Bless God
Date: 10 February, 2022
Text: Psalm 103
Title: Remember His Blessings
Introduction:
ill. I don't know about you, but I've been encouraged recently by the increasing day light hours.
- It is now light after 5PM - wow!
- Better than that is the the sun is rising higher in the skies - shorter shadows.
- We will really get excited when that day light brings heat.
note: Our text - Psalm 103 - is refreshing in a similar way.
- There is a lot of light in this Psalm.
- God is lifted up on High - soul refreshment.
- There is a warming of our souls as we reflect on these truths.
exp. In this text - David encouraged himself in 2 ways - The LORD's person and the Lord's work.
1) He encouraged his soul to bless God for WHO HE IS.
1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
def. BLESS THE LORD - Bless God as an act of adoration, praise, salute, thank....
ill. New Housing Scheme - going into the farm fields by our house.
- It's going to happen, so we may as well enjoy it.
- I've been blessing their work this week.
- speaking praise to their powerful machinery. (2 men doing with machines what.....)
- speaking about how cool it is to have an unrestricted view.
- speaking about the excitement of change and our stadium view of the building project.
- It's been fun to walk out their with the boys and stand in awe of what's been accomplished.
exp. David is sitting down to gaze with amazement at God.
- He's not a casual observer.
- His heart and soul is being stirrred up, "My soul, ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME...."
app. As we open this text, I encourage you to give yourself the same admonition. God does want us to bless him with words. HE WANTS US TO BLESS HIM FROM OUR HEARTS.
Jesus said in - John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
transition: David encouraged himself to Bless God for WHO HE IS.
2) He encouraged his soul to bless God for what He has done.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
note: Sadly as human being we sometimes have to lose what we have to understand what we had.
- We complain about the weather being cold and cloudy (Then God whither's our goard.)
- We complain about a little ache or pain (Then we have a major health crisis.)
ill. In 2015 - Britain was listed as the 5th richest country in the world.
....we have more things and money than the majority population of the world.
- We complain about cost of living (But have no idea of the poverty of the rest of the world.)
exp. We tend to complain when...
WE OUGHT RATHER REFLECT ON GOD'S GOODNESS and PRAISE HIM.
hymn: Johnson Oatman Jr. wrote the Hymn, Count Your Many Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
app. It is good for us to stop and think - WHAT SHOULD I THANK GOD FOR TODAY.
The sun shines in your soul, when you remember WHO GOD IS, and What He's done.
exp. Are you praising the Lord regularly? You will be if you are living in soul sunshine.
PRAYER - Psalm 103
I. Bless the LORD for what He does.
exp. IF YOU ARE BLESSING GOD for what He does, you may be in the minority.
ill. Jesus performed incredible miracles in his earthly ministry. Some of those who were healed blessed Him, others did not.
Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
exp. Only 1 out of 10 men stopped to bless God for His goodness.
app. God help us to be like the Samaritan. WHEN GOD GIVES IT - THANK GOD FOR IT.
BLESS THE LORD FOR WHAT HE DOES......
A. He forgives us.
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
def. iniquities: Perversities, faults, evil
def. Forgiveth - to pardon, to spare (GOD IS THE ONE WHO PARDONS OUR SINS.)
ill. As a teenager - on a very cold night I put a very long scratch in Jim's car.
- I had transgressed against Jim - Jim very kindly pardoned my transgression.)
note: When we sin - it is us (thine iniquities) committing sin against God.
ill. David killed Uriah and committed adultery with his wife, but his sin was against God.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
ill. when Joseph was tempted by Potipher's wife - he didn't want to sin against God - not potipher.
Gen 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
note: Our sin which is against God - is punishable by death.
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die...
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
exp. What should happen because of our sin - IS ETERNAL DEATH IN HELL.
BUT BECAUSE GOD IS A FORGIVING GOD, HE IS WILLING TO PARDON US.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
note: God could punish us - but God is willing to pardon us - HE FORGIVES US.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
app. We shouldn't go a single day without blessing God for His forgiveness. (Every time you taste His forgiveness BLESS HIM for his benefits.)
B. He heals us.
...who healeth all thy diseases;
exp. God has power over disease and is the healer.
ill. Jesus in his earthly ministry demonstrated that He was the great Physician and that he had power over all illness.
- He healed the blind, lame, parlytics, lepers, deaf, dumb, dead raised to life again....
now: Is God going to heal us of EVERY disease? No, God may allow infirmity and death.
ill. Paul prayed 3 times to be healed of this thorn in the flesh.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
ill. Paul recommended medicine for Timothy's ailments. (And no doubt prayed for God's healing.)
