A Tribute To Israel's God

Psalm 111

Often today’s Christians’ attitude toward God is opposite this psalmist’s attitude.  Too often the Christians’ attitude (especially American Christians) is, “What has God done for me lately?”  Here, the psalmist focused on God’s praiseworthiness, not on his physical desires and ambitions.

Note the psalmist’s reasons for this high esteem for God.

1.      God’s people hold God in the highest esteem.

2.      God’s deeds are amazing!

3.      God’s deeds reveal His glory, majesty, and unfailing righteous.

4.      God motivated Israel to remember His works, graciousness, and mercy.

5.      God provided Israel’s food (physically sustained them) and kept His word.

6.      God kept His word and demonstrated His power by giving to Israel ungodly people’s territory.

7.      God was just and good, so Israel can depend on His teachings.

8.      God’s commands were true and deserved Israel’s trust and integrity.

9.      God paid Israel’s complete ransom and guaranteed to Israel His eternal covenant.

10.   God’s name is holy and awe-inspiring.

11.   Deep respect for and obedience of God were both the foundation of wisdom and the key to growing in wisdom.

In this psalm God was (is) the key to a righteous existence.  Israel was because God is.  The key to retaining what Israel had was God.  Thus the key to advancing was a proper relationship with God. 

The foundation of everything Israel had was God, not Israel.  Israel had opportunity because of God’s initial involvement.  Israel acted on the opportunity God provided.  Without the opportunity God provided, Israel was nothing.

Without God, what are you?  How much do you credit yourself?  How much do you credit God?

April 19, 2017  *  Fort Smith, AR

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