Deeper Life Search The Scripture 19 September 2021 Lesson 1018
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TOPIC: BLESSEDNESS OF OBEDIENCE AND UNITY
Memory Verse: “The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life” (Psalm 128:5).
TEXT: Psalms 126:1-6; 127:1-5; 128:1-6; 129:1-8; 130:1-8; 131:1-3; 132:1-18; 133:1-3
Deeper Life Search The Scripture 19 September 2021 Lesson 1018
The blessings of God are great and wonderful because of deliverances of the children of Israel. “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (Psalm 126:1).
Psalm 127 gives the foundation for success in life, showing that it is vain for anyone to depend on his strength to make lasting progress. It also deals with the fruitfulness in the family of those who trust God. With all the physical blessings from the Lord, forgiveness of sins is the greatest. His promises of pardon are for everyone. “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Psalm 130:7,8). “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
The blessings in the Psalms of today’s lesson affect everyone. These blessings will last long and multiply when there is unity among brethren. one another to keep and increase in His blessings.
1. DELIVERANCE FROM CAPTIVITY AND FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS
(Psalms 126:1-6; 127:1-5; 128:1-6 Galatians 6:7-9; Psalms 34:8-17; 115:9-15)
“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (Psalm 126:1). The purpose and plan of God for His people is total deliverance, redemption and restoration from all kinds of captivity. Any time the children of Israel disobeyed God’s commandment, He allowed them to be taken captive. When they cried to Him, in His mercy and compassion, He sent deliverance to them. In our text, He did the same and it seemed to them as a dream.
This deliverance brought laughter, singing, gladness and joy to the people of God. “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:2,3).
Question 1: What represents captivity in the life of a youth today?
“Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south” (Psalm 126:4). The psalmist cried to the Lord to turn or remove captivity from them. Youths today may not be in physical captivity but might have oppressions that represent captivity. These may be in form of sinful habits (Romans 7:23; 2 Timothy 3:6), sicknesses (Job 2:7,8), satanic attack and oppression (Luke 13:11-17), poverty (1 Chronicles 4:9,10), etc.
Today, Jesus is the great Liberator of all captives. He is available to deliver anyone who calls upon Him for freedom. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18)
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5,6). Sowing and reaping are demanding tasks.
Apart from farmers, everyone sows and reaps something in life. What you sow serves as a foundation for reaping in the future. First, an oppressed person as seen in Psalm 137:1-4 cannot have strength to sow anything good. It is a free and liberated person that has the strength and right faculty to sow.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Those who sow negative things like lust of the flesh, pride of life and lust of the eyes will reap corruption and punishment. On the other hand, those who bear the fruit of the Spirit like love, meekness, faith, peace, gentleness, goodness, temperance, joy and longsuffering will reap success both on earth and in eternity. The choice is yours either to sow positive or negative things. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Second, we can apply sowing and reaping to soul-winning. Preaching the gospel is sowing the seed of the word of God; the positive response of sinners is the reaping of harvest (John 4:35-38).
Psalm 127 gives us the way to lay good and proper foundation for a successful life. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of Sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep
” (Psalm 127:1,2). Anyone who removes God in his or her life cannot achieve any meaningful success. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Salvation and abiding in Christ bring better things into the lives of the believer. “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak” (Hebrews 6:9). This will include better hope (Hebrews 7:19), better covenant or relationship (Hebrews 8:6; 7:22), better promises (Hebrews 8:6), better sacrifices (Hebrews 9:23), better substance in heaven (Hebrews 10:34), better country, i.e heaven (Hebrews 11:16) and a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35). From the above blessings, would you decide for Christ today? “For whosoever shall call upon name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Question 2: From our text, what are the blessings for those who fear and trust in the Lord?
“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” (Psalm 128:1,2).
