7.4 Praise to the Majestic and Merciful God

Read Psalm 113 and 123. What two different aspects of God’s nature are depicted in these Psalms?

Psalm 113 and 123 depict two different aspects of God’s nature: His exaltation and His grace.

1. Exaltation of God: Psalm 113 emphasizes God’s exaltation and His superior position above all that exists. His name is praised, and His throne stands high above the nations and the heavens themselves. The statement “Who is like the LORD our God” attests to the uniqueness and superiority of God over all other powers. This exaltation of God is illustrated by His transcendence – He dwells in unreachable heights, yet He lovingly looks down on the needy and the poor.

2. Grace of God: Even though God reigns in His exaltation high above the heavens, Psalm 113 shows that His grace and mercy are not separate from His exalted position. He stoops down to turn His attention to the needy and the poor, and His generous hand is not hidden. This grace of God is expressed in His willingness to engage with the world and to save the oppressed. Despite His majesty and superiority, God is a gracious Creator and Sustainer who cares for and loves His servants.

Overall, Psalm 113 and 123 show that worship is motivated not only by the exaltation of God but also by His goodness and grace. The greatness and mercy of God find their perfect manifestation in Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself to uplift humanity. Therefore, we have every reason to praise and worship God for His marvelous deeds, especially for the gift of redemption through Christ on the cross.

Reflect on the cross and what happened there for you personally. What has Jesus saved you from? Why is it very important to keep the cross in mind continually?

The cross is a central and meaningful aspect of my faith. It is the place where Jesus Christ gave His life for me and for all humanity to redeem us from the power of sin and death.

Jesus has saved me from eternal judgment and separation from God caused by my sin. He has saved me from a life without hope and purpose, instead giving me forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new life in communion with God.

It is important to keep the cross in mind continually because it:

1. Reminds us of God’s love: The cross is the ultimate sign of God’s love for us. It shows us that God loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us so that we may be saved through His death. The cross reminds us that we are loved, valuable, and accepted by God, regardless of our mistakes and weaknesses.

2. Reminds us of the importance of forgiveness: At the cross, Jesus bore the sin of the world and offered us forgiveness. It reminds us that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, but also that this forgiveness is possible through faith in Jesus Christ. The cross calls us to live a life of forgiveness and grace, both towards others and ourselves.

3. Reminds us of the hope of eternal life: The cross is not the end but the beginning. Jesus rose from the dead and gave us the hope of eternal life. By keeping the cross in mind, we remember that death is not the final word and that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have eternal life with God.

In summary, it is important to keep the cross in mind continually to recognize and appreciate God’s love, the importance of forgiveness, and the hope of eternal life. It reminds us of the heart of our faith and that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

Psalms 113 and 123 reveal various aspects of God’s nature that influence our daily lives and faith. They emphasize both the exaltation and the grace of God. The exaltation of God is depicted through His greatness and the lofty position of His throne, while His grace is expressed in His merciful willingness to engage with the world and save the needy. These Psalms remind us that despite His transcendent height in the heavens, God still takes part in our lives and cares for the needs of those who call upon Him. Ultimately, they motivate us to worship and praise God not only for His glory but also for His goodness, as most clearly exemplified in Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself to uplift and save us.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-your-mercy-reaches-unto-the-heavens-7-4-praise-to-the-majestic-and-merciful-god/

7.3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins

Read Psalm 130. How are the severity of sin and hope for sinners portrayed?

Psalm 130 portrays the profound reflection of the psalmist on the severity of sin and simultaneously the hope for sinners through God’s forgiveness and mercy.
Firstly, the psalmist emphasizes the great anguish that affects both his own sins and the sins of his people. The sins of the people are described as so grave that they pose the danger of permanently separating the people from God. The biblical notion that sins are recorded and the names of sinners can be erased from the Book of Life intensifies this distress.
Despite this oppressive reality, the psalmist appeals to God’s forgiveness, which can erase the records of sins. He recognizes God’s essential nature as loving and merciful. God’s willingness to forgive sins and not to punish evokes reverence and worship. True worship is based on admiration for God’s love, not fear of punishment.
The believers are urged to wait on the Lord, which does not mean passively surrendering to circumstances but hopeful anticipation of God’s intervention. The hope of the psalmist is not based on personal optimism but on God’s word. Patiently waiting on the Lord is not in vain, for after the dark night comes divine deliverance.
Finally, it becomes clear how the personal plea of the psalmist becomes a plea for the whole community. The well-being of an individual is inseparably linked to the well-being of the entire people. Therefore, one prays not only for oneself but for the community as a whole. As believers, we are part of a community, and what affects one part affects us all.

Consider the question: “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins – Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3). What does this mean for you personally? Where would you be if the Lord were to keep a record of your sins?

The question from Psalm 130:3, “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins – Lord, who could stand?” prompts reflection on how we as sinners could stand before God if he were to judge our sins strictly.
Personally, I view this question as a solemn reminder of God’s holiness and righteousness, as well as the severity of sin. If God were to keep a record of my sins without granting mercy and forgiveness, I would be lost. My sins and mistakes would condemn me before his holy judgment, and I would have no hope of standing.
I would be in a place of despair, separated from God’s presence and with no possibility of reconciliation. My sins would create an insurmountable gulf between me and God, and I would face eternal damnation.
This thought leads me to gratitude for God’s infinite mercy and grace. Despite our sinfulness and unworthiness, God offers us forgiveness through his Son Jesus Christ. Through his sacrifice on the cross, our sins can be erased, and our relationship with God restored.
Therefore, the question from Psalm 130:3 personally means an encouragement for me to continually turn to God’s grace. It reminds me to acknowledge my dependence on God’s forgiveness and to remain humble before him. Without his grace, I would be lost, but through his love and mercy, I have hope for eternal life in his presence.

Psalm 130 connects with our daily life and faith by illustrating the severity of sin and the hope for sinners.

1. The psalmist reflects on personal and communal sins that can cause a separation from God.

2. Despite the severity of sins, the psalmist points to the hope of God’s forgiveness and infinite love.

3. Acknowledging God’s forgiveness and love evokes reverence for God and forms the basis for true worship.

4. The psalm encourages patiently waiting on God and relying on His intervention, signifying an active hope for His deliverance.

5. Finally, the psalm emphasizes the connection between the well-being of the individual and that of the community, calling for prayer not only for oneself but also for others and caring for the welfare of all.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-your-mercy-reaches-unto-the-heavens-7-3-if-you-lord-should-mark-iniquities/