BIG IDEA: BECAUSE THE LORD MAJORS IN FORGIVENESS WE CAN
CONFIDENTLY WAIT FOR HIS ABUNDANT REDEMPTION
INTRODUCTION:
Many Aspects of Redemption:
positional redemption – we already have obtained this blessing
completion of our redemption – applies to even our bodies
Also
Many Applications of Redemption:
ultimately to the redemption of our souls
but also to deliverance from other types of trials and difficulties
I. (:1-4) THE LORD MAJORS IN FORGIVENESS
A. The Reason Why God Responds to Our Cries for Help
1. God wants us to Turn to Him when we are in Trouble
“Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord”
2. God Listens
“Lord, hear my voice!”
“Let Thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications”
Spurgeon: contrast between:
1) The depths from which prayer may arise
2) The heights to which prayer may ascend
B. The Only Basis for Hope
“If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?”
C. The Pivotal Point for Our Relationship with God
1. Forgiveness is Offered by God (Fundamental to His Character)
“But there is forgiveness with Thee”
2. Forgiveness Gives Us the Opportunity to Relate to God (Fundamental to Our Relationship with Him)
“That Thou mayest be feared”
II. (:5-8) WE CAN CONFIDENTLY WAIT FOR HIS ABUNDANT REDEMPTION
A. Resolved Steadfastness of Confidently Waiting
- “I wait for the Lord”
- “my soul does wait”
- “And in His word do I hope”
B. Heightened Expectation of Confidently Waiting
“My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning;”
“Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning”
those who guard a city, wait anxiously for the dawning of a new day and the safety it provides
C. Solid Grounds for Confidently Waiting
- “with the Lord there is lovingkindness”
- “And with Him is abundant redemption”
- “And He will redeem Israel From all his iniquities”
with us there is sin; but with the Lord there is forgiveness and lovingkindness
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) What would people say you major in? Complaining? Holding Grudges? Or do you major in Forgiveness in your relationship with others? “Forgive us
our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
2) How confident are we that the Lord hears our prayers? Why would we think that He would not hear us?
3) If God forgives us so readily, why are we so hard on ourselves or so hard on others? (cf. the parable of the servant who was released from his debt and then went out and was unmerciful to his debtors)
4) What does the psalmist mean by “abundant redemption”?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
