31 July 2005

Meditation on God’s Blessings

Meditation on God’s Blessings
Text: Psalm 18:31-36

Series:
An Interactive Faith

Message Notes

(I) A GREAT WAY TO ENHANCE AN INTERACTIVE FAITH

1. The way of the Ancients

2. The way of Meditation

a) Meditating on the Word of God

“His delight is in the law of the LORD,
In His law he meditates day and night” Psalm 1:2

b) Meditating as a way of life

i) In the Night

“Meditate within your heart on your bed, be still”  Psalm 4:4b

ii) In the Morning

            “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation”  Psalm 5:1

 

(II) WORTHY SUBJECT FOR MEDITATION- GOD’S BLESSINGS

  1. The Provision of Strength

“It is God who arms me with strength” Psalm 18:32a

 

  1. The Perfect Leading of the LORD

“And makes my way perfect”  Psalm 18:32b

 

  1. The Power to Climb Higher each year

“He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on high places”   Psalm 18:33

 

  1. The Personal Teaching of the LORD

“He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend the bow of bronze”  Psalm 18:34

 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye”   Psalm 32:8

 

  1. God’s Upholding

“You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great” Psalm 18:35

 

(III) A CHALLENGE TO CULTIVATE AN INTERACTIVE FAITH- MEDITATION

1. A Deeper love for God

“I will love You, O LORD my strength…”   Psalm 18:1a

 

2. A Deeper Prayer-Life

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised…
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God”  Psalm 18:3,6

 

3. A Deeper knowledge of God’s Word

“As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust Him.”  Psalm 18:30

 

PRAYER

 

A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD

O for a closer walk with God,

A calm and heavenly frame;

A light to shine upon the road

That leads me to the Lamb!

 

Where is the blessedness I knew

When first I saw the LORD?

Where is the soul-refreshing view

Of Jesus and His word?

 

What peaceful hours I then enjoyed,

How sweet their memory still!

But they have left an aching void

The world can never fill.

 

Return, O Holy Dove, return,

Sweet Messenger of rest;

I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,

And drove Thee from my breast!

 

The dearest idol I have known

Whate’er that idol be;

Help me to tear it from Thy throne,

And worship only Thee.

 

William Cowper