Why Bless The Lord?
Sunday June 8, 2008
Psalms 103:1-5 (KJV)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
We have come to the Lord’s house on another Sunday with a divine intent to give him praise honor and glory-----why because he kept us1
Millions didn’t make it but we are one of those who did---why, because God kept us!
In the past four months, we’ve seen on the news tens of thousands of people were victims of earthquakes cyclones and tornados from the America all the way through China and other remote parts of the world: God kept us!
Stray bullets fly every day in our city but we are here, why because he kept us!
So, do this for me “Repeat after me”:
God has kept me here for a reason!
I have survived because He has a plan for my life. (1)
All of my bad relationships, the bad credit, the repossessions,
The deaths of my loved ones, the back stabbing from my “so called friends”, the negative thoughts, or the lack of support:
I made it because I am one of the BLESSED!
I must Release and let go of all past hurts, misunderstandings, and grudges because I am abundantly blessed!
I now recognize them as the illusions they are, and were sent from the enemy to kill your spirit, steal your joy, and destroy your faith;
For GOD is all there is. All else is a lie!
Now give yourself a hug wipe your tears away and walk in victory!
Today it is our attempt to approach the word “bless or blessing” from a different angle
We come to church to get a blessing
We sing song like our hit song from 4 projects ago “The Lord is blessing me right now”
We tell people when they sneeze “God bless you”---and the thought behind that is that it is said for the moment you sneeze your heart stops beating so the blessing is to pronounce life
We get in the prayer line for a blessing
We follow the prophetic to get a blessing
We come to church to get a blessing
We give offerings to get a blessing
We seek the Lord’s face for a blessing
We pray for a blessing----------but how then can we BLESS THE BLESSER? (2)
HOW CAN WE BLESS THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS?
HOW CAN WE BLESS OUR MAKER, CREATER?
WE BLESS OTHERS REGULARLY
I CAN SAY RIGHT NOW----“I BLESS YOU BELOVED”
I BLESS SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON FOR FINALLY MAKING THE RIGHT MOVE
OF CORSE WE BLESS BARAK OBAMA IN HIS PURSUIT TO BECOME THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICER OF THIS COUNTRY
BUT HOW DO YOU BLESS THE LORD?
Thoughts of God’s grace parade before the soul of the singer.
The writer of our text is “God’s man”----his thoughts flow God -ward says Spurgeon as he thinks of the benefits he owes to God and the benefits he receives from God;
Hear him as he says “bless the Lord Oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord all my soul and forget not his benefits”
DON’T YOU DARE FORGET WHAT HE’S DONE FOR YOU, TO YOU AND THROUGH YOU! ------DON’T MAKE ME ANGRY---BECAUSE THE LORD HAS BEEN GOOD TO EVERYBODY UP IN HERE AND WE OWE HIM DEARLY---HGPTO
There’s not much else we can bring to God!
Can we offer him our money? He can create the galaxies of gold at his word if He wills.
Can we offer him our service? He has ministers and angelic hosts of state far greater and gifted than we that attend to his throne.
Can we offer him our abilities? ----actually they are already his for the writer of the Hebrews says in him we live, move and have our being (3)
There must be something in “blessing him” to wrought pure thanksgiving worship and praise!
BUT WHAT IS REALLY MENT BY THIS KING JAMES TERMINOLOGY OF BLESSING THE LORD
This book of Psalms is my favorite book of the bible---I read Psalms in the morning for devotion and I read “Proverbs in the evening” for wisdom
Psalms is a book of devotion
Psalms is a book of inspiration
Psalms is the hymn book of the bible
Psalm is an inspirational book
Psalms is an educational book
Psalms is the book of gathering
Psalms is a book of promises
Psalms is a book of edification
It’s actually 5 books in one-----or as we were taught in Bible College---1 book with 5 divisions
Division number 1----The Genesis book---Psalm 1-41
Division number 2----The Exodus book ---Psalm 42-72
Division number 3----The Numbers book---Psalms 73-89
Division number 4 ----The Leviticus Book- Psalms 90-106
Division number 5 ---The Deuteronomy Book – Psalms 107-150
There is no other book like the Psalms because they were written to be put to music-----so a person can remember verses of the psalms quicker than they can other verses of scripture
Psalm 1------Psalm 24----Psalm 34 ------Psalm 37 (4)
Psalm 51-------Psalm 100----Psalm 121-----Psalm 150
But here tucked away in Psalm ONE HUNDRED AND three a command is given----there is no option----its order----“BLESS THE LORD, OH MY SOUL”
This is the language of the King James “Bless the Lord”
What does it mean to “Bless the Lord?”
