Thursday, February 7, 2008
Psalm ExPSALMples to follow...

Why are the psalms so unique? Well it was written at a time where David was running away from Saul and David was possibly experiencing the lowest point in his life. Pastor Eugene preached on psalm 34 last Sunday and I thought he preached it pretty clear and simple. I like the way he makes his sermon simple and straightforward, it’s fairly easy to understand. Anyways, he gave us some characteristics of a man whose heart is after God. Without a further ado, let me present you the points:

A R E A L man of God…
1. R EFLECTS the presence of God.
Psalm 34:5 ‘Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.’
Do you look to Him? Do you have the desire to draw close to Him?
Psalm 34:1 ‘I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.’
Do you praise the Lord at all time? Do you have the desire to live a lifestyle of praising God?
Psalm 34:2 ‘My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.’
David boasts of the Lord even in times of affliction. How big is your God? How great is your God? Will you boast of the Lord even in times of affliction?
These are some points which will reflect whether you have the presence of God.
Would you come closer to God?

2. E XPERIENCES the provision of God.
Psalm 34:6-7 ‘This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.’
David was referring to himself. He calls to the LORD in times of trouble and the Lord hears him. Do you call to the Lord in times of trouble? Do you trust that the Lord will answer you?
Psalm 34:8 ‘Taste and see that the LORD is good’
Taste is really taking your time and think through what God has done is your life.
Do you have a story to tell of the goodness of God? Do you take God at His word?
Psalm 34:9 ‘Fear the LORD’
What happens when the fear of the Lord comes to you? There are two things that can happen:
a. You will trust in God
b. You will be obedient to His word
Would you come and taste of His goodness?

3. A DVANCES the purposes of God
Psalm 34:11 ‘Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.’
The fear of the Lord can be learnt, it can come upon you. But how do we learn it? The answer is found in Psalm 34:13-14.
i) Keep your tongue from evil ii) Your lips from speaking lies
iii) Turn from evil
iv) Do good
v) Seek peace
vi) Pursue it

God wants to engage the next generation with compassion and love. God wants to empower the next generation for transformation.
As said by Peter Tsukahira, “For transformation to occur, we must first impact the Root of Culture.” For the Root of Culture today is found in the next generation.
Would you come and listen to Him?

4. L IVES-OUT the promises of God
Psalm 34:19 ‘A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all’
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm 34:22 ‘The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.’
We are encouraged to live in the promises of God. When God gives us a promise, He is giving us a picture which we may be part of. So would you come and rest in the Lord?

So what does the real man whose heart is after God do? He:
- Comes closer to God
- Comes and taste His goodness
- Comes listen to His word
- Comes and rest in the Lord.

Would you be a REAL man of God today? I know I do…

Labels: Devotion, PSALM devotions