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Psalm 37 A Defense Of The Providence Of God

Psalm 37 A Defense Of The Providence Of God. Eight Principles From God To Help Us Understand Who He Is And How He Functions. Based On The Outline And Teaching Of Pastor Phil Towles Wakefield Bible Church Wakefield, PA. Introduction [1].

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Psalm 37 A Defense Of The Providence Of God

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  1. Psalm 37 A Defense Of The Providence Of God Eight Principles From God To Help Us Understand Who He Is And How He Functions Based On The Outline And Teaching Of Pastor Phil Towles Wakefield Bible Church Wakefield, PA

  2. Introduction [1] • Every Christian at some time or another has asked the question: • Why God? • Why God are you letting this happen? • Why God are you treating me this way? • Questioning God’s purpose and method can lead believers in a downward spiral until they are assimilated with the evil doers

  3. Introduction [2] • David wrote this Psalm when he was an older man, so • Looking back on the scenes of past observation and experience, he had witnessed many strange inequalities on the surface of society • Looking in one direction, he had often beheld an ungodly man enjoying all that man could wish, so far as this world was concerned • Looking in another direction he had as often seen a good man, one who walked closely with God, in the midst of trial, affliction, and distress

  4. Introduction [3] • This state of things had perplexed him, and David knew that it still perplexed the righteous • To meet their confusion and to ease them, this Psalm was penned • This purpose then forms the background of thought for all of Psalm 37 • Please note that each of these eight principles are commands • Commands of God – it is not optional • Obedience always brings blessing

  5. BLESSINGS GOD’S Psalm 37 – Eight PrinciplesObedience Always Brings Blessing Fret Not • Wait On The Lord Trust In The Lord • Depart From Evil Delight In The Lord Cease From Anger Commit Your Way Unto The Lord Rest In The Lord

  6. Principle 1 Fret Not

  7. Principle 1 [1] • PRINCIPLE 1 – Fret Not • Psalm 37:1-2 • Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb • Do not worry or confuse yourself about these mysteries of God’s providence • Fretting or worrying is submitting yourself to mental strangulation • Mental strangulation then allows your thoughts and actions to be controlled by your emotions

  8. Principle 1 [2] • Even if the lifestyle of the wicked seems • More easy • More pleasant • More prosperous • Don’t ever loose track of who you belong to • God says: “they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb [V2]; ‘besides, “a little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked” [V16] • As God’s people we are infinitely better off than any of the ungodly, with all their celebrations of themselves

  9. Principle 1 [3] • When envy raises its ugly head in your life it works upon the lower part of your nature because it will • Blind your minds, • Pervert your hearts • Stir up all your evil passions • God’s Word teaches that envy is a grievous offence against God • Envy implies dissatisfaction with • God’s government • Distrust of his justice • Doubt of his truth

  10. Example of Cain [1] • There is an example of God talking with Cain in Genesis 4 that applies to all eight of these principles • It takes a while to tell about this example, so bear with me • First of all self-will is the mother of sin • This is illustrated in Cain, when he in self-will came to God in his own way instead of God’s way • He was jealous because Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and his was rejected • This jealousy led him on to kill his brother (Jude 11)

  11. Example of Cain [2] • If we look at Genesis 4:1-16 and especially Genesis 4:6-7 we could entitle it "Life Isn't Fair“ • God has built into the very fabric of life and into the heart of the Gospel the story of • A father and two sons • A father and two daughters • The older and the younger • The prodigal and the frugal • Esau and Jacob • David and Saul • Joseph and his brothers • Gentiles and Jews • Cain and Abel

  12. Example of Cain [3] • Now listen, be sure you get this • For some reason – known only to Him – the Father likes the one and not the other • The Father pours out His love on the one and not the other • The Father accepts the one and not the other • Is it fair? • Of course not – at least not by our standards and understanding! • But that is just the way it is • Life is not fair • Not only is life not fair • It was never designed to be fair

  13. Example of Cain [4] • God, the Creator, did not build fairness into Creation • God, you see, operates and creates. gives and takes by a whole different set of standards than we humans do • That's the lesson of Cain and Abel, or Jacob and Esau, or David and Saul, or Joseph and his brothers • One enjoys God's favor while the other does not

  14. Example of Cain [5] • That's the way the Bible presents life to us • I am cursed or I am blessed • I am chosen or I am rejected • I am favored or I am scorned • In Genesis Chapter 4 Cain is sulking • He is having a pity-party • Cain is this way because God likes his brother Abel and not him

