| It is so important to praise and worship Almighty | | | | a day when it is harder and harder to trust |
| God. We today come and approach Him in the | | | | people. So many discover that people let them |
| Name of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ. | | | | down, and David knew all about that. God is |
| Verses 3 to 5 in Psalm 9 give us David's reasons | | | | faithful. |
| for praising God, and these reasons remain sound | | | | We submit ourselves to Him and submit ourselves |
| and valid for each of us today. This is one area | | | | to His ways. What we know, and what we do |
| where positive leadership is particularly important. | | | | with what we know is important. He never |
| The enemy had caused destruction - verse 6 - | | | | forsakes those who seek HIM. |
| but God had overthrown the enemy, and his Lord | | | | When Jesus saw the crippled and the lame - or |
| had given David rest and peace. He can and will | | | | the leper - or the blind man - ortax collectors - |
| do the same for us. | | | | Jesus did not turn away nor run away nor hide. |
| The enemy - sin - the devil - has caused a lot of | | | | He will come and bless - and people will find a |
| destruction. He has tried to destroy all that is | | | | blessing and enjoy that blessing. |
| good and all that is of God, and continues to | | | | The more we know God the more we trust HIM. |
| attempt to do this. | | | | What a verse! What a promise! |
| But Jesus Christ came and to rescue people. He | | | | What a positively encouraging word for us all to |
| shed His Blood and died, and rose from the dead | | | | accept and enjoy. No wonder the Psalmist bursts |
| defeating the power of evil, and the risen living | | | | out in verse 11 - sing praises to the Lord. Share |
| Jesus gives us power, and authority to use His | | | | what God has done. |
| Power. | | | | We are spiritual messengers. Speak about what |
| When Jesus Christ is present the enemy always | | | | Jesus has done for you - "Tell out my soul the |
| has to fall and disappear. | | | | glories and greatness of the Lord". |
| When man is delivered from the influence of the | | | | Here are two priorities - singing praises - and |
| enemy he can experience that rest and peace | | | | speaking about what God has done and is doing. |
| which only our God can give. The enemy comes | | | | Praising and testifying are linked here. Praise and |
| to upset and oppress and depress, and when this | | | | Proclaim. |
| is removed people can experience the Peace of | | | | These new songs which we have today have |
| God. | | | | arisen out of days of renewal by the Holy Spirit, |
| The Lord reigns for ever - His Throne endures - | | | | because people who are touched by the grace |
| and the same Lord Who was in control of | | | | and mercy and love of God through the Spirit of |
| situations in the days of David is still in control of | | | | Jesus Christ, just want to praise Him. |
| situations today. Jesus Christ is the same | | | | Verse 12 teaches us that God hears the cry of |
| yesterday today and forever. It is tremendous to | | | | the afflicted or the humble. |
| be able to read the Old Testament and the | | | | Prayer is a haven or a harbour to a shipwrecked |
| Psalms in particular in the light of what Jesus has | | | | man. So many lives are bashed against the rocks |
| revealed and fulfilled. | | | | but so few want to enter this harbour, and sail |
| He is able to heal those who come to Him - and | | | | into this haven. This verse is like a ladder taking |
| help those in trouble - and deliver people from the | | | | us up to God. |
| oppressing influence of the enemy. Yes, the Lord | | | | David mentions his circumstances - and he has |
| Jesus Christ is on His Throne, but this verse also | | | | been delivered - and deep distresses require great |
| teaches us that He is the Lord of Judgement, and | | | | deliverances. Verse 14 teaches us how to |
| He will judge the world justly and fairly. | | | | respond when God comes and helps us and |
| What a comfort for those who belong to Jesus | | | | ministers to us and sets us free from whatever |
| Christ, and what a terrifying thought for people | | | | has been bothering us. David praises God publicly. |
| who have not made their peace with God through | | | | Rejoice when God visits you to save you and |
| Jesus. David's testimony here is quite | | | | comfort you and bless you and help you and |
| comprehensive. | | | | deliver you. That is his word to the people. |
| In verse 9, we read that the Lord will be a refuge | | | | Verse 17 speaks about people who forget GOD. |
| for the oppressed - a safe haven for people in | | | | To forget GOD is not a little sin - but a serious |
| time of trouble. Here is a wonderfully reassuring | | | | one. We see there the forgotten GOD, and in the |
| picture of the mercy and love and concern which | | | | next verse we see the unforgetting God. The |
| our gracious God has for man. Needy people can | | | | Lord will not forget those in need. |
| come to God in times of real need and trouble - | | | | "Arise O Lord". Many have prayed that down |
| and He will give real help. He will minister in a deep | | | | through the centuries. |
| and practical way. | | | | We continue to pray verse 19 - but also |
| Some say - O God will not come to me - He | | | | remembering how HE has risen - and arisen - and |
| seems always to help other people with their | | | | poured out the Holy Spirit - and ministered to our |
| problems - but He won't come near me in my | | | | various needs - saving people from their sins - |
| situation. O yes HE will - if only people would ask | | | | healing people from their sicknesses - delivering |
| HIM. | | | | people from oppression and depression - and filling |
| We have this tremendous promise in verse 10. | | | | them with His Love and Power. |
| Now, we know His Name - JESUS CHRIST - and | | | | No wonder so many do want to Thank Him and |
| we can place our complete trust in Him. We live in | | | | Praise Him and Worship Him. |