24 July 2005

God’s Response to Our Practice of “The Fear of the Lord”

God’s Response to Our Practice of “The Fear of the Lord”
Text: Psalm 111-112

Series:
An Interactive Faith

Message Notes

(I) INTERACTIVE FAITH: FOCUS ON GOD’S INTERACTION

1. God’s Interaction- A Profound Thought

2. God’s Interaction- A Humbling Thought

3. God’s Interaction- A Thrilling Thought

 

(II) GOD’S INTERACTION WITH THE MAN WHO FEARS HIM

1. Promise of Blessing

“Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments” Psalm 112:1

 

2. Extension of Blessing to Descendants

“His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed” Psalm 112:2

3. Material Blessings Envisaged

“Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever”  Psalm 112:3

4. Security Ensured

“Surely he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance”   Psalm 112:6

 

“He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting the LORD”  Psalm 112:7

 

“His heart is established;
He will not be afraid”   Psalm 112:8

 

5. Crowning of honour

“His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted with honour”  Psalm 112:9

 

(III) THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S BLESSINGS

1. Found in His works

“The works of the LORD are great…”  Psalm 111:2

“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered”  Psalm 112:4a

2. Discovered by Study and Meditation

“The works of the LORD are great
Studied by all who have pleasure in them”  Psalm 112:2

 

3. Encoded and enshrined in a Covenant

“He will ever be mindful of His covenant…”  Psalm 112:5b

“The works of His hands are verity and justice,
All His precepts are sure.
They stand steadfast forever and ever,
And are done in truth and uprightness” Psalm 112:7-8

 

(IV) APPROPRIATE RESPONSES

1. Praise

“Praise the LORD!
I will praise the LORD with my whole heart”  Psalm 111:1

2. Fear of the LORD

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”  Psalm 111:10

 

POEM

 

GOD

There is an Eye that never sleeps

Beneath the wing of night;

There is an Ear that never shuts

When sinks the beams of light.

 

There is an Arm that never tires

When human strength gives way;

There is a Love that never fails

When earthly loves decays.

 

That Eye unseen o’erwatcheth all;

That Arm upholds the sky;

That Ear doth hear the sparrows call;

That Love is ever nigh.

 

James Cowden Wallace