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The Lord will deliver you out of all your troubles and restore you after proving you!
Fred R. Coulter—November 24, 2018
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Greetings, everyone! Welcome to Sabbath services! If you've been watching the news, you've been seeing nothing but chaos and confusion everywhere:
- invasion from the south
- Will they get across the border?
- Will they shut it down?
Look at what's happening in France. They're raising the price of gas so high, because they don't want anyone to drive cars 'to spare the world.' Wherever there is there are problems and difficulties that are happening. It stems from two things: 'there's a way that seems right to human beings, but the ends thereof are the ways of death,' and misery in between!
Let's look at another cause, another problem, and why in this world the way we are living is difficult. Maybe not quite as difficult as those in the Israel of the Alps, being threatened with arrest, beheading, killing and torture, but why is all of this continuing to go on? Rev. 12:9 tells us exactly why! As we have discovered, Satan doesn't always come in the guise of evil first.
Revelation 12:9: "And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent… [from the time of Adam and Eve until the return of Christ] …who is called the Devil and Satan, who is deceiving the whole world…" That's the way it is!
We were sitting here talking before services: How do you solve the problems of the fires in California? Better management, better emergency things, all of those would help! But how do you solve the problems? Every time you have a solution, you enter its potential demise at the other end of it! It happens in everything.
The Apostle John expressed it in a little different way. Think of it in the time that he wrote this, probably in the 70s or 80sA.D. He also said to flee idolatry, so idolatry was coming in.
1-John 5:19: "We know that we are of God…" How do we know we are of God? It says we know! If someone asked you that, how could you explain it to them? First of all, you would start out that you love God and keep His commandments! To be of God completely you have to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit of God, and enter into that covenant of eternal life. That's the whole key of how we, being righteous in the world that is becoming more and more evil, we are able then to survive.
"…and that the whole world… [the complete world] …lies in the power of the wicked one" (v 19). That's one of the main causes!
Now let's get a little encouragement, because living in a world like this we need to have an overall goal that transcends:
- every single problem
- every single catastrophe
- every single disaster
We have that beginning right here in the Gospel of John. You know that John 17 is quite amazing! I read that quite often and when I read it I always wonder: How did Christ get this to John word for word? Think about that! The direct prayer that Jesus prayed three times to God the Father!
John 16:33: "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace…."
When we come to God, and with God's Spirit even in times of trouble, because of prayer, looking to God to help us, to intervene, to answer us, to comfort us and all of those things that we have today, you have peace!
"…In the world you shall have tribulation…." (v 33). Stop and think! When was there a time in the history of the Church that there was not trouble? difficulty? persecution? Not once!
But Jesus says, "…But be courageous! I have overcome the world" (v 33).
Let's look at the problems that confront the Church. We will just look at the things that Jesus tells us to overcome in Rev. 2 & 3. We have to overcome things of our problems and difficulties, but also the intrusions of the things of Satan the devil in the Church of God. We'll just summarize it:
Church at Ephesus:
They lost their first love! The very first part of the Church lost their first love and compromised so they could avoid difficulty. Look at the last Church, the Laodiceans. They are lukewarm and want it easy and nice.
Sit back and look at all of the time that you've been in the Church. I look back, 1960. We're coming on 60-years here pretty quick, and there have been troubles and difficulties everywhere, all the time.
Then you go back in the history, before we ever existed, and think about all the troubles that have been just in America. We're not talking about the rest of the world. In Europe they had WWI and WWII, plus they had the German-Franco wars before that in the 1800s. Here in America we had the Civil War between North and South, in which more Americans died in that war than in all the other wars America has been involved in.
President Lincoln said, 'The judgment of God is on this nation.' He was able to make some changes and keep things from destroying us
All the Churches of God, and other churches have wanted to be the Philadelphia Church, because they're the ones who avoid problems.
I remember in San Francisco I was driving down one of these streets here and all of a sudden there was the Philadelphia Church, Seventh Day Adventists. I thought that everyone wants that. Would be nice if we were all in that position.
Church at Smyrna:
The ones who are persecuted! No one wants this, let's read it because it's going to come again:
Revelation 2:9: "I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan…. [already organized] …Do not fear any of the things that you are about to suffer…." (vs 9-10).
