Bible Study - Hope (4) - Hope Expressed - Psalm 138:1-8 - May 11,2014

Bible Study – Hope (4) – Hope Expressed – May 11, 2014

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Let Hope In.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 138:1-8.

Gratitude is a Christian’s response to the hope he or she has in CHRIST.

Often gratitude comes when we pause and reflect. Sometimes it is after we have been through some difficult times, happy times or just embracing the world and universe HE created. We reflect and see how GOD was involved and worked in our behalf to bring situation(s) to a satisfactory conclusion. Also, various things we see, hear or read can remind us of the greatness and care of GOD in our lives.

In last week’s lesson, we saw that the two sons were interested in the things (goods) their father provided. They were not interested in their relationship with their father only what their father provided. The younger son had to lose the goods his father gave him before he repented and sought the father. The elder son never lost the goods the father provided and neither did he see his sinful nature and repent.

Do we allow things e.g. wealth, social life, living a sinful life, addictions, religion or doing good prevent us from having an intimate, loving, personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS?

When we have walked with CHRIST and witnessed HIS care for us, then we can truly show our gratitude in expressions of praise and gratitude.

David wrote Psalm 138. We do not know when he wrote it but speculation is that he wrote it later in life after he had experienced GOD working in his life and caring for him. If you have studied David’s life you know how GOD had chosen David to be king, led, guided and protected him until he became king. He was not perfect but he was a man after GOD’S own heart. Let’s explore!

Thank GOD for the hope we have that is grounded in HIS love and truth.

Let’s read Psalm 138:1-3:

1 I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.

David was grateful for all that GOD had done for him and expressed his sincere thanks and praises to HIM for all to know including heavenly beings. In essence David was saying “I am not ashamed of my love and admiration for the One True GOD and I want all heavenly beings to know it.” At that time the heathens worshipped all sorts of gods and goddesses.

We can express our thanks and praise to GOD, but, does such expressions come from grateful hearts? Often, it does but when some of us mature Spiritually, we discover that our praise was to impress GOD with lofty, flattering words and some of the time for the ears of the people surrounding us. We had a form of Godliness but our hearts had not fully embraced the truth of GOD in our lives.  

Verse 2 gives us some pause to consider regarding David’s reference to the temple. The temple had not been built. Could David have bowed down toward what might have been the future location of the temple or the tent of meeting or the direction from which GOD will come, or the direction the sun rises, the east? David expressed his praise and honor to GOD. As such, he would bow down to worship HIM by prostrating himself in the direction of the location of GOD. HE was worthy of this homage because HE had lived up to HIS name, promises and covenant. David had witnessed the faithfulness of GOD because when he called upon GOD, GOD responded by increasing his inner strength. It was a knowing of the presence of GOD in his life. The Holy Spirit provides that knowing to Christians since Pentecost when GOD sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all true believers.

Ezekiel 43:2
2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.

The King James translation used “loving-kindness” instead of “constant love and truth.” “Loving-kindness” is a beautiful and powerful term which carries the idea of loyalty and devotion regarding the character of GOD toward HIS covenant people. “Loving-kindness” expresses the loyalty and devotion of both the one giving it and the one receiving it. It is akin to quid quo pro, which in turn equals relationship. It is embodied in truth on the part of GOD and the person with whom GOD is in covenant relationship.

Since the passion of CHRIST, all who place their faith in CHRIST are in covenant relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

Truth conveys trustworthiness and confidence which comes through an interactive relationship. Christians are truly blessed because they have the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead, guide, teach, enlighten and assure them as they walk with the LORD.

David had built such a trust and knowledge of GOD that GOD had exceeded all of his expectations. When David called upon GOD, GOD responded. There were times when, I believe, GOD told David to wait and he did. David was a warrior and could have taken King Saul’s life and been elevated to king but he chose not. As mentioned, David was not Mr. “Goody Two-shoes” but he and GOD had an intimate, personal, dynamic relationship. David had to suffer the consequences of his sins but GOD never cast him out. That should give us all hope in building a strong, personal, intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Doing so does not give us a “get out of jail free card” but we know when all is said and done GOD/CHRIST will never leave us or forsake us.

Thank GOD that HE remembers us in our lowly state and lifts us up.

Let’s read Psalm 138:4-6:

4 All the kings on earth will give You thanks, Lord, when they hear what You have promised. 5 They will sing of the Lord’s ways, for the Lord’s glory is great. 6 Though the Lord is exalted, He takes note of the humble; but He knows the haughty from a distance.

David wrote of the day when all in authority will behold and honor the authority, majesty and glory of GOD. GOD, Yahweh, had entered a covenant with the people of Israel. The Israelites agreed to be GOD’S people. HE chose them and they chose HIM, thus an agreed upon covenant. By being GOD’S chosen people, GOD had a plan for them as stated in Exodus 19:5-6:

5 Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, 6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

The Israelites worshipped The One True GOD, Yahweh, Who created the universe, the world, everything in it including mankind. The Israelites were to be witnesses to all the humans in all nations. Most people did not know HIS Words, care, power or anything about HIM. David’s hope was that one day all humans would know the One True GOD and show HIM the honor and praise due HIM. To know HIM was not just know about HIM but to know HIM through an intimate relationship. To truly know HIM was to truly love HIM.  

John 6:45: (JESUS was speaking.)

45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to Me.  

Isaiah 54:13: (JESUS’ quote above came from Isaiah.)

13 Then all your children will be taught by the Lord,

When all the people of earth, especially those in authority, get to really know GOD through an intimate, personal relationship, they will exalt HIM and HIS name. The exalted position of GOD does not mean that HE is beyond reaching down to minister to those in need or those who call upon HIM. No person can drop so low that GOD cannot reach down to him or her. That is an attribute of GOD worth shouting about which reveals HIS love and concern for mankind.

How does a person become our very best friend (BF)? It is through sharing and walking together through various circumstances in life; finding that we can trust that friend to be our friend through thick and thin; and finding that friend will be truthful and maintain our confidence. GOD’S desire is to be our BF.

Thank GOD that hope remains because of HIS continual Protection.

Let’s read Psalm 138:7-8:

7 If I walk into the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.

David had experienced GOD’S protection and care when he was in danger. GOD had preserved his life when he was experiencing anger from his enemies. Many of us have likely experienced GOD’S protective care in the work place. Often, the long knives of the work place are out to get us but GOD intervenes in our behalf. It may be in retrospect that we find this out.

Christians are not to test GOD by doing dumb things but they are to work and trust GOD to watch their backs. Christians are not to purposely walk into danger but to be obedient and in doing so, trust GOD to take care of them.  

GOD extends HIS right hand, which is HIS powerful hand, to us and defends us with HIS left hand.

GOD has a plan and purpose for each of HIS chosen and nothing will prevent that from happening. The Apostle Paul stated it well in Philippians 1:6:

6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

A Christian’s part is to obediently serve HIM which means to act when HE directs us to act and not to act when HE says not. That is often very hard to do because we must trust HIS leadership and lean not on our own understanding as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV)

When Christians realize the love GOD has for them and the extent HE is willing to go to for them, it is overwhelming. This knowledge results in grateful hearts, full of praise, thanksgiving and gratitude.

If you wrote a psalm of gratitude, what would it reflect about your relationship with GOD through your relationship with CHRIST?

Blessings!!!