Scripture Text: Psalm 111
Introduction: I want to begin with a heartfelt welcome this morning as we come together again as a body of believers. We have, I hope, remained together in spirit, praying for one another, visiting on the phone to inquire and encourage, and listening to wisdom of God’s word delivered online. But, as good as it is to be able to do things, it is better to meet together. To be able to visit by phone or message with a beloved family member who lives a long way off is special, but to have the chance to meet together personally, even for a brief period, is infinitely better. Even having to endure the inconvenience of many rules meant to ensure our safety, it is still better to see one another and to brought to remembrance of God’s blessings. He has bestowed on us through each of you. So, why are we here? We will let God’s word remind us of the reason.
I. To Praise God is Part Of Our Inheritance in the Lord. (vs 1a,b)
A.”Hallelujah!” Two Hebrew words, “Hallelu = Praise, Yah= Yahweh, the personal name of God. It occurs 23 times in the Psalms, calling people reverence and lift up the name of the Lord” It is not a word, in this psalm that is actually a proclamation or declarative word of praise in itself, but an imperative, an invitation and a command to, by word and deed, offer God glory for WhoHe is and what He has done. One essential in all worship is to “lift up” or “praise” God.To fail to do so is presumptive, to consider our entry before the throne as being about us and not about Him.
B.Vs. 1b The psalmist goes on to speak of individual and corporate praise.
First, it should be offered freely and openly without distraction “all of heart.”
Secondly, it is an act of passions, freedom of spirit, of the excitement and emotion of a young child being intrigued by some marvelous thing to which he/she shrieks or calls out in surprise and delight. It should be done freely in the open in association with other believers.
II. Reasons For Praise Within The Church. (vss. 2-9)
- Vs. 2: What God has done is worth knowing and celebrating.
- Vs. 3-4a: God is a big God who does what none other can do.
- Vs. 4b- 5a: God has insured the full needs of life to His children. God is not selfish or unconcerned about the well-being of His creation.He has seen to it we have what we need to survive and prosper.
- Vss. 5b-6: God is a God who is faithful to His promises with people.
- Vss. 7-8: God has provided for us the truth.
- Vs. 9: God provides us a means of salvation. He has redeemed us, bought us out of the slavery of sin and away from condemnation and accusations of Satan.
In all these thing there is ample and demanding reasons to praise the Lord.
III. To Praise God Provides Us A Life Lived Well. (vs. 10)
Good holds you in the palm of His hand. He allows you to have life and to overcome the great number of things that surrounds each day that could easily destroy us.To know He can easily destroy you instantly yet to believe He has chosen to protect you. From understanding that truth, we can stand against all lies and treachery. We can act in wisdom though all the world be overflowing with foolishness. We will understand that which may be cloaked in darkness. Praise for God is the one thing we offer that will not whither with time or decay in trouble. Our praises join with the praises of others to become a great wind that constantly blows around the throne of God. It lasts for eternity.
Conclusion: So we come together to worship and in our worship we lift up our voices and our hearts to praise Him. We meet with one another with smiles and deep concern for others which produces praise for Him. We hold to the truth of His promises and give gratitude in His provision, knowing He will meet our every need and we will praise Him. We depart to make Him known to the whole world and we praise Him. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We are made to praise the Lord!