Beware the Ides of MarchBeware the Ides of MarchTrust the Lord of AllTrust the Lord of All

Psalm 146Psalm 146

Psalm 146-150Psalm 146-150

• A “hallel”A “hallel”

• Psalm 113-118; 130-136Psalm 113-118; 130-136

• Double “Hallelujah” PsalmsDouble “Hallelujah” Psalms

• Praise Jehovah or Praise “Yahweh”Praise Jehovah or Praise “Yahweh”

The Call to PraiseThe Call to Praise

• All of life should be framed by praising the All of life should be framed by praising the LordLord

• He joins in with what he calls us to doHe joins in with what he calls us to do

• ““I will”—he is determined in his will to live I will”—he is determined in his will to live this waythis way

The Call to PraiseThe Call to Praise

• The Lord is not simply to be part of life but The Lord is not simply to be part of life but the heart of life (Wiersbie)the heart of life (Wiersbie)

• Baptists often miss this call to praiseBaptists often miss this call to praise

– Overreaction to charismatic movementOverreaction to charismatic movement– Baptists are pragmatists to a great degreeBaptists are pragmatists to a great degree

The Call to PraiseThe Call to Praise

• Jesus praised (Mt. 11:25)Jesus praised (Mt. 11:25)

• He called us to praise in a real sense in the He called us to praise in a real sense in the Lord’s PrayerLord’s Prayer

• ““Hallowed”—set apart as holy; no higher Hallowed”—set apart as holy; no higher name that deserves my allegiance; great and name that deserves my allegiance; great and greatly to be praised (Heb. 13:15)greatly to be praised (Heb. 13:15)

Beware the Ides of MarchBeware the Ides of March

• Frame life with praise of God and NEVER Frame life with praise of God and NEVER TRUST IN HUMAN BEINGSTRUST IN HUMAN BEINGS

• NOT EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL AMONG NOT EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL AMONG THEMTHEM

• Israel looked for a king and did not put their Israel looked for a king and did not put their trust in the Lordtrust in the Lord

Beware the Ides of MarchBeware the Ides of March

• Don’t love or depend upon the things of this Don’t love or depend upon the things of this worldworld

• We will not find meaning in life in people or We will not find meaning in life in people or possessionspossessions

• Matthew 6:19; 25-34; 1 John 2:15-17Matthew 6:19; 25-34; 1 John 2:15-17

Trust the Character of GodTrust the Character of God

• He is the God of JacobHe is the God of Jacob

• He was a schemerHe was a schemer

• He made a lot of bad choicesHe made a lot of bad choices

• He got in many bad spotsHe got in many bad spots

Trust the Character of GodTrust the Character of God

• He finally submitted to the LordHe finally submitted to the Lord

• God was faithful to him in a covenant God was faithful to him in a covenant relationship and turned him into a great manrelationship and turned him into a great man

• God remains faithful forever (v.6)God remains faithful forever (v.6)

Trust the Character of GodTrust the Character of God

• He made everything (v.6)—He is very He made everything (v.6)—He is very powerfulpowerful

• He helps the oppressed (v.7)He helps the oppressed (v.7)

• He feeds the hungry (v.7)He feeds the hungry (v.7)

• He frees prisoners (v.7)—Jesus came to He frees prisoners (v.7)—Jesus came to liberate usliberate us

• He gives sight to the blind (v.8)He gives sight to the blind (v.8)

Trust the Character of God

• He exalts the humble (v.8)

• He loves the righteous (v.8)

• He cares for the aliens (v.9)—often not cared for in the world

• He looks after the orphans and widows (v.9)

• He frustrates the way of the wicked (v.9)

Trust the Character of GodTrust the Character of God

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HIS STORYHIS STORY