Psalm 105

Psalm 105 is written after the return from the Babylonian Captivity.

Many believe 105 and 106 to be connected.

Psalm 105 speaking of God’s grace to His People.

Psalm 106 speaking of His Peoples disgrace to God.

There is much to learn from this Psalm, especially during difficult times.

Verses 1-5 speak to fighting discouragement, and I want to look more closely at those verses in a moment, but for now let’s read quickly through those verses and move on, then I would like to come back to them at the end.

Now beginning in verse 6, we see five reminders about God’s dealings with His people.

I. Remember God’s Promises

Vs. 6-11

God made a covenant with Abraham that His children a great nation.

That He would bless them and make their name great

That He would bless those who blessed them and curse those who cursed them.

All people will be blessed through this nation.

He made this promise to Abraham (9)

Made the oath to Isaac (9b)

confirmed it with Jacob

The land of Canaan will be theirs for an inheritance. (11)

When we are struggling or discouraged, we need to remember God’s promises to us!

2 Peter 1:4 KJV

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We are promised an inheritance like none other!

An eternal reward in heaven.

He has guaranteed this promise with His Holy Spirit who dwells in us as a down payment for this inheritance.

This promise gives us hope!

It is like an anchor that helps us stay secure in any storm.

Hebrews 6:19 KJV

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

If you are discouraged today, keep your eyes on God’s promises!

Hebrews 10:23 KJV

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

II. Remember God’s Protection

Vs 12-15

A. Though Outnumbered

v.12

One plus God is a majority

B. Though in a Strange Place

v12b-13

This world is not my home!

C. Though Surrounded

vs. 14-15

Evil is everywhere, but God will protect!

We face many dangers, just like these early men.

being injured or killed while travelling

being robbed

being attacked

being taken advantage of

being persecuted

Danger can occur in nearly every place.

And it’s just going to get worse.

2 Timothy 3:13 KJV

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

But we cannot allow fear to control us!

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

We trust in God’s power and love and wisdom to protect us and we keep moving forward for His kingdom.

Be controlled by the Holy Spirit and you will have peace.

Galatians 5:22 KJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Not only do we need to remember God’s promises, and protection, but Thirdly we need to...

III. Remember God’s Provision

vs. 16-22

Look back to how God has provided in the past.

This will help encourage us to continue trusting in Him!

We see through Israel’s example how he provided for them through...

A. In Famine

vs. 16-17a

This looks forward to the end.

Sometimes I like to Read the last chapter of the book.

But even through the leanest of times, God provides!

Leanness does not mean Abandonment.

B. In Fetters

Vs. 17-18

Even in prison God was there!

Sold as a slave

Falsely accused

put into prison!

Genesis 39:21 KJV

21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

C. In Freedom

Vs. 19-20

God was there and provided the truth to Joseph, so that he could be released.

The God of the mountains is still God in the valley!

D. In Pharaoh's Court

Vs. 21-22

God didn’t leave him when things got better

He worked through him and provided for entire nation.

IV. Remember God’s Plan

vs. 23-38

A. To Save

vs. 23

God’s plan was to save the nation from starvation.

But also to ...

B. To Strengthen

vs. 24

Why did Israel have to be enslaved?

Genesis 15:13–16 KJV

13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

In God’s infinite wisdom He knew they needed to grow in number, even if this meant they would suffer because of it.

They needed the number to fight the nations of the land of Canaan.

And because he said the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

God knew that they would fully be turned away from Him, but they were not there yet, they needed 400 more years.

So God wanted them to be saved, but also to be strengthened, but He also new that they needed to learn...

C. To Submit

vs. 25

The Psalmist under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said that God turned the heart of the Egyptians to hate the Israelites.

he caused them to deal subtilly with them.

I believe this was to teach them submission.

I learned a lot working under my previous pastor, I didn’t always like what or how something was done.

I had personality conflicts with other leaders there, but I had to learn when my pastor said, “let it go” I had to let it go!

There were times, even though I loved the people there and my pastor and the other leaders, and it certainly wasn’t slavery, by any means!

But there were times when I came home and said, “God get me out of here!”

But I thank God that it wasn’t His time, I had more learning to do.

Then fourthly, It was God’s plan...

D. To Show

(His Power)

vs. 26-38

The Psalmist goes through and reminds Israel of all God did for them.

Remember God’s promises, His Protection, His Provision, His Plan and then...

V. Remember God’s Promises Again!

God cannot lie!

When He says it, He means it, and it will happen!

A. To Shelter

vs. 39a

Psalm 27:5 KJV

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.

God will provide!

B. To Light Their Way

vs. 39b

Psalm 119:105 KJV

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

C. To Feed

vs. 40

Matthew 6:25–26 KJV

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

D. To Water

vs. 41

Psalm 23:2 KJV

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

E. To Place

vs. 42-45

John 14:1–3 KJV

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

God had a plan for Israel, and this Psalm is a great reminder of the grace that God had for them.

I think we can definitely take their example and apply it to our lives.

I would like to now look at the first five verses again and point out some practical things we can do when we are discouragement

10 Commandments for Fighting Discouragement

Give thanks to God 1a

Call on God’s name for everything you need 1b

Make God’s great works known to the lost 1c

Sing praises to God at all times 2a

Testify fo the wonderful things God has done for you 2b

Glory in God’s holy name 3a

Rejoice in the Lord always 3b

Look to the Lord for strength 4a

Seek and enter the Lord’s presence through prayer and worship

Remember the Lord’s miracles and judgments in history v. 5