Psalm 139 -- Many Wonderful Truths

I've heard many great sermons and lessons taken from Psalm 139. I'm not going to try to relate them to you in this post. Instead, I think I'll just give you some good lesson or sermon titles and you can fill in the three points and a poem. (That's an old preacher joke. It used to be - probably in the 50s, maybe the 70s - I don't know.... anyway a good sermon would have three points and would end with a poem. A really great preacher would make his three points alliterate. hahaha)

So....here are some great truths from this psalm that would make for a good sermon.

The LORD knows all about us, when we sit, stand, sleep and even what we are going to say before the words are in our mouths. amazing! vs1-6

There isn't anywhere in the world that we can go and be away from God's presence. And no matter where we are God will guide us and hold us. vs.7-12

We don't have to be afraid of the dark - or things that we can't see - because even the dark is as light to God. vs.11-12

We have a great purpose in life - each of us - because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God knits us together in our mothers' wombs. He knows all that will happen in our lives. vs.13-16

Anyone who truly believes vs.13-16 could never support or condone abortion.

God thinks about us more than we can even imagine. vs.17-18

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 138 - Though Exalted

I love this verse because it says again one of the great wonders of God:

6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. 

I've always thought this - and mention it often in worship - that it is amazing that the great God of the universe, the Creator of all things, the One exalted above all things would reach out to us in love! That He would offer Himself just so He can have a relationship with us.

That's amazingly awesome!

I read an often quoted saying today that in all other religions man tries to reach God, but in Christianity we see that God reaches down to us. (I'm not sure I quoted it exactly correct, but you get the point.)

Psalm 137 - Weeping for what You Don't Have

How can we sing the songs of Zion?

When things go wrong in life it is easy and I suppose it is a natural response to be sad when you think of what you have lost. How can you sing when things are going so badly?

Ugh....

I've tried to write about this psalm from several different angles and I just can't. I don't know what to say.... how to relate it to 2017. It's easy to understand the despair of the psalmist. Jerusalem had been destroyed and the people carried off into captivity. The psalmist wants to remember Jerusalem. He also wants to dash children against the rocks...

What are your thoughts?

Psalm 136 - His Love Endures Forever

Here's a nice family activity to do with your children or grandchildren or perhaps with your spouse. It would even work for you by yourself. Make up your own list of things that God has done in your life, or the life of your family.

Then break your list up into phrases and say one phrase and then say "His love endures forever" then say another phrase and again say "His love endures forever."

It will be a nice time of praise for you.

Psalm 135 - Whatever He Pleases

I like verse 6

The LORD does whatever pleases him; in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.

There's a lot more to this psalm
- His power over weather and storms
- a list of many of the things that God did for Israel as they were delivered from Egypt
- the nations/kings He conquered for Israel
- a comparison with idols

But I really like verse 6 tonight...

The LORD does whatever pleases him; in the heavens and on the earth.

We can complain or question or ask or plead or....whatever. But God is going to do whatever pleases him.

The world and Satan can try to stop Him or sidetrack Him or distract Him... but God does whatever pleases him; in the heavens and on the earth.

Some people think they can bribe God or corner Him into doing what they want... but the LORD does whatever pleases him; in the heavens and on the earth.

Skeptics say God is in control only in heaven, that He has lost control over things on earth or maybe that He just doesn't care anymore or perhaps He set things in motion and then is just waiting around to see what is going to happen.
Nonsense.
God does whatever pleases Him; in the heavens and on the earth.

OK... has it sunk in? The LORD does whatever please him; in the heavens and on the earth!

That's awesome!

Psalm 134 - Praise Through the Night

1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. 

2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. 

Psalm 133 - Unity - Good and Pleasant

When Aaron was anointed as Israel's High Priest they poured oil on his head. Anointing with oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It was a high and holy occasion - not only for Aaron, but for all of Israel.

When God's people dwell together in unity it is good and pleasant, but it's as wonderful as when Aaron was anointed as the High Priest.

Here are some verses about "unity" from the New Testament.

John 17:23 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/john/17-23.html

23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Ephesians 4:3 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/4-3.html

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:13 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/4-13.html

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Colossians 3:14 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/colossians/3-14.html

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Unity doesn't come naturally, but it is good and pleasant when God's people are living in unity. It is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit. It is something we have to work at. It is possible when we love each other. It shows maturity in our faith. 

I suppose I should have some connecting sentences and a conclusion and all.... 

On a related thought.

I am so glad to be a part of a church that shows a lot of unity. It is evident in a lot of ways at Hilldale, but of course I see it most in worship. We have people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, income levels.... and we have a lot of different preferences when it comes to music. But when we gather together on Sunday mornings we sing a lot of different kinds of music together. We join our voices in old songs, new songs, fast songs, slow songs.... and it's because we care about each other. We aren't selfish in our music. Every song might not be our favorite style,, but some of them are. But it doesn't matter because our focus isn't the music, it's Jesus. I would say that's how we can find unity in everything - by focusing on Jesus, caring about each other and not being selfish in what we want. 

There... a conclusion...and all... lol....