Psalm 112:" Where is our Delight"
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning as we come to worship, and if you had a chance to read the passage and the title of the sermon, I have a question for you.
Where is your delight?
As I was looking over this Psalm for today, this phrase seemed to jump out at me.
Where do we place our delight?
There are many things that attract our attention in this world, but where is our real delight.
If you are a follower of God’s Word and have chosen to hold this Word as your guiding light for your life, I am sure many of you would say, God is our delight.
To be honest if it isn’t it should be. If your mind has wondered off on the many things that delight you, I want to take a few moments to look at God’s Word this morning and discover in this Psalm where, why and how do we place our delight in God and His Word.
In order to do that, let’s take a look at today’s text
Turn with me to Ps 112
1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
Praise the Lord,
The Psalm begins, like any other worship time should begin with a
Praise the Lord.
The Psalmist begins to draw the readers and possible singers of this Psalm with a Praise the Lord.
You must realize that this particular
Praise the Lord
it is both a response from what has been said and what will further be said in the following verses.
Let me explain.
Ps 111 and ps 112 are two parts of the same message.
It is good to note that these two Psalms are considered wisdom Psalms.
That they are written in a poetic form and function, but could very well be similar to the messages found throughout the Proverbs.
Wisdom comes from God and it can also be gained by experience
As many of you have read, Solomon was asked what he would want,
and God granted him wisdom.
I am reminded of a story a read once about a sunday school teacher trying to emphasis this particular story to his class.
It went like this,
teacher : If you are offered wealth and wisdom what will you choose ?
student : wealth
teacher: No. That's a bad answer. I will choose wisdom .
students: that's ok sir. We have to choose what we don't have.
Praise the Lord that is not our response.
But what the Hallelujah found in this verse is a response to
Praise the Lord is a response to Ps 111:10
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
The Fear or awestruckness of God is the first step in finding out true wisdom
It all begins with God.
One person wrote this,
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Psalm 112: The Triumph of Faith
The author moves back and forth between the ideal and the real. At the heart of his concern is not so much the getting of God’s blessings as much as encouraging conformity to God in righteous acts, in cultivating qualities (gracious and compassionate, loyal and steady), and in developing a strong faith in the Lord. The wise person is one of faith, hope, and love!
So the Psalmist begins with, this
ps 112:1
1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!
Blessedness of Those Who Delight in Wisdom (vs 1)
Blessedness of Those Who Delight in Wisdom (vs 1)
Blessed.
How often do we use the word blessed?
I often respond in an email with the word,
Blessings,
We look over our lives and compared to those who live in war torn countries, we consider ourselves, Blessed.
If you remember when we began the Psalms series and we looked at Ps 1 a
The Psalm opens up with “Blessed is the man”
Blessed- (< ASH WAY)
Characterized by one who is happy and being highly favored ( as by Divine Grace)
I brought to your attention the thought about blessings and stated that we desire deeply to be blessed by God, but when Psalm one begins with this phrase we must be careful to track how this blessing comes about.
Can and does God go around and randomly bless people, Yes
Is there some special thing we need to do so that we can get a blessing from God, No.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
If you have accepted Christ and the work on the cross for your life, this verse applies to you. The blessing described here is a Divine action toward you. The english, blessing from the greek word here is different than the Blessed english word from the Hebrew
In Ephesians, we are blessed, but Do we, as followers of Christ, automatically receive this blessing described her in Psalm 1,
You see as it has been stated,
blessed or happy is not given directly by God...
It is not an automatic response from God says the writer...
but it comes from a direct result of one’s action - WBC pg 60
So if blessings is the result of our action this verse repeats that messages.
ps 112:1 “1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!”
It begins when we fear the lord, and begin to delight in God’s commandments.
So What does it truly mean to fear the lord.
One person states it this way,
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 14: Psalms 73–150 (Call to Worship and Blessing)
Verse 1 opens....with a call to worship: “Praise the LORD!” This liturgical formula tells us what we are to do as it brings us into the presence of God and prepares us for the meditation that follows.
We worship Him because of who he is. He is the God of creation,
He holds life in His hands,
He sustains life.
When we come into this mindset and approach for worship, the next steps become easy.
Delighting in God’s commandments.
What does it mean to delight in Commands,
Commands are rules. How do we delight in rules.
To be honest with this, our culture doesn’t like most rules.
They don’t like to be told what to do.
If we are truly honest with ourselves, do we like rules.
A Toddler’s first words are not mommy and daddy, but, what.......NO
When asked to do something that we don’t like, what do we say.....NO
Some rules are good and we can all agree that they are good for us, like staying on the correct side of the road while driving.
But what about those rules that seem to be an inconvenience to us. NO
It is easy to say we should not be following them.
Deep down, we don’t like being told what to do. It’s almost like we have a rebellious nature.
