Psalm 48 - Celebration of the City of God
2006029
Topic # 271 (God)
Introduction:
A. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
1. Jehosophat king of Judah. Good king; did what was right in the sight of God.
2. Ammon, Moab, and Edom make war against Judah.
3. Awesome collection of power/ruthless warriors had come against them.
4. Key verse: 20:12 – we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us, nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.
5. 20:15, 17, 20.
6. 20:22-23
B. Psalm 46-48 – a trilogy. Some believe that these are connected to the story of deliverance in 2 Chronicles 20.
1. Psalm 46 – victory over God’s enemies; the threat has been successfully removed.
2. Psalm 47 – the power and stature of the One God.
3. Psalm 48 – celebration of the City of God
C. Focus our attention today on Psalm 48.
1. It is a psalm of danger past and full deliverance is seen here. Victory has come.
2. Think of how we go through “insurmountable” problems – only to sustain victory from God. He delivers us every time.
I. 48:1-3 – Worship God for His enthronement in His royal city.
A. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised…
1. A call to worship. Need to recognize His power/glory. Worthy of all praise.
2. Does the greatness of our God inspire greatness of praise and worship on our part?
3. Do we associate “joy” with holiness?
a) Just consider His greatness…who He is as God! His holiness! His power! His glory!
b) # 21 – Hymns for Worship
B. Our God is not like idols. Able to deliver his people from real & present danger.
1. He is acutely aware of our needs – both spiritual and physical.
C. In verses 1-3 – another focus is on the city of Jerusalem. The great city is wonderful because it belongs to God. It was His city.
D. 48:2 – set on a hill – would have been magnificent to look upon. Its association w/the real and powerful God would have been well known.
E. 48:3 – God is a refuge. There is safety and security in Him. He had chosen this city as His abode.
1. Think of passages today which speak of God as our Rock, our safety; our anchor of the soul. Psalm 18:2; 19:14
2. Sometimes things come about in life where all we have left is our trust. (Remember 2 Chr. 20:12?) All they had left was God. There was nothing they could do.)
3. Sometimes God will wait to intervene until last possible moment in order to strengthen our faith.
4. Js. 1:2-4
5. Psalm 61:1-4; 62:1-2
II. 48:4-7 the sight of God’s City stirs panic in enemy kings.
A. The mere sight of the city brought fear into their hearts.
1. Compare the 2 Chron 20:20-21 – Jerusalem could be seen from the wilderness of Tekoa…SE of Jerusalem.
2. Why scared? The presence of the living God filled the City!
B. 48:5
1. It surpassed their expectations of its strength, and they saw with wonder that any attempt to conquer it was hopeless.
2. Filled with anxiety and confusion.
3. Preparations had been made in vain, and that all hopes of success must be abandoned.
4. They fled in confusion.
C. 48:6
1. Trembling seized them….as soon as they saw the city, they became alarmed.
2. They were filled with dismay.
3. As a woman in travail - This comparison is often used in the Scriptures to denote the severest kind of pain.
D. 48:7
1. A metaphor? Depicting some great and violent destruction wrought by the arm of God upon Israel's foes.
2. Enemies of God had/have absolutely no chance when fighting against Him!
a) Something so big; “indestructible…” easily taken out by God.
a) God is on our side!
b) NT Xian’s have this assurance: Rom. 8:35-39…
c) 2 Cor. 4:16-5:7 – this assurance should fill us with great hope!
d) Christians walk by faith…not by sight!
III. 48:8-11 – worship God for His loving and righteous reign.
A. Compare 48:5 –they saw… with 48:8 – what we have seen. Saw same sight…but different reactions.
1. They saw what terrorized….we see our security in God.
2. Enemy armies could not take the city… God had scattered their forces…
a) it could be taken by no human power
b) God intended that it should be permanent and abiding.
3. Compare this to the Church…that nothing can prevail against it, but that it will endure to the end of the world. (Mt. 16:18)
4. When we see the panic of the most powerful enemies before God’s power and judgment, it should strengthen our confidence/courage in God’s ability to protect us.
B. 48:9 – compare to 2 Chron. 20:27-28.
C. 48:10-11 – God is worthy of all praise because He has vindicated His people, and executed judgment on their enemies.
IV. 48:12-14 – the sight of the city of God brings His people confidence.
A. 48:12-13 - They were confident in their defense – because of God’s protection.
1. The pride of the psalmist in the strength of Jerusalem was fully justified. When Vespasian and Titus finally destroyed the city, Titus stated that "Only God had enabled him to conquer it." In fact it was the moral collapse of the city within itself that activated their final overthrow.
D. 48:13 – they wanted to testify of this faith/trust/deliverance to the next generation.
1. So should we. Let’s talk about what God does for us!
a) Not a matter of luck/happenstance.
b) Give Him the glory! He’s there far more than we usually realize.
c) Our children need to see how much God does for us & how we recognize that!
E. 48:14 – they were confident in God’s eternalness and guidance.
1. We trust in God’s protection and deliverance…
2. How confident are we willing to let Him lead us and shape our lives according to His will?
F. Are we really ready to let go and let God take control of the “steering wheel?” Think about how many times God has delivered us!
G. He is always there for us! He will take care of those who serve Him!
Conclusion:
A. 48:5 compared with 48:8. How does God look to you?
B. God can be your refuge; rock; and source of protection if you are willing to enter into a relationship with Him.
1. God takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked.
2. He wants you to give your heart to Him.
3. Will you do so today?
C. I N V I T A T I O N