- compare your problems today with the problems we're going to read here
- compare your sufferings with what they suffered here
"…Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days …" (v 10). Everywhere the Church of God has always been there have been tribulations!
"…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life" (v 10). That's quite a thing!
Church of Pergamos: the compromising Church
Church of Thyatira: got involved with the problems during the Middle Ages
It was so bad for them—and as John Guenther pointed out—even some of those Churches believed in a trinity, because of the pressures that came on them from the Catholic Church. Let's see concerning what they went through.
Verse 20: "But I have a few things against you, because you allow the woman Jezebel… [the daughter of the priest of Baal, which is sun-worship; this identifies the Catholic Church] …who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants into committing fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols."
Committing fornication is going against the laws of God. Sacrifice to idols, those are things of the Catholic Mass.
Verse 21: "I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she did not repent. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation…" (vs 21-22).
Boy, there was great tribulation during that time, too. Did you know that in the late 1300s half of the population of Europe died from the Black Plague. If you were in the Church of God back then, you would think, 'Lord, come quickly!' It was something.
"…into great tribulation, unless they repent of their works" (v 22). Always remember that when we have difficulties and problems come along, we need to understand God always accepts deep, sincere repentance! Sometimes people get carried away in what they do. Later they think about it and repent; that's what God wants us to do.
Notice, the next couple of verses are really the most important that apply to the Church. Verse 23: "And I will kill her children with death…" That does sound like the second death. If you kill someone they're dead. You can't kill someone with life; that wouldn't work.
"…and all the churches… [this is a message to all the churches] …shall know that I am He Who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to each of you according to your works" (v 23).
Notice how bad it got with Thyatira. I read some of the accounts where some of the ministers of the Churches of God there in the Piedmont that they recanted and observed a Mass and something else; then the persecutors let them go. They came back to the people and they really, really had to repent.
How that really works with God, I don't know. But if you look at Manasseh, look at what he did. So, Christ gives a warning here:
Verse 24: "But to you I say, and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan… [That's quite a statement. How much did they have in false doctrine?] …as they speak; I will not cast upon you any other burden, but hold fast what you have until I come. And to the one who overcomes and keeps My works unto the end… [end of your life, or end of time when Christ returns] …I will give authority over the nations" (vs 24-26).
Christ works! You think about this in relationship to an article I was just reading. Franklin Graham said, 'This country is going down.' He agrees with the Lord, though he doesn't know it! He blames it all on the politics of the liberals and the RINOs (Republicans In Name Only). There's plenty of blame for that, but he forgot all the Sunday-keeping preachers, all who say you don't have to keep the commandments—he is one of them—are the main cause. You can add into that the schools, universities, governments, local, state, whatever. All of them are part of that because they didn't teach the Word of God the way that they should.
So, here he is, understanding we're going to come apart, preaching to a Baptist church on Sunday in Florida, that it's going to happen and he doesn't recognize he's got a big hand in this, and so does his dad. If you watch TBN, who are you are you going to see every Saturday and Sunday? Billy Graham!
There are those problems, so we're faced with the problems because of that. Let's see what we have to face in the world, what it's like. I've been going through the book by Joseph Farar, The Gospel in Every Book of the Old Testament. He is the founder of World Net Daily {wnd.com}. He does a pretty good job of it in his book, although he misses an awful lot, too. Maybe I can bring some sermons in that a little later.
Since we're surrounded with all these problems and difficulties that we have to go through, and in this age we have a lot of them. A lot of the problems come right into our home that would never have been without television. Have you seen the latest advertisement for a great movie to watch? It's called Descent into Darkness. There's wickedness on every side. Here we are with the problems we have.
Psalm 4:1: "Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness…. [all our righteousness comes from God] …You gave me relief when I was in distress…"
God always does! I found out that sometimes when things are really, really bad, you don't want to pray, you don't want to do anything. You don't want to talk to anyone; you want to shut the door, be alone and sulk. I found God doesn't relieve me of distress; I increase it myself. So you have to pray:
"…be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my glory be put to shame? How long will you love delusions and seek after lies? Selah" (vs 1-2). That's the world!
I can't get over it. Some of the most beautiful music in the world are Christmas carols! If you go in a store, you almost want to put earplugs into your ears, because it brings back all those songs that you used to sing when you were growing up.
