Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 18 July 2021
Praise the Lord! Remember the Benefits!
Scripture References: Psalms 103:1-22, Exodus 34:1-9, Romans 8:31-39
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CloseWhat good is there in knowing God? Psalm 103 deals with that question—and it encourages the reader to praise the LORD because of ‘all his benefits’. And the benefits are summed up in his name—Psalm 103:8 is a direct quote of Exodus 34:6, where the LORD reveals his name fully to Moses. At the heart of the LORD’s name is his faithful love and compassion. His faithful love (his hesed) is his commitment to make his relationship with those who fear him work to the best of its capacity. His compassion is treating his enemy as they do not deserve, with grace and generosity and kindness. So, what benefit is there in being one of God’s people? Well, it is to know him, by his name and his deeds, which give us what we do not deserve! Moreover, this benefit is a spur to two actions: praise (as one writer said, why whinge when you can worship?), and proclamation (how good is it for others to know the LORD?).
Scripture References: Psalms 103:1-22, Exodus 34:1-9, Romans 8:31-39
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Psalm | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Richard Luckensmeyer
Psalms 10:1-18
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
Jesus deals with the question of ‘Who belongs in the kingdom?’ Is it children? Is it the good? Is it the godly? And, how and what does this look like? This question of ‘belonging’ is one that is constant in our lives – where do I belong, do I belong, what does belonging look like? And Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of heaven is made up of the dependent, the reliant, the weak – just like children.
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
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