Now we are getting back to the Text, God’s Commandments, statues,
Some faith practices have taken too many rules and made approaching God so cumbersome that people give up trying to please God.
They have walked away from God because of the limitations man have put on them.
Standards that are man made and not God commanded.
This is not new, Jesus confronted this when He was here walking with His disciples.
If you know of people or are one of those people today, you have left the faith or are not interested in the faith we as believers follow because of apparent rules, stay tuned.
Folks, is this what these verses are implying?
Delighting in God’s Commandments?
Stated this way,
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 14: Psalms 73–150 (Scripture Outline)
This psalm doesn’t simply state its thesis. It documents it with a description of the righteous person who gives his life to God. The ancient Hebrews were pragmatists. They didn’t shy away from the consequences of living a godly life. They were able to ask, “What’s in it for me?” This psalm offers the answer. Those who worship the Lord and walk in His ways will have mighty descendants and wealth; they will live in the light, be honest in business, and be secure when evil news comes or enemies attack.
With all this in mind let’s look at the marks of a life of blessings
ps 112:2-3 “2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.”
Blessings of Righteousness (vv. 2–3)
Blessings of Righteousness (vv. 2–3)
How we can receive the blessings laid out in scripture.
Look at last part of verse 3.
Do you see it.
Blessings comes with a person who is righteous. He is marked by his righteousness.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (II. Blessings of Righteousness (112:2–3))
He practices “righteousness,” is concerned with it, and makes every effort to establish God’s righteous kingdom on earth. His character and acts are marked by godlikeness (111:3b). Because his way of life shows a concern for God’s majesty, glory, and greatness (111:2–3), he builds up the kingdom of God on earth. Therefore, the Lord rewards him with success on his labors. The fruits of success are put in OT terms: many and blessed descendants, wealth, and honor.
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
This should be a reminder for all of us. To be blessed with children is not a quantity rather the strength of your families faith.
We will find out later in vs 8 that the blessed will have the ability to overcome their enemies.
In other words, the blessings of a righteous person helps you with dealing with struggles in our lives.
Someone else said this.
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 14: Psalms 73–150 The Rewards of God’s Blessing
First, in verse 2, the righteous person’s “descendants” (“seed”) will be “mighty on earth.” The word “mighty” is used of a “mighty man,” a man of valor and substance. These descendants will overcome their enemies (see v. 8). As we might render this in our context today, they will be able to do spiritual battle over the forces of evil and prevail (see Eph. 6:l0ff.). In Christ we know that our enemies have been defeated and that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). Thus, “the generation [or family] of the upright [‘straight, just’] will be blessed [‘happy’].” The godly person not only benefits himself but also his family. As he is blessed, they are blessed. As he models a just life, they learn that life from him. As he is no longer a channel for sin and corruption to flow into his house hold, they receive the benefits. No one lives to himself or dies to himself (Rom. 14:7).
The Psalmist moves on, look at verse 4
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Blessing in Adversity (v. 4)
Blessing in Adversity (v. 4)
Light Dawns, in the darkness.
Verse four is dealing with how the blessed person handles adversity.
Have you every had a moment in your lives where everything seems to be crashing down in your life?
Things have been going well and then..... something happens.
Can you image Job. He is living the life that God had asked him to live. He looks around and sees the blessings of a prosperous business.
He sees his family at family gatherings celebrating all the Goodness of God....
Then.... Adversity strikes.
How do we cope when Adversity strikes in our lives?
There are many people in the faith community around the world that present an opposite view than stated in this verse.
Some present that when you make the faith step to come and follow Christ that you will be blessed. Blessings, according to these folks, will bring nothing but prosperity.
They equal your faith with that of prosperity in material things. They teach if you are truly faithful, God will bless you with material things.
I remember a few years back, I went on a mission trip to a poor area in Mexico to a ministry that assisted the local church. As we walked along side of these folks, it was interesting to hear that many felt that God that they serve will bring them prosperity. I remember talking with a family that were really struggling. They felt it was them and their lack of faith that money was tight. The job they were promised wasn’t materializing.
God’s blessings is not always in the means of material blessings, but a blessed man will shine in the midst of adversity.
Notice that the opposite of dawn is darkness. Darkness is a metaphor for the adversity in our lives.
We could read this verse to say , Even in the darkness, the light or life of the Lord comes shining through in our lives.
Someone wrote.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (III. Blessing in Adversity (112:4))
The righteous man is “gracious and compassionate” like God (cf. 111:4b). His godly character is a “light” in darkness. “Light” is a metaphor for redemption and the joy of life (cf. 27:1; 36:9; 56:13; Isa 9:2; 10:17). However, when adversity comes in his way, he too like “the upright,” will receive light. The latter may experience “darkness” (cf. 107:10) in the forms of “bad news” (v. 7) and “foes” (v. 8). The promise is that the Lord delivers the righteous from adversities.
