BIG IDEA:
WE CAN BLESS THE LORD FOR HIS BLESSINGS BECAUSE:
OUR GOD IS IN THE HEAVENS AND HE DOES WHATEVER HE PLEASES
INTRODUCTION:
Often we live as if we are lost, stumbling around, powerless, overwhelmed by the world around us. Part of our problem is we have forgotten where our God is. In this psalm, we are reminded that "Our God is in the heavens and He does whatever He pleases!"
(vs.3) What a reason for celebration and Thanksgiving!
The world worships idols of their own creation: these may be idols of materialism, idols of sports heros, idols of religious formality -- all sorts of idols. But
they all have one thing in common: these idols are powerless to impart any type of blessing. This psalm provides one of the most graphic comparisons between the power of the true God and the helplessness of manmade idols.
The world will taunt us with mocking questions like: "Where now is your God?"
They will point to the gods created by their own hands and boast about how impressive they are. But their gods ultimately fall on their faces and break into pieces like Dagon before the ark of the covenant in 1 Samuel 5.
WE CAN BLESS THE LORD FOR HIS BLESSINGS BECAUSE:
OUR GOD IS IN THE HEAVENS AND HE DOES WHATEVER HE PLEASES
THREE COMPARISONS:
I. (:1-7) GOD VS. IDOLS
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE GLORY AND POWER OF THE TRUE GOD
AND THE FUTILITY OF IDOLS
A. (:1) God Deserves Glory Because of His Character
1. God deserves glory, not us
2. His character:
Lovingkindness
Truth
B. (:2-3) God Alone Dwells in the Realm of Absolute Sovereignty
1. Essence of Foolishness = Mocking God’s ability to bless His people."Why should the nations say, ‘Where now is their God?’"
2. Essence of Wisdom = Understanding and Submitting to God’s Absolute Sovereignty
"But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases"
Would you rather have: an ace in the hole, or a God in the heavens?
C. (:4-7) Idols Have Only the Appearance of Life and Power
1. Introduction:
a. Made from inferior materials = silver and gold
not often are these valuable commodities used to portray lack of value!
b. Made by inferior craftsmen = "the work of man’s hands"
No surprise that idols cannot rival God
2. Mouths: "but cannot speak"
3. Eyes: "but they cannot see"
4. Ears: "but they cannot hear"
5. Noses: "but they cannot smell"
6. Hands: "but they cannot feel"
7. Feet: "but they cannot walk "
8. Conclusion: "they cannot make a sound with their throat"
lifeless and powerless
Why put your trust in such idols??
II. (:8-15) BELIEVERS IN GOD VS. BELIEVERS IN IDOLS
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE BLESSING OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN
THE TRUE GOD AND THE FUTILITY OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN IDOLS
A. (:8) Futility of Those Who Trust in Idols
"will become like them" = lifeless and powerless
you become like whom you worship: values, etc.
B. (:9-15) Blessing of Those Who Trust in the True God.1. Identification of the Believers:
a. Israel
b. House of Aaron
c. All who fear the Lord
2. Description of the Blessings
a. Protection: "He is their help and their shield"
b. Providential Care: "The Lord has been mindful of us"
c. Provision
"He will bless us"
"the small together with the great" – no Partiality
3. (:14-15) Desire for the Blessings
"May the Lord give you increase"
"May you be blessed of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth"
III. (:16-18) THE LIVING VS. THE DEAD
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PRAISE AFFORDED
THE LIVING AND THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITY AFFORDED THE DEAD
A. Abode: Heavens vs. Earth
B. Opportunity for Praise
Application: Therefore, "Praise the Lord!"
CONCLUSION:
cf. The type of analysis done on TV on the pregame show before an NFL football
game:
TEAM A VS. TEAM B
OFFENSE advantage
DEFENSE advantage
SPECIAL TEAMS even even
COACHING advantage
INTANGIBLES advantage
Try that type of analysis for God vs. Idols!
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) In what ways are those who worship idols instead of the true God, like the idols they make?
2) What do people find about idols that is more appealing than the love, mercy and faithfulness of God?
3) Trusting God for His help and protection is seen in a national, family and personal context in this psalm, and is an evidence of our respect for Him. Is there a direct correlation between an increased trust in God and an increased respect for who He is? Or can one respect God without trusting in Him?
4) Are you to expect success and God’s blessing if you respect Him? If your business, family, marriage or health fails, is this a reflection of God no longer blessing you?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
