Blessings of the Believer

 

Scripture Text

Psalm. 36:7-9

Intro: We who are children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the most blessed people on earth. Some envy the wicked, but they are not blessed of God. Psalms 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I. There is security in the Lord. Psalm 36:7 (NKJV) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

A. His unfailing love endures forever. We have the Security of a merciful, loving, kind, caring God. (Psalm 57:1) Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. God’s loyal love is precious, because humans can take refuge in the Lord like chicks taking refuge under their mother hen’s wings. If we are in God’s will, nothing can touch us without His permission.

II. There are abundant provisions. (Psalm 36:8) They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

A. The fullness of God’s house. The psalmist here uses the imagery of the temple to say that believers enjoy the provisions of God’s house. (Isaiah 55:1-2)
¹ "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come; buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. God invites people to come to Him. The blessings God gives are available without cost. Salvation is a free gift of God; it refers to spiritual redemption and physical deliverance. Both are intended here. The Lord asks how people could be interested in other things besides Himself as He is the only One who can bring genuine satisfaction. Throughout all history people have tried to find satisfaction through many things other than God.

III. There is life in the Lord. Psalm 36:9a (NKJV) For with You is the fountain of life.

A. Jesus came for this purpose. (John 10:10b) Understanding, joy, and abundant life come from the Lord, our Source.

IV. There is light in the Lord. (Psalm 36:9b) In Your light we see light.

A. The light of the Lord overcomes darkness. John 8:12 — Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." Jesus lights our way through the darkest of times. His Spirit guides us. 2Cor. 4:6 — For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: So, in contrast with the corruptions of the wicked, an obedient believer’s life is characterized by security in the Lord, abundant provisions, life, and understanding in God’s presence.

Invitation: If you are enjoying these provisions of the Lord you should give thanks right now. If you are not enjoying all these provisions of the Lord, now is the time to correct that. Simply confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. Invite Him into your life to guide and direct you until you go to live with Him in Heaven forever.

Fellowship With God

 

1 John 1:3–4 (NKJV) That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Intro: Did you know God created you for close fellowship with Him? More than anything else that's what God wants from you and I. He wants to be in intimate fellowship and communion with us. Fellowship - means a friendly relationship; companionship: sharing of interest, feelings. The Father invites us to spend some time Him and enjoy the results.

I. Fellowship with God allows Him to more fully reveal Himself to you. Psalm 119:125 I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies. You and I don't know all God wants us to know about Him. The more a servant knows about his master, the more useful and effective he can be. So we need understanding to know the mind of God as it is revealed in His word. If you want to know more about someone you have to spend time with them. You have to talk to them, share your feelings and then listen to what they have to say. There has to be a sharing of mutual interest and feelings. When you spend time with God in bible reading, meditation, and prayer, he will reveal more of His interest and feelings to you. We need to seek more of God's wisdom, knowledge, and understanding thru reading scripture, meditation and prayer.

II. Fellowship with God helps keep your focus on Him. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus, our example, perfectly finished his race so Christians should keep their eyes focused on him and His word, looking away from other options or distractions. It is upon him that our faith depends from start to finish. In this world in which we live, its easy to lose our focus of God and go astray. Fellow-shipping with God keeps us looking to Jesus and longing to be with Him more and more because He loves and cares for us so and He knows the path of life that is best for us and our families.

III. Fellowship with God helps you overcome sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When you spend time fellow-shipping with God it leads you to recognize, confess and forsake your sin. Sin in your life blocks the sharing of interests and feelings with God. It robs you of the blessings that God intends for you to have. If we are truly committed to changing and we really want to overcome sin, God through His Spirit will spark the right thoughts in our mind if we ask Him to do so. God wants to help us overcome sin, and fellowship with Him helps prepare our mind to respond the way He would have us to.

IV. Fellowship with God brings His power into your life. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. When you fellowship with God, it means you will have more of His Holy Spirit power working in your life so you will be able to live as God would have you to live. Spending time in fellowship with God and His word allows His Spirit power to work in your life and do exceedingly, abundantly above all you can possibly ask or think.                                                                                                                                        V. Fellowship with God brings joy to your soul. Nehemiah 8:10 Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! There is nothing in this world that will bring you lasting satisfaction and joy of spirit and soul like God. God gives us joy because He is joyful. He is the source of joy, just as He is the source of love, truth, mercy, and grace. Joy is both a description of God and a description of what He gives. Joy means delight and pleasure. As you fellowship with God, it will bring delight and pleasure to your soul. Most people have the wrong view of God. Rejoicing in God as prescribed in his word, and serving him with cheerfulness and thankfulness, will give you and I strength of mind and body which we all greatly need, to perform the duties God requires of us, and to endure and oppose all the cunning and malicious schemes of Satan against you and I.

VI. Fellowship with God helps you hear Him better. Jeremiah 33:3] 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' There are a lot of things you and I don't know. When we spend time in fellowship with God, communicating with Him in prayer, we are better able to hear His voice and understand what He has for us. God has great and mighty things for you and I but we must spend time praying, seeking His face and listening for His voice in our mind & spirit.

Conclusion: Spending time with God in intimate fellowship, sharing interests and feelings has great rewards. You and I would be wise to heed these words of advice. If we do, our lives will change for the better and it will benefit everyone around us.

Invitation: You can't fellowship with God if you don't have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. You must confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you from hell. Invite Him to come into your life to take charge of you. Then spend time in fellowship with God by listening and sharing your interest and feelings with Him.