Bible Study - GOD'S Name (3) - The Love Expressed in GOD'S Name - Psalm 103 - December 17, 2023

 

Bible Study – GOD’S Name (3) – The Love Expressed in GOD’S Name – December 17, 2023

We can call upon the name of GOD because HE loves us deeply.

Our focus scripture is Psalm 103:1-5, 8-13, 17-19.

This is a Psalm of David. The main point is that GOD loves us, yet HIS desire is for us to choose HIM. Before JESUS and even after JESUS, GOD revealed Himself to mankind through nature and all the wonderful beauty surrounding all people. Yes, GOD speaks through nature but GOD does not want us to worship nature. GOD chose us before HE created the world and has a plan for each of us. (Ephesians 1 is great scripture to read and meditate upon. I will add it next and then go to Psalms 103.)

Let’s read Ephesians 1:1-23 (CSB)

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:

To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus^[a] at Ephesus.^[b]

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Rich Blessings

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

¹⁵ This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[g] would give you the Spirit^[h] of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

God’s Power in Christ

²⁰ He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— ²¹ far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,^[i] not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he subjected everything under his feet^[j] and appointed him^[k] as head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Footnotes

a.    1:1 Or to the saints, the believers in Christ Jesus

b.    1:1 Other mss omit at Ephesus

c.     1:4 Or in his sight. In love

d.    1:8 Or on us. With all wisdom and understanding

e.    1:10 Or the fulfillment of times

f.      1:11 Or In him we are also an inheritance,

g.     1:17 Or the Father of glory

h.    1:17 Or a spirit

i.       1:21 Lit every name named

j.       1:22 Ps 8:6

k.     1:22 Lit gave him

Now let’s go to Psalm 108, selected verses:

David wrote Psalm 108. He saw the love of GOD in the world surrounding him and in his life. He saw the hand of GOD at work from the time he was a young lad shepherding sheep and throughout his life. He knew that GOD was with him throughout his life, based upon experience. GOD led and guided him and delivered him from many circumstances that could have resulted in his death.

All of us have been given the gift of life through natural birth and GOD loves each of us and has a plan for our lives. That is why GOD sent JESUS into the world. GOD’S desire is for all who place his/her faith in JESUS to get to know and fellowship with both JESUS and GOD. JESUS’ death and shedding of HIS blood upon the cross paid, in full, for the penalty for all sin, which is eternal death in Hell. Hell was created for the Devil and his angles. A person’s only way to escape Hell is by accepting JESUS as his/her Savior.

Each person must accept this amazing free gift from JESUS by asking JESUS to forgive him/her for his/her sins and asking JESUS to come into his/her heart believing that JESUS give HIS sinless life in his/her place.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    When we place our faith in JESUS, we are Spirit born into GOD’S Family never to be unborn. Our sins are forgiven and the fact that we have been Spiritually born into GOD’S eternal family is guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

This is our guarantee that we are GOD’S Son or Daughter.

Let’s read Psalm 103:1-5:

The Forgiving God

Of David.

¹ My soul, bless the Lord,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
² My soul, bless the Lord,
and do not forget all his benefits.

³ He forgives all your iniquity;
he heals all your diseases.
⁴ He redeems your life from the Pit;
he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
⁵ He satisfies you^[a] with good things;
your youth is renewed like the eagle.

We read that David saw GOD as the forgiving GOD. GOD knows our hearts. David expressed his deepest gratitude to GOD from the very depths of his heart, “the eyes of his heart.” The “eyes of our hearts” is where truth resides or our souls.

From the very core of David’s being came understanding that GOD loved him and he loved GOD. How do we express ourselves when we know this truth? We must hold this revelation as we journey through life. There will be times when we will need to remember this holy moment because GOD never leaves us or forsakes us. GOD will be our strength through the rough times in our lives and we will have rough times. We may leave GOD but HE never leaves us.

When we are going through rough times, do not think that GOD is against us because of some sin. When we confess our sins, GOD forgives us and buries our sins in the deepest part of the ocean and places a “NO FISHING SIGN.”

GOD heals all disease and delivers us from the Pit/Hell.

How does GOD heal and deliver us? Through forgiving us for our sins when we place our faith in JESUS.

We think that GOD means us harm as we go through life but pause and consider “GOD’S faithful love endures to the end.” The repentant sinner can do so as he/she draws his/her last breath. Those who repent while they still have life to live are renewed and soar beyond the mundane of life to discover the joy that knowing GOD is on his/her side giving him/her victory.

Let’s read Psalm 103:8-13:

⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.
⁹ He will not always accuse us
or be angry forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
or repaid us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his faithful love
toward those who fear him.
¹² As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed
our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

David saw GOD as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. That is a wonderful and truthful adoration of GOD.

How do you view GOD?

Number one, GOD loves you. How much does HE love you? HE Sent JESUS into the world. JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you. If you had been the only person ever to accept JESUS as your Savior, HE would have given HIS life just for you.

Now, that is love!!!

Let’s read Psalm 103:17-19:

17 But from eternity to eternity
the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him,
and his righteousness toward the grandchildren
¹⁸ of those who keep his covenant,
who remember to observe his precepts.
¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Many Universities, churches and Institutions want us to leave a legacy behind when we pass on, which is good but what is the best eternal legacy one can leave their ancestors?

Let’s read verses 17-18:

17 But from eternity to eternity
the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him,
and his righteousness toward the grandchildren
¹⁸ of those who keep his covenant,
who remember to observe his precepts.

Eternity to eternity is a very long time. Leave your eternal legacy of being a Spirit-born person who loves JESUS to all of your family and to your many friends. WOW!!! YES!!!

Blessings and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!