A man…should be like iron, not steel. If steel is heated too much it becomes brittle and it will break, while iron has great strength. Yet it can be shaped and changed by the proper hammering and the right amount of heat. A good man is like that.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Iron Marshal)
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
–Romans 8:29(NKJV)
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Remember the little saying that was used so often that it became trite? “God is good–all the time, and all the time–God is good.” It became a device to get people’s involvement, and was used by some a little too often. However, it is true. In Psalm 111, we see the goodness of God displayed.
5 — He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
6 — He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 — The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure.
8 — They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 — He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and awesome is His name.
10 — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. (NKJV)
Review last Monday’s study on Psalm 111. I want to start with verse 4 as we read His wonders are to be remembered. “God’s works are identified as wonders, which are usual but which are beyond the ordinary course of events” (Steven Lawson). When we see His wonders, we are left in “wonder.” Then that verse states that God is gracious and full of compassion, therefore, He is very kind to you. (Wood)
Verse 5 shows that He provides food for His people. But it goes further than that, God sustains us (Wood). He gives us our daily bread, and He also clothes us, provides us with the necessities of life. Paul states that “God shall supply all your need…” (Philippians 4:19) I like what George Wood says, “Because God remembers your hunger–for food, security, relationship, or fulfillment–He will provide the ‘bread’ on the day you need it. Don’t panic that tomorrow’s bread is not yet on your plate.” God is good!
Look at what He does for us in verse 6, He enlarges us. We are never diminished, but He is ever expanding the territory of our lives, enlarging the sphere of influence (Wood). The enemy will try to lie to you, but we know that if we obey God we will never have less than what is needed. God is good!
God is faithful, we can always depend upon Him. He is there in the midst of every and any situation, and His works are “verity” (justice, truth, faithful). He will fulfill His promises. Lawson describes it in this way, “God’s acts are just, meaning always right and equitable. Moreover, all His precepts are trustworthy, meaning infallible, dependable, and they will surely come to pass.” He is not a tease, one who dangles a carrot in front of you, urging you to take a swipe at it. No, He is faithful and will never lead into temptation or give an illusionary fantasy to guide you. We can depend upon Him–for He is good.
The greatest good He has for mankind is seen in verse 9. His greatest work, His greatest gift–redemption. God provides redemption for His people. The NLT renders it this way, “He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever…”. His work of creation is great; His miracles performed on our behalf make us wonder, but above all His greatest work was to provide for our redemption. He is good–“holy and awesome is His name”!
The wisest thing we can do is praise the Lord. This reverential fear “the necessary prerequisite of all wisdom…”. The sobering awe of God is the beginning of wisdom; that is, the starting point and first principle of wisdom.” (Lawson) This psalm ends where it begins–praise the Lord! When we look at the world, we know that God is sovereign. When looking upon any and all situations of your life–know that God is sovereign. God is working for you, and He is working through you. It may not be apparent, and the end result might not yet be seen, but remember that He is faithful and dependable–He is good!
“O give me faith, and faith’s increase;
Finish the work begun in me.
Preserve my soul in perfect peace,
And let me always rest on thee.”
–Charles Wesley
——————————
Remember the little saying that was used so often that it became trite? “God is good–all the time, and all the time–God is good.” It became a device to get people’s involvement, and was used by some a little too often. However, it is true. In Psalm 111, we see the goodness of God displayed.
5 — He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
6 — He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 — The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure.
8 — They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 — He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and awesome is His name.
10 — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. (NKJV)
Review last Monday’s study on Psalm 111. I want to start with verse 4 as we read His wonders are to be remembered. “God’s works are identified as wonders, which are usual but which are beyond the ordinary course of events” (Steven Lawson). When we see His wonders, we are left in “wonder.” Then that verse states that God is gracious and full of compassion, therefore, He is very kind to you. (Wood)
Verse 5 shows that He provides food for His people. But it goes further than that, God sustains us (Wood). He gives us our daily bread, and He also clothes us, provides us with the necessities of life. Paul states that “God shall supply all your need…” (Philippians 4:19) I like what George Wood says, “Because God remembers your hunger–for food, security, relationship, or fulfillment–He will provide the ‘bread’ on the day you need it. Don’t panic that tomorrow’s bread is not yet on your plate.” God is good!
Look at what He does for us in verse 6, He enlarges us. We are never diminished, but He is ever expanding the territory of our lives, enlarging the sphere of influence (Wood). The enemy will try to lie to you, but we know that if we obey God we will never have less than what is needed. God is good!
God is faithful, we can always depend upon Him. He is there in the midst of every and any situation, and His works are “verity” (justice, truth, faithful). He will fulfill His promises. Lawson describes it in this way, “God’s acts are just, meaning always right and equitable. Moreover, all His precepts are trustworthy, meaning infallible, dependable, and they will surely come to pass.” He is not a tease, one who dangles a carrot in front of you, urging you to take a swipe at it. No, He is faithful and will never lead into temptation or give an illusionary fantasy to guide you. We can depend upon Him–for He is good.
The greatest good He has for mankind is seen in verse 9. His greatest work, His greatest gift–redemption. God provides redemption for His people. The NLT renders it this way, “He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever…”. His work of creation is great; His miracles performed on our behalf make us wonder, but above all His greatest work was to provide for our redemption. He is good–“holy and awesome is His name”!
The wisest thing we can do is praise the Lord. This reverential fear “the necessary prerequisite of all wisdom…”. The sobering awe of God is the beginning of wisdom; that is, the starting point and first principle of wisdom.” (Lawson) This psalm ends where it begins–praise the Lord! When we look at the world, we know that God is sovereign. When looking upon any and all situations of your life–know that God is sovereign. God is working for you, and He is working through you. It may not be apparent, and the end result might not yet be seen, but remember that He is faithful and dependable–He is good!
“O give me faith, and faith’s increase;
Finish the work begun in me.
Preserve my soul in perfect peace,
And let me always rest on thee.”
–Charles Wesley