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fueling the fire of faith in future grace Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Psalm 77 July 24th, 2011
Living by FAITH in FUTURE GRACE Living upon God – living upon His future grace. Future grace – God’s promises to His people of His help Faith: being satisfied with all that God is (and promises to be) for us in Jesus. The Place of PAST GRACE The track record of the past influences our confidence or doubt of the future. Illustration: Job interviews Fueling the Fire of Our Faith How do we truly build faith in future grace? I want to answer this by looking how the Psalmist in Psalm 77 dealt with discouragement and dismay. Discouragement? Anyone Every Deal with This? Psalms 77:1-20 ESV To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. (2) In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. (3) When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah (4) You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. (5) I consider the days of old, the years long ago. (6) I said, "Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Then my spirit made a diligent search: (7) "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? (8) Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? (9) Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah (10) Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High." (11) I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. (12) I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. (13) Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? (14) You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. (15) You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah (16) When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. (17) The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. (18) The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. (19) Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. (20) You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. I. THE TROUBLED SOUL (77:1-9) In these verses the Psalmist (Asaph) laments and questions. He seeks God but it’s as if the heavens do not listen. He seeks God and feels more discouraged. He remembers the good old days of spiritual encouragement and feels more discouraged. He wonders if God’s favor will ever be upon Him again. II. THE CONFIDENT WORSHIPPER (77:13-20) In this section there is a dramatic shift to exaltation and confidence in God. The tone is much different than in the first nine verses of this Psalm. He rejoices over God and His greatness, holiness, might and care. This passage is full of confidence and hope – unlikely his lamentations and questionings in the early part of the song. III. THE DESPERATE MEDITATOR (99:10-12) Key to this passage is this section: I WILL REMEMBER THE DEEDS OF THE LORD YES, I WILL REMEMBER YOUR WONDERS OF OLD I WILL PONDER ALL YOUR WORK, AND MEDITATE ON YOUR MIGHTY DEEDS This is a contrast from the other rememberings and meditating. John Calvin (Commentary) Let us also learn to open our eyes to behold the works of God; the excellence of which is of little account in our estimation, by reason of the dimness of our eyes, and our inadequate perception of them; but which, if examined attentively, will ravish us with admiration. The Psalmist repeats in the 12th verse, that he will meditate continually upon these works, until, in due time, he receive the full advantage which this meditation is calculated to afford. The reason why so many examples of the grace of God contribute nothing to our profit, and fail in edifying our faith, is, that as soon as we have begun to make them the subjects of our consideration, our inconstancy draws us away to something else, and thus, at the very commencement, our minds soon lose sight of them.
Psalms 111:1-10 ESV Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. (2) Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. (3) Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. (4) He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. (5) He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. (6) He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. (7) The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; (8) they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. (9) He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! (10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! Romans 8:32 ESV He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
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