Exaltation and Worship (2)

Psalm 145

In the Armenian sermon, I brought to your attention the following verbs: will commend, will tell, will speak, will tell, will proclaim. It is an imperative to tell about God to our children, to the youth, to the generation that is growing up. They are like sponges, ready to absorb whatever they hear.

Last week a friend sent to me an email.

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee , by school Principal, Jody McLeod

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.

" However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law--yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.

They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in t he Announcer's Box!

How dangerous is it to raise a generation without God?

The roles of the church and the family are very important. Our homes should be “schools” where our children learn about God. Our churches should give more attention to Christian education for the entire church, children or adults.

3- God’s Character

Verses 7-9, and 17 ⁷ They will celebrate your abundant goodness
       and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

⁸ The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
       slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The LORD is good to all;
       he has compassion on all he has made.

¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all his ways
       and loving toward all he has made.

We see important characteristics of God:

“abundance in goodness, righteousness, compassion, slow to anger, rich love, good to all, compassion, righteous in all his ways.” God looks at us with compassion and love. We need that. We, who make promises and do not keep them. We need that. The best example comes to my mind is the last week ‘s sermon, Zacchaeus. The short man, the fallen, hated by everyone, was changed by God’s mercy, grace and love.

I have experienced God’s compassion and love in my life. I have seen how God worked with my weaknesses day by day. I want to sing the song of his righteousness.

4- God’s Excellence and Superiority

Verses 10-13 ¹⁰ All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
       your saints will extol you.

¹¹ They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
       and speak of your might,

¹² so that all men may know of your mighty acts
       and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
       and your dominion endures through all generations.
       The LORD is faithful to all his promises
       and loving toward all he has made.

In this section, we see God is above all ranks; He is superior in everything. God is pre-eminent. He is above everything because He created it, He made it. All of the creation will praise Him. All of His creatures will clap their hands. Look at nature; look at His creation. I hope one day in our public school teachers will be allowed to talk about the Intelligent Designer, the Creator.

I love God’s creation, His works. We are obliged, it our duty to keep His creation. I feel terrible about the 58,000 gallons of oil that were accidentally spilt in the Bay last week. There is a huge effort to collect the oil and rescue the animals. I wish we had the same passion in helping people find Jesus in their lives.

The concept of the everlasting comes again. God’s kingdom does not have an end. We have a God superior to anything.

5- God’s Care Verses 14-16, 18-19 ¹⁴ The LORD upholds all those who fall
       and lifts up all who are bowed down.

¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
       and you give them their food at the proper time.

¹⁶ You open your hand
       and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him,
       to all who call on him in truth.

¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
       he hears their cry and saves them.

I love the way King David describes God. One can see the beauty of our Lord. In the above verses, He is high above everything, He is pre-eminent. In these verses, He is a caring and loving God. He is the father figure. He is immanent and intimate. Upholds who fall, lifts up whoever is hurting, gives food to us. He is a God of PROVISION. He knows our needs and provides for us. He is a God of second chances; he does not give up from us. David experienced this. He learned it hard way. Yet, he repented and God pulled him out of the ditch.

John Calvin once said, “Oppressions and afflictions make man cry, and cries and supplications make God hear.”

6- God’s Preservation Verse 20-21 ²⁰ The LORD watches over all who love him,
       but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
       Let every creature praise his holy name
       for ever and ever.

God preserves whoever is saved. Salvation is for everyone, anyone who is ready to accept the love of God through Jesus Christ. It is an open invitation. It is a comforting thought that God preserves whoever is saved. Yet, there is also judgment for those who reject Him. That is scary.

The psalm ends with the concept of telling the story, “My mouth will speak in praise.” Let us go in EXALTATION and PRAISE! After weeks of hard work, let us give thanks to the Lord. Let us prepare ourselves during the week to take the Communion next Sunday. Let us live with thanksgiving and praise.

AMEN