BIG IDEA:
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S REVELATION IS THE PATHWAY TO ENCOURAGEMENT
(:17) INTRODUCTION
“Deal bountifully with Thy servant, That I may live and keep Thy word”
If God were to bless us abundantly and give us our greatest desire, what would that be? The opportunity to continue to live a life of obedience that is pleasing to God!
I. (:19; 22-23) AS PILGRIMS IN AN ALIEN WORLD, ALL GOD’S SERVANTS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT
We are all in the same boat when it comes to needing encouragement;
if you make it your mission to encourage others you can be sure that you are performing a valuable ministry that is greatly needed.
A. Pressure of Pilgrim Struggles — “Stranger in the earth” (:19)
B. Pressure of Reproach and Contempt (:22)
C. Pressure of Malicious Plots (at the highest levels) (:23)
II. (:18-21) GOD GRANTS UNDERSTANDING OF HIS REVELATION:
– ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGN WILL AND
– ACCORDING TO OUR COMMITMENT TO OBEY
A. According to His Sovereign Will
1. Revealing Truth and Granting Understanding (:18)
2. Hiding Truth and Blinding the Understanding (:19)
B. According to Our Commitment to Obey
1. Burden for Conformity to God’s Requirements (:20)
2. Arrogant Disregard for God’s Commands Rebuked (:21)
III. (:22-24a) ENCOURAGEMENT COMES AS WE REMAIN FOCUSED ON GOD’S REVELATION
A. Obeying (:22)
B. Meditating (:23)
C. Delighting (:24a)
(:24b) CONCLUSION: THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF TRUE NOUTHETIC COUNSELING
“Thy testimonies are my counselors”