Title: Thank You, God
Contents
It is not clear who wrote Psalm 116 as we read this morning. Calvin said that when analyzing the contents of this psalm, it was like a poem written by David. Even if David wrote it, it is not known in detail under what special circumstances this psalm was written. In any case, the author of this psalm must have written it with emotion while recalling the amazing fact that he was saved from various serious problems.
I don't think we need to be too concerned about what the writer of this psalm is doing. Judging from the contents of this psalm, this saint was faced with great tribulation. It's gotten to the point where it seems like there's not much hope. However, this saint did not lose heart or give up and prayed to God. So I received God's answer, and I literally experienced deliverance from the valley of the shadow of death.
Look at verses 1-2 of today's text. "I love him because the LORD hears my voice and my supplication. I love him because he has inclined his ear to me. Because he has inclined his ear to me, I will pray all the days of my life."
This saint prayed to God during difficult times. Well done. People face difficult things. Tribulation comes without warning. However, in general, when people are in tribulation, they resent others, become afraid, lose heart, or, in severe cases, give up.
But the Bible says, "Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will glorify me." There is no guarantee that the saints will not face difficulties while living in this world. suffer tribulation. That's why Jesus said to his disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The problem is not that we do not suffer tribulation, but the attitude we take when we face tribulation is important.
When a believer is in tribulation, he must pray to God. You must call on God. Peter, too, was walking on the water and fell into the water, so he called on the Lord. When the disciples of Jesus were on their way in a boat, they encountered a severe storm and reached a limit that their strength and skills could not do anything about. The saint who wrote this psalm also cried out to God when he was in trouble.
But God answered that request. So how grateful are you? Therefore, this saint confessed his faith that he loved God more.
In fact, it can be said that this is the confession of this saint and the content of this entire Psalm 116. This saint experienced how great God's kindness toward him was in answering his prayers.
“The Lord has heard my voice and my supplication.” This saint humbly and earnestly asked God's mercy when he was in trouble. And God heard his prayer. In other words, "God accepted his prayer graciously, looked at his situation, and gave him an answer of peace." This is the blessing God gives us. God is always ready to hear our prayers. Therefore, when we voluntarily ask God, the gift of answer is given.
That's right. Even today, God listens to our prayers in order to hear our prayers. It is not because the child speaks well, and the father is moved by the words and grants the child's wish. Sometimes it is difficult for the father to understand the meaning of the child's words, but the father of the child knows what the child wants and gives what he needs. So are we. It is a big mistake to think that God answers our prayers because they are logical, organized, theological, biblical, and moving. God knows the desires of our hearts.
In 1 Samuel in the Old Testament, we see Hannah praying in the tabernacle in Shiloh. Hannah's face turned red because of how desperate she was. She was saying something, but she couldn't hear her, and from the side she looked like a drunken woman. But God heard Hannah's prayer. So Samuel, the great servant of God, was born. It was a blessing response. Even if that prayer resounds with groanings beyond words, God listens to them. In Jeremiah 8:6, God said, "I give an ear and listen." How grateful are you? “God, what are we, that you look down upon us like this?” comes naturally. Therefore, the saint who wrote this psalm wants to love God more. He begins the poem with a confession of love that overflows in his heart. "I love you."
Beloved, God does not forget us. Isaiah 49:15-16 says, "How can a woman forget her suckling child, and will she not have mercy on the son of her womb? Even if they forget, I will not forget you; I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." God is such a good person.
And God is gracious and righteous, and our God is merciful. Therefore, when we were in trouble, He did no evil to us. God is always kind to us, helps us, and saves us.
Luke 10:27 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind…” When a certain lawyer asked the way to eternal life, he answered: When we believers enter the position of loving God, this can be said to be the holder of mature faith.
Then how did God help this saint? Today, let's read verses 7-8.
"Return to your peace, my soul. The LORD is hospitable to you. You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling."
First, God helped him in his tribulation. Verse 6 says, “When I was low, you saved me.” This is a reference to helping me when I was in deep misery. He persevered even in the worst conditions, helped us not to lose hope, and encouraged us not to weaken our faith. And God delivered that soul from death. If we think about our existence itself, it is the grace of God. When we reach the threshold of death, he made us live again, and our souls are saved by the grace of the Lord, and we go to the place where we are sanctified every day.
In other words, He rescued us from falling into sin and delivered us from falling into misery. When our feet were about to fall, God's right hand held them up. This is God's mercy. God protects us day and night, and does not let us stumble. Therefore, those who are in God will enjoy the blessing of peace and security in their souls.
"My soul, return to your peace." Where is the peace people so thirsty for? Are you on the money? Are you in power? Are you in honor? Are you in knowledge? Peace cannot be bought with money, it is not enjoyed by power, it is not acquired by honor, and it is not learned by knowledge.
The Lord spoke early to his beloved disciples.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." That's right. Peace is a gift from the Lord, not from the world. "Return to your peace, my soul." May the true peace of the Lord fill your souls and overflow.
Now, what should a person who has received spiritual and physical blessings like this do? Gratitude and dedication. Let's read verse 9 of the text today.
"I will walk before the LORD in the living world." How faithful and precious is this decision? “As long as I live on this earth, I will always live before God.” It's a promise. Did you guys make the same commitment?
Everyone, have you always decided to speak, think, and act before God with gratitude and gratitude for the mercy and grace that God has bestowed upon us? A life of faith is no different. It is always walking before God. It does not mean doing it reluctantly, but it means the force of love that can not be done with emotion.
Man is a lie, but God is faithful. Therefore, we must not depend on man, but only on God. Finally, we see the thanks of this saint.
“With what shall I repay all the favors the Lord has given me?” By grace, God rescued this saint from tribulation. Therefore, this saint thinks deeply about the wonderful grace that God has bestowed upon him. Not only that, I am filled with thoughts of how I can repay this grace that God has given me. This is our life of faith. A life of faith without gratitude and emotion, devotion and service is not the right life of faith.
So this saint expressed his determination. It is the confession and enthusiasm, "I will raise the cup of salvation. I will not refuse any cup that you give me." And he said, "I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving."
Those who give thanks sincerely express our gratitude with thanksgiving. With what I have, I give it for the glory of God. I hope that each of us will have the experience, emotion, and commitment of this saint on this Sunday morning.
In fact, today's psalm is my own testimony, and it is also the testimony I desperately need in your life. Today we all give thanks, God, to God who delivered us from our sins and gave us the grace of salvation. I believe there should be a true confession. And I bless you in the name of the Lord to make it happen.