WED: “WE NEED TO LEARN THE FEAR OF THE LORD TO BENEFIT FROM IT”

TEXT:  PSALM 86

  1. The fear of the Lord begins with an attitude of dependency on Him      vss. 1-5
    1. It helps us to admit our dependency upon the Lord 1-3
      1. Calling out to the Lord admitting our need of Him
      2. Calling out to the Lord admitting our desire from Him
      3. Calling out to the Lord admitting our faith in Him
      4. Calling out to the Lord admitting our daily hope for His mercy
    2. It helps us to experience the joy of the Lord as well
      1. God is causing the rejoicing of His servant
      2. God is the reason His servant is rejoicing
      3. God’s servant is rejoicing because he is trusting in the Lord
    3. It helps us to enjoy blessings from the Lord by trusting Him
      1. The benefits of His goodness
      2. The benefits of His forgiveness
      3. The benefits of His mercifulness
  2. The fear of the Lord needs to be acquired from God and His Word      vss. 6-13
    1. He supplies it to those who trust in Him
    2. He teaches it to those who turn to Him
    3. He provides it to those who have received His mercy        
  3.  The fear of the Lord is key to the greatest benefit of His help             vss. 14-17
    1. It is key to our enemies being God’s enemies
      1. The proud are the enemies of God
      2. The violent are the enemies of God
      3. The godless are the enemies of God “…have not set thee before them.”
    2. It is key to our connection with God for His help      v. 15-16
      1. Our connection to God is key to enjoying His compassion unto us
      2. Our connection to God is key to experiencing His graciousness unto us
      3. Our connection to God is key to acquiring His patient mercy unto us
      4. Our connection to God is key to embracing His truth unto us
      5. Our connection to God is key to gaining His strength unto us
    3. It is key to our enemies seeing God’s help to us      v.17
      1. Seeing His good unto us as His children honoring Him
      2. Seeing His power upon us as His children for their enemy’s own sadness
      3. Seeing His comfort through us as His children for a witness to them