That's how Satan brings you in. He told Jesus, 'Look, these stones, You can make them bread, why hunger. I'll even give You the whole world if You worship me.' Satan comes along and deceives with things that look good, but end in disaster! Here we are, we're caught in the middle of all of this in the world and we're affected by it.
Verse 3: "But know that the LORD has set apart the Godly for Himself…." Never forget that! God has set us apart for Himself, His family; we're His children.
"…The LORD will hear when I call to Him. Tremble, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah" (vs 3-4).
Psa. 5 continues on with the same thing. It shows how we come back to God when we're overwhelmed with all the difficulties that come up us, and they do and they will!
Psalm 5:1: "Give year to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation. Hearken to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray" (vs 1-2). God will hear!
Stop and think about this. If you get upset because of the sins that you have done—and I get upset because of the sins that I have done—how many people in the world are seeking God? Very few! Since we have His Spirit, He will hear us; He will help us.
Verse 3: "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will look up, for You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness; nor shall evil dwell with You. The boasters shall not stand in Your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloody and deceitful man. But I… [because He has set aside the Godly for Himself] …in the abundance of Your loving kindness, I will come into Your house; I will bow down in Your fear toward Your Holy temple" (vs 3-7). When we pray, we come to God's Holy temple, God the Father!
Verse 8: "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness… [so that we can come out of the things that we are repenting of] …because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face, for there is no Truth in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue" (vs 8-9). You can read the rest of it there. That's quite a thing that is there!
Let's see some things concerning that God acknowledges we have trials, we have difficulties, but He always has one thing—and this is one thing we need to do. The thing is always keep your mind on the goal! Everything that we go through is so we can receive eternal life. It's not pleasant many times, but stop and think of what Jesus went through for you, for me, for all those who repent, and eventually for the whole world and all mankind.
1-Peter 1:1: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect strangers…"—select! You have been selected! That's what Peter's talking about here.
"…scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: who have been chosen according to the predetermined knowledge of God the Father…" (vs 1-2). Right there is the greatest encouragement that we can receive!
Remember that what is in the past is in the past. All of our correcting today can't change the past. We must come to God and repent, that's what he's talking about here. Keep in mind that God the Father:
- has given us His Spirit
- has provided Christ as the sacrifice for our sins
- has given us His Word so we can understand the Truth
so we can let the Word of God:
- correct us
- lead us
- comfort us
God's Spirit comforts us!
"…by sanctification through the Spirit…" (v 2)—set aside to be made Holy!When will the finality of the Holiness come? At the resurrection!
"…unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you…. [this is direct from God to us] …Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His abundant mercy, has begotten us again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (vs 2-3).
That is a fantastic thing! We know the Truth about the second resurrection. That is the greatest and most wonderful thing that God reveals in how He's eventually going to solve all the problems of all mankind.
Verse 4: "Unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for us." It comes down to the earth in the form of New Jerusalem.
Verse 5: "Who are being safeguarded by the power of God through faith…" (v 5). What is it that makes you conscious of your sins so you can repent? The Spirit of God! That's how we're safeguarded, with the Spirit of God!
"…for salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (v 5). We're living in the last days! I tell you, that's the hardest time in the world to live in, because the way it is we have every modern convenience, everything at the tip of our hands.
All those of you who are using the digital Bibles, you have it right at the tip of your fingers. You have everything you need at home. If you don't have it, you go out and buy it. That is not indicative of righteousness! That is indicative of the age in which we live, because all the sinners in the world have the same thing in America.
Verse 6: "In this you yourselves greatly rejoice; though for the present, if it is necessary,you are in distress for a little while by various trials"—and they come! Sometimes many, sometimes easy, sometimes difficult, but what is it for? Don't you think if we never ever suffered anything, or ever, ever had a trial that we would be the most arrogant and ungrateful, unloving people? Yes, we would!
Verse 7: "In order that the proving of your faith… [that's what God wants to know] …which is much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is being tested by fire…" We find that in 1-Cor. 3: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, all tried by fire!
"…may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (v 7). That's how we overcome our problems! Then it goes on showing here about Christ and the relationship with that.
1-Peter 4:12: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you which is taking place to test you, as if some strange thing were happening to you."
When all of these things happen, how do we look at them? What is the end result going to be? We'll see as we go along here!
Psa.107 is quite a Psalm. It's repeated throughout this Psalm. Look at all the difficulties that the children of Israel went through.
