WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 15, 2017
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PRAISE GOD THE PROVIDER
(We are all blessed with GOD’s provisions)
(Psalm 65)
The forgiven should
always praise GOD, knowing the awesome power that HE has exercised on their
behalf. Psalm 65 was probably written by King David to be sung annually when
the first grains of the barley harvest were taken in, and brought to the LORD
as a sacrifice, and, to the priests, as a “wave offering”.
This Psalm of “harvest time blessing” celebrates GOD’s goodness to
Israel by hearing their “earnest prayers”, and rewarding them for giving HIM
“earnest worship”, the only kind that HE can and will accept and receive.
Through GOD’s power, not only are our sins atoned for, but we are also
benefactors of the enormous bounties of provisions that HE showers on us from
HIS unlimited storehouse.
In
verses 1-4, David expresses his understanding of how, once GOD makes atonement
for our sins, after we have demonstrated “earnest repent”, HE is able to bless
us abundantly. “Our repent” is the first step in our preparations to praise
GOD, and it cannot be taken lightly, if our prayers are to be effective. GOD will
only bring near to HIM, those who have hearts (minds) that are filled with
regular thoughts of HIM. Only those will be able to share in the joy that can
only be found in GOD’s Holy Courts (Heaven) (v.4). And so verses 1-4
demonstrate clearly, David’s wonderful understanding of “GOD’s perspective of
salvation” to man. For man to receive salvation, GOD has to look into his heart
and see HIMSELF, before HE sends him to JESUS. JESUS HIMSELF confirms this
thought when HE says that “no man can come to HIM unless the FATHER sends them”
(John 6:43 and 65).
GOD faithfully answers all of our prayers with bountiful deeds here on
earth. HE is the hope of all mankind, Believers and unbelievers, whether we
realize it or not. However, only the Believer will be able to experience and
benefit eternally from the results of their faith in HIM. The faith of the
Believer is a “saving faith” that spurs them to right actions under GOD. If
one’s faith does not motivate them to live a righteous life under GOD, while
living here on earth, it is not the “saving faith” that is needed to unlock for
them, the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven.
In
this psalm, as in many of the psalms that are written by King David, he
recognizes GOD’s power and sovereignty over all of the things that HE created.
Through HIS OWN power, HE formed the mountains and quieted the seas, and people
all over the world must recognize the awesomeness by which GOD operates.
Throughout the land, from east to west, GOD perpetually demonstrates to the
whole world, just who really is in charge of the whole universe (Vs.5-8).
In verses 9-13, David summarizes how GOD provides for, and takes care of,
all of HIS creation each day. And the fruitfulness of HIS creation, testifies
of its appreciation of how GOD has blessed it, merely by way of its
manifestation before us. With the exception of man, all of GOD’s creation shows
great joy, through its obedience and productiveness, for what GOD has done for
it. Because GOD blessed mankind with “wills that are free”, we are the only
part of HIS “living creation” that ever can, and often does, choose to do the
wrong things in life.
However, man’s unfaithfulness to GOD does not cause GOD to be unfaithful
in HIS treatment of mankind. HE continues to water the earth for us, leaving it
rich and fertile, and the overwhelming majority of HIS rivers, never run dry.
They continue to provide for bountiful harvests of grain to feed us, all at the
command of GOD.
In addition, GOD continues to drench the grounds of the world with
plenty of water to soften them, making them easy to prepare for the planting of
life-giving seeds that are capable of feeding every living thing that requires
that type of nourishment. Any wilderness can become a lush pasture at the
command of GOD, and every hillside can suddenly blossom with the joy of GOD’s
blessings. The meadows are filled with sheep and cattle, and the valleys are
carpeted with grain. And they all shout with joy to GOD by way of their very
presence and life-giving existence.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
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