Study

Stand Tall

November 1, 2017 by in Study

Text:

Psalms 1:1-3:

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat

   of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall

   not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

Theme:

Stand Tall

 

Introduction:

    • The book of Psalms is the 19th book of the Old Testament and 2nd of the books of poetry. It is distinguished as the longest book of the bible with 150 chapters and also contains the longest chapter of the bible, the 119th division of Psalms. Psalms is also organized in 5 divisions.
      • The author is David, the God-Appointed King and originator of the Davidic line of Kingship and rule in Israel.
      • Psalms is a book of praise and song consisting of verses that were rhythmically relayed in song as in poetry.
      • Psalms can be divided into 6 classes based on their content:
        • Hymns of praise to Jehovah
        • Temple hymns
        • Religious and moral songs of a general character
        • Elegiac psalms, that is, lamentations, psalms of complaint, generally united with prayer for help
        • Messianic psalms
        • Historical psalms
  • The First Division of Psalms from which our text comes is the author’s opening of the mind of the reader to the ideal state of the Child of God…HAPPY!
    • Psalms 1:1 gives the precedent when it says, “Blessed is the man….”
    • Verse 1&2 — How to be “Happy”
    • Verse 3 – Description of the “Happy” person
      • Today we will explore the description of the “Happy” person as depicted by David in the “Tree” of verse three.

    Body:

    In Psalms 1:3, the “Happy” person is compared to a “tree planted by the rivers of water”.

    • Theologians and scientists have concluded that this tree referred to is the Acacia Tree that is indigenous to the areas of Palestine, the Holy Land.
      • This tree, the shittah tree of the King James Version, which has fine leaves under flowers, grows to a height of twenty feet or more, and its stem may sometimes reach two feet in thickness. The tree often assumes a characteristic umbrella-like form. The wood is close-grained and is not readily attacked by insects.
        • It was well suited for such purposes as, the construction of the ark of the covenant, the altar and boarding of the tabernacle.
        • Even today these trees survive in considerable numbers around `Ain Jidy and in the valleys to the south.
      • Waddies are areas in this region of the Holy Land where water settles only during the higher tides. In other times the areas are dry and desolate as the surrounding desert areas.
      • Within the waddies are trees, usually Acacia trees. The taller Acacia trees (although only 7 feet tall) indicate that water does settle in that area.
        • EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN’T SEE THE WATER, the height of the Acacia tree tells you that the tree was planted and nurtured by water…or else it could not have grown as big as it did.
        • KEY: The proof is not in seeing the WATER Þ The proof is in the life seen and observed.
        • God is our water!
          • John 4:10, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”
      • We are not representative of the world around us!
        • The tree looked out of place in the dry, desolate waddy
        • We are called to be “out of place”
          • Deuteronomy 14:2, “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”
          • 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
      • It is not easy to be in a “strange” environment
        • As this gospel song says, “This world is not my home. I’m just passing by.”
        • Psalms 137:4 explains, “How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?”
  • Anyhow, we are supposed to STAND TALL as the proof of the “Water” in our life
    • We must hold our ordained position!
    • The land of Israel was in the crossroads of civilization but the children of Israel decided to live in the hills and allow the Canaanites to live in the valley. This gave the Canaanites the position that God wanted the Jews to have à the position to influence the world.
    • Job 37:14, “Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.”

We must STAND TALL to represent God!

  • The Jews had a tradition of standing up a large stone to signify a major religious or political event that had occurred.
  • For example, Moses when having given the Ten Commandments had the elders to put up 12 stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel.
  • We are supposed to be those stones now to signify that Jesus has come and has risen from the dead for our sins to be forgiven and to give us a right to the tree of life.
  • We are the stones erected to STAND TALL to represent God and his love for us.
    • 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
  • As the 7 foot tall Acacia Tree, God’s provision is testified in our standing TALL!
    • Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
    • “that bringeth forth his fruit in his season”
      • Good Works at the Right Time
      • Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
    • “his leaf also shall not wither;”
      • The Lord Will Provide! — Abraham and Isaac
    • After being told by God to take his only son and sacrifice him, Abraham was obedient and trusted God at His Word.
      • After Isaac asked his father where the sacrifice was to be put on the alter, Abraham calmly replied, “The Lord will provide”
      • Later God told Abraham to not hurt Isaac.
      • Then in Genesis 22:13-14,
        • “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”
        • – The Lord Will Provide!
  • God gives JUST ENOUGH for NOW! — The Sheep in Psalm 23
    • The sheep in the Holy Land were led to pastures that were covered thinly with shallow blades of grass…not really a “green” pasture.
      • The shepherd gives JUST ENOUGH to satisfy their CURRENT need.
      • The sheep TRUST the shepherd and DON’T WORRY about future needs.
      • God gives JUST ENOUGH for NOW!
      • God looks beyond our FAULTS — Jacob and Esau
    • Jacob (along with his mother) deceived Isaac into thinking that he was his older brother Esau and getting the birthright that was due Esau.
      • Genesis 27:22, “And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”
      • God blessed Jacob in spite of his having deceived his father, Isaac.
      • God looks beyond our FAULTS and sees every one of our NEEDS.
        • Ephesians 4:7, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
  • It’s not us! — John the Baptist
    • John the Baptist preached of one coming as the forerunner of Christ.
    • John the Baptist reminded the people that HE WAS NOT THE CHRIST!
      • Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
  • It’s not us! It is Jesus!!
    • Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
    • “and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”
      • Point of clarity, whatsoever he doeth IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW!
  • This clause refers to the new man and not the old man!
    • The new man builds life!
    • The old man tears down unto death!
    • Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

 

 

Conclusion:

  • The greatest example of a “tree planted by the rivers of water” is Jesus on that old rugged cross!
  • The “tree” hung, bled, and died on that “tree” called a cross
    • A “tree” hanging on a “tree”
  • The “fruit” of those “trees” was the sacrificial Lamb of God
    • Matthew 27:54, “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”
  • The “leaves” of those trees was the blood that was shed for the atonement of our sins.
    • Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
    • The “leaf” won’t wither ‘cause as the song says “The Blood will never lose its power!”

Then, finally, “and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”

  • The “tree” isn’t still hanging on the “tree”
    • Jesus was put in Joseph’s “borrowed” tomb
    • EARLY…on the third day morning…HE AROSE…with all power in His hand!
    • He went back to sit at the right hand of His Father in Heaven.
        • If you don’t stand for something you will sit for everything

    • I have something to STAND TALL for!!!
      • JESUS!!!
        • My rock in a weary land
        • My wheel in the middle of a wheel
        • My lily of the valley
        • My bright and shining star
        • My doctor in a sick room
        • My lawyer in a court room
        • My battle ax in the time of war
        • My shelter in the time of a storm!!!

 

 

#220

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