THESE ALL WAIT FOR YOU
Text: Psalm 104, 145
3 January 2010
(I) THE PRINCIPLE OF WAITING ON THE LORD
“These all wait for You,” Psalm 104:27
1. As Creator, God placed this principle in all creation
a) He designed all living things to be in need
b) They depend on the Lord to provide for their needs
“He sends the springs into the valleys; they flow among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the heavens have their home; they sing among the branches. He waters the hills from His upper chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.” Psalm 104:10-13
c) A natural instinct to wait on the Lord
“The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God.” Psalm 104:21
d) All creation included
i) All animals on the land ( Psalm 104:10-22 )
ii) All creatures of the sea ( Psalm 104:25-26 )
2. This principle is meant to be in man too
a) Man has to work
“Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.” Psalm 104:23
b) The Lord will provide for their needs too
c) Man has to learn to wait on the Lord
(II) THE PROBLEM OF MAN WAITING ON THE LORD
1. Sin affected nature
2. Dependence on self and might
3. Trust in our own ways rather than to wait on the Lord
(III) THE PERSPECTIVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE OF THE LORD WHILE WAITING
1. The provision of the Lord given in a timely manner
a) God’s provision is always timely
“That You may give them their food in due season.” Psalm 104:27
b) This is given by the hand of God
“What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good.” Psalm 104:28
2. The prerogative of the Lord
a) He can choose hide Himself…to stop all provision
“You hide Your face, they are troubled;” Psalm 104:29
b) He can choose to take a life
“You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.” Psalm 104:29
c) He can choose to give life through His Spirit
“You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.” Psalm 104:30
3. The preservation of the Lord
a) Upholds all who fall
“The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14
b) Preserves all who love Him
“The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.” Psalm 145: 20
4. The perfect ways of the Lord
“The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.” Psalm 145:17
a) His ways are righteous
b) They are gracious
(IV) THE PRACTICE OF WAITING ON THE LORD
1. Look to the Lord expectantly
“The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season.” Psalm 145:15
a) We should focus our eyes on the Lord
b) Faith to expect from the Lord
c) He will give in His time
2. Make known your desire to the Lord
a) The Lord will satisfy our desires
“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16
b) Pray concerning our desires to the Lord
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” Psalm 145:18, 19
3. Give praise as we wait
a) Give praise to the Lord
“My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,” Psalm 145:21
b) All should bless His name
“And all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:21