Properly Aligned
Notes
Transcript
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ILLUST: Chiropractor - proper alignment; or WHEELS properly aligned
Can still drive it, though you fight it
OR - Working on a project, hard one, but it is going well. The satisfaction in following the instructions.
Wheels - still hit bumps in the road, but alignment keeps them pointed properly down the road
READ: Psalm 1, Psalm 112
Psalm 1 contracts the righteous and the wicked, the God-follower and the God-hater.
Psalm 112 speaks of fearing the Lord
The focus here today, as we look toward the cross and the Resurrection, through the eyes of the psalms…
…Sense and enjoy the blessing that comes with following the LORD
…Focus on the steadiness that comes with your life in God’s hands
Yes, you have a choice to make, Psalm 1 and Psalm 112 point that out
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Today, hopefully you can connect with the wonderful feeling of surrender
And the blessing that results
Think to a time recently when everything was just “right.”
Problems were not all gone, but you just knew, or know, God is good, you’ve done well being properly aligned with Him
And it is just glorious
When life is good
The psalms look at this as…
Delight in the Lord
Delight in the Lord
First of all, “delight” starts with salvation - none of this makes ANY sense if you do not know Jesus personally (share Gospel)
“Delight in” = find joy and satisfaction, sure…
(Deeper) - being soft, tender toward God, so He can shape you
malleable, moldable (think Potter, clay…)
So, what’s involved in this “delight?”
1) The Word
1) The Word
The SOURCE of delight
Why delight in the Word?
It provides light, assurance, comfort, correction, purpose, peace, mercy
To ‘delight in the Word’ is to delight in Jesus (bringing Psalm 1 and Psalm 112 together
He is the Word, the Light, assurance, comfort, correction, purpose, peace, mercy
The Word is active, penetrates our very life and soul - Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Word - Steadies us, by His active presence in our lives
Of course, pursuing the Word, hearing and following, is always a choice
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Today - hopefully today - you are enjoying the feeling of faithfulness to the LORD, having chosen that life
The pleasure of having built your house on the Rock
2) The Walk
2) The Walk
These psalms - obedience to God (the Word, fear of the Lord) brings joy/delight
The Godly walk - from an active pursuit of Godly wisdom
Today - not specifically a challenge to walk in the fear of the LORD
But - recognizing that this peace, this contentment, is truly possible, and we get glimpses
We need to make those glimpses more than glimpses
Believer, you CAN live in this fellowship with God - it’s so good when you do
Then it looks like…
Being the light
Knowing you are being the light
Enjoying the fellowship of believers
Giving becomes easy
Choices are actually easier
Generosity is enjoyable
Sensing that close fellowship with God
You’ve been there
Maybe you ARE there
Recall doing and being very Godly - it feels good
ASIDE - What is this “blessed” concept?
When you understand blessing, being blessed
Nothing negative diminishes that
You make efforts to be devoted to the LORD - and blessing results
QUESTION - What about material, worldly blessing? - it appears promised here…
REM - God knows what you need - materially, physically
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Start with a sincere love for the Lord, and let Him take care of what you need, daily
POINT - Your level of joy, contentment, blessedness is directly tied to your desire for closeness to God, and your actions to pursue that closeness
BUT Yeah, what about wealth, happiness?
Seek the Lord, allow Him to bless as He will
The point here is not to make wealth and prosperity our goal
Wealth may be one of God’s blessings for those who seek Him faithfully
Solomon, for example (asked for wisdom)
If you are faithful, and God has blessed you materially, never forget the source
3) The Wisdom of God
3) The Wisdom of God
An anchor, think about an anchor…
The anchor - steadies the ship
The anchor - essential for stability
The anchor - stops the ship from drifting into danger
The life of the believer feels good when anchored to Christ
Delighting in God’s commands
Contentment is clear
There is a firm, steadfast presence
The big picture
The great Yahweh, our God
God KNOWS the way of the righteous
He KNOWS your heart, your desire to delight in Him
He has you, I mean, He’s got you, He’s got this
POINT - “Rejoicing in the day” is not “ignoring the bad”
It is really keeping the big picture in mind, from God’s perspective
And there are days and times you just KNOW that, dare I say, you FEEL it?
Hang on to those, don’t forget those, remember those moments in the moment
They sustain you, and when you hang on to them, you will seek them, more and more
God’s Word, nourishment - basic concept
This delight in the LORD - comes from being nourished
ILLUST: When properly nourished, your body shows it, your body literally FEELS good
When your soul is properly nourished, it literally FEELS good
More people need to know what it feels like to be physically healthy
More believers need to know what it feels like to be spiritually healthy
Be nourished, then - Stop, occasionally, slow down, delight in the LORD
CLOSE:
Psalm 1, Psalm 112 - very lofty goals
If we focus on Psalm 1…who can do this?
Who can avoid walking in the counsel of the wicked?
Who can deal with sinners without standing with them?
Who can remain firm in light of the lure of pride?
You? Me?
Who can be steadfast in the Word, day and night, unwavering?
Spiritually healthy, never withering, prospering no matter what?
There is ONE who fits Psalm 1:1 perfectly (Jesus)
And He said “Follow Me”
If we focus on Psalm 112 - more loftiness
Who can delight in the commandments?
Who can assure righteousness forever
Who can be gracious, compassionate?
There is ONE who fits the model/example of Psalm 112 (Jesus)
And He said “Follow Me”
What about the wicked?
Let God focus on them
You enjoy being close to God
There is nothing like it
There is peace in “God knows you”
Let that peace overwhelm you
You’ll know it when it does - hang on to that
Hang on to that anchor - He’s got you!
Let the Lord, fear of the Lord, delight in His Word
And let others see that fear and delight
Last thing… try this - Start your day with Psalm 112:1
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
