Do we really have cause to praise the Lord in the midst of distress?

Title: Do we really have cause to praise the Lord in the midst of distress?

Text:

Can we say that we have a heart of praise?

Honestly, praise can seem quite difficult in poor circumstances, can it not?

What kind of impact should certainty about the future have on our present reality? Consider

Isaiah 11:16 KJV 1900

And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, Which shall be left, from Assyria; Like as it was to Israel In the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

The point being this: God does not only tell them about the future, but he tells them about the past. Why is this important?

Illustration:

Recently we have been watching some old home videos. One of them was Josiah’s first Christmas. He really did not know what was going on. Each year, as Josiah became aware of the Christmas tradition and what was happening, this shaped and formed his perspective for the future. Now, we don’t have to tell him what to expect to do on Christmas or when to expect because of what has been established in the past.

Similarly, though this passage is largely about what God will do in the future, there is a measure of certainty that we can have because of what he’s done in the past.

GO BRISKLY THROUGH OPENING POINTS BUT TAKE TIME TO PAUSE.

Premise:

There is coming a righteous King (Branch) who will be victorious. (11:1 - 5)

(1) He will bring unparalleled concord (11:6 - 9)

(i) the kingdom is marked by a restoration in creation: animal to animal

(ii) the kingdom is marked by a restoration in creation: animal to human

2 Kings 17:24–25 KJV 1900

And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the Lord: therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

(iii) The kingdom is marked by primitive dominion: significance of the little child leading - a restoration to initial intention of the Lord (v. 6)

Genesis 1:27 KJV 1900

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

(iv) The kingdom is marked by the knowledge of the Lord (v. 9)

Exodus 5:2 KJV 1900

And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

(2) He will bring unparalleled community (11:10 - 16)

(i) The community in the kingdom involves a sign to the nations (Gentiles) (v. 10 - 12)

(ii) The community in the kingdom is drawn together by removal of what divides: envy (v. 13)

(iii) The community in the kingdom is together in the defeat of the enemies of the King (v. 14 - 16) for the safe return of the remnant

(3) He will bring unparalleled change (12:1 - 6)

(i) The change of God’s wrath (v. 1)

(ii) The change of the people’s faith (v. 2 - 3)

(iii) The change of the people’s sacrifices (to praise) (v. 4 - 6)

Proposition:

Because there is a future, victorious King and his kingdom, we should praise the Lord for his salvation!

We are moved to appropriate activity when we truly believe something to be true.

Illustration:

Driving in Monroe this week by the “Trader’s World” While I am crossing the tracks I notice a bright light to my right. It’s a train that is coming. There was no warning.

I noticed that while I had crossed in time, there was a car trying to make it across before the train arrived. Because he knew the train was coming his direction, he sped up quickly to pass over the tracks to avoid that collision.

Similarly, when we believe that something is absolutely truth, our lives will manifest this. So it is that because there is a future, victorious King and his Kingdom, we should be moved to praise the Lord for his salvation!

Why is this message important to the original recipients? (FCF)

Mankind, in the beginning, were found to be in unbelief. Their unbelief led to foolish behaviors. Ex: the Garden of Eden. So let’s examine why a message with these emphasis is important:

re: Concord: peace is a sought out experience by men. They seek in all of the wrong places.

re: Community: the tendency of man is to allow common culture or ideologies to determine community.

re: Change: the tendency of man is to have a makeover.

For Israel, these were issues as well. They thought peace could come by making a league with other nations. They interpreted community often in a highly patriarchal or nationalistic framework. They had become good at outward reform without heart reform.

It is not merely something they dealt with, but this is something we deal with today too. If we really believe in the future King/kingdom, how is it possible or what is it that makes my praise to the Lord to flow forth?

How is this possible today?

(1) Consider Christ's work & creation [concord] -

The work of creation restoration has already begun with those who are truly Christians.

Practically:

Believe in what’s already done [peace with God]

Praise God for what is certainly yet to come

Live your life in light of the “Already” and the “Not Yet”

(2) Consider Christ's work & community - , , , ,

The cross of Jesus Christ has radically redefined what community is. First, the cross eliminates any confidence in our ethnic superiority. Second, the cross brings people of diverse backgrounds into a glorious body - the church.

Practically:

Allow the cross of Jesus Christ to guide how you feel about your nation and about other nations.

Pray for the diversity of the body of Christ.

Consider the purpose of the church worth your full devotion (manifesting the manifold wisdom of God).

(3) Consider Christ's work & change - ;

Christ has done the impossible in redeeming us and adopting us. In making us sons, he has allowed us to experience true heart change.

Practically:

Know that glorifying God is what the Spirit desires to do.

Spending time in praising God for His salvation should meet a true inner desire.

Praising God should be both the fruit of our lips and the fruit of our lives.

"The kingdom refers to God's authority and dominion, rather than a set location or one group of people. It has both present and future dimensions. In the person and actions of Jesus the kingdom breaks forth in new power, but much more is yet to come." - Groothuis

So, do we really have cause to praise the Lord in the midst of distress?

Yes, praise is the outflow of the one who is living in light of what Christ has done, trusting in Christ for what is being done, and hoping in Christ for what will be.