  15. Example of Cain [6] • Let’s read Genesis 4:4-5 • And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cainand to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth [angry], and his countenance fell • The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering • But on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor

  16. Example of Cain [7] • So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast • I want you to notice what God says to a sulking and angry Cain • He doesn't say, "I am sorry that I played favorites, that I favored your brother over you, that I was judgmental"

  17. Example of Cain [8] • Rather, He says in Genesis 4:6-7 • "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? (7) If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it“ • Please notice your anger will go away when you obey • Please notice that sin always waits for us to be weak but we must master it • Cain has no right to feel sorry about himself, to have a pity-party

  18. Example of Cain [9] • Why do I say that – because God’s Word is quite clear both in the Old and New Testament that we have no right to question God • This brings to mind, the words of Paul from Isaiah 29:16; 45:9 in Romans 9:20 • But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" • Isaiah and Paul say it isn't for man to question the ways of God

  19. Example of Cain [10] • In our Scripture in spite of what God says, Cain does not do the right thing • His sulking gives way to a grudge • His grudge gives way to anger • His anger gives way to hatred and rage • His hatred and rage gives way to murder • To top it off, Cain next refuses to accept responsibility for what he has done • God punishes Cain – sets him adrift, makes him a wanderer and outlaw • But He also promises Cain protection and marks Cain with a sign of His protecting care

  20. Example of Cain [11] • Life is unfair • Are we allowed to get bitter about this? • Are we permitted to rant and rave and carry on about how unjust life really is? • Can we mutter about people and God being uncaring, unfeeling, and unsympathetic? • This is how most people want to react when they see • The rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer • Bad things happening to good people and the wicked prospering

  21. Example of Cain [13] • What God said to Cain still applies to us today • Life is unfair • So what are we supposed to do? • We should master sin lying at the gate • God says, "do what is right" [Genesis 4:7] • So what is right? • What is the right thing?

  22. Example of Cain [14] • The book of Hebrews mentions Cain and Abel • It adds something to the story that we do not find in the Genesis account • It tells us in Hebrews 11:4 that Abel had faith whereas Cain did not • But look what it says in Hebrews 11:16 • "Without faith it is impossible to please God"

  23. Example of Cain [15] • When we reject these eight principles or don’t obey these eight commands it • Demonstrates a lack of faith on our part • Keeps us from pleasing God

  24. Principle 2 Trust In The LordDo Good

  25. Principle 2 [1] • PRINCIPLE 2 – Trust In The Lord And Do Good • Psalm 37:3 • Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed • Regardless of our circumstances we must learn to put our trust in God • He is the God of all circumstances • God does all things well • Our response to God is to serve Him by doing good

  26. Principle 2 [2] • We are to remain in God’s will and be satisfied with the thought of God’s faithfulness • We are to feed our hearts and minds on the thoughts of God’s faithfulness • You see our work is not to worry, but to trust God fully

  27. Principle 2 [3] • We are to trust in God • Believing that such a state of things we see is known and permitted by God in infinite wisdom • Believing that this state of chaos is perfectly consistent with God’s love for His people • Believing that God has some wise and holy end in permitting it — to prove us and to improve us • Believing that we will see that end, either in this world or in the next

  28. Principle 2 [4] • Trusting in God • Ensures the peace of mind which fits a man for work • Ensures the reception of strength for ministry service • Supplies a man with right motives to perform his ministry • Gives a man a guarantee of a successful ministry • Will ensure a spiritual blessing to those who we minister to • Ensures a man of a home wth God when our earthly work is over

  29. Principle 3 Delight In The Lord

  30. Principle 3 [1] • PRINCIPLE 3 – Delight In The Lord • Psalm 37:4 • Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart • Delight implies having a joyful daily and delicate relationship with God • When we have this type of relationship God will give us the desires of our heart • Our desire will be something that pleases God • Our desire will be something God knows we need for our personal growth or for ministry

  31. Principle 3 [2] • This type of relationship with God produces the desires mentioned in Psalm 16:11 • Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore • Don’t you see, we miss out on the opportunity to draw from our relationship with God all that heart felt intensity of joy which walking with Him is capable of giving • How can we say no to that?

