Time for God to Act
Part 16
Sermon Series: A Word about the Word
Date: August 17, 2003 P.M. Service
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Psalm 119:121-128
Introduction
In this section of the 119th psalm, we find the psalmist’s situation has not changed any if at all.
He still has vengeful, persistent enemies around him in hot pursuit.
· As we read this section of the psalm we can truly see the psalmist’s impatience setting in.
· Lets be honest for a moment, every one of us has been to this point.
· We get fed up. “Enough is enough”
Remember Popeye right before he would eat his spinach he would say; “I’ve had all I can stand and I can’t stand no more.”
Remember this psalm is a continuous prayer to the Lord.
So first the psalmist makes…
I. Sensible Supplication
In the last section of this psalm we saw how the writer reveres God and we see again here in this section. He has an understanding of who God is and he knows who he is and this rings him to respond and request with a special kind of humility.
A. Appeals for Security from God.
1. v. 121 “I have done judgment and justice; leave me not to mine oppressors.”
2. The first part of this verse speaks of the age old problem; “I have done what is right so why am I suffering” and “Why are people opposing me.”
3. The psalmist says he is living a righteous life but there are those who still oppose him.
4. Why do we experience difficulties and why do we experience persecution even when we are doing right and treating people justly? Why do the godly suffer?
5. In the short term we may never know. Our human minds may never truly understand
6. But we must remember God has not left us alone. But we can say like Paul after praying three times for the thorn in the flesh to be removed; “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for in Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
7. In our difficulties, persecutions and trials, our hearts are open and become more sensitive to God’s Word and to God’s will.
If we never had a problem we might never turn to God.
Next... HE …
B. Accepts Surety from God
1. v. 122 “Be surety for thy servant for good; let not the proud oppress me.”
2. Having done what is right he asks God to do for him what he knows he cannot.
3. Surety means security against loss or damage.
4. Surety also refers to a guarantee.
5. Even when there are those that oppose the godly, like the psalmist, our surety our guarantee is the Lord.
6. The psalmist prays “God you be the surety and guarantee to see me through this.”
7. Notice he does not tell God how to handle the oppressors; he leaves that up to the Lord.
Next the psalmist…
C. Awaits Salvation from God
1. v. 123 Mine eyes fail for Thy salvation, and for the word of Thy righteousness.”
2. How many of us can say we have faith like this?
3. Not many. Most of us would say; “My eyes fail from looking at the circumstances.”
4. Our eyes like the writer must stay constinant and focused on the Lord.
5. Remember He is our surety, He is our help.
Next notice how the psalmist prays. He prays as a …
II. Submissive Servant vv. 124-125
Verse 124 speaks of his…
A. Pity
1. v. 124 “Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy; and teach me Thy statutes.”
2. The writer uses the word servant referring to himself three times in these eight verses.
3. He sees himself as a owned by God and desires to be taught by God’s Word.
4. In difficult times we must desire to be told what we should do rather than telling God what we expect.
5. Jimmy Draper says “the psalmist links the need for mercy with the need to grasp the laws of God. Mercy and morality go together. God’s grace and God’s principles of living go hand and hand. The more God does in our lives, the more we want to ascertain what God says and requires. The more God moves in us, the more we want clear instruction from Him.”
Verse 125 refers to…
B. Perception
1. v.125 “I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.”
2. Again the writer speaks for himself as a servant.
a. This is his relationship with God.
b. He is God’s servant and has work he must do, and asks his master to teach him, and to give him understanding.
3. I have said this many, many times, God wants our willingness to be obedient to His will before He discloses His will.
4. It seems that the psalmist is saying “God I desire to do your will, I desire to serve you, show me how.”
Last the psalmist sends forth a…
III. Significant Statement
Verse 126 seems to present a…
A. Threat
1. v. 126 “It is time for Thee, Lord to work; for they have made void Thy law.”
2. Why is it now time for God to act?
a. Because those that have oppressed him have made God’s word void. They have pushed God out and have set His Word aside.
3. Does this sound like our day and time?
4. The world around us has pushed God’s Word to the back burner or even off the stove.
5. It is time for the righteous to call on God to act.
6. How will God act?
a. Rapture- take His church out of this world.
b. Ruin- He might bring a devastating social or economic situation.
c. Revival-He might bring great revival and a spiritual awakening in a time of evil and wickedness.
7. Jimmy Draper says; “When we tell God it is time for Him to act, we had better be on certain ground. It takes a very special individual; one who lives close to God, to make an appeal of that nature, only one who walks in fellowship and obedience to God can expect God to work.”
These last two verses are beautiful statements.
· The more the world sets aside the Word of God the more believers should cherish and hold dear to it.
· The more the world ignores it, the more we should submit to it.
· The more the world disregards it, the more we should apply it to every aspect of our lives.
The psalmist speaks of God’s Word as a…
B. Treasure of God’s Word
1. v. 127 “Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”
2. This verse puts a monetary value on God’s Word.
3. Here the psalmist is like a prospector who has struck it rich.
4. He says he desires God’s Word rather than the world’s wealth.
5. As believers we have the greatest of treasures at our disposal.
Next the writer speaks of the…
C. Truth of God’s Word
1. v. 128 “Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”
2. This verse puts a moral value on the Word of God.
3. God’s Word is always right, whether we understand it or believe it.
4. There used to be a saying; “God’s Word says it, I believe it, that settles it.”
5. It does not matter whether I believe it or not. God’s Word is the truth, and it settles it.
As I see it our problem, as Christians, is not whether we believe God’s Word or not, the problem is whether we will obey it or not.
God’s Word is worth investing our lives in. God’s work is worth investing our lives in also.
Invitation
Has God’s Word spoken to you this day? If it has be obedient to His call.
