The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. Sermons
I. THE TRUTH HERE DECLARED. 1. As to those that love God. He will preserve them. He does this: (1) In the order of his providence. It is generally well with those that love him. (2) In their spiritual history it is certainly true (see Romans 8., at end). (3) In his eternal kingdom. No harm can reach them there. 2. As to the wicked. He will destroy them. (1) Now and again we see such doom come upon individual transgressors. History recounts the destruction of nations, and their sin has ever been their destroyer. Where are the great empires of olden time? (2) But often and often, blessed be his Name! He destroys the wicked by destroying their wickedness, turning their hearts to himself. The King's arrows are sharp in the hearts of the King's enemies. (3) But God's final doom on the ungodly is what is mainly meant in this Scripture - that awful sentence of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord," which must come on all those who will not allow that God should separate them from their sin. And this is no arbitrary sentence; for note - II. THE NEEDS-BE FOR IT. 1. In the preservation of those that love God. It is so for the Lord's own sake; his love could not otherwise be satisfied, nor his promises fulfilled. And for the world's sake; they who love the Lord are the salt of the earth, and are his witnesses to men. And for their own sake, that they may be eternally blessed. 2. In the destruction of the wicked. If it be only a temporal destruction, it is needed for the vindication of the Divine Law; for the reformation of the guilty (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:32); for witness to men that verily there is a God who judgeth. And if the destruction be other than temporal, it is still necessary, for how else can heaven be heaven? Earth is the sad place it too often is only because of the presence of sin. Is sin, then, to have place in heaven, as it will if the wicked come there? III. ITS WORD OF HOLY COUNSEL. 1. Pray: for so is our will strengthened to choose the right and refuse the wrong. 2. Act: break away from wickedness and commit yourself on the side of God. 3. Trust: day by day, yea, continually, give yourself up "to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless," etc. "Help, Lord, that we may come
All them that love Him. : —I. ON WHAT ACCOUNT GOD IS TO BE LOVED, AND IS LOVED BY HIS SAINTS. 1. For Himself (Psalm 8:1). 2. As their chief, yea, only good (Psalm 73:25). 3. For the blessings of His goodness communicated to them (Psalm 6:9). 4. For the various relations in which they stand toward Him (Psalm 18:1). 5. For His great love to them (1 John 4:19). II. HOW, AND IN WHAT WAY AND MANNER, LOVE TO GOD MANIFESTS ITSELF. 1. In a desire to be like Him (Ephesians 5:1). 2. In making His glory the supreme end of all their actions (1 Corinthians 10:31). 3. In desiring of, and delighting in, communion with God (1 John 1:3). 4. In a carefulness not to offend Him by sinning against Him (Psalm 97:10). 5. In parting with, and bearing, all, for His sake. 6. In a regard to His house, worship, and ordinances (Psalm 84:1). 7. By a value for His Word, His Gospel, and the truths of it. 8. In love and affection to the people of God. III. THE NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF THE LOVE OF GOD. 1. It is universal; a love of all that is in God and belongs unto Him; of all His attributes and perfections, not of His goodness, grace, and mercy, and of Him for them only: but of His holiness, justice, and truth; and of all His commandments, which are to be respected (Ephesians 6:23, 24). 2. It is superlative; exceeds all other love, or love to all other persons and things. 3. It is hearty and sincere; a love without dissimulation; not in word, nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 4. Should be constant; such is the love of God to His people, He rests in His love towards them. 5. It may be increased; the apostle prays for an increase of it, and he thanks God for it that it did abound (1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:3). IV. THE HAPPINESS OF SUCH THAT LOVE THE LORD. 1. They are loved by Him (Psalm 63:3). 2. They are known of God (1 Corinthians 8:3; 2 Timothy 2:19). 3. They are preserved by Him (Psalm 145:20; Psalm 31:23). 4. They have many instances of mercy, kindness, and respect shown them (Exodus 20:6). Hence David prays (Psalm 119:123; Proverbs 8:21). 5. All things that occur unto them in the present life are for their good (Romans 8:28). 6. Great things are laid up and reserved for them that love Him. (T. Hannam.). Praise ye the Lord. I. THE GRANDEST RESOLUTION (vers. 1, 2).1. The author's belief in the existence of his soul. When this conviction comes, the whole universe is transfigured, and God is brought down from the region of debate and speculation into the realm of consciousness as the Reality of realities. 