God Is… How I Love Thee?

God Is… How I Love Thee?

Psalm 116:1-19

July 8, 2007

Good News Christian Fellowship

BUCAS, Daraga Albay

Introduction

Our text for today’s message comes from a man who is called a “man after God’s own heart.” He is the man who has a great loved for God’s word. It is his meditation all the day (Psalm 119:97) He is also the man who loved to praise God. Seven times a day he spent times in praising God (Psalm 119:164). These are only some of the characteristics of a “man after God’s own heart.

Psalm 116 is an extraordinary expression of love, praise and thanksgiving to God. In verse 1 opens with words of affection to God: “I love the Lord.” Who is God according to this Psalmist? What motivates him to express his love to the Lord? What has God done for him to move his soul? What did he render unto Jehovah for all His benefits toward him?"

Let’s have our Bible ready and let’s discover what this psalm says to us.

I. God is Good (vv. 1-2)

In verse one we read, “ I love the Lord” (v.1a). That’s the opening statement from David. In here he talks about loving the Lord. He pour out his emotion coming from his heart. What has God done for him that move him to declared “ I love the Lord.”?

Read verse 1-2

It is clear from this verses that he experiences the goodness of God in times of his troubles, disappointments. He cries for mercies. He prays for forgiveness. And God hears his prayers. David knows how to go through to the valley of life. David knew prayer as a benefit from God. So in verse one, there is mention of the blessing, the privilege of prayer.

In verse 2 we read, "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live";as if he had said, I will never give up in praying. Throughout his life prayer will be constant in his tongues.

David knows the Lord is near to all who call upon Him, in all who call upon Him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

Do we ever wonder whether God truly hears our prayers? The weight of ongoing trials may sink our trust in Him. Setbacks, disappointments may cause you to doubt God’s power. And broken dreams may cause you to question His love.

But not David! In Psalm 40 he encourages us to wait patiently upon the Lord, whose timing is always perfect.

Let us read Psalm 40:1-3.

When we trust that God hears our prayers, when we have confidence that He is listening, we can trust that He will also answer – in His own time.

So, David not only loves the Lord because He had heard his prayers, but also because the Lord rescues him from disaster.

Read verses 3-4.

In verses 3 and 4 the psalmists talks about trouble and sorrow causing him to call upon the name of the Lord. Look at the words “snares of death,” “pangs of sheol,” “ distress and anguish.” Indeed a very distressing situation. There is no way out! So David call out on God to deliver him up

The result of real, Holy Spirit conviction is always faith in Christ. — “Then called I upon the name of the LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.”

II. God is Gracious (v.5)

The Lord our God is gracious, righteous, and merciful, full of mercy! He is gracious and merciful. — “He delighteth in mercy!”

God is gracious. It means God freely shows his goodness to reach us out tat the point of our need, restores us to fellowships with Him, and allows our soul to rest.

By God’s grace He rescues us from the dominion of sins. We deserve death, but out of His grace we received what we don’t deserve – SALVATION.

Grace abounds (2 Cor. 9:8), is surpassing (2 Cor. 9:14), and is granted (2 Tim. 1:9). We have the riches of grace (Eph. 1:7), are strengthened by grace (Heb. 13:9), and grow in grace (2 Pet. 3:18). We experience the grace of God (1 Pet. 4:10), know the grace of the Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:21), and are indwelt by the Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:29). Grace is the wonderful truth of God’s character through Jesus which is shown to us, comes upon us, and is manifested in us.

And righteous; faithful to his promises, just in every dispensation of his providence, even in afflictive ones; righteous in punishing the enemies of his people, and in saving, justifying, and pardoning them for Christ’s sake.

Yes, our God is merciful; compassionate, tenderhearted, a heart full of pity, as a father to his child; and sympathizes with his people under all their afflictions, and saves them out of them.