Psalm 145 (5)
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Introduction: Read Psalm 145. Brief review
Transition: Today, from Psalm 145 we are going to continue to discover, who God is, and what He does. His Character and Conduct. The activities of God is verses 14-16 are perfectly consistent with the excellencies of His attributes in verse 17. Start with verse 17 and let me explain. Four more key activities of God that demonstrate His character.
He supports the suffering.
He supports the suffering.
vs. 14- Supports......Suffering
Upholds- Sustains, supports, helps
Falling- Suffering defeat, failed, collapses
How does God do this? Where have we observed God upholding those who have fallen? We can certainly find an answer all through the scriptures starting with Adam and Eve. (explain) Then as God’s plans of redemption continue we see him upholding multiple individuals and nations for His glory. However, we should especially notice that He has done so in His Son Jesus the Christ who according to Mark 1:12-13, received comfort from angels during His suffering of temptation in the desert. Also, we know that Jesus suffered even worse affliction on the cross. According to Isaiah 53:11-12 this suffering brought support and salvation to sinners.
The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Transition: Are you suffering defeat today? Do you feel like your collapsing? Are you drowning in depression or overwhelmed with anxiety? Is your soul in turmoil? Listen to these words from Jesus…
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
He Comforts the humble.
He Comforts the humble.
2. vs. 14- Comforts.......... Humble
a. Raises up- Comfort, encouragement, lifting up of the head of one who is downcast.
b. Bowed down- submissive, humiliated, prostrate, ready to quit
Point: The Lord comforts the humble. The best example of this is observed in the person and work of Jesus. Philippians 2:5-11
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
A couple Observations about submission and benefiting from the raising up of those who are bowed down. The text in Psalm 145 does not necessarily answer as to why these are falling and bowed down. However, it seems that this is the only right response to what has just been revealed about the King and His kingdom. Those who are saints and citizens of the kingdom of God should be making known the splendor of His everlasting kingdom. And as we recognize the dominion we cannot help be brought low and humbled. Which causes us to consider…
There is a difference between voluntarily bowing down and being made to bow down. There is also a difference between submitting to authority that is righteous and just and submitting to authority that is unrighteous and unjust. Sometimes people are forced to bow down under structures of authority that are not themselves submitted to God. (ie think Nazi Germany) Other times people are forced to bow down because they are in opposition to what has been determined to be for their good, but may or may not be God’s authoritative standards. (ie. think receiving a speeding ticket.) Psalm 145:14 seems to apply to all of these situations and more. Why? Because, Ultimately , we are called upon to submit to God and as we bow to Him, he will raise us up. Even if that bowing is physical death.
With great caution we should check our hearts and motives as we then apply this same principle to other relationships in our lives. For example: We should thoroughly study passage like Romans 14 as we determine our submission to God given governmental authorities. Also, we should consider Ephesians 5 as we think through submission within the context of family and work relationships.
Case in point… God will bring..
Justice for the oppressed.
Comfort for the orphan and the widow.
Healing for the sick.
Help for the grieving, hurting, displaced, and poor.
Forgiveness for sinners who bow down in humility and weep and mourn over their offence against God.
Resurrection for the dead.
He provides for the waiting
He provides for the waiting
3. vs. 15- Provides........ Look
Give them their food- hands down, provides
The eyes who look- waiting with expectation, Like a pet waiting for a treat.
Notice the timing of the provision. [In due season] This means that the Lord’s provision are according to His terms and to His timing.
Like Galatians 4:4-7 reminds us…
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Application: The provisions of God are according to His timing, in due season, We need only wait with expectation for Him.
Is. 40:30-31, Psalm 121:1-2,
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Transition: Who am I ultimately looking to for ultimate provision?
He satisfies the living.
He satisfies the living.
4. vs.16- Satisfies.... Desire
Satisfy- fill up, to get enough, to have abundance
Desire- pleasure, will, delights
How is this possible? Because God opens His hand. an·thro·po·mor·phism- attributing a human characteristic to God.
Verse 19 gives further insight into God’s open handed satisfaction. “Those who fear Him”
When our desires are God’s desires we are filled up with God. Full like a thanksgiving dinner. This is the godliness with contentment that is great gain mentioned in I Timothy 6:6.
There is no greater joy than to delight ourselves in God. Nothing will satisfy the soul like God. When we fall into the idolatrous activities of filling our lives with little gods, we will always be hungry and thirsty for more. However, when we rest in the satisfying grace of Christ, our soul will abound with His open hand. Whatever hunger and thirst we have will always be filled up with Him. In Christ our desires can be transformed to quake, and tremble, and relish, and reverence, and remain in awe of God. In Christ we will be satisfied.
If your not a Christian today, or even if you are, I want to offer a warning. We are not talking about modifying our behavior in order to manipulate God. If you just desire the right kinds of things then God will bless you… No! How are our desires transformed? How does the will of our hearts change? Interesting to notice the battle of desires. He does truly satisfy the true desire of every living thing. Spiritual battle in one since where an evil spirit is against us, but in the positive since when the Holy Spirit is for us. Desiring in opposition to our flesh.
What is the condition of your soul today? Are you being satisfied in Christ?
Closing: How do these truths about the character and conduct of God help us fear Him and be on our way toward wisdom? As a Christian, if we are meditating on God, then our hearts and mouths will follow suit. Essentially, we worship what we treasure, and so if we treasure God above all else, then our joy and our relishing of Him will be a flow of constant praise. May that be true of us church.