Psalm 107:6: "Then they cried to the LORD in their distress, and He delivered them out of their troubles." We have troubles and God delivers us!
Verse 13: "Then they cried to the LORD in their distress, and He saved them out of their troubles." Distress, troubles!
Verse 19: "Then they cried unto the LORD in their distress, and He delivered them out of their troubles."
Verse 28: "And they cried to the LORD in their distress, and He delivered them out of their troubles."
Verse 41: "But He raises up the poor from affliction and sets their families like a flock. The righteous shall see it and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him give heed to these things, and let them consider the mercies of the LORD" (vs 41-43). That's something! You can always return back to God! That's what's the most important thing.
You might want to do a study through the Psalms. I'll tell you what, when you go through the Psalms and see everything that David went through, no wonder he died at 70 as an old man. He went through a lot. Some of those Psalms are incredible.
Psalm 34:19: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all"—if they cry out to the Lord!
Verse 1: "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall always be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears" (vs 1-4). Just think of all the things that God delivers us from.
Verse 6: "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them. O taste and see that the LORD is good …" (vs 6-8).
In other words, taste and see. You're not going to eat the Lord, but you're going to eat the Word of God, meaning you're going to take it into your mind, use it and do something with it.
Verse 9: "O fear the LORD, all you saints, for there is nothing lacking to those who fear Him."
Verse 17: The righteous cry… [cry out to God] …and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles."
That's quite a Psalm! These things continue on; Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance… [the spiritual substance] …of things hoped for…"
- we're hoping for eternal life
- we're hoping to overcome
- we're hoping to change
- we're hoping to grow
"…and the conviction of things not seen" (v 1).
How do you know it's going to be? Because God says so, and God does not lie! Because Jesus died and rose from the dead! You know they never found the body. Don't you think there was a horrendous search going on everywhere looking for the body of Jesus? But they didn't find it! That's our guarantee. God created the world and everything that there is. We trust God for all of that!
Verse 2: "For by this kind of faith the elders obtained a good report. By faith we understand that the worlds were created by the Word of God, so that the things that are seen were made from things that are invisible" (vs 2-3).
Stop and think what is the smallest particle that there is. You can only read about it, because you can't see it. It can only be measured by a special device because it's so small. But it passes through the earth. Passes through everything that's on the earth. Isn't that an amazing thing to contemplate, that God made that? Everything that is seen and unseen, God has made!
Verse 4: "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it, though he died, he is yet speaking." That's quite a statement because that's how God looks at things. Cain wanted to do it his way.
Verse 5: "By faith Enoch was transported so that he would not look upon death… [at that time, because it says in v 13 all these died in faith] …and was not found because God had transported him; for before his departure it was testified of him that he pleased God."
Here is the key, v 6, keys the whole thing so that we know that everything we do we live and move and have our being in God and He is the one Who has provided and given everything to us.
Verse 6: "Now without faith it is impossible to please God…"
- IF you believe God, you please Him
- IF you obey Him, you please Him
- IF you love Him, you please Him
- IF you repent, you please Him
He's willing to forgive all of those things!
"…For it is mandatory for the one who comes to God to believe that He exists… [and is everything that the Bible says that He is] …and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Remember that not all rewards come in this life. They come in the time of the resurrection.
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You'll notice everything that was done by faith required action or works.
Verse 7: "By faith Noah, after being Divinely instructed by God about the things he could not yet see, was moved with fear and prepared an ark for the salvation of his house; through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
If God tells you something and you do it, that's faith. If God tells you something and you don't do it, that's not faith.
Remember the parable that Jesus gave. He asked the Pharisees and scribes and said, 'Tell Me, a father had two sons. He came to the first son and said go work in my field. The son said yes, dad, I'll go work. He came to the second one and the son said, No I won't work. Later the one who said he wouldn't work, went to work. The one who said he would work, didn't.' Jesus said, 'Which one did the will of the father? The one who did what he said. He said no at first!
We look at all of these by faith. Abraham: look at how long he had to go, everything in his life. Tells about everything that was there with Isaac, and so forth. Then we have Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses, then the coming in to the 'promised land.' Heb. 12 is something that we need to go to, to remind us of how we need to behave before God and what we need to do.
Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great throng of witnesses…"
I also might mention that we have another throng of great witnesses: all of those who were martyred in the Israel of the Alps, thousands and thousands of them.
