Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The Sufficiency of God


(#957, Imperial, 1961)
Read Psalm 43.

Here the Psalmist appears as a man whose affections were set upon God, one who in the midst of changes and circumstances and dangers always looked up.  The Psalmist always found God to be sufficient in every circumstance.

God his Judge (v1-2).

The Psalmist had enemies.  He was oppressed, persecuted, reproached.  He prayed: "judge me and deliver."  He appeals for God's vindication and deliverance.

God his Strength (v2).

He had not power against the enemy (2 Chron. 20:12) but God was his strength.  Be strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10).

God his Guide (v3-4).

He prayed for light and truth.  We understand that Christ, the Word, is the Light of the world and the Truth!

Notice where God leads the Psalmist.  It is to...

    1.  His holy hill.  Into His very presence.  When God guides he leads us to Himself, to worship, to sit at His feet.

    2.  The Altar of God.  God leads to the place of sacrifice.  We must sacrifice our bodies (Rom. 12:1), our praise (Heb. 13:15), our gifts and service (Heb. 13:16).

God his Joy (v4).

God was his exceeding joy.  This can be said of no other joy.  It is joy that never ends, with our hearts set upon God.  And remember, the joy of the Lord is our strength!

God his Hope (v5).

The experience of Hope is that of triumph over conditions & circumstances which are calculated to produce despair.

If there is no danger or despair, there is no necessity for hope.  God is our hope!!!

God the Health of his Countenance (v5).

The face is the index of character.  We cannot change the face without changing the heart.  The ugliest face can be transformed in the presence of God as we give Him His rightful place in our lives.

He is El Shaddai ... the All-Sufficient One!

No comments: