OUR DIVINE FOCUS
Psalm 66:13-20
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A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe |
One of my commentators, A.A. Anderson, calls this portion of Psalm Sixty-six "a thanksgiving for deliverance". The specific purpose for this thanksgiving is not known. However, the listing of sacrificial animals in verse fifteen is particularly detailed and unless it is symbolic, a very expensive one at that. If the offering detailed was made, there was a purpose for the display of wealth. The psalmist in verse sixteen indicates that he would tell everyone who will listen what God has done for him.
This is very much in the spirit of several Christians who have attained public notoriety for using their fifteen minutes of fame to tell the world what God has done for them. One athlete was booed by the crowd within the last couple of years for doing just that, and the media quickly lost interest in the downed pilot who was rescued from Bosnia.
So was Mother Theresa condemned when she used a public occasion to admonish the first couple about the sin of abortion. But, in our culture, it is still okay for the Kroger company to announce on State television, that they purchase prize animals at fairs just because they have an interest in encouraging young people to raise livestock. Well, what you need to know is that most of the time, America's corporations will only purchase meat animals by the semi-truck load. Very few farmers can put together that many animals to get the best price. So, they usually have to take less than a fair market price at auctions so that someone else can round up that truck load. But, I am digressing from the essential point of this passage.
And the point is, for whatever reason, the psalmist is joyfully giving not only a material gift but a deep fond spiritual lesson as well. This lesson can be summed up in the words that our Lord loves a cheerful giver no matter the size of the gift. And believe me it is in the multitude of little gifts that the kingdom is increased. I have known several businessmen who spent all of their time trying to land the one big account that would make them rich. And while they were seeking that particular account, they missed the opportunities to pick up the little accounts that might have made them prosperous enough to remain in business.
After verse fifteen, the psalmist invites us to pause and reflect upon the offerings that have been given in thanksgiving. We certainly see in the verses to follow that the psalmist has given generously because of his gratitude for what God has done. Let us hear his testimony. What has given him such great joy? "Come and hear", he invites us so that he can tell us what God has done. It is not as some of the worldly would expect, a chance for the believer to announce what he has done for God. No, the focus of the psalmist's heart is on what God has done for him. God has mercifully listened to this poor sinner's prayer. He has "attended to the voice of my prayer." Out of all the passing crowd, God has listened to him.
I remember a few years ago, when President Bush passed through the northeast corner of our county. One of my friends and I drove to several railroad crossings to catch a view of the train. We got out of the truck and ran down to the rural crossing to join about dozens of other people. As the train lumbered along at five miles an hour, my friend was able to holler a short conversation with Mr Bush and when too far way to hear, he returned the salutes of every veteran in the crowd. How much more impressive is the testimony of our psalmist. The very God of the whole universe heard my voice and listened to me. Do you want the same assurance? Then let us learn in these last few phrases why this psalm is so useful in junction with chapter six in Romans.
Look at verse eighteen to see the proper focus of our hearts in life and in prayer. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear." Charles Spurgeon has collected several beneficial lessons on this verse, and all are worthy of consideration. One of his sources was John Witherspoon, he who was the only clergyman to sign founding papers for our country. Witherspoon's sermon was entitled "The Petitions of the Insincere Unavailing." Certainly, the reverend Witherspoon lived in heroic times unlike our own. Prayers indeed played a very vital part in the period of the American Revolution. General George Washington admitted publicly that there were at least seven times when his Army was fought out, surrounded or otherwise on the brink of dissolution. In every case, he claimed that the Almighty God of heaven provided a way out, an escape. The famous picture of Washington kneeling in the valley snow was not a publicity stunt but a portrait of a man who knew that God listened to him.
The Witherspoon who prayed with his congregation during the revolution admonished his people with these thoughts on this particular verse. He makes five short points. First, those who cherish sin in their heart, practice sin secretly. They consider the worldly too much and are not fearful enough of the omniscient God, there searcher of all hearts from whom no one may hide themselves. Second, those who cherish sin in their heart, are the ones who entertain and indulge the desire of sin. Even though they may by providence be restrained from the actual commission, sin they would still commit if they could get away with it. Third, those who cherish sin are the ones who reflect upon past sins with delight instead of sincere contrition. Fourth, those who cherish sin are able to look upon the sins of others without being grieved. Remember, Witherspoon penned these words long before the media made it possible for almost any person to view anything. He notes that "sin is so abominable a thing, so dishonoring to God, and so destructive to the souls of men, that no real Christian can witness it without concern." Last, those who cherish sin are those slow to bring themselves to the examination of God's holy word. The last thing they would consider doing is to examine their own hearts before partaking of holy communion.
I remember once talking about preparation for communion with a member of a worldly church. They found it amusing that anyone might be concerned with being held accountable for what they were or were not thinking when they chewed a little bread and swallowed a little grape juice.
How about you? Does God listen to your prayers? He can and He will since as the psalmist notes in the last verse that God has not withheld his love from you. Well do I know that you all here love to bring offerings to the Lord, and I thank you for it every time you receive a quarterly report. Well do I know that the prayers of this congregation are being answered. Well do I know that you are not afraid of gathering one day a week to praise God for what He has done for you. But let us hear the admonition of this psalmist and a founding father of our country in regard to the focus of our hearts. After all, the psalmist was speaking to those who feared God and Witherspoon was speaking to the church of His day. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear". May we all be blessed by being able to go on like the psalmist to testify "but certainly God has heard me; He has attend to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!" Amen.
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Resources Used: |
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Anderson, A.A. |
New Century Bible Commentaries: Psalms. | |
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Kidner, Derek. |
Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms. | |
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Spurgeon, C.H. |
The Treasury of David. | |
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Foundation for Reformation. New Geneva Study Bible . (1995) Thomas Nelson, Inc. New King James Version. (1982) | ||
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Psm 066d |
20 August 95 | |