Today’s lesson comes from Psalm 95: 1-11. There are many examples in the Bible of people who failed to believe God. The Israelites in the wilderness are the focus of today’s lesson. Consider the following: Zedekiah, Judah’s last king, who would not listen to Jeremiah; the Pharisees who refused to believe Christ; King Agrippa who refused to yield to Paul’s entreaty. What was their problem? The evil heart of unbelief, that is carnality. Today, we focus on those who rejoice in the great Creator God, who is also their personal Shepherd, and those who, because of unbelief, become hardened, faultfinding, and critical.
This Psalm contains both an exhortation to praise and an exhortation to obedience. This is not about loud noise. Expressions of adoration are empty if they do not come from a submissive heart. There is an old expression, “lots of thunder, but no rain.” This refers to people who make lots of noise but there is no anointing from above. The last portion of the Psalm uses the illustration of the Israelites’ rebellion as an admonition to be obedient and submitted to God’s will.
The first section is “A Call to Worship.” Vv. 1, 2 Verse 1 is a personal invitation to enter God's presence. We are to make a "joyful noise" to the Lord. A "joyful noise" could actually read, "shout for joy." If you have ever wondered if it is acceptable to shout in church, you now know the answer, YES! We are to sing to the Lord. The songs and hymns are to be about Him not us. Too often, "worship" songs are about man's feelings and thoughts. Worship songs should be praise and worship to the God of all Creation. Christianity is not a morbid religion. It is to be filled with music and joy. The praises of God's people are directed to the "Rock of our salvation." The invitation is to "come before His presence with thanksgiving." We are to express gratitude for what He has done in the past, what He is doing now, and what He will be doing in the future. What a marvelous God we serve! We are to confess our gratitude and give Him praise for His blessings and providence.
The second section is "Reasons to Worship." vv. 3-7a This portion of the lesson provides us some reasons to worship. First, "For the LORD is a great God." Our God is infinite, immeasurable, inconceivably, great, and subject to no limitation. He is the "great King above all gods." Second, our God is not only great, He is Sovereign. He is the Creator of all things. God knows the end from the beginning and He is actively involved in the affairs of the world to bring about His perfect plan. It may not look perfect to us, but His advantage point is much different than ours. He knows best. Third, God is the Creator of the seas with their vast store of plants, animals, and minerals. As His creatures, we must humble ourselves before Him, and render our praise to Him. Finally, even though He is a great God and to be reverenced, He is approachable. Though He is immense and infinite, we are to "kneel before the LORD our maker." He has taken us into a covenant relationship. Through that covenant, we may have salvation and sanctification. He will guide and protect His children in accordance with His perfect plan. These are reasons that we owe Him our worship.
The third section is "Warnings About Worship." The last portion of the lesson is quoted in Hebrews 3: 7-11 as a warning against unbelief and "departing from the living God." To disobey God is to question His authority and doubt His word. Such action produces a hardness of heart. When this happens, the person becomes insensible to the voice of God, and deadened to spiritual realities. The verses speak of the Israelites wandering for forty years and tempting the LORD with their unbelief. Unbelief is a carnal trait and evidence that one has not been entirely sanctified. When someone refuses entire sanctification they are rebelling against God's loving provision for their soul.
The wandering generation got their desire and they died in the wilderness. It was their unbelief that brought about their downfall.When God makes a promise, it is sure. When He says, "As surely as I live, this will come to pass," you have a guarantee that what He has promised will come to fruition. Our God is a great God, the Owner and Creator of the universe and mankind. He is a personal God, a patient God, a covenant-keeping God. We are to sing His praises with thanksgiving. However, He is also a just God. "God's threatenings are as sure as His promises." (Matthew Henry)
As we walk in faith and not unbelief, we will have a thankful heart that will want to praise Him. God has provided, through the blood of Jesus Christ, a way for us to have carnality removed from our hearts. It would be unbelief to deny this Biblical truth. Harden not your hearts!
My summary points:
1. We are to answer God's call to worship Him.
2. Our God is a great and merciful God and worthy to be praised.
3. Harden not your heart through unbelief.
The Golden Text is: "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." (Psalm 150:6) We need to use our breath to praise the Lord as opposed to gossip and faultfinding. You need to breath to speak. Instead of wasting your breath with conversations that belong to the world, we are to use our breath to praise the LORD! Regardless of what circumstances look like, we have the victory. God has already won the war and death and hell have been defeated. That is something to shout about! Lift your voices and sing unto the LORD. Accept the invitation from verse 1 and enter His presence.
Next week's lesson: "Sing Unto the Lord." (Psalm 96: 1-13)
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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