Draw Near - Aug. 6th, 2023

Formal Elements / Descriptive Data:

Text: Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 (KJV)

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Central Idea of the Text (CIT): The psalmist praises the Lord's attributes of compassion, mercy, goodness, righteousness, and nearness to those who call upon Him, while also acknowledging His judgment upon the wicked.

Proposition: The sermon will focus on the devotional objective, calling for the congregation to cultivate a deeper relationship with God by seeking His presence, praising Him, and placing their trust in His righteous and merciful nature.

Statement of Purpose: (1) Major Objective (MO): Devotional (2) Specific Objective (SO): I want my hearers to develop a deeper personal connection with God, understanding His attributes and responding with praise, trust, and prayerful dependence.

Title (Topic/Name): "Drawing Near: Embracing God's Attributes"

Introduction:

Turn in your Bibles to Psalm 145. This beautiful passage paints a vivid picture of our gracious and compassionate Lord, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. Tonight, we will explore these divine attributes and seek to draw near to the heart of God.

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

Psalm 145:8–9 KJV 1900

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.

Psalm 145:14–21 KJV 1900

14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; And thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: But all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Sub-intro:

Throughout Book 5 of the Psalms (Pss. 107–145), we see the recurring theme of blessing for the nations. Unlike Books 1–4, where this motif is concentrated, Book 5 scatters the emphasis on blessing for the nations from the beginning to the end. The global focus is evident in David's expressed intention to praise and sing about the Lord among the nations and peoples (Psalm 108:3). This intention arises from the expansive nature of God's love and faithfulness, reaching higher than the heavens and extending to the skies (Psalm 108:4).

David passionately desires that the worship of God be as vast as His love and faithfulness. He prays for God's exaltation above the heavens and His glory to cover all the earth (Psalm 108:5). Just as in Psalms 96 and 98, David's prayer is that the nations, along with the entire cosmic order, will be filled with the glory of God.

Even in the shortest psalm, Psalm 117, the theme of God's blessing for the nations is evident. The nations are invited to praise and exalt the Lord, recognizing His love and faithfulness toward Israel as a pledge of His generosity and justice for all humanity. The apostle Paul also echoes this understanding in Romans 15:11, celebrating God's inclusion of the nations in His blessings.

David reiterates this theme in Psalm 138, praying that the kings of the earth will praise the Lord upon hearing His words. The Lord's ways, including His mighty acts like the Exodus, are intended for the benefit of the entire human race. David's prayer arises from the recognition of the greatness of God's glory, a glory so immense that it transcends the boundaries of Israel and encompasses all the nations (Psalm 138:5b).

Body - Development - Outline:

I. The Lord's Attributes: A Glimpse of His Character (Psalm 145:8-9)

Psalm 145:8–9 KJV 1900

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.

EXPLANATION: In these verses, the psalmist extols the Lord's graciousness, compassion, and overflowing mercy. We see a God who is good to all, extending His tender mercies over His creation.

Historical Context -

The historical context of Psalm 145 is not explicitly mentioned within the psalm itself, as it lacks specific details regarding the author or the circumstances of its composition. However, based on its content and style, scholars believe that Psalm 145 was likely written during the time of King David or one of his descendants, making it part of the broader collection of Davidic Psalms.

Psalm 145 is categorized as an acrostic psalm, meaning each verse (or set of verses) begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. However, Psalm 145 deviates from the strict acrostic pattern, as the Hebrew letter "nun" is missing in some manuscripts.

Given its inclusion in the Book of Psalms, which is attributed to multiple authors over a long period, the historical context of Psalm 145 can be understood within the broader context of ancient Israel's worship and devotion to God.

The themes present in Psalm 145, such as praising God for His attributes of compassion, mercy, goodness, righteousness, and nearness to His people, align with the recurring motifs found throughout the Psalms. Many of the Psalms were composed to be used in public or private worship, expressing the deep emotions, struggles, and praises of the people of Israel as they sought to connect with God.

As for the specific historical events that may have inspired the writing of Psalm 145, we can only speculate based on the general themes it addresses. The psalmist's praise of God's compassion, mercy, and nearness may have been prompted by experiences of divine deliverance, answered prayers, or a national remembrance of God's faithfulness to Israel.

While the precise historical context of Psalm 145 remains unknown, its themes and structure indicate that it was written as a part of Israel's worship and devotion to God, possibly during the time of King David or one of his descendants. The psalmist's heartfelt expression of praise and adoration reflects the enduring relationship between the people of Israel and their Creator throughout their history.

ILLUSTRATION: Think of a time when you experienced the compassion of God through a difficult situation, or when you witnessed His goodness in someone else's life.

One historical figure who experienced the compassion of God through a difficult situation was Corrie ten Boom. Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who, along with her family, helped many Jews escape the Nazis during World War II by providing them with a safe place to hide in their home. Eventually, they were caught, and Corrie and her family were sent to concentration camps.

In the midst of the horrific conditions of the Ravensbrück concentration camp, Corrie held on to her faith and found strength and comfort in God's compassion. She often shared how, in the darkest moments of her imprisonment, she felt God's presence and experienced His love and mercy sustaining her. She would later recount that even in the most desperate circumstances, God's goodness was evident, as He provided moments of hope, protection, and even small miracles that kept her and her sister Betsie going.

One particularly touching story from Corrie's time in the camp involved her sister Betsie's remarkable ability to find reasons to thank God, even in the direst of situations. Despite the inhumane conditions and suffering they endured, Betsie encouraged Corrie to be grateful for the fleas that infested their barracks. Initially puzzled, Corrie later discovered that the presence of the fleas actually kept the guards away, allowing them the freedom to hold secret Bible studies and prayer meetings without fear of detection.

Corrie's life and experiences became a testament to the compassionate and merciful nature of God. After the war, she went on to share her story of faith, forgiveness, and God's love, becoming an inspiring speaker and author of the book "The Hiding Place," which chronicled her family's experiences during the war and their unwavering faith in God. Corrie ten Boom's life exemplified how God's compassion can sustain and provide hope even in the darkest of circumstances.

APPLICATION: If you want to cultivate a deep personal connection with God, when you pray, start out by meditating on and expressing your gratitude for His compassion and mercies that are “new every morning.” This way, you can be careful to acknowledge His goodness and love in all your circumstances. This is easier said than done.

TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: Having seen just a glimpse of God's attributes from David, let us explore further the practical implications of drawing near to Him.

II. Trusting in His Righteousness and Nearness (Psalm 145:14-18)

Psalm 145:14–18 KJV 1900

14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; And thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth.

EXPLANATION:

The psalmist highlights God's role as the upholder of those who fall and the lifter of those who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to Him for sustenance, and He satisfies the desires of every living thing. Moreover, the Lord is righteous in all His ways and is close to those who call upon Him in truth.

ILLUSTRATION: Consider a biblical account where someone's trust in God's righteousness and nearness resulted in a transformative experience.

In the biblical record, we find a powerful illustration of someone who trusted in God's righteousness and experienced His nearness in a truly transformative way: the story of Daniel in the lion's den (Daniel 6:1-28).

During the time of the Babylonian captivity, Daniel, a man of great faith and integrity, served as a high-ranking administrator in the kingdom of King Darius. His exceptional abilities and unwavering devotion to God made him the envy of his colleagues, who plotted to destroy him. Knowing of Daniel's commitment to praying to his God three times a day, they manipulated the king into issuing an edict prohibiting anyone from making petitions to any god or man, except the king himself, for 30 days.

When Daniel heard of this decree, he faced a life-altering choice. He could either abandon his faithful practice of prayer and worship to the one true God or stand firm in his trust in God's righteousness and nearness. Despite the threat of being thrown into the lion's den, Daniel chose unwavering faith. He refused to compromise his relationship with God for the sake of appeasing human authority.

As the days passed, Daniel continued to pray to his God as before. His trust in God's righteousness and nearness was unwavering, even in the face of severe consequences. When his adversaries caught him in the act, they brought the matter before King Darius, who, despite his fondness for Daniel, had no choice but to uphold the law he had unknowingly signed.

As the sun set on the final day of the edict, Daniel was thrown into the lion's den. The entire night must have been filled with anxious anticipation, both for Daniel and for the king who deeply regretted the situation he had unwittingly created. In the morning, as the first light appeared, Darius rushed to the den, calling out to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?"

To everyone's amazement and joy, Daniel's response echoed through the den: "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm" (Daniel 6:21-22).

Daniel 6:21–22 KJV 1900

21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Daniel's unshakable trust in God's righteousness and nearness had led to a miraculous deliverance. Through God’s angelic intervention and divine protection, Daniel emerged unscathed from the lion's den. God not only saved his life but also used his trial as a testimony to God's faithfulness and His intimate involvement in the lives of those who trust in Him.

