Aug.4, 2002pm.  Who is the Lord?  Psalm 145: 8-21

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

 

God Is ...

God is Lord Almighty, Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah, Rock of Ages, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Provider, Protector, Paternal, Leader, ruling Lord and reigning King of all the universe. He is Father, Helper, Guardian, and God.

 

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of all He keeps. He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.

 

He always was, always is, and always will be. He is unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, and never undone. He was bruised and brought healing. He was pierced and eased pain. He was persecuted and bought freedom. He was dead and brought life. He is risen and brings power. He reigns and brings peace.

 

The world can't understand Him; armies can't defeat Him; schools can't explain Him; and leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him; the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him; and the people couldn't hold Him! Nero couldn't crush Him; Hitler couldn't silence Him; New Age can't replace Him; and you can't explain Him away!

 

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God. He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. His ways are right; His Word is eternal; His will is unchanging; and His mind is on me!

 

God is in control. I am on His side and all is well with my soul.

(Author unknown)

 

God is not a symbol of goodness. Goodness is a symbol of God.

-G.K. Chesterton

 

Scripture Text:  Psalm 145:8 (KJS) The LORD [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.  9 The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion [endureth] throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all [those that be] bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.  16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.  18 The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

  

Who is the Lord?  Who is the God, which we know and serve?

1.      The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.  He loves even though all have sinned and gone our own way.  Hosea 11:4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. {take off: Heb. lift up}

 

2.      The Lord is good to all and He gives tender mercy to all.  Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.

 

3.      He cares for those who trust in him.  1Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

4.      The Lord is worthy of praise and blessing.  Psalm 145:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

 

5.      The Lord is full of mighty acts and glorious majesty.  Psalm 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

 

6.      The Lord reigns and rules through all generations.  He is everlasting.  Heb. 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

7.      The Lord lifts up the fallen and rises up those who bow before Him.  James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

 

8.      The Lord provides for all that wait on Him and look to Him for their help.  1Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 

9.      He openly gives to every living thing.  Mat. 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

 

10. The Lord is righteous and holy in all His works. Rev. 4:8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,  who was, and is, and is to come."

 

11. He will fulfill the desires of those who fear Him.  Mat. 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 

12. He will listen to those who call.  He has time for you.  He will save you if you call on Him in truth.  Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

 

13. He will preserve all those who look to Him, but the wicked He will destroy.  John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.