1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
ill. Epaphroditus - was healed - but Paul conceded that God didn't have to heal him.
Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
ill. Just over a week ago and good friend of our's buried his wife. We prayed (rightly so) for God to heal her and I believe God extended her life.
WHEN SHE DIED SHE WAS COMPLETELY HEALED BY GOD.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
HE DOES HEAL ALL OUR DISEASES AS BELIEVERS - ULTIMATELY
exp. All healing is an act of God. We ought to praise God for it - additionally.....
question: Does a believer need to fear illness and can a believer trust God with his health?
Psalm 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
exp. Our world is not just in a pandemic, but in a panicdemic. We ought not be.
app. Our confidence is in the power of God over illness and we praise Him for it.
C. He protects us.
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
exp. God expecially watches over the physical safety of His children.
ill. When my wife and I were engaged - she went on a mission trip to NYC. I claimed....
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
exp. I couldn't watch over her, but God was.
ill. Returning home from church - Lapeer Road
ill. I've been traveling at 75 MPH pulling a 35 foot trailer - traffic stopped.
ill. Another time a wheel blew and shredded in Indianapolis 4 lanes of traffic.....
app. When God does that, we ought to bow our heads bless the God who protects us. We ought to be mindful or our need for his watchcare and thank Him regularly for watching over us.
D. He blesses us.
...who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
exp. God doesn't just give us what we need, he often gives us what we want or enjoy.
ill. My freshman year at BJU, I had a roommate in love with his fiance - I watched this roommate use pipe cleaners and mirrors to make art for his fiance. They were in love and when you are in love - you do things to demonstrate your love.
question: Since we demonstrate our love, shouldn't we expect God to do the same?
ill. When I graduated from High School - my grandparents gave me wall art with a verse.
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
ill. I love the outdoors and would often go out looking for deer with my dad. Many times in Scotland when I've been walking and having prayer time - I've seen deer and thanked God for His goodness - HE KNOWS THAT I ENJOY THAT.
exp. God loves us - He blesses us - we ought to bless Him for his goodness.
Son 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
app. Do you often find yourself saying, "God you know I enjoy that. Thank you for the special blessings you put into my life." Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.
E. He renews us.
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
exp. God put things we like to eat into our mouth and renews our strength.
Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
ill. In both these passages there is the idea of an eagle soaring above it all. (The bald eagle has made an amazing comeback in the States. Bald Eagles would migrate through our area.)
- I've seen eagles eating fish on the ice (grabbed from an opening in the ice.)
- I've watched them circling high above - locking talons and falling
- Incredibly powerful bird - a symbol of strength
exp. I love the internal power of God to work where we can't work - make us strong inside.
ill. Many times in life - we feel like we can't continue - (Calling for meetings....) I told the Lord I'm not going to do this tomorrow - I can't - but God changed my heart and gave me grace.....
app. When God RENEWS US, we need to bless His name. Praise Him for giving us His strength.
F. He defends us. (defence attorney/ prosecution)
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
exp. God is the one who rights wrongs that take place in our life.
Deu 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Proverbs 23:10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
ill. Our school in California was being wrongly taken before the city council where the neighbours were insisting that we spend a lot of money on zoning improvements.
- Mr. Flipavitch was a leader against us.
- I remember sitting at the city council meeting (many of our students were there) and hearing Mr. Flipavitch say - "I don't think they need to do...." and totally changing the meeting.
exp. God defended us. We praised his name.
app. We can get upset at injustices, or we can remember that God will work it out. We ought rather bless his name for defending us.
G. He enlightens us.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
exp. We do not deserve to know God. It is only because God has made Himself known to us.
ill. When and how did God bring you into contact with His truth?
- I grew up in a Baptist minister's home. I've been under the preaching and teaching of God's word my whole life.
- I personally put my faith in Jesus as a child.
- God has taught me so much about Himself and I'm still learning.
- I have a Bible which I get to read - THE VERY WORD OF GOD. PRAISE GOD!!!!!
app. Whatever your story is - you ought to praise God that....
- He has made Himself known to you - YOU KNOW GOD OR CAN KNOW HIM.
transition: David has been focusing on - BLESS THE LORD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE.
He forgives us, heals us, protects us, blesses us, renews us, defends us, enlightens us.....
NOTE: Now he is going to switch to bless God for who he is.
II. Bless the LORD for Who He is.
exp. The strength of what He has done is built upon the character of who He is.
note: We are going to hit the fast forward button a bit and just highlight these truths.
