PORTERVILLE POST | The Right News at the Right Time

| 12 Expressions of the Redeemed - Part 1
The Right Word^© - Sep 08, 2024
with Brother Scott : scott@portervillepost.com

The life of the shepherd boy who became Israel’s greatest earthy king has been to me a blessing, and should be to all Christians.

He came to know the God of Israel early in his life and devoted his life to Him, learned the value of often praise and worship of God, was not shy in testifying to others about Him, and boldly defended Him against the armies that defiled Israel’s Divine King. And although David would make mistakes, he also knew well of the need for humility and repentance before his God.

If you are well familiar with the psalms he wrote, and his biography as recorded in the books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles, you know what I mean and why he is a good spiritual mentor for us.

One day you will get to meet King David, once the King of kings becomes the forever Ruler of the earth, and you, too, will might him for his contributions to our understanding of how we each should express our gratitude unto God for having redeemed you and me.

David’s life is given to us in the Scriptures as one life’s example of what God desires of all His children.

His life is pointed out to us in ways that many do not pick-up on but which practices are nevertheless there as to what we are to become ourselves as we, too, come to know God, enroll our lives in single-hearted devotion to Him, practice frequent thanksgiving and worship, and in humility repent when we have sinned against God and His ways.

How is David’s life highlighted as a gold standard of love ~ for, dedication to ~ and humility before God?

† 1 Samuel 13:14 But now [Saul] thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

† Acts 13:22 And when he [God] had removed him [Saul], he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after (according to) mine own heart (thoughts or feelings), which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus. . .

† 1 Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. . . 15: 3 And he [Abijam] walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 4 Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: 5 Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

† Psalm 51:1 [As to true humility and repentance:] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

It is clear in our bibles that we are to emulate how men such as David walked before our God; even Paul instructs us in similar ways of thanksgiving and praise.

† Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .

† Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

† 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

But back to David I have always been blessed and instructed by what David wrote and delivered to Asaph (aw-sawf’), the chief praise and worship leader for the nation of Israel and for the benefit of all that love God. In this psalm we can easily identify 12 ways in which a man and woman that loves and respects God will express themselves, and not just rarely but regularly. That’s what these several weeks’ discussions are going to focus on.

† 1 Chronicles 16:7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. 8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; 16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; 17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; 19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. 20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; 21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. 24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. 34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

I must point out to you that what David has said in this passage is to be a natural part of our each-day walk as Christians. Most would not even think of expressing the things we’ve just read daily or when they are discouraged or in hardships or trouble but the fact is that we are to be able to speak-out such things like these even when it seems God is not helping us out.

This is THE KEY to being thankful to God no matter what each day holds
You have been drawn by His Spirit to Him, forgiven of terrible things, you have been cleansed of your sins by the precious blood of God’s only begotten Son, you have been promised a good end of an eternity in the perfect realm of the everlasting God who does not lie. In the reality of these things we can speak and do what these Scriptures instruct us in.

No matter each day’s experiences these are twelve expressions of a thankful redeemed man and woman: Give thanks unto the Lord, make known His deeds, sing unto Him, talk of His wondrous works [and declare His glory and marvelous works, v. 24], glory in His name, let your heart rejoice, seek the Lord, remember His works, be mindful of His covenant, give unto the Lord, fear before Him, (and) say, “Save us, O God.”

Here in the United States of America most of us here today were born here and over the last 85 or so years; others of you have come from other countries to live here. Of us that were born here what have we had, and of those that emigrated here, what did you come for? To name some of our main haves and wants: Many freedoms, opportunity, to pursue one’s dreams, a good quality of life for ourselves and for our children.

But I want you to hear this: For we that were born into this, and for you that are the children of grandparents or parents that came here from less fortunate countries, we were “born with a silver spoon in our mouths”, as the old saying goes about anyone born into the good life that has not known far less. We’ve had a whole list of wonderful things by being born here in America and have not known the severe hardships of living in a poor land, such as our parents or grandparents have experienced.

And so, we are like spoiled children that have little appreciation for what we have had (but are even now in an increasingly dangerous reality of losing all our good things one-by-one). We have abjectly failed to understand what we have been given (by God!), have not appreciated those many things, staunchly defended them, worked at maintaining our freedoms, opportunities, and the good quality of life we were born into—all things that we have taken for granted.

What's The Point of What I'll be Sharing About What David Wrote?

As American Christians we are equally spoiled before God and in danger of becoming spiritually bankrupt and ruined. In a general statement across the population of professing Christians today, we have lost or never had a genuine appreciation for the great salvation that God has given us. We take our born again-ness for granted and treat it as we would an earthly fire insurance policy (against Hell!)—a policy that we put into a drawer for when we need it when we die with far too little gratitude before God for His forgiveness and promise of eternal life.

† 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful (ungrateful), unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers (not devoted), false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures (philos:friend + hedone:sensual pleasure) more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

And so, with David’s life and words as an example, we begin to look at how we are to express our lives before God and our Redeemer, expressions of that devotion that are both beneficial for you and me but just might be sensed by those of the world and create a hunger in them for God also.

† 1 Chronicles 16:7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. 8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,

The phrase “give thanks” used in this place literally means to use the hands or with extended hands in giving praise and worship unto the Lord. Lifting of the hands unto the Lord is just one visible expression of what’s in our heart (such is like bowing, kneeling, weeping, clapping, jumping, and lifting our voices). Using our hands (at times) declares our adoration and praise, our being surrendered to Him, and of the victory He has afforded us over sin and death when we surrender, as well as our giving thanks being an outward physical expression of our dependence on God—not too unlike a young child lifting its hands for the parent to pick him up, hold her close, and comfort in love.

Does it bother you for others to notice that you appreciate the goodness of God by sincere visible expressions, such as the raising of your hands in praise and worship? It should not. Would it embarrass you to publicly raise your hand or hands in times specifically set aside for the praise and worship before our Lord and King? Why would it? Who is greater—those you stand among or He Who is the Trustee of your entire earthly life and the eternity ahead? You know from past meetings that I will raise my hands, clap my hands, wave my hands, and even weep here among you without any care of how that might make me look in your eyes—I am facing my God and Redeemer and they are looking at me. In fact, I believe that many wish they had to boldness to do as I and a very few others do as we (together) gather ourselves before His throne in song.

† Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

† Psalm 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

~ HERE IS A QUESTION ~
Do you want your heart lifted above the cares that dog your life? Whether here with us or at times when you are alone with your thoughts, no matter what challenges or chastening you feel, lift your face and then your hands unto the Lord and He will comfort your mind and heart.

† Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

In our study passage the very first of the 12 things that David instructs us to do, and I might add to be quick and often to do no matter the circumstances, is to “give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon Him”. Things may or may not change in your day but things do change in your mind and heart.

Because of Jesus, we are qualified to go to Heaven—that alone is enough reason to often give thanks even before we say anything else before God.