God's Faithfulness by Pastor Dave

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;  love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.”
Psalm 89: 14-15
 
Psalm 89          
 
Observe

• The Psalmist begins by affirming God’s faithfulness and attests the truth of that characteristic within the covenant God made with His people (1-4)
• He then praises and magnifies the name of God paying tribute to God’s power, justice and mercy (5-14)
• He then describes the blessings for and happiness of a people who have such a God as their defence and glory (15-18)
• With genuine joy the covenant between God and His people is then described along with its terms (19-37)
• A long petition and mournful complaint is then laid out calling on God to return and save His people (38-51)
• The Psalm concludes with a short and faith inspired benediction (52)

 
Interpret
     This Psalm is often referred to as the ‘Covenant Psalm’ and concludes the third book of the Psalms. Its author is named as Ethan the Ezrahite who was probably a musician during David’s reign and into Solomon’s. The Psalm will therefore have been written in his old age as he witnessed trouble upon trouble coming the way of God’s people.
     The focus is upon the character of God, especially His faithfulness. This faithfulness is seen within the covenantal relationship God created with His people. God’s character is described as: faithful; loving; strong; powerful; merciful; righteous; and wonderful. He is a God of justice who is to be feared. The descriptions are truly beautiful and enable us to know, ‘see,’ God that little bit more.
     A covenant is basically a binding agreement, a promise, between two parties; it is relational and bilateral. In other words both parties need to fulfil their part. God made His covenant with the people of Israel promising blessings and life. The people were to be obedient and live as a witness to the nations around them, proclaiming the truth of God. This Psalm pays tribute to God, His faithfulness and the blessings and protection He provided. The Psalmist then calls upon God to return and save His people; they had gone astray. They had not fulfilled their side of the covenant and were suffering. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments,” Deut. 7: 9.
     In this Psalm we see that God is faithful to His Word, the Covenant and His own character (or name).
 
Application
     God has made a new covenant with His creation in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. He will redeem our lives through the self-sacrifice of Christ, if we put our trust in Him. By His grace we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2: 8). In His faithfulness He makes forgiveness available to us if we confess and repent (1 John 1: 9). The life He gives is full and eternal (John 6: 40).
     God’s faithfulness means that we can absolutely trust these promises and blessings that He describes and offers. We can face all that life throws at us with complete confidence in God Almighty. His Word is solid, concrete and trustworthy. He remains the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13: 8). His truth remains the same, it is eternal. This is an utter blessing but it also means that we must not alter His truth, water it down or in other ways try to diminish its authority. We are to love and obey our God. God cannot, nor will not deny His faithfulness towards His character, Word or covenant. He is THE God of truth, justice, mercy and love. Praise be to the Lord forever. Amen and Amen! (Ps. 89: 52)
 
The Questions of Application
     Is God’s truth, love and faithfulness your foundation in life?
 
Prayer
     O God, you make covenants with your people, and you keep them from generation to generation; you are ever faithful. We receive the grace of the New Covenant from you. Help us to be faithful to our word as you are to yours. Thank you for never giving up on us, despite all the ways that we fall short. By your grace purify our character that we may imitate Jesus Christ our Saviour. We praise and thank you for your faithfulness for your name, for your character and for the salvation you offer through Jesus our Lord. Amen   
 
Praise
Great is thy faithfulness by Maranatha Music
Never walk alone by Hillsong Worship
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