When we place our trust in God's righteousness and draw near to Him with unwavering faith, He transforms our trials into testimonies. No matter what you face, stand strong in your trust in God. Trust that He is near. Believe that He is always righteous. Remain steadfast in your confidence that He will be with us in every circumstance, guiding, protecting, and delivering us according to His perfect plan.

APPLICATION: Draw near to God with a sincere heart. When we face challenges, instead of relying on our own strength, seek His guidance and trust in His perfect plan. As we call upon Him in truth, we will experience His nearness and find comfort and peace in His presence.

TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: This is life changing truth. But don’t stop there. Consider one final aspect of drawing near to God.

III. Responding in Praise and Prayerful Dependence (Psalm 145:19-21)

EXPLANATION: Can you see in these verses how the psalmist is emphasizing the truth that the Lord fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, hears their cries, and saves them. I don’t know about you, but I want to be on that side of this parallel. Because on the other hand, the wicked will face His judgment. The passage culminates in a declaration of praise to the Lord, inviting all flesh to bless His holy name forever and ever.

In light of His character as described earlier, and motivated from a heart of trust, what ought to be the appropriate response of God's people? These verses reveal the natural and heartfelt reaction of those who have come to know the gracious, compassionate, merciful, and righteous nature of the Lord. As the psalmist contemplates the greatness of God's character, he points us to two significant aspects of the believer's response: seeking fulfillment in God and expressing praise for His enduring faithfulness.

A. Seeking Fulfillment in God (Psalm 145:19)

Psalm 145:19 KJV 1900

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Verse 19 begins with a profound promise from the psalmist: "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him." This assurance speaks of the intimate and personal relationship between the Lord and His people. Those who fear Him, meaning those who revere, respect, and have a deep awe for God, are the ones whose desires He promises to fulfill. This is not a guarantee of fulfilling every selfish wish or fleeting desire, but it speaks to the profound satisfaction and contentment that comes from aligning our hearts with God's will.

In times of struggle, when our hearts are burdened, and we seek answers to our prayers, the psalmist reminds us that God sees the longings of our hearts. He is near to those who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18).

Psalm 145:18 KJV 1900

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth.

As we draw near to God in prayerful dependence, acknowledging His righteousness and faithfulness, we can trust that He will hear and respond to our cries. This response may not always come in the way we expect, but it will always be in accordance with His perfect wisdom and loving care for His children.

B. Expressing Praise for His Enduring Faithfulness (Psalm 145:20-21)

The psalmist continues to highlight God's role as the Preserver of those who love Him (Psalm 145:20).

Psalm 145:20 KJV 1900

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: But all the wicked will he destroy.

God's faithfulness is not limited to a single generation or a specific group of people; it extends to all who genuinely love and follow Him. In His mercy, God preserves and upholds those who remain loyal to Him, even in the face of challenges and opposition.

Conversely, the psalmist acknowledges that God will ultimately destroy the wicked (Psalm 145:20). This is a reminder of the divine judgment that awaits those who persist in rebellion against God's righteousness and mercy. God's holiness demands judgment upon sin, and His righteous nature ensures that evil will not prevail in the end.

Truth cuts both ways. The thought of verses such as Proverbs 15:3 can either be a tormenting thought or a comforting consolation.

Proverbs 15:3 KJV 1900

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.

To the wicked, verses such as this ought to bring terror at the thought of facing the wrath of a thrice holy God. But to His children, who are righteous through faith in Christ, it is the greatest comfort to know that our heavenly Father sees everything.

In light of these profound truths, the psalmist concludes his praise by declaring that his mouth will speak of the Lord's greatness, and he calls on "all flesh," meaning all people, to bless His holy name forever and ever (Psalm 145:21).

Psalm 145:21 KJV 1900

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

This expression of praise is not limited to one person or one community; it is an invitation for all humanity to join in exalting the name of the Lord.

As a believer, you are called by the Sweet Psalmist of Israel to respond to God's compassion, mercy, and righteousness with a heart of praise and prayerful dependence. Those who fear God can trust in His faithfulness to fulfill their desires as they align with His will. Simultaneously, the psalmist emphasizes the preservation of those who love God and the ultimate judgment that awaits the wicked. The psalmist's call to praise encompasses all people, urging them to bless God's holy name forever and ever. This response of praise and prayerful dependence is a natural outflow of encountering the greatness of God's character and is meant to permeate the lives of believers, drawing others to join in worshiping the living God.

