FREE, FULL & FRUITFUL
1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Happiness is defined as a condition of supreme well-being and good spirits, joy, cheerfulness, gladness, blessedness.
Happiness is conditional. We know that happiness is not the result of accumulation of things because some of the most miserable people in the world have every thing money can buy.
Happiness does not come from pleasure alone, because many pleasures leave people feeling empty, used and worse than before.
In 1948, Life magazine brought together labor-union leaders, industrial leaders, university scholars, and clergy to discuss what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they referred to “the pursuit of happiness.” They concluded that – steady work under good conditions at a living wage was absolutely essential. One participant, who had been crippled by polio, said, “It is my experience that suffering and pain are, unfortunately, great character builders—not that suffering is good in itself, but because it often helps to shift our expectation of happiness from without to a search within.”
Happiness isn’t found by pursuing happiness. It’s the result of seeking an ever-closer walk with God. When we do, we will find a depth of happiness no person or thing can give.
I believe the way to experience true happiness is by knowing God and living a life of faith and obedience.
This Psalm is a song of Joy.
• In it, we meet happy people filled with laughter and singing – The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad (v 3).
• Because of their joy, the people around them are aware of God – The unsaved said, The LORD hath done great things for them (v 2).
This Psalm doesn’t define happiness but it does reveal what produces happiness.
#1. Happiness is the result of FREEDOM – v1-3. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
The residents of Jerusalem have just experienced a sudden miracles deliverance from a devastating enemy named Sennacherib.
This Psalm is written during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Chron 32; 2 Kings 18-19; Isa 36-37). The deliverance was so great that the people of neighboring nations also rejoiced.
The Assyrian army devastated the land during their invasion:
• Hezekiah stopped the springs that flowed through the valley...
• The Assyrians blundered cities, crops and livestock...
• They prevented supplies from coming into the city...
• In one night God miraculously delivered them...
What Is The Spiritual Application?
• There is no joy in bondage and slavery.
• Sin leads to bondage (drugs, alcohol, immorality, rebellion).
• Other forms of bondage – fear, loneliness, hopelessness, etc…
John 8:31-32, 36 Then said Jesus…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
As Believer’s, We Are Set Free From…
• Condemnation – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8)
• The Power of Sin – For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)
• The Fear of Death – Behold, I shew you a mystery;…52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,…the dead shall be raised incorruptible,… 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54…then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
• The Power of Satan – Jesus Christ has… delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)
True Freedom is doing the will of God and seeing His will as the best plan for your life!
#2. Happiness is the result of FULLNESS – v 4. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
After this long siege by Assyria, the water supply throughout the whole region was exhausted – 2 Chronicles 32:1-4. Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city:…. 4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
The only source of water that remained in the region was within the walls of Jerusalem. As the inhabitants of the city realized their victory over the Assyrians they desired fullness as the streams in the south. In order for this to occur they would have to unstop the wells and allow the waters to flow again.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.
Revelation 21:6 Jesus Said, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
We are to be filled with…
• The Spirit (Eph 5:18)
• The Word (Col 3:16)
• Faith (Acts 6:5)
#3. Happiness is the result of FRUITFULNESS – v5-6. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Notice the contrast between the opening and end of the Psalm (from rejoicing to weeping).
This world will always cause weeping.
• A realistic look of life must be accepted by us.
• There must always be some tears until heaven.
Why were they weeping?
• To keep their new joy they had to make sacrifices.
• They had to scatter seed that they would rather have kept for themselves.
In order to be fruitful you have to plant seed! 2 Cor 9:7-11 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth [supplies] seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
CONCLUSION: To be happy… Be FREE, FULL & FRUITFUL!
Pastor Kevin Burden
Carter Creek Baptist
For Sunday AM, Oct 28th, 2007
http://revkescorner.blogspot.com