Bless is broad in its natural sense---
Bless means to sanctify
Bless means to applaud with high honor
Bless means to show approval
Bless means to exalt
And in knowing this it can be done in numerous ways
- IT CAN BE DONE IN OUR LIVING
God expects us to live the life prescribed for us even though we go through certain seasons
FIRST THERE IS THE SEASON OF ACCUSATION-----YOU DO KNOW THAT SATAN IS AN ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN
You bible readers will note Revelation chapter 12
Revelation 12:10-11 (KJV)
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (5)
The first step of the enemy is often to accuse you even of something you don’t even have a clue where it comes from.
But if we endure the accusations we will overcome and be able to BLESS THE LORD!
Satan who is the accuser no longer has access to God---so he keeps accusing us
SECONDLY THERE IS A SEASON OF CONDEMNATION-----ONCE YOU’VE BEEN ACCUSED, THEN WITHOUT RIGHT OR REASON SOMEBODY CONDEMNS YOU-----BUT YOU BLESS THE LORD WITH YOUR LIFE ANYHOW
Paul clarifies this point in Romans chapter 8 by saying “when we live for the Lord----we don’t have to deal with man’s condemnation
Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
LIVE THE LIFE---------WHEN WE DESERVE DEATH HIS GIVES US LIFE
• We deserved damnation but he established salvation
• We deserved condemnation he provided justification---my Sunday school teacher sad that justification was a big word for saying ‘just as if I never sinned!”
• We deserve death but he grants us eternal life
• We deserve punishment , he gives us love
• We deserve hell but he offers us heaven (6)
• We really deserve nothing he supplies us with everything!
THIRDLY THERE IS THE SEASON OF SEPERATION----IN EVERY ONE OF OUR LIVES-------EVERYDAY OF OUR LIVES, SATAN TRIES TO SEPERATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD-----PAUL BACKS ME UP IN ROMANS 8
The devil’s greatest joy is destroy our relationship with the Lord
Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
SO WE BLESS HIM EVEN IN THE PHASES OF OUR LIVES
- IT CAN BE DONE THROUGH OUR GIVING
When we are obedient to give the Lord both the tithes and the offerings---we obligate God to fulfill his promises of opening the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing
- When we sow seed , in the right ground with the right spirit, we are blessing the Lord------it’s as simple as when a waiter or waitress has been extra kind and attentive to you at a meal, 7)
- it is in order to bless them with what we call a tip----who then besides God has been more gracious and attentive that deserves to be blessed
- Jeremiah says had it not been for the Lord’s Mercies we would have been consumed---SO WE BLESS HIM THROUGH GIVING
- BUT HERE IN OUR TEXT---THE REFERENCE SEEMS TO SUGGEST THAT WHEN THE PSALMIST SPEAKS HERE ABOUT “BLESSING THE LORD”----HE’S SPEAKING---BLESS HIM IN OUR THANKSGIVING
Praise
Admiration
Extension of honor
Congratulations
Paying tribute to
Eulogizing---speaking well of
Commending
Honoring the Lord
Extolling the Lord
HE IS VERY CAREFUL AND CLEAR TO SAY THAT THIS IS A MUST-----WE WHY NOT WE BLESS EVERYBODYELSE
Emily Post in her book of etiquette says---you don’t go to a restaurant and be served without blessing the waiter or waitress and in the five star restaurants she suggests that that one should bless the materde’
You don’t use a sky cap at the airport without blessing them with something---and all they do is carry your bags
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You don’t go to the bar without blessing the bartender----whose only job is to fix your drink right
You don’t go a hotel without blessing the doorman and bellman that help you with your luggage
It is customary in the “bishopric” in England and Rome especially to kiss the ring of the highest ranking officers of the church
It’s the way we show courtesy to one another
I could rattle off a lot of things but my quest today is to give you four concrete reasons why we ought to bless the Lord.
