THE DELIGHT OF THE LORD
Psalm 147:11 - 15
11 The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. 12 Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion, 13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. 14 He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. 15 He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
I. HE DELIGHTS IN PROTECTING HIS PEOPLE
13a [NIV] for he strengthens the bars of your gates. . .
[LB] He has fortified your gates against all your enemies.
The only way anything, or anyone can come in is by our unlocking the gates!
a) THE PROTECTION OF HIS TRUTH
Psalm 91:4 [AMP] His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and buckler.
b) THE PROTECTION OF HIS PRESENCE
II Chronicles 16:9 [NIV] The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
[GNB] The Lord keeps close watch over the whole world, to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to Him.
II. HE DELIGHTS IN PROSPERING HIS PEOPLE
13b . . . and blesses your people within you. {Lit: to cause to prosper}
a) PROSPERITY LINKED TO OUR OBEDIENCE
Psalm 1:3b Whatever he does prospers.
Who is this man? V2 his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
What is the prosperity? It is of an eternal nature, not just for time!
b) PROSPERITY LINKED WITH OUR SOULS PROSPERITY
III John v2 [Wey] My dear friend, I pray that you may in all respects prosper and enjoy good health, just as your soul already prospers.
III. HE DELIGHTS IN MAKING PEACE FOR HIS PEOPLE
14a He grants peace to your borders . . .
a) PEACE THE RESULT OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD’S LAW
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
b) PEACE THE RESULT OF OUR STABILITY IN GOD
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you
IV. HE DELIGHTS IN PROVIDING FOR HIS PEOPLE
14b and satisfies you with the finest of wheat
a) GOD’S PROVISION RELATES TO OUR GIVING
Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
b) GOD’S PROVISION IS JESUS
John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
We need to take of the very nature of Christ and make it ours!
Cp. 2 Peter 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
V. HE DELIGHTS IN PROCLAIMING TO HIS PEOPLE
15 He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
a) WE NEED TO STORE GOD’S WORD
Deuteronomy 11:18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
b) WE SHOULD DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
