Bible Study - All In (6) - Committed to HIS Worship - Psalm 99:1-9 - November 29, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (6) – Committed to HIS Worship – November 29, 2020

This is lesson six (6) in our series entitled “All In: A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 99:1-9.

GOD deserves our worship and praise.

Psalm 99 is in a group of Psalms known as “Enthronement Psalms.” The hallmark of these Psalms and this Psalm is in the translation of the Hebrew phrase “YHWH malak” or “the LORD is King” or “the LORD reigns.” The LORD reigns as a just, fair, loving, caring all powerful ruler in the lives of those who recognize HIS love, caring, power and majesty. Where or how did the writer of this psalm get his information?

Our banner statement “GOD deserves our worship and praise” comes from experiencing GOD personally or through the experiences of others. When those who have experienced salvation through faith in JESUS share their testimony, the lives of others are changed. The recipient of salvation has only heard the testimony of the person experiencing GOD through faith in JESUS in a real and mighty way. Their testimony resonates in the hearts of others and they believe and embrace JESUS by faith. JESUS indwells the person or persons opening up to the call of the Holy Spirit to accept JESUS as his or her Savior.

So, what was the source of the writer of Psalm 99? Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 99:1-3:

The King Is Holy

¹ The Lord reigns! Let the peoples tremble.
He is enthroned between the cherubim.
Let the earth quake.
² The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted above all the peoples.
³ Let them praise your great
and awe-inspiring name.
He is holy.

The writer laid the foundation of the greatness of YHWH (LORD) based upon experience and history. Verse 1 establishes a profound fact “the LORD reigns.” This is an irrefutable fact that has been confirmed by the writer. When others confirm this fact, they tremble. Why? Because they realize that their lifestyle has missed the mark of living as GOD desires for them. We call it sin. Placing our faith in JESUS is the solution. In the Old Testament, it was through the Jewish sacrificial system, which was a place holder until JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay for sin, in full. When JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay for sin, it included the original sin and all sin until the end of time upon earth. JESUS paid it all for those who place their faith in HIM. Those from Adam and Eve to the end of life upon earth. Do you know JESUS as your Savior? If not, why not? Do you see GOD as King? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Psalm 99:4-5:

⁴ The mighty King loves justice.
You have established fairness;
you have administered justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
⁵ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his footstool.
He is holy.

The writer gave the attributes and character of GOD based upon what he knew about GOD. Was this head knowledge or heart knowledge? List below are their attributes of GOD, as discovered by the writer:

-         Loves justice

-         Source of fairness

-         Administer of justice

-         Administer of righteousness (quoted the source of their statement – Jacob, who experienced the guidance of GOD in the salvation of the Israelites and an example of the working of GOD through the lives of HIS chosen. A testimony for the world to hear and see the power of GOD at work.)

-         Rejoice when you behold the majesty of GOD as HE leads HIS chosen through questionable times in their lives. HIS power is available to all of GOD’S Children – trust and obey during difficult times. The scripture reveals an archive of testimony to the manifestation of the power of GOD in and through the lives of people and people groups.

-         Worship and exalt GOD as we walk/live our lives upon earth. Bow down to GOD to show your love, adoration, trust and confidence you have in GOD because HE cares for you. How much did HE care for you? Enough to send HIS Only SON, JESUS, to earth to live as 100% human, subject to sin, yet sinless. JESUS had to be sinless in order to pay for the past, present and future sins of those who place their redemptive faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Psalm 99:6-9:

⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests;
Samuel also was among those calling on his name.
They called to the Lord and he answered them.
⁷ He spoke to them in a pillar of cloud;
they kept his decrees and the statutes he gave them.
⁸ Lord our God, you answered them.
You were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their sinful actions.

⁹ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

The writer brings to our attention additional sources of those who knew GOD in an intimate way and served HIM:

-         Moses and Aaron established the earthly priesthood.

-         Samuel anointed Israel’s first human king.

-         They called to the LORD and HE answered them, which is recorded in written scripture.

-         Even more dramatic was when GOD led the Israelites out of Egypt and spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud, plus all the other miracles GOD produced as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land.

-         GOD chose the Israelites as HIS people and gave them instructions how they should live as HIS chosen people.

-         YOUR Chosen People accepted YOUR rules for living and even when they failed, YOU forgave them but YOU also punished them for their own good.

-         You all know the history of our relationship with YHWH, THE LORD.

-         So, what is the conclusion about GOD?

-         ⁹ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

The writer of Psalm 99 agrees that the words he has penned reflect the truth he had experienced walking with GOD, for the LORD our GOD is holy.

If you wrote a psalm about your walk with GOD, how would it read? What have you discovered, what has GOD revealed to you, what truth is in the “eyes of your heart”?

Why not write it based upon your experience and/or the experience of others as recorded in GOD’S Word or the testimony of others

Blessings!!!