Having a solid foundation in the Lord brings great blessings. From our text, those who fear and trust in Him will have better and fruitful family (Psalm 128:3,4), peace (Psalms 127:3-5; 128:6), victory over enemies (Psalm 127:5) and enjoy goodness all the days of their lives (Psalm 128:5). “Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life” (Psalm 128:4,5).
2. DELIVERANCE FOR SUFFERING SAINTS
(Psalms 129:1-8; 30:1-8; 131:1-3; Proverbs 16:6; 28:13; Isaiah 55:6,7)
“Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me” (Psalm 129:1,2). Afflictions, persecutions and trials are common for those who believe in the Lord. However, these things do not overcome them because “The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked” (Psalm 129:4).
For the wicked, the Psalmist said, “Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion” (Psalm 129:5). However, for the people of God, he pronounced blessings “The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD” (Psalm 129:8). Deliverance is sure for those who believe the Lord despite persecution and affliction when they pray with clear conscience. Praying without receiving forgiveness from the Lord is a fruitless activity. “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:3,4).
Question 3: What can build up hope in a suffering saint?
“Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Psalm 130:7,8). Total trust in God who gave salvation freely builds up hope that He will surely deliver in times of trouble. “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do, I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:5,6). Such saints are expected to live humbly (Psalm 131:1,2).
The psalmist said his heart is not haughty (proud), eye lofty or seek things too high for himself. The Scripture commands us thus: “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest” (Jeremiah 45:5).
“Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever” (Psalm 131:3). The hope of eternal life and to live with God is one of the greatest benefits of receiving salvation. This hope enables us to endure persecutions and trials till we see the Lord in glory. Let your hope be sure, steadfast and anchored fast in Christ alone. The Scripture says, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
3. DEVOTION TO GOD AND FAVOUR FOR UNITED SAINTS
(Psalms 132:1-18; 133:1-3)
“LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob” (Psalm 132:1,2). David was a saint; his devotion, consecration and commitment to the Lord were great and challenging. Here, he prayed that God should remember him and he vowed that he will not give himself rest or sleep until the house of God was ready. “I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob” (Psalm 132:4,5). This he did with all his heart (1 Chronicles 29:1,2).
The Scripture says
, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10). David’s sacrificial service brought favour on him and his house. These blessings include: (1) the Messiah came from his lineage (Psalm 132:11). (2) The Lord chose Zion as a place of His habitation (Psalm 132:13,14), (3) Abundant provision and satisfaction for ever (Psalm 132:15). (4) Salvation and joy for his people (Psalm 132:16). (5) Shame for his enemies (Psalm 132:18). (6) His kingdom through Jesus will flourish for ever (Psalm 132:18). Truly, it pays to serve God wholeheartedly. The blessings are glorious and splendid. May God grant you grace to serve Him acceptably till the end.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). The expectation of God for all saved youths is to stay united in truth and in sincerity. The Scripture says it is good and pleasant. In such a place, God commands His blessings. “As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalm 133:3). Those who lived in disunity such as the brethren of Joseph (Genesis 42:21,22). Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25 and 28), the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 6:1-8), etc., received the impact. On the other hand, those who lived together in unity such as Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16,17), Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:4,35-42); the Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:2-5,18), the early church (Acts 2:44,45), etc., received favour and blessedness.
Question 4: In which areas should Christian youths be in unity with others?
We must not be in unity against God, His word and plans (Genesis 11:1-9). The basis of our unity is salvation in the Lord and on His word. Some areas Christian youths are called to be in unity include: doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). fellowship (Hebrews 10:35; Psalm 13:1; Acts 2:40-47), soul winning (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 3:1), service (Acts 13:1-2) and prayer (Acts 12:1-6).
We should also join forces in building the house of God and edifying the body of Christ. Are you in unity with the teachings of the Bible? We need to pray and make deliberate effort to achieve scriptural standard of unity. The example of the Lord Jesus Christ is “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). His prayer for us is:”Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:20-22).
Thanks and God bless for reading Deeper Life Search The Scripture 19 September 2021 Lesson 1018