2. His belief in the duty of his soul to worship. This is to have the whole soul transported with the sense of His immeasurable love and the transcendent loveliness of His character, — to have the soul following Him as the planets follow the sun, drawing from Him harmony of movement, radiance, and life. The words imply — 3. His conviction that he must rouse himself to the work. "O my soul." No soul can worship unless it rouses. Man has the power of self-motion and self-resolve. We cannot be carried up the lofty heights of true devotion; we must climb the rugged slopes ourselves. Ten thousand voices from above are constantly saying to us, "Come up hither." II. THE UNRELIABILITY OF MANKIND (vers. 3, 4). 1. Men's bodies are dying. 2. Men's purposes are perishing. The great shores of destiny are crowded with the wrecks of purposes that have been broken, unfulfilled hopes, unrealized plans, etc. Wherefore, then, "put trust in princes" or in mankind? Sooner a house built on the sand, and in defiance of the laws of gravitation, to shelter you from the tempest, or the most fragile canoe to bear you in safety over the Atlantic billows. III. THE HAPPIEST CONDITION (vers. 5-9). 1. The "God of Jacob" is — (1) (2) (3) 2. Here, then, is an Object on which to rely, "Trust in Him who liveth for ever." IV. THE WRONGDOER'S DESTINY (ver. 9). "The way of the wicked He turneth aside." 1. From what? From all that can render their existence worth having, — from pure friendship, from peace of conscience, from pure loves, from bright and unquenchable hopes. "He turns them aside." 2. How? Not by His will, not by the force of circumstances, not by the influence He exerts, no; but by their own free agency they turn themselves "upside down," they go of their own accord on the broad way that leads to destruction. (David Thomas, D. D.) ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Sunday Circle. A touching story is told of an old Methodist, a singer of no mean order, who was afflicted with a cancer on his tongue. He went to a hospital for an operation, and there this pathetic incident occurred. Holding up his hand, he said, "Wait a bit, doctor; I have something to say to you." The operator waited, and the patient continued, "When this is over, doctor, shall I ever sing again?" The doctor could not speak; there was a big lump in his own throat. He simply shook his head, while the tears streamed down the poor fellow's face, and he trembled convulsively. The sick man then appealed to the doctor to lift him up, with which request the physician complied. He said, "I have had many a good time singing God's praises, and you tell me, doctor, I can never sing any more after this. I have one song to sing, which will be the last. It will be a song of gratitude and praise to God as well." Then, from the operator's table, the poor man sang one of Dr. Watts hymns, so familiar to many: —"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath." (Sunday Circle.) People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Danger, Destroy, Destroyeth, Destruction, Keepeth, Keeps, Love, Loving, Preserves, Preserveth, Sinners, Wicked, WorshippersOutline 1. David praises God for his fame8. For his goodness 11. For his kingdom 14. For his providence 17. For his justice, holiness, and savings mercy Dictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 145:20Library June 17 EveningAll thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.--PSA. 145:10. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.--I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.--Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift … Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path The Satisfier of all Desires Christian Conversation How I Know God Answers Prayer Exhortations to those who are Called God, My King, Thy Might Confessing Free Grace Prayer Out of the Deep. The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers. I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also- Second Great Group of Parables. The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual Government of the World. The Holiness of God Covenant Duties. The Mercy of God The Intercession of Christ Psalms Links Psalm 145:20 NIVPsalm 145:20 NLT Psalm 145:20 ESV Psalm 145:20 NASB Psalm 145:20 KJV Psalm 145:20 Bible Apps Psalm 145:20 Parallel Psalm 145:20 Biblia Paralela Psalm 145:20 Chinese Bible Psalm 145:20 French Bible Psalm 145:20 German Bible Psalm 145:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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