TEXT: PSALM 145: 14-21
READING: ISAIAH 55: 1-13
SUBJ: The sustaining power and ongoing interest of Lord with the special encouragement to engage Him in that which He does and in view of immediate access we have to Him.
AIM: That we might be the more conscious of the nearness of the Lord through desperately calling on Him.
INTR: We would be reminded of the title of this Psalm – David’s Psalm of Praise and then explore the ways we might identify with him, praise, acknowledgment, and prayer.
1. Consider the verses that begin with LORD noting that this is the KJV identification of Jehovah. See vv. 8, 9, 14, 17, 18, 20
2. We would note those things in which this connection is made: Gracious – v.8, good –v. 9, upholding –v. 14, righteous –v. 17, near –v. 18, preserving v. 20.
3. While the true praise of the Lord begins with reference only to His magnificent person and His works, it cannot help but lead us to consider the condescension to the likes of us.
THESIS: The way of the Lord with His people is a marvel and can only be understood by those who see Him and see themselves as under His care.
I. Of them that fall and are bowed down (vv. 14-16)
1. Who are they and to what degree do we identify with them – unsaved, depressed, sin conscious?
2. The Lord upholds or literally is continuously upholding – so that we may know upon whom we are fully dependent.
3. The eyes of all – again we ask of whom he speaks if not those with knowledge of their need – looking to Him implies faith and dependence.
1) How easily this flows in that providing us that meat in due season is a matter of course and ease for Him who is devoted to our salvation.
2) The open hand of God provided for us is like a banquet table of blessing to those who trust and supplies for all of creation!
3) Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
4. This matter of desire (v. 16) is not to produce distress; it is rather that we seek and find Him who satisfies distress.
II. The Lord is righteous (v. 17)
1. Righteous in judgement – that is the wisdom of God in application in the way of righteousness and Holy in His doing of it all.
2. As we behold the various acts of providence, we may rejoice in no mistakes with Him!
3. He is righteous and holy in all that He does and how dare any to accuse Him.
4. The comparison is readily made and we rejoice: “Psalm 89:14-15 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. “
5. Of Jesus with John the Baptist – “It becometh us to fulfill all righteousnessâ€
6. Of Jesus and the cross – “He that spared not Hs own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things.â€
III. The Lord is near (18-19)
1. When Elijah chided with the prophets of Baal, he suggested that their god may have been away and out of earshot.
2. The promise of nearness is dear to those who walk by faith
1) But, how often this is taken for granted!
2) Notice it is to them who call on Him in truth
3. Where there is a sense of nearness the call will immediately go to Him
1) Thus, He is subject to their desire in that it will have been of Him.
2) Thus, we bring together the several things
i. Calling in truth
ii. The desire of the caller and the fear of God (Which is the beginning of both wisdom and knowledge
iii. That their cry is consistent the things just mentioned!
IV. The Lord preserves (vv. 20-21)
1. There is no such thing as loving the Lord and being away from his eternal preservation!
2. He will in no wise cast out, He has lost none, behold I and the children, He ever lives to intercede, and we look again at Psalm 89:15, and we remember that His sheep hear and they follow Him.
3. The desire of all those who love the Lord are desirous of His name being published to all and so shall they speak praise – A short doxology – Let all praise!