ILLUSTRATION: Reflect on a moment when your praise and prayerful dependence on God brought about His deliverance or blessing in your life.

Let me share with you a personal moment in my life when I learned to praise God through prayerful dependence on Him that I am convinced brought about His deliverance and blessing. Several years ago, I faced a challenging and uncertain situation in my ministry as a pastor. Our church was going through a difficult financial time, and it seemed like every effort we made to overcome it fell short. Door after door was closed to us. Families who were mature strong believers were called to move to a different state, and the support that they provided for our church plant began to disappear. It felt like we were trying to go to the moon on a shoe-string budget.

During this time, I found myself burdened. I’m not one to worry or get anxious very easily, but times were tough. I remember each week being unsure of how I was going to navigate my family through the tough times ahead. However, instead of allowing fear to consume me, I decided to turn to God in earnest prayer and praise. Each day, I sought solace in His presence, pouring out my heart before Him, and praising Him for His faithfulness and provision in the past.

I really cannot explain how I faced each day, except that I had a deep sense of peace that continually washed over me every time I began to wonder how we would be able to continue serving the Lord. Through those trials, God kept reminding me of His promises from the Scriptures, assuring me that He would never leave my family nor forsake us, because we had stepped out in faith together to serve Him and follow His calling for our life and ministry. I learned to trust that He had a plan for our church and that He would guide us through every storm that we would face. And He has been faithful, time and time again.

In the months and, yes, years that followed, I witnessed God's hand at work in remarkable ways. God continued to add His blessings to our church family as people continued to grow, and pray, and give to support the work of the ministry. Opportunities came to our family to help us make ends meet. Members of our congregation came forward with generous offerings and acts of kindness. People from the community, and sister churches who I never even knew existed, and folks who had never even stepped foot inside our church before, reached out to offer their support. It was as if God was orchestrating a symphony of blessings in response to our prayers and praises.

As things slowly turned around, we experienced a renewed sense of unity and faith within our church family. We were knitted together like we never would have been, supporting one another in prayer and encouraging each other in our walk with God. As I share this with you, I want you to know that my heart is enlarged with gratitude for the ways God has provided for us and delivered us from the challenges we have faced throughout the years.

In the face of uncertainty, I can confidently say that God's deliverance and blessing is evident in our lives because our praise and prayerful dependence on Him has never waned. It is a humbling reminder that even in the darkest times, God is faithful to those who trust in Him wholeheartedly.

I hope my testimony can encourage you in your own journey of faith. When we praise God despite our circumstances and depend on Him in prayer, we not only send the devil running, but we open the door for His deliverance and blessings to unfold in our lives. As we draw near to Him with grateful hearts, we can be assured that He is listening, guiding, and working all things together for our good and His glory. Never underestimate the power of praise and prayerful dependence in our walk with the living God.

APPLICATION: Will you respond to God's goodness and nearness with heartfelt praise and wholehearted prayer? In your worship, can you lift His name on high? Have you stopped long enough to acknowledge His mighty works in your life? Draw nigh to God with a humble heart, He will respond to our cries and save us from the snares of the wicked.

Conclusion:

Our journey through Psalm 145, has let us pause long enough to behold the majestic attributes of our Lord. Tonight, we are called to draw nigh to Him, to embrace His graciousness, compassion, mercy, goodness, righteousness, and nearness. Lift up your hearts and praise Him in His presence. Praise Him, because you have learned to trust in His righteous nature. Trust Him, and, speaking from experience, you will find strength and hope to finish this summer strong.

Remember, the God we serve is not distant but deeply invested in our lives. He is ready to uphold us when we stumble and lift us up when we are burdened. Let us respond to His invitation to draw near with hearts full of gratitude and praise. May we cultivate a deeper personal connection with Him, understanding His attributes, and responding with unwavering trust and prayerful dependence.

As we embark on another week, let the words of Psalm 145 be on our lips, proclaiming His praise to all who would hear. Let your life be a testament to the gracious goodness and mercy of our God, drawing others closer to His loving embrace.

Live with the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in your heart, knowing that the Lord is with you every step of the way, wrapped in His peace, let’s finish this summer strong in His presence.