Deeper Christian Life Ministry – Youth Search The Scripture For June 20, 2021 (Lesson 1005) : Topic – PRAISING GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS
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YOUTH STS 1005
PRAISING GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS
Memory Verse: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm100:4,5),
TEXT: Psalms 100:1-8; 101:1-8; 102:1-28; 103:1-22; 104:1-38; 105:1-45; 106:1-48
The Joyful Psalms in focus started the with exhortation to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands (Psalm100:1). God demands and deserves our praises because of who He is and the numerous benefits we receive from Him daily. The passage further stresses the virtues expected of those who lead others. King David saw the need to be a perfect example and said, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2). Our Savior and eternal King, who is the Seed of David, was also holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners…” (Heb 7:26). The need for every Christian youth to be perfect cannot be over emphasized as we approach the end of the age where there is sharp departure from the truth. Youth leaders should take the lead to behave wisely with a perfect heart as examples to the flocks.
God’s covenant stands forever. His promises are sure and steadfast. He is committed to His words and the preservation of the saints. However, Israel failed the Lord and paid dearly for it despite His repeated deliverances and faithfulness towards them as enumerated in the passages referenced above. The psalmist blessed the Lord who remained merciful to the end, not minding their shortcomings.
PRAISING GOD FOR HIS MANIFOLD GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS
Psalms 100:5; 106:13; 34:13; Isaiah 63:7-9; Acts 16:25
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing (Psalms 100:1,2). As God’s we have an obligation to serve Him. Service to God may attract persecutions and opposition; yet, we must remain faithful and glad at all times. Paul the apostle and Silas pose good example to us while in prison. They “…prayed and sang praises unto God…” (Act 6:25). It is an honor to the Lord to have His creatures serve Him with joy and gladness. We are to “come before his presence with singing”. Most times, when we come before His presence, we are in haste to make our requests known to Him that we forget the importance of offering praise and thanksgivings. The children of Israel sang praises to the Lord as He made them pass through the Red Sea without being swallowed up. They also sang under the leadership of king David as they brought back the Ark to the city of Jerusalem. Likewise, King Jehoshaphat led God’s people in singing as he approached the battle front against Moab, Assyrian and Mount Seir. We should emphasize the power of singing spiritual songs as we usher ourselves into God’s presence.
Question 1. What is the place of singing spiritual songs in God’s presence?
As true worshippers, we must incorporate praises and thanksgivings to God in our service at home and in the church. We should be conscious of His presence always and praise Him for all His manifold blessings and benefits. Proper consideration of God’s faithfulness in the past and at present should always move us to praise His hallowed name. He is the only true One who deserves worship. “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, willI sing” (Psalm 101:1).
God blesses His children very often so that their lives will be renewed. The faithfulness of the Lord also leads to the execution of “…righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed” (Psalm 103:6).
Other benefits include the revelation of Himself to those who are thirsty and draw near for His mercy and grace; willingness to forgive those who repent of their sins; and protection for those that fear Him and keep His covenant. The psalmist exhorted his soul to bless and praise the Lord and by extension charges us to praise the greatness and majesty of God: “Bless the LORD O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty” (Psalm 104:1).
PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO FAITHFULNESS AND EXPECTATIONS IN PRAYER
Psalm 102:1-28; 103:1-22
The psalmist’s confidence in God’s power to deliver him from every trouble led ham to a firm resolve to be faithfully committed to Godliness. Faithful believer should make it a priority to be committed to Godliness and separate from evil. Paul, by the inspiration of the holy Spirit, exhorts believers to “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess 5:22). In spite of all Job went through, he said ” My righteousness I hold, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live” Job 27:6.
“Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come” Psalm 102:13. Every saved youth, despite challenges should have unwavering confidence in God, whose promises are sure.
Question 2: What are the benefits of praising God?
We receive numerous benefits from the Lord when we praise Him in purity of heart and life. These include:
Healing from all diseases. God’s healing covenant is still valid for those who belong to Him.
Redemption from destruction. Through the sacrifice of Christ at the cross, we are redeemed from eternal destruction, which is the outcome of sin.
Loving kindness and tender mercies. The love and favour of God are always bestowed on his children as a crown.
Good things for our satisfaction, leading to renewal. The Psalmist calls on everyone to bless the Lord: “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them” (Psalm 103:17,18).
PERSISTENT FAITHFULNESS OF GOD DESPITE ISRAEL’S UNFAITHFULNESS
Psalms 104:1-35; 105:145; 106:1-48
“Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and Who covers thyself with light as with a garment who stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain” (Psalm 104:1,2). In this Psalm, the writer gives God the glory for His wonderful works of creation, providence, dominion and bounty to a creature.
The nation of Israel had a special covenant with God which they enjoyed with special privileges, interventions and miracles in Egypt. “Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto lsaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant” (Psalm 105:9,10). However, many of them died in the wilderness because of murmuring and despising God’s approved servant. “They soon forgat his works; they waiteth not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalms 106:13-15).
The children of Israel grieved God, lusted after evil things worshiped idols of the heathen and “Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. They forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt” Psalm 106:20,21). As a result, or the rebellious and continuous backsliding, they were subjected to untold negative experiences. “Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them (Psalm 106:40,41.
Question 4: what are the consequences of grieving God?
Despite grieving God “…he remembered… his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies” (Psalm 106:45). When one yields to sin, it grieves the Lord. This leads to the loss of divine favour and preservation, presence and power, support and assistance, focus and direction, grace and glory, fellowship and intricacy, and ultimately, forfeiture’ of eternity in the heavenly Canaan.
When one repents and returns to the Lord, He will have mercy and save such a person. Therefore, our prayers should be, “Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among
the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel.