PSALM 145 cont.

Continuing our time of meditation in Psalm 145…

Psalm 145:10-12 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.  They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

The Hebrew for saints makes reference to “godly men, kind, and holy.”  These are the people who will humble themselves before God on bended knee in humility and adoration.  Saints are those who will tell others about the glory and splendor of God’s kingdom and of God’s amazing power.   They want other people to know all about God’s amazing miracles and the blessings of yielding to Him as Lord in your life. 

Can the world identify you as a saint in light of the truth of this scripture?

Psalm 145:13 “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”

One of the most amazing things about God’s kingdom is that it will never end; it will go on forever.  Those who are part of His kingdom will be a part of it forever.  I remember one definition for “forever” from another study—“time out of mind.”   That said it best to me, because even though we think we understand it, I don’t think we really comprehend it.  Our life here is such a minute speck on the “timeline” of eternity.  If we could really comprehend that truth as Christians, I don’t think we would struggle so much with temptation by the temporary pleasures of this world compared to the spiritual treasures that will be ours for eternity.

Psa. 145:14-16 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.  The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.  Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

The truth is that YHWH is ready, willing and able to strengthen, encourage, and comfort every person, but that encouragement/enablement is only given to those who have accepted Him as their Lord.

Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

1Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

These verses follow in context with those that are describing God’s Kingdom.  In God’s earthly kingdom there will be no citizen who suffers from lack of needed strength, comfort or provision.  “Every living thing” embraces plant and animal life as well.   Point is made that in God’s Kingdom He is the source of all strength, comfort and provision.  Every one in His kingdom will recognize that truth.  Though we know that some will reject him and join league with Satan in one last rebellion during the first 1000 years of His earthly kingdom, none will be able to deny that He is Almighty God.

Psalm 145:17 “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”

The LORD’s character never changes.  He is a God of justice; everything He does is right and good.  Everything He does is holy, kind and merciful (from the Hebrew).  It is this truth that answers all the questions that skeptics like to pose; e.g., what will happen to those that haven’t heard the gospel, etc.

Psalm 145:18-19 “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.  He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

These verses help clarify the context of the preceding verses.  YHWH is ready and waiting to provide for those who accept Him as Lord.  There are many times that we don’t have simply because we do not ask.

James 4:2 “…yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”

Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

Psalm 145:20 “The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.”

Scripture is clear all the way through that there is a different eternal destiny for those that love God and the wicked, those that reject Him as Lord.  One of my favorite Christian authors is George MacDonald, and he seems to believe in universalism, the view that everyone will eventually be saved.  I just don’t see where he gets it.  He creates characters that challenge me as I consider my own testimony before others, yet he seems to reject such an obvious truth.  No one likes the thought of fellow human beings suffering for eternity, especially Almighty God, but the holiness and righteousness of God demands that those in His kingdom be holy and righteous as well.  Wickedness and evil will not be a part of His eternal Kingdom.  He went to the extreme of coming Himself in human flesh to provide redemption for every man who will acknowledge Him as Lord.  The choice belongs to every person.  Each one that accepts Him is imputed the very righteousness of God.

2Corinthians 5:20-21 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

There are just too many scriptures to ignore the truth of eternal life and eternal condemnation.

Psalm 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

John 5:28-29 “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Psalm 145:21 “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”

David confidently counted himself among those who acknowledge YHWH as Lord and who praise His name.  He was determined to publicly proclaim his praise of God.  His admonition:  All flesh should choose to honor God’s name forever and be counted as saints of His Kingdom.

I am not ashamed of speaking about my love for my God or declaring His truth.  I often struggle, however, with how to give a public witness more effectively.  I pray for the Lord to make me aware of every opportunity and to take hold of my mouth every time I share.