- the Gospel was going out
- they knew the Word of God
- they had faith and believed God
That's why they died in faith! Yet, here's what's common to every one of us at any time in the space of history:
"…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily entraps us… [comes upon us] …and let us run the race set before us with endurance… [implied, repentance in between] …Having our minds fixed on Jesus, the Beginner and Finisher of our faith… [it all comes right back to Him] …Who for the joy that lay ahead of Him endured the cross, although He despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (vs 1-3).
We'll do this with the coming Passover year, we'll go through the last ten days of Jesus' life. We're going to see, this was a great spiritual battle and struggle going on behind the scenes of what men were doing. Satan was there to try and make sure that He was not resurrected, but He was.
Verse 3: "Now meditate deeply on Him…" Think about everything that Jesus went through! Remember, God manifested in the flesh; we're just human beings.
"…Who endured such great hostility of sinners against Himself so that you do not become weary and faint in your minds" (v 3).
That's what happens. You read the parable of the sower and where the seed went and how those that gave up because trials came upon them and it was difficult, but they didn't turn to God for help, so they gave up! This is why we have this chapter here. Think of any trial you've had recently in the past or whatever.
Verse 4: "You have not yet resisted to the point of losing blood in your struggle against sin." None of us, but Christ did it for all of us.
Verse 5: "And you have already forgotten the admonition that He addresses to you as to sons… [and daughters] …'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor grow weary of being reproved by Him.'"
We covered that, the testing. How does God know we really believe to the point that we will not do anything contrary?
Verse 6: "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He severely disciplines every son whom He receives." We need to look at:
- why it's happening
- what the goal is
- what the outcome is
- what the future is going to be
Verse 7: "If you endure chastening, God is dealing with you as a Father with His sons. For who is the son whom the Father does not chasten? But if you are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons" (vs 7-8).
This is quite a subject to the Hebrews. Hebrews was written in 60A.D. James—Jesus' half-brother—was martyred in 61A.D. This came to them before all of that happened. Just a few years after that the rumblings of the rebellion against the Romans, which eventually led to the destruction of the temple and the city, began.
Verse 9: "Furthermore, we have had our fleshly fathers who chastened us, and we respected them…"
Verse 10: "…He chastens us for our own benefit…"
Verse 11: "Now truly, no chastisement for the present seems to be joyous… [Haven't had a joyful trial yet, have you?] …but grievous; nevertheless, afterwards… [if you yield to God] …it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who have been exercised by it. Therefore, lift up the hands that are hanging down… [don't run around totally discouraged or giving up on everything] …and revive the weakened knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned aside; but let it rather be healed" (vs 11-13).
Let's look at some more things in the Psalms. It's just like some Scriptures you come to quite often. Psa. 37 is a good one to come to when things are difficult. It's quite a long Psalm, but has everything in it we need in our relationship with God. We'll cover a good portion of it here.
Psalm 37:1: "Do not fret yourself because of evildoers, and do not be envious against the workers of iniquity, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass…" (vs 1-2). Sometimes they last quite a while, but sooner or later it happens to them!
"…and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and cherish faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart" (vs 2-4). The greatest desire of our heart should be:
- eternal life
- the Kingdom of God
- the righteousness of God
Verse 7: "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of him who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret yourself, it leads only to evil" (vs 7-8).
God wants us to come to Him, with His Spirit, let Him give us the right attitude, the right thoughts, the right understanding of what we should do. Remember, you can't repair the past, but you can prevent it from happening again in the future.
Verse 9: "For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth."
Verse 22: "For those blessed of Him shall inherit the earth; and those cursed of Him shall be cut off." The final judgment day is going to be coming, no doubt about it!
Contrary to that, v 23: "The steps of a good man are made firm by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholds him with His hand" (vs 23-24).
That's why God is there with us, through it all the time; through all our troubles. In how many Psalms does it say He is with you in your troubles, in your difficulties?
Verse 25: "I have been young, and now I am old; yet, I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. All the day long he deals graciously and lends, and his children are blessed. Depart from evil and do good, and live forevermore" (vs 25-27).
Verse 29: "The righteous shall inherit the earth and dwell in it forever. The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. The Law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide" (vs 29-31).