Why we ought to applaud him
Why we ought to give him radical praise
Why we ought to show thanksgiving
Why we ought to salute him
Why we ought to appreciate him
All of the points are right here in the text;
1. BLESS HIM BECAUSE HE FORGIVES
WHEN HE FORGIVES YOU ARE MADE FREE
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Dr. Charles Stanley says that “FORGIVENESS IS THE ACT OF SEETING SOME FREE”
The text says, he forgives all of our iniquities
All of our evil
All of our wrong doing
All of our wickedness (9)
All of our injustice
All of our crime
BLESS HIM WHO WIPES OUR SLATE CLEAN
Come here Isaiah and help us our--------
Isaiah 53:6 (KJV)
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The word “iniquity” is a strong one---it does not mean mistakes but it refers to those things that we did intentionally
But yet when forgives our perversity and the “bentness” of our being because we don’t always walk straight and alert-----NOW WE HAVE OUR FIRST ITEM FOR PRAISE: FORGIVENESS!
WHY BLESS HIM-----BECAUSE HE FORGIVES, HE MAKES FREE!
WHY NOT BLESS HIM WHO FORGIVES OUR INQUITIES
In his forgiveness is enough compassion to love us
Enough grace to save us
Enough power to protect us
In his forgiveness is enough wisdom to instruct us
Enough word to teach us
Enough glory to crown us
Enough spirit to empower us
Enough presence to encourage us
WHY BLESS HIM?
In his forgiveness is enough angels to guard us
Enough promises to assure us (10)
Enough joy to delight us
Enough benefits to bless us
Enough peace to calm us
Enough holiness to beautify us
Enough abundance to supply us
Enough voice to comfort us
Enough victory to revive us
Enough manna to feed us
Enough treasure to enrich us
WE COME BEFORE GOD GUILTY BUT WHEN HE SETS US FREE---WE ARE A NEW PEOPLE---SO WE BLESS
SECONDLY
2. BLESS HIM BECAUSE HE HEALS
AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN MADE FREE THOUGH FORGIVENESS—YOU ARE MADE WELL THROUGH HEALING
Say that with me-----made free because he forgives
Made well because he heals
The Psalmist now if you will comes out of prison into the hospital; WHO HEALETH ALL OF OUR DISEASES------This verses does not just refer to the healing of the body but more so of the soul.
This is evident from the grammatical structure of the sentence.
Pronouns are nouns which stand for another noun.
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In this verse the pronoun stands for the noun soul----notice carefully what David is saying ….He is saying Bless the Lord Oh my soul…who health all thine (soul’s) diseases
Psalm 107:20 says he sent his Soul and healed them. His Own Word is the “Medicine” ----it heals the souls diseases
The soul indeed has diseases, just like the body. GUILY, FEAR, DOUBT, DEPRESSION, ANGER, LUST HATE SPITE AND GREED ARE SOME OF THEM
Modern day Physiatrists and Physicians are now telling us that these things can kill us. They can be linked directly to certain diseases and disorders of the body which they cause and aggravate
The doctors job is provide medicine, prescription but it’s only Jehovah Rophe ----Our God who does the healing!
BUT I WANT TO SOUND LIKE ONE OF THE OLD SAINTS----------AIN’T IT GOOD TO KNOW THAT THE LORD HEALS???----HGPTO
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE OTHER THAN ME WHO HASA HEALING TESTIMONY OR SAW GOD TURN SICKNESS INTO HEALINGFOR SOMEBODYELSE?
THIRDLY
3. BLESS HIM BECAUSE HE REDEEMS
AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN MADE FREE THROUGH FORGIVENESS
MADE WELL THROUGH HEALING
THEN YOU ARE MADE RIGHT THROUGH REDEMPTION
SAY IT WITH ME; (12)
MADE FREE
MADE WELL
MADE RIGHT
VERSE 4
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies?
The text says he “redeemeth thy life from destruction” or as it can be rendered “He redeemeth your life from going to waste”
We have left the courtroom, left the hospital now the psalmist takes us to the pawnshop
Here comes a wretched man, utterly destitute. Over the years he had taken one prize possession “a ring” or perhaps a necklace
Through all the years of life’s hardships he has managed to keep it because it holds memories of the pastor and hope for the future.
Hard times hit him---he has come to end of all other resources and needs money.
There is but one thing to do, sell it to the pawn shop---then perhaps he can get it back when things got better for him.
So this destitute man goes in and lets the agent examine it only to find out it was very valuable indeed
Assuring himself that he could one day buy it back---he makes a deal-----he gets a pittance for his ring and a ticket to certify the transaction. Up to the date the ticket could buy back the ring for the amount of the loan plus interest.
The date for the redemption draws near but this pauper has been foolishly optimistic-----THE DATE ARRIVES----HE GOES INTO THE PAWNSHOP LEADING FOR MORE TIME--- 13)
ASKING FOR BETTER TERMS----THE OWNER OF THE PAWNSHOP WAS NOT MOVED BECAUSE HE HAD HEARD SIMILAR STORIES LIKE THIS BEFORE.
