Thank You Lord, For Who You Are!
Psalm 145
1. This week’s sermon is about being thankful.
2. A few sermons back we saw that we must learn to be thankful, even in difficult situations.
3. I will admit to you that I did not feel particularly thankful this week.
4. I did a funeral for a 40 year dad with two young sons, sons who lost their mother a few years ago as well. What a heart ache!
5. I had great visits with Jerry and Keith at St. Vincent’s and Methodist, but both of them have been facing some serious medical issues that are quite complicated.
6. My sister checked into a Cancer Hospital; she has a slow and somewhat rare form of cancer that usually only strikes elderly people, so they do not really know too much about it.
7. Obviously there were and are a lot of things on my mind, and my heart bleeds for folks in these situations.
8. But then I try to remember that we serve a God in heaven, a God Who does as He pleases.
9. You see, when life starts heading South, downward, we still can look North, upward. We can glory in God as we look upward even when we grieve as we look ahead and behind.
10. The Pslamist understood this. David recognized this. He knew the importance of gaining a proper perspective by thanking and worshipping God.
This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which (including verse 13b) begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
David is motivated to worship Yahweh, the LORD. He writes, "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Main idea: David was determined to worship Yahweh for the rest of His days because he was impressed with Who God is.
TS------- The text provides us with several reasons why we, too, should honor Yahweh throughout all our days.
I. Because Yahweh is GREAT (3-7)
A. He is WORTHY of Praise (3)
Many persons are praised who do not deserve praise: druggy rock stars, irresponsible athletes, dysfunctional actors and actresses…
Worthy of praise is actually one word, our word "Halal." The word can mean to shine, to praise, to boast, or to be worthy of praise, as in this instance.
A good illustration would be a piece of iron that is magnetized. The magnet comes across iron shavings that are immediately drawn to it. God is like that magnet, and our praises are like those shavings. God’s worthiness to be praised corresponds to our desire to praise Him. He is worthy of praise and we are eager to praise Him. Our praises are drawn to Him.
B. His GREATNESS is evident (3b-6)
1. He cannot be FATHOMED (3b)
• We have yet to explore all the sea floors on planet earth
• We have just begun to explore space
• But God is greater than all these things
2. His works span the GENERATIONS (4)
• God always has a faithful remnant
• We need to rest that the God’s Name will be glorified in all generations
• His works from creation onward are still taught 3,000 years after David penned these words.
3. His nature provokes discussion and CONTEMPLATION (5-6)
• I love the fact that I can always learn more about God
C. His Greatness is cause for CELEBRATION (7)
We should worship Yahweh because He is great.
II. Because Yahweh is GRACIOUS (8-12)
Grace means God is kindly toward us even though we do not deserve it.
Common Grace and Special Grace
A. He is COMPASSIONATE (8)
1. SLOW to anger (8a)
2. RICH in love (8b)
B. Good to ALL (9-12)
1. His goodness is broadcast by His SAINTS
2. So that all mankind will KNOW
We should worship Yahweh because He is gracious.
III. Because Yahweh is FAITHFUL (13-17)
A. Defined as KEEPING His Promises (13)
B. He EVIDENCES His Faithfulness (14-17)
1. HELPS (14)
2. PROVIDES (15-16)
3. ACTS righteously (17)
4.
We should worship Yahweh because He is faithful.
IV. Because Yahweh is PERSONABLE (18-20)
A. NEAR to all who call (18)
B. FULFILLS many of our desires (19)
C. WATCHES over us (20)
The Midrash states: "When the Jewish people fulfill G-d’s will, He looks at them with both eyes, as it is written: ’The eyes of the L-rd are directed toward the righteous.’ When they disobey Him, He looks at them with one eye, as it is written: ’The eye of the L-rd is directed toward those who fear Him.’ "
We should worship Yahweh because He is Personable.