A. The LORD is merciful.
1. He is longsuffering.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
exp. If God wasn't long suffering - He could have destroyed men as soon as they sinned.
ill. I've witnessed to people who blasphemed God.
exp. If God was like them, they wouldn't be in front of me cursing His name.
app. We ought to praise God that He is long suffering.
2. He is restorative.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
exp. God will discipline and take care of our disobedience. But, he will also restore us.
Psa 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
ill. I didn't like getting a smacking as a child, but I loved the restoration afterwards.
(A warm embrace and forgiveness and encouragement to do what is right)
Lam 3:33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
app. He will do what is best for us not what we want so that we can get back to blessing.
3. He is forgiving.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
exp. Never say, I want what I deserve. If we got what we deserved it is hell. But, instead God overs us forgiveness.
a. He is compassionately forgiving.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
exp. God is incredibly compassion and has an abundance of mercy.
ill. Duncan Campbell - tells a story about preaching near a dance - the dance ended because the young people came to church - one young girl fell on the steps by the platform and cried out, "Is there mercy for me? Is there mercy for me?"
app. Praise God - there is mercy for you. IT IS AS HIGH AS THE HEAVENS - for those in fear of God.
b. He is completely forgiving.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
ill. I praise God that it didn't not say - North and South.
exp. If you go to the North Pole - you can only go one direction when you leave - South. It is the same with the South Pole - Norht and South are connected.
East and West are not connected. If you go East you continually go east - If you go West - you continually go West - THAT IS HOW FAR GOD REMOVES OUR SIN.
app. Young person or adult, do not let Satan bind you with past sins. If God took it away - he put it so far away that you can know for sure THE STAIN OF IT WAS FULLY REMOVED.
transition: The LORD is merciful.
B. The LORD is caring.
exp. God is not without emotion.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
A. He is our heavenly Father.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
ill. I care a lot about my kids.
- If they are ill - I'm anxious until they are better.
- If they are worried - I want to console them.
- If they are bullied - I want to take care of the bully.
- I dont want to push them beyond their means - but I want them to develop.
- I want them to be balanced - emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually....
exp. A child who (rightly or wrongly) thinks his parents don't care or understand is burdened.
app. Are you unnecessarily burdened today? Cast your care on Him - He cares for you.
B. He is our sympathetic creator.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
exp. Jesus hasn't forgotten the building material He used to make us.
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
app. Do you feel weak today? - you are just dust - God hasn't forgotten that. He isn't going to put more on us than we are able to bear.
transition: The LORD is mercifuly, caring.....
C. The LORD is covenant keeping.
ill. Marriage - is a covenant relationship - between man and wife - before God.
A mortgage - is a covenant agreement - between man and bank.
A contract - is a covenant agreement - between employee and boss.
exp. Because we are finite - these agreements can be broken or have term limitations.
(Even a good marriage covenant is broken by death.)
GOD WILL NEVER BREAK HIS COVENANTS.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
exp. If you want eternal righteousness - you can have it if your fear God and agree to His covenant.
- The Philippian Jailer feared God as he almost committed suicide.
Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
- The wicked murderers of Jesus feared God as Peter preached.
Acts 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
app. His righteousness and mercy is FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING. (ETERNAL)
THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD TERM LIMITATION OF GOD'S COVENANT.
D. The LORD is sovereign.
exp. God is over all. He is over heaven and earth.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
exp. There are many reasons why the sun may not be shining in my life.
- I've got bills, health needs, relationship problems, sin issues, aches and pains....
- The economy, the goverment, natural disasters, wars, pandemics.....
question: Since God is over everything - should I PRAISE HIS NAME AND REJOICE?
CONCLUSION:
- I'm not sure what David was facing when he penned this Psalm.
- I'm pretty sure he was facing a difficult time and needed the spiritual sun to shine.
- He commanded his soul TO PRAISE GOD
- FOR HIS MANY BENEFITS
- FOR WHO HE IS.
Are you doing to same today? (If not, I would imagine that spiritually you are in a dark place.)
The sun shines in your soul, when you remember WHO GOD IS, and What He's done.
Are you praising Him for what He has done?
He forgives us, heals us, protects us, blesses us, renews us, defends us, enlightens us.....
Are you praising Him for who He is?
Merciful
Caring
Covenant Keeping
Sovereign
If you don't know the Lord as your personal Saviour, let today be the day....
- You get to know God
- And the day you begin to see what He has done.