So are you wanting to be a blessed person as described in this PSALM.
You need to ask yourself, how are you.
Is Christ shinning through your life as you walk through adversity.
Or what about this.
Are you doubting God’s grace in your life when adversity comes crashing into your life. Are you feeling less blessed. This passage can provide you with a hope and comfort. You can be living a righteous life and still have to deal with troubles in your life.
The Dawn in our lives is Christ Grace shining through even during these times of struggle.
The Psalmist moves on by stating,
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
Blessings of Being Gracious and Compassionate (v. 5)
Blessings of Being Gracious and Compassionate (v. 5)
Another view of a blessed person is how they are with people.
It is well with you when you are a gracious person.
Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 112
who is gracious The Hebrew word used here, chanan, means “to favor,” “to have compassion,” or “to be gracious”—referring generally to a generous attitude.
A blessed person is quite to hand over grace and compassion for those around you.
The marks of a blessed follower is how they show and life the hands and feet of Jesus.
Are we quite to turn aside those in need or do we turn to the needy.
As some of you may have heard, it has been known that I have in the past picked up hitchhikers on my travels. I truly feel those who are needed to do this are in need to travel without means. I feel very blessed to be able to travel, and would love to share this blessing with others.
The Psalmist once again repeats the Adversity theme.
6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
Blessing in Adversity (vv. 6–8)
Blessing in Adversity (vv. 6–8)
This section repeats like the acrostic poem it is, the view of Adversity.
One person has stated.,
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 6864 Production of Greatest Minds
Times of great calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt comes from the darkest storm.
—Colton
The Psalmist takes this time to show practical ways to notice the blessed man.
Is not afraid. Do you live in fear of what might happen?
Are you waiting for the potential bad news that may come around the corner?
I am not saying to watch or guard your life for things that may come, but the fear or removal of that fear in your life is a righteous man or women.
Their trust in in God’s faithfulness, and because of that trust, they know they are blessed no matter what the circumstance.
IT is in those moments of hardship, darkness, turmoil in our lives that we seem to see God rich in His mercy. He is steady.
Folks, the steadiness comes not from our own strength, but the total reliance of God.
If you seem to be faltering, your world is crashing down around you and you are not handling this well, it is in that moment that we need to reach out to God
Give Him your worries.
Give Him your anxieties.
Give Him your fears.
God will bless you with strength to handle those situations. He will bring people in your life to be the physical comfort of God. Allow them to come into your life. Reach out to them
Trust in God.
Verse 9 says
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
Blessings of Righteousness (v. 9)
Blessings of Righteousness (v. 9)
What has God distributed freely?
God’s Grace
The true blessings from God is not to have things easy in this life.
The true blessings are for life eternal.
Those are the things that will endure forever.
God’s grace is not based upon your status in life.
We are all sinners saved but by the Grace of God.
God’s Horn, a sign of blessings will be granted to us when we fully put our trust in the one who is and will be exalted forevermore.
Blessed is the man or women who practice this, display this
BUT
Remember this is a wisdom Psalm. With most wisdom comes a warning for those who don’t head the wisdom
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
Curse on the “Longings” of the Wicked (v. 10)
Curse on the “Longings” of the Wicked (v. 10)
The wicked man is cursed.
Folks look at the language of the Psalmist.
You are either for God or not. There is not middle ground.
The wicked man sees God’s Grace, the righteousness of the people of God and how they handle the adversities in their life and are angry.
They fight even harder
They are consumed with this in their lives and it gets them no where.
The Psalmist ends this piece of wisdom with a warning for all of us.
I have seen this warning over and over and I have seen people live this out in their lives.
The Psalmist is warning all of us, he warns us that there is a cost to not heading the words of the wisdom in the first 9 verses. The cost is great. The result is not good.
It will bring destruction.
The Good news, however is that we don’t have to end up this way.
Let me remind you of this
Conclusion
Conclusion
As the worship team comes forward to prepare us into a response for worship let me challenge you with this.
Where are you today?
Is your life marked by a “Praise the Lord”?
Are you delighting in His commandments
Are you facing Adversity in your life and you are giving all that you have to God.
Is He your strength as you walk through this time.
Are you calling out to God?
If not, why not?
Is there something you are holding onto that is stopping you from giving yourselves fully over to God.
If you holding onto bitterness, resentment, anger, give them to God.
If you are tired, this past year has been full of challenges, give them to God.
Rest in the comfort of His love. Ask God to fill you with the strength to continue.
This morning as we sing this song of response. If you are wanting prayer, come forward.
If you have been holding onto something and you want to give it to God, come forward.
If you are praising God for all that He has done in our lives, continue to praise his with your
Praise the Lord,
Let’s stand and sing
Response to Worship
Response to Worship
Benediction
Benediction