The man comes back to the pawnshop the next day after the deadline and sees his ring laid on a black velvet cloth in the window bearing a tag that is one hundred times more than what he was given
Listen, it can be redeemed but what a cost and certainly not by him!
This is the way it is with us. Sin as we know it makes paupers of us---our lives are scared and ruined, pawned for pittance---BUT JESUS CAME INTO THE PAWNSHOP OF LIFE AND AT CALVARY---HE PAYS THE REDEMPTION PRICE -----AND HOW GREAT A PRICE IT WAS.
HE REDEEMED OUR LIVES FOR DESTRUCTION----WE CAN BLESS HIM FOR THAT
Another simple illustration for those listening to me----is that we used to collect S& H green stamps, fill up a book and go to a redemption center and get whatever we wanted----it’s called redemption
We are converted
We have experienced a great exchange
We have been liberated
We have been released
Anybody convinced yet---that your redemption alone is enough reason to BLESS THE LORD-----FINALLY
4. BLESS HIM BECAUSE HE SATISFIES!
Finally you have been made free because he forgives
You have been made well because he heals
You have been made right because he redeems
Then you are made full because he satisfies (14)
Hear the closing verse for today that is----
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
THERE IS NOBODY IN HEAR OR UNDER THE SOUND OF MY VOICE WHO HAVE ANY REASON NOT TO BLESS THE LORD! ----HGPTO
HE FORGIVES
HE HEALS
HE REDEEMS
HE SATISFIES
Satisfaction is defined by the recipient----the one on the receiving end has to declare their satisfaction of a thing
When I was taking my profienciency test at Washburn Trade school of culinary arts----my assignment was to prepare “cream of leek soup” for the class----- I was been judged by Chef Martin and Chef Demark---the class were all ready to taste my wares
I took my time followed the steps-------the pot had too many lumps in it-----they marked it and said to me Chef Trotter---UNSATISFACTORY!
The second batch was a little too spicy----they dumped it out and said to me Chef Trotter---UNSATISFACTORY!
But the third batch , I took my time , chopped the leeks fine mixed in the béchamel sauce, poured in the puree, set it at the right temperature------when all things were ready------the chef and the class all said together ----we have dined sufficiently-------AND THE HEAD CHEF FROM THE PALMER HOUSE --------HE SHOUTED AT THE TOP OF HIS VOICE----SATISFIED! (15)
Well I came here to tell you I know of one who you don’t have to go through trials and errors
You don’t have to say go do it again because when does it---he immediately satisfies.
The text even suggest that he satisfies so well until those who are old in body or spirit will be renewed like that of an eagle
There is no unsatisfaction in him---therefore if I believe that he going to make me full----I ought to bless him in advance!
You have been made free because he forgives---BLESS HIM
You have been made well because he heals-------BLESS HIM
You have been made right because he redeems---BLESS HIM
Then you are made full because he satisfies----BLESS HIM
BLESS HIM BECAUSE HE MANIFESTS HIS MERCY
BLESS HIM BECAUSE HE MEASURES HIS MERCY
BLESS HIM BECAUSE HE MULTIPLIES HIS MERCY
BLESS HIM BECAUSE MAINTINS HIS MERCY
Psalms 103:1-13 (KJV)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (16)
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
We must bless him because there is no other Shepherd that is so concerned (17)
We must bless him because there is no other physician that is more through
We must bless him because there is no other source that is so dependable
We must bless him because there is no other fountain that is so refreshing
We must bless him because there is no other comfort that is so assuring
We must bless him because there is no other help that is so reliable
We must bless him because there is no other lover that is so wonderful
We must bless him because there is no other deliver that is so complete
We must bless him because there is no other authority that is so final
We must bless him because there is no other guide that is so sure
We must bless him because there is no other light that is so pure
We must bless him because there is no other counselor that is so wise
We must bless him because there is no other touch that is so inspiring
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We must bless him because there is no other savior that is sacrificial
SO WE UNDERSTAND YOU DAVID---WHEN YOU SAY
Psalms 16:7 (KJV)
7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
Then in Deuteronomy 8:10 (KJV)
10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Then in Judges 5:9 (KJV)
9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.
Back to David Psalms 26:12 (KJV)
12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
Anybody in here got something to bless him for----close us out David;
Psalms 34:1-3 (KJV)
1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalms 34:4-10 (KJV)
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. (19)
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
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