God is gracious and compassionate.

This lesson is about God’s grace and compassion, as experienced in the lives of those who trust in him. The worship of God emerges spontaneously and enthusiastically from his people, who pause to consider the many ways God’s grace has secured their salvation and His compassion has preserved those who trust in Him. When considering the ways God has extended his grace and compassion to us, we are made aware that, without these blessings of His love and mercy given to us, we would be unsaved from our sins, and would, ultimately, perish in our sins. But instead, we prosper spiritually, and in other ways, as recipients of God’s great goodness extended to us.

GOLDEN TEXT: Psalm 111:4  He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

REASONS FOR WHOLEHEARTED WORSHIP

A. Worship God for His Wonderful Works

Psa 111:1  Praise ye the LORD (Hallelujah). I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

…….I love the picture we see through the writer of the verse. He states that he is praising the Lord with his whole heart in the presence of righteous people. Most people who don’t openly worship will not do so because of the presence of “righteous” people. The psalmist does not regard the attendees by their religious statuses, because in the presence of the Lord and in the midst of worship, there are no statuses!

Psa 111:2  The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

…….Finally!!! A lesson that can be taught about praising the Lord for what He has done! Many people will tell you not to get fixed on praising the Lord for everything he’s given, almost to the sake of making a person feel guilty for glorifying God for blessing you! We are blessed people! If we actually took the time out of the day to write down all the works He has performed in our lives, we still would run out of day! But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recognize them!

Psa 111:3  His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

Psa 111:4  He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

…….When people say, “don’t get to fixed or caught up on the works”, I say, spend several moments out of the day getting recognizing everything that God is doing in your life now!

Psa 111:5  He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

…….There must be a balance in our recognition of the things. Truly stated, if we get caught up on only being grateful of the “things” we may only focus on have more of those “things” and not more of His Spirit. Providing food is not a spiritual blessing, but a physical one that is imparted by the spiritual! While many material things in our lives have not come from the Lord, they were “allowed” because of His love toward us.

B. Worship God for His Faithful Word

Psa 111:6  He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage (passed down portion) of the heathen.

…….The Word said that He (the Lord) has put His works on display. He doesn’t always ever so humbly bless His people. And you think you are proud of your children. God doesn’t only bless you because He is proud of you, but He also desires the attention of all others! Glorify Him in the presence of all people.

Psa 111:7  The works of his hands are verity (truth) and judgment (justice/just); all his commandments are sure.

…….All of Gods works are proof of His faithfulness to keep His Word. There will always be a good side and bad side of truth and justice, you either break the law or keep it. It is the God freely given choice to select what side of this line all people stand.

Psa 111:8  They (His truths and judgements) stand fast (hold up) for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

…….Everything in life is held up by the works of God. There is still balance. Even though this world may seem full of evil sin and corruption, He is still in control. The moment that there is no longer a balance is a moment that all destruction will take place, but His people will remain secure. It is up to us in every condition to still give God the glory and praise.

Psa 111:9  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

……..In every story of bondage and captivity, the Lord remained faithful. And in the moment that He promised He would release, freedom took place.

Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

…….While we praise the Lord out of gratefulness of salvation, spiritual relationship and provision, there must always be a fear of His judgement in the moment of temptation (or the times we contemplate a mess up). Those who know and understand His commandments also have an understanding of His judgements. In knowing this also comes an understanding of how obeying His commandments keep us from sinning and therefore keep our lives Holy and clean.

LEAD A GRACE-FILLED LIFE

A. Grace Helps Us Live Right (continuation of ch. 111)

Psa 112:1  Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

…….What/How would you consider a “blessed” man to be? I would say it is someone who has at least a sliver of the grace bestowed on their lives. In conclusion: we are all blessed people. To understand the scripture, all who fear the Lord and find pleasure in obeying His commandments are blessed with the grace of God.

Psa 112:2  His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

…….Because of, or the result of our fear and reverence to the Lord, even our offsprings will be mighty and blessed. It doesn’t end with you! The absolute greatest blessing you can pass down on your children and community is a life lead by a relationship with the Lord!

Psa 112:3  Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

…….My Uncle use to say this, “some people will never have things/money because the Lord can’t trust that they will stay near to him if they possess the things/money”. I have seen this to be so true. When some people find financial relief they don’t need God anymore, or so they think. When we let God have control of EVERYTHING, we will understand that His control is way better than ours!

Psa 112:4  Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

…….I love this verse! Even in our darkest times God is going to show up! Not only is He going to show up, but He wraps us in His arms and comforts us! Because God displays this comfort on our lives, we in turn are full of grace, compassion and righteousness for others in their dark times!

B. Grace Makes Us Generous

Psa 112:5  A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs (business, all things that pertain to him) with discretion (determination, the ability to determine).

…….A good man is just as wise as he is good. In his moments of showing favor, he will also be able to determine who wise wisely use his favor and who will spoil it. A compassionate person will also say no to those in need, only because they know that the needy will not always use it for the right reasons.

Psa 112:6  …….When we are made generous by Gods grace, there are additional blessings that come to us by God: Vs.6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

Psa 112:7  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

Psa 112:8  His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

Psa 112:9  He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Psa 112:10  The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

…….Those who show humility and compassion will be vindicated and protected by the Lord. We don’t have to rise up in anger to avenge ourselves in the heat of the moment. When we remain calm and let the Lord fight the battle, you and the enemy both understand the reason of restitution. When the enemy desires a rise out of the person but receives a response from the Lord, the show is much more enjoyable. When you take care of Gods people, He will take care of you.

EXHALT THE UPLIFTING ONE

A. Praise God Who Is Above Us

Psa 113:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

…….The Hebrew word for praise means “to shine, to praise, to boast.”

Psa 113:2  Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

Psa 113:3  From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.

Psa 113:4  The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Psa 113:5  Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

…….Worship is an outward expression of an inward gratitude! Some folks say, I’m just quiet by nature, and there are many who are not outspoken at all for various reasons, but I can guarantee that there are certain things in life that will make them speak up. If the feathers can be ruffled out of anger, they should definitely be movable out of compassion. Are you humble? Do you want to be humble? Praising the Lord is a humbling thing. Learning to glorify God is learning the results of glorifying God.