Audio:
2007-09-12 PM God Fixes Life's Problems.mp3

God Fixes Life’s Problems

Psalm 9

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. It Is Always Time for Praising God

A. Believers want the entire world to see God and His marvelous work; people brag about what matters to them. “To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.” (Psalm 9:1)

B. People who understand have trouble keeping things to themselves; salvation and the coming Holy City are too big to hide. “I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” (Psalm 9:2) “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:3-4)

II. The Lord Is a Genuine Judge

A. The biggest Goliath around can expect an anxiety attack when he figures out who is standing in the shadows keeping watch over the people of God. “When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.” (Psalm 9:3)

B. God does things His way in His time, but history shows the undeniable sweep of Providence. “For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 9:4-5)

C. The great triumphs and trophies of evil come to an end; hell begins for civilization, culture, and art in this world. “O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.” (Psalm 9:6)

D. In contrast, the Lord and His gospel continue and advance across time and territory. “But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.” (Psalm 9:7)

E. Uniquely God does what is right and establishes righteousness. “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” (Psalm 9:8)

III. God Protects His Own

A. God provides life’s only safe place. “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9)

B. God has never abandoned people who sought refuge in Him. “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” (Psalm 9:10)

C. God’s protection is a major message for believers to share with the terrified world. “Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.” (Psalm 9:11)

D. The humble who are at a disadvantage in human institutions get justice in heaven’s courts. “When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” (Psalm 9:12)

E. People who believe in resurrection have little room in their hearts for fear; if God can overcome death, He can handle any problem which surfaces. “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.” (Psalm 9:13-14)

IV. The Lord Also Wins in the End

A. Always remember that evil is its own enemy. “The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.” (Psalm 9:15)

B. Over time God is known through His triumphs and evil is displayed in its failure. “The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.” (Psalm 9:16)

C. People and societies which seek freedom from God go to hell; they forget their only comfort. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)

D. The very helpless people evil folks seek to exploit survive in contrast. “For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.” (Psalm 9:18)

E. Do not get in God’s way; let Him settle accounts as He did with Herod. “Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.” (Psalm 9:19-20) “And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” (Acts 12:22-23)