  32. Principle 3 [3] • God has a plan for each believer’s life which includes some specific good works to accomplish according to God’s purpose • That is why trusting and trying, resting and working, go together • So whatever God has planned for us let us be strong and go do it out of our love for Him • So with a readiness and cheerfulness that shows Jesus’ love let us please God

  33. Principle 4 Commit Your Way Unto The Lord

  34. Principle 4 [1] • PRINCIPLE 4 – Commit Your Way Unto The Lord • Psalm 37:5&6 • Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday • Roll all your concerns into God’s hand • Trust God and let Him deal with it • God timing may not always be ours • God has His overall plan in mind • When God deals with it, He gets all the glory

  35. Principle 4 [2] • We could say that we should take our life and cast it upon God without reservation • Yield ourselves totally to God [Romans 12:1] • Look to the indwelling Holy Spirit for support and guidance • The Apostle Paul in writing to the Ephesians says that we are to • Walk worthy of the vocation to which we have been called • Walk in love • Walk as children of Light • Walk wisely

  36. Principle 5 Rest In The LordWait Patiently

  37. Principle 5 [1] • PRINCIPLE 5 – Rest In The Lord, Waiting Patiently For Him • Psalm 37:7 • Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass • This incorporates the principle in Psalm 46:10 • Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth • We are not to find fault with God • While waiting, remember time is absolutely with God

  38. Principle 5 [2] • This literally means to be silent or • Do not murmur • Make no complaint • Be silently yielding and resigned to your faith in God • We must learn to be content while waiting for God’s time • God’s will always be the right time • God is never late • Learning to be patience in your spiritual relationships is a sign of maturity

  39. Principle 5 [3] • We must learn to control our thoughts and emotions while observing the success of the ungodly in their wicked plots and schemes so we are not exasperated and agitated • If we are content to wait and let God’s methods in providence open up before us, we shall see the ungodly cut down • In Psalm 37 see verses 2, 9, 10, 15, 17, 20, 25, 36, 38 for examples

  40. Principle 5 [4] • Sometimes as Christians we may have been misunderstood and misrepresented • Yet God will clear us and exalt us in due time • God will grant the true possession and peaceful enjoyment of life to the meek and loyal (verse 11) • God will show that the little of the righteous brings far more joy than the much of the wicked (verse 16) • God will be upheld where others fall (verse 17) • God will send supplies to the saint even in days of famine (verse 19)

  41. Principle 5 [5] • Man learns that step by step we walk under the ordering of a Divine Guide (verse 23) • Man learns even in falling he shall not perish, for to him shall be shown a Divine upholding grace (verse 24) • Man learns that the righteous man will leave a blessed inheritance to his children, — peace was his in life, and peace shall follow his children when he is gone to his rest (verse 37) • As man matures he learns that his life is but an outworking of God’s great salvation (verses 39-40) • God has a vast unfolding plan, which, if we are wise to observe, will be ever revealing to us “the loving-kindness of the Lord”

  42. Principle 6 Cease From Anger

  43. Principle 6 [1] • PRINCIPLE 6 – Cease From Anger • Psalm 37:8 • Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil • Do not be angry because of God’s providence • When you consider the prosperity of the wicked • This leads to sin through • Wrong thoughts • Wrong concepts of God • Chink in our armor for temptation to become sin

  44. Principle 6 [1] • The only thing that can result from fretting is sin • Dwelling unduly on the fact of the prosperity of the wicked which turns to envy • Brooding upon it, which turns to imitation of wicked practices • Both then can cause assimilation with the enemies of God, and to be guilty of practical apostasy • Compare Psalm 73:2

  45. Principle 7 Depart From Evil

  46. Principle 7 [1] • PRINCIPLE 7 – Depart From Evil • Psalm 37:27 • Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore • This verse could easily be a summary of the entire Psalm • There is a two-fold promise from God of power • Strength to overcome evil [This must be first] • Strength to do what is right

  47. Principle 7 [2] • The same injunction is given, in exactly the same words, in Psalm 34:14 • Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it • This is to be understood as a promise, “If thou wilt depart from evil, and do good, then thou shalt dwell in the land for ever” (compare Psalm 37:3) • Listen to God’s promise for the wicked • Isaiah 53:8 “cut off from the land of the living” • Psalm 109:13 “their name blotted out”

  48. Principle 8 Wait On The Lord

  49. Principle 8 [1] • PRINCIPLE 8 – Wait On The Lord • Psalm 37:34 • Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it • The wait in this verse is “wait with expectation” • Waiting for the fulfillment of God’s Word • Wait while remembering Peter’s admonition • 1 Peter 5:6 • Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time

  50. Principle 8 [2] • There are three aspects of this wait • Wait as a servant for Jesus is our Lord and our Master • Wait as a heir because we are joint heirs with Christ, we are to be different • Wait as a believer with hope and expectation • This injunction and others like it in God’s Word is repeated so often because of man’s extreme impatience and unwillingness to “wait on the Lord” • We are to walk in the way God describes in His Word – just like His Son Jesus walked

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