God Is praiseworthy!
Notes
Transcript
This is an individual Psalm written by an unnamed author but it is believed to be written by David or some other king. The King was granted military victory over foreign armies. He was in distress, he prayed to the Lord and He rescued him. His enemy under estimated him, but he is victorious and now that God has exalted him he exalts God. Perhaps this psalm was sung as the king and his Army approached the city gates or when they approached the temple to thank the Lord for answering his prayer. I believe the latter. Ps118:19-20 “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter.” Although this is an individual psalm of Thanksgiving, it has implications for the whole community, he invites the entire community to join the celebration of praise. So he encourages exhortation! Because When we face opponents like the psalmist did, we know that they don't have absolute power over us because God is sovereign and that is worthy of praise.
He is worthy of praise because: He is Good, he is not good because we praise Him but we thank him because he is Good!
1. He’s Tolerant with my humanity
1. He’s Tolerant with my humanity
Ps 118:1-4
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
He was tolerant with Israel, and he calls them to remember His mercy. ( Mercy) a form of love especially directed toward the needy or unworthy
They were a nation chosen by God, yet they rebelled every chance they got and God still always showed them mercy and delivered them! De 4:31
(for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.
2 Sam 24:14
And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”
He was tolerant with the house of Aaron (priest ) the psalmist encourages those that are priestly to remember Gods mercies.
Aaron portrayed both positively and negatively in Exodus - Numbers. He shows holiness as the high priest of Yahweh, but also apostasy when he creates a golden calf for an idol and rejects the authority of Moses. Yet the house of Aaron still stands! Ps 115:10
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
Before we point our fingers at Israel or the house of Aaron we must remember how merciful God has be to us. We are those that fear the Lord out of personal relationship.
Here the psalmist is encouraging the worshiper to praise God.
Lk 1:50 “And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.”
Ep 2:4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,”
2. He’s Tougher than my enemy
2. He’s Tougher than my enemy
Ps 118:5-7
I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
When my enemy feels he has me cornered I call on the Lord.
The Lord answers prayers! And makes room for me!
Ask Hannah. 1Sam 1:27 “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.”
Ask Elijah. 1 K 18:37-38 “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.”
God will enlarge your territory
Is 54:2 ““Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.”
With God on our side we have divine help, so why be afraid
Pro 3:24 “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.”
3. He’s more trustworthy than any comparison
3. He’s more trustworthy than any comparison
Ps 118:8-11
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.
All nations surrounded me,
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
God Is on our side but we still have to fight.