Verse 34: "Wait on the LORD and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the earth; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it." That gives all the timeframe!
Verse 39: "But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them because they take refuge in Him" (vs 39-40).
Psalm 119:65: "You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your Word. Teach me good judgment…" (vs 65-66). We have to learn it, because foolishness is bound up in the heart of men and starts with childhood!
"…and knowledge, for I have believed Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray… [that's why we have the problems, so we learn to go in the right way] …but now I have kept Your Word. You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes. The proud have forged a lie against Me, but I will keep Your precepts with all my heart. Their heart is gross like fat, but I delight in Your Law" (vs 66-70).
This whole thing right here is why we have the trials. We go astray, God corrects us and brings us back. In Psa. 108 is the solution to the problems, to the afflictions, to the tribulations, to the troubles we go through.
Psalm 108:1: "O God, my heart is fixed…" Not going to be moved out of the way; not going to be taken away!
- you may have your troubles
- you may have your problems
- you may have your sins come along
But God will honor repentance!
"…I will sing and I will give praise, even with my glory. Awake, harp and lyre; I will awake early. I will praise You, O LORD, among the people; and I will sing praises to You among the nations, for Your mercy is great above the heavens; and Your Truth reaches unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens…" (vs 1-4).
Think about that for a minute. Every sin that is not an unpardonable sin will be forgiven, because His mercy is above the heavens.
"…and Your Truth reaches unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth, so that Your beloved may be delivered; save with Your right hand, and answer me" (vs 4-6).
Verse 11: "O God, have You not cast us off?.… [look how far low he was] …And, O God, will You not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for vain is the deliverance of man. Through God we shall do mighty things, for it is He who will tread down our enemies" (vs 11-13). All of those things give us hope!
Psalm 50:14: "Offer to God thanksgiving; and pay your vows to the Most High; and call upon Me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you, and you shall honor Me" (vs 14-15).
Notice the comparison, v 16: "But to the wicked God says, 'What right have you to declare My statutes, and to take up My covenant in your mouth? Yea, you hate to be taught, and you cast My words behind you. When you saw a thief, then you were pleased to be with him, and you have taken part with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit; you speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son'" (vs 16-20).
"These things you have done, and I have kept silence; you thought that I was like yourself, but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and he who sets his conduct aright, I will show him the salvation of God" (vs 21-23).
There we have the whole contrast of everything we've been talking about together in this one Psalm. That's quite a thing!
Psalm 119:49: "Remember the Word to Your servant upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction… [God is the one Who comforts us, helps us] …that Your Word has given me life" (vs 49-50).
These sections are all eight verses and they're all very interesting indeed.
Verse 89: "Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in the heavens. Your faithfulness is to all generations; You have established the earth, and it stands. They continue to this day according to Your ordinances, for all are Your servants. Unless Your Law had been my delight, then I should have perished in my affliction" (vs 89-92). Keep your eyes and mind on God!
Verse 93: "I will never forget Your precepts, for with them You have given me life. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts" (vs 93-94).
Quite a difference! That's why we can cry out to God and He will intervene and help us in every way.
Remember that whenever you have a trial, problems, afflictions, difficulties, keep your mind fixed. Never deviate from it. If you get carried away and sins overwhelm you, repent and God will restore you!
That's the whole lesson of how to live in this evil world, in spite of everything that goes on!
Scriptural References:
- Revelation 12:9
- 1-John 5:19
- John 16:33
- Revelation 2:9-10, 20-26
- Psalm 4:1-4
- Psalm 5:1-9
- 1-Peter 1:1-7
- 1-Peter 4:12
- Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28, 41-43
- Psalm 34:19, 1-4, 6-9, 17
- Hebrews 11:1-7
- Hebrews 12:1-13
- Psalm 37:1-4, 7-9, 22-27, 29-31, 34, 39-40
- Psalm 119:65-70
- Psalm 108:1-6, 11-13
- Psalm 50:14-23
- Psalm 119:49-50, 89-94
Scriptures- referenced, not quoted: 1-Corinthians 3
Also referenced: Book: The Gospel in Every Book
of the Old Testament by Joseph Farar
FRC:lp
Transcribed: 11-29-18
Formatted: bo—11/30/18
Copyright 2018—All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner. This includes electronic and mechanical photocopying or recording, as well as the use of information storage and retrieval systems.
