DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE 13 JUNE 2021 (LESSON 1004)
MEMORY VERSE: “Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously” (Psalm 96:10).
TEXT: Psalms 92 to 99
MESSAGE:
God is absolutely supreme. He is the Creator and we are His creation. His authority and power supersede all beings and things, seen and unseen. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Col 1:16).
He is omnipotent. The psalms under consideration are highly eschatological and speak about the coming reign of the Messiah, the anointed One of God. The accounts reveal His attributes and the reasons to praise Him. They also highlight the certainty of His ultimate reign over all the earth to judge righteously. In the study is a narrative of God’s wonderful works and the covenant, which becomes the basis of our worship. Our knowledge of His preeminence and splendour should elicit spontaneous praise from our hearts.
Question 1: Why should the redeemed of the Lord Praise Him?
EXHORTATION AND REASONS FOR SPIRITUAL PRAISE (Psalms 92:1-15; 95:1-11; 96:1-13; 98:1-9; 147:1; 89:1; 69:34; 33:2; 40:5; Rom 11:33; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 65:22; Psalm 54:6,7; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 28:7; proverb 2:8; Hebrew 12:5)
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, 0 most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night”. (Psalm 92:1,2). Praise and thanksgiving are responsibilities that sustain our relationship with our Maker and Redeemer. It is fit to give God thanks always for His innumerable benefits towards us. He deserves praises for His loving- kindness, which originates from His nature, of love. In His kindness, He supplies our physical and spiritual needs such as protection from harm, supply of food, healing and health for the body, financial needs, wisdom and good success, grace to overcome ‘temptations, courage in trial, grace to live a holy life and lots more. The faithfulness of God transcends time and is everlasting. The personality of God is unique, universal and unquestionable. Thus, He deserves our worship. Another reason for praising God is because it is our responsibility to do so. The purpose for our creation and redemption is to praise Him. “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise” (Isaiah 43: 21). God should be praised no matter the situation a believer finds himself; for “He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints” (Proverbs 2:8). Praise belongs to God alone and it depicts total submission to His supremacy. Praise demonstrates a continuous desire for God’s presence. There is no alternative to praising Him as it attracts divine intervention in any situation.
Question 2: What should be a believer’s disposition in times of affliction?
EXPOSURE AND REVELATION OF HIS MAJESTIC POWER (Psalms 93:1-5; 94:1-23; 95:1-7; 96:4-6,13; 97:1-9; 99:1-9; 29:4; Rev 19:6; Psalm·65:6,7; Jude 1:14,15; Job 36:5; Psalm 97:5,6; Micah 1:4; Revelation 19:11;15:4)
Through the inspiration of the Spirit, the psalmist reveals the royal majesty of the eternal King who is our Refuge. “The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved” (Psalm 93:1). His sovereign power is to all generations. Thrones rise and fall, heaven and earth will pass, but God’s sovereignty will never be changed. Before creation, His throne had been established. He declares judgment and justice in the earth. The psalmist’s expression of God’s supreme power and sovereignty is inexhaustible. In His power as eternal King, we observe the following: i. His reign and majesty cut across all creations. The word ‘reign’ is associated with royalty. It shows His position on the highest throne. He has no superior. No creature can take His place or ascend higher than His throne. He established the earth and controls its workings. ii. His sure testimonies. “God is not a man, that he should He”. He speaks with perfect assurance and certainty. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35) iii. God’s vengeance upon His enemies (Psalm 94:1; Jeremiah 51:56; Hebrew 10:30). He recompenses the proud who utter hard things. Though they afflict God’s heritage, they will not escape His vengeance and judgment. At the appointed time, even the least of evil doers will not be spared. God’s vengeance upon sin and sinners justifies His holiness. iv. God is a great King above all gods (Psalm 95:3; Isaiah 12:6). There is only one great King and mighty Ruler. The word “great” expresses His exalted glory and unrivalled strength. Nothing can qualify or quantify the magnitude of His greatness. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the express image of God has been given all power and authority to rule eternally. On earth, He will exercise dominion over all during the millennial reign (Psalm 72:8-11). Today, Christ has transferred all power and authority to His followers, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6).
Question 3: What assurance does a believer have concerning the enemies of our faith?
Sin does not have a place in God’s presence. “… Holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever” (Psalm 93:5). God is holy and demands holiness from His worshipers. “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. In his hand are the deep places of the earth …”(Psalms 96:9; 95:4,5). The Lord is above all gods. “For all the gods of the nations are -idols: but the LORD made the heavens”. He has the highest royal seat and structure (Psalm 96:5). No seat or throne can contest with the majesty of God. In His domain lies strength and beauty. “For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods” (Psalm 97:9). God answers His people at all times based on the covenant He has established from generation to generation (Psalm 99:8; 98:3).
EXPECTATION OF JOY THROUGH SUSTAINED PRAISES BY SAINTS (Psalms 95:8-11; 97:10-12; 99:5-9; Job 5:17; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Psalm 67:4; Revelations 11:15-17)
“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). God delights in His children who constantly render holy praises to Him. He has promised His power, protection, deliverance, joy, light and revelation in obscure situations (Acts 16:25,26; Daniel 2:19), provision of daily needs and above all, a place in His eternal abode. He gives His peace and magnifies His presence where sincere praises are offered. “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (Psalm 95:7-9). We are cautioned not to despise the love and faithfulness of God. He suffered long with the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years; yet, they persisted in their evil ways. They made their choice and suffered severe consequences. “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10:5). As believers, we must look away from the world, remain faithful and true to God at all times. God values His people and He would not forsake them in their period of need.
Question 4: State the blessedness of rendering sustained praises to God.
God’s commands and demands must be given priority and prompt obedience. Hardening the heart against His chastisement will only lead to doom. As beneficiaries of His mercy and grace, we should “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:3). We must give Him the glory that is due to His name. Whatever spiritual service – preaching, teaching, singing, praying, evangelizing etc. – we render to the Lord within and outside the church, must be to His glory. Our youthful days and strength must be invested in Kingdom service, and our experiences and wisdom, which come with age must also be ploughed into the fields of ministry. As saints, our life-long goal and pursuit should be to render continuous praise and service to the supreme King out of a pure heart. By so doing, He will preserve our souls and deliver us from the hands of the wicked.
Question 5: What should be the pursuit of every heaven-bound saint?
