     11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

     

    Be warned of the wicked      ALARMED  Warn the wicked       ALARM

    Be blessed and bless

    Ps 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

     

    Obtaining spiritual wisdom is a daily discipline

     

    Prov. 2:1-11 Walking with God

    12-15 Walking with the evil man

    16-19 Walking with the strange woman

    20-21 